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THE
COLONIAL RECORDS
OF THE
STATE OK GEORGIA
VOLUME XV
JOURNAL OF THE COMMONS HOUSE
OF ASSEMBLY
October 30, 1769, to June 16, 1782, Inclusive
COMPILED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY
OF
THE LEGISLATURE BY
ALLEN E>. CANDLER
A1XANTA, OA.
THE FRANKLIN-TURNER COMPANY
NUNTBJLS, PUBI4SH8RS, BINDERS
1907
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
GEORGIA.
Journals of the Proceedings of the Commons Houue
of Assembly of the Province of Georgia, at the first Ses
sion of the Seventh General Assembly of the said Prov
ince, Convened at the Town of Savannah, on Monday
the thirtieth day of October, in the Year of our Lord
One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty Nine, by his Ex
cellency James Wright, Esquire, Captain General, and
Governor in Chief of the Province aforesaid —
A true Copy from the Original Journals
Examined and Certified Jn° Simpson C: D: C.
Great Seal taken off by S. B.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Commons House of
Assembly of the Province of Georgia at the first Session
of the Seventh General Assembly of the said Province
Convened at the Town of Savannah on Monday the thir
tieth day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thou
sand Seven hundred and Sixty Nine by His Excellency
James Wright Esquire Captain General and Governor in
Chief of the Province aforesaid.
The Master in Chancery delivered to the Clerk of the
The commis- Commons House of Assembly by order of his Excellency
t%U Membl» the Governor, a Commission directed to Noble Wimberly
2h7c?iriJby Jones, John Milledge, Archibald Bulloch and William
Young Esq™ the Members Elected and returned to Serve
in General Assembly for the Town and district of Savan
nah The Master in Chancery also delivered the several
Writs of Election upon which the Members are Elected
and returned together with the Several Indentures from
JOURNAL OE COMMONS HOUSE
the Provost Marshall a Sufficient number of Members
not meeting the Clerk took the Chair and adjourned till
to morrow Morning 10 of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 31st October 1769
The Commission delivered to the Clerk yesterday was
read in the words following —
and read Georgia By his Excellency James Wright Esquire Cap
tain General, Governor, and Commander in
Chief, of his Majesty's said Province of Geor
gia, Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the Same.
To Noble Wimberly Jones, John Milledge, Archi
bald Bulloch and William Young Esquires Greet
ing—
Whereas his most Sacred Majesty in and by his Royal
Commission to me under the great Seal of Great Britain
hath amongst other things directed that the Several Per
sons duely Elected to serve as Members of the General
Assembly of this Province, shall before their sitting take
the Oaths mentioned and appointed to be taken by an Act
passed in the first Year of the Reign of his late Majesty
King George the first, Intitled Act for the further security
of his Majestys Person and Government and the Succes
sion of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess, Sophia ,
being Protestants And for extinguishing the hopes o£ the-
Pretended Prince of Wales and his open and Secret Abet
tors —
And Whereas the said Act was altered by an Act of the
Parliament^ of Grea^ Britain made in the Sixth Year of
the R^ign of pur Sovereign Lord the King that now is.
OCTOBER, 1769. 5
Intitled an Act for altering the Oath of Abjuration and
the Assurance and for amending so much of an Act of
the Seventh Year of her late Majesty Queen Ann, Intitled,
An Act for the improvement of the Union of the two
Kingdoms, as, after the time therein limited requires the
delivery of certain Lists, and Copies therein mentioned
to persons indicted of High Treason or misprision of
Treason And whereas the said Persons so Elected are
required also to make and subscribe the Declaration men
tioned in An Act of Parliament made in the Twenty fifth
Year of the Reign of King Charles the Second Intitled
an Act for preventing Dangers which may happen from
Popish Recrusants, Which said Oaths (in the form pre
scribed by the Act of Parliament last above mentioned)
and the Declaration aforesaid I. am fully Authorized and
Impowered to Commissionate fit Persons under the Seal
of the Province aforesaid to tender and administer to
the said several Persons so Elected, and it is by his Maj
esty's Royal Commission and Instructions declared that
untill the same be so taken and subscribed No Person shall
be Capable of sitting tho Elected, I therefore Reposing
special trust and Confidence in the Integrity Care and
Circumspection of you the said Noble Wimberly Jones,
John Milledge, Archibald Bulloch, and William Young
have Comnlissionated and appointed, and by Virtue and
pursuant to the Powers vested in me as aforesaid Do give
unto you or any two or more of you full power and au
thority to tender and administer the Oaths in the last men
tioned Act di Parliament Contained and also the Declara
tion above mentioned unto the Several Persons Elected
or that may hereafter be Elected to serve as Members of
the said General Assembly and to see them subscribe sev
erally the said Declaration when and as often as the same
shall be requisite and necessary to be done And you the
said Noble Wimberly Jones, John Milledge, Archibald
Bulloch and William Young are hereby requited to make
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
a due return of your Proceedings by Virtue of this Com
mission from, time to time unto me under your Hands and
Seals with the Names of such Members as have been duly
qualified before you as aforesaid —
This Commission to Continue during Pleasure
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of his
Majesty's said Province of Georgia the Twenty
Eighth day of October in the Year of our Lord
One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty Nine and >
in the Tenth Year df the Reign of his Majesty
King George the third
l. s. ) James Wright
Secretarys Office
by his Excellencys Command
Thomas Moodie Dy Secty
The following Members being met, Viz'
Noble Wimberly Jones ^1 ^ . ,- , m *
t u Tv/r-n j hsquires for the lown ana
SeveralMem- John Milledge I TV . ¦ . r 0 t, • +i^
bersQuaUfy Archibald Bulloch Distnct of Savannah in the
William Young J Pansh of Chnst Church f
( for the Town of Vernonburgh
John Morel Esq* \ in the Parish of Christ
I Church.
™ .,. t> ¦ r> r f for the Village of Acton in the
Philip Box Esq' | parish of ^^ Church
William Ewen ") Esq™ for the District of Eben-
Samuel Farley > ezer and Parish of Sl Mat-
Samuel Elbert ) thew.
OCTOBER, 1769.
The Members
proceed to
the Choice
of a Speaker.
John Mullryne, Esqr
for the Islands of Wilmington,
Tybee, Skidaway and Greens
Island in the Parish of Christ
Church.
John Rae Esqr for the Town of Augusta and Parish of
S' Paul
William Le Conte Esq1 for the district of Great Ogeechie
and Parish of S* Philip.
John Glen
Colin Reddock
{
Esqrs for Halifax and Parish
of S' George
Message from
his Excy.
the Govt.
John Stevens, Esqr for Medway and Parish of S* John.
Proved themselves duly Qualified to serve as representa
tives according to the Terms prescribed in and by an
Act of the General Assembly of this Province passed
the Twenty Ninth day of June 1761 Intitled an Act to
ascertain the manner and form of Electing Members to
represent the Inhabitants of this Province in the Com
mons House of Assembly, And then took the Oaths,
and made and subscribed the Declaration and took and
subscribed the Oath of Abjuration and then took their
Seats —
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery —
Gentlemen His Excellency the Governor has ordered me to ac
quaint you that you have his Leave and direction to pro
ceed to the Choice of A Speaker —
Then the Members present proceeded to the Choice
of a Speaker and unanimously elected 'Noble Wimberly
Jones Esquire fo be their Speaker and he was according
ly Conducted to the Chair.
8 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Comm. ordered M' M 'Hedge and Mr Bulloch were ordered to attend
ExcXncfthat his Excellency the Governor, and acquaint him that the
had chrae rs Members had unanimously made Choice of Noble Wim
berly Jones Esquire to be their Speaker and desire to
know when they should attend his Excellency to present
him, accordingly they withdrew and being returned
Reported that his Excellency was pleased to say im
mediately —
Mr Milledge and Mr Bulloch were appointed a Corn-
presented for mittee, to attend his Excellency with the Speaker Elect,
his Excys.
approbn. and present him for his Excellency s approbation, who
was pleased to approve of him — and then Mr Speaker
informed the House he had desired his Excellency would
be pleased to Grant that this House of Assembly may
The Speakers "
request of have freedom of Speech as by right and of Custom they
used to have and all their just Priveleges and Liberties
allowed them, and that, in any thing he should deliver
in the name of the House, if he committed any Mistake
it may not be imputed to the House, but that he might re
sort again to them for declaration of their true intent
and meaning, and that, as often as his Majesty's serv
ice, or the good of the Province shall require, He might
by direction of the House, have free access to his Ex
cellency, To which his Excellency was pleased to An-
AnlwCTVern°rs swer' ^^ ^e wou'd Grant them every right and Privi
lege they could justly claim, or that they used to have,
that was in his power to grant, and that whatever should
be delivered in the Name of the House, if any mistake
was in it he should have free liberty to resort again to
the House, and correct and amend such mistake, and that
the Speaker should have free access to his Person when
ever the Publick Business called for it, and that his Ex
cellency would give him, where the good of the Province
required it, every Assistance and Advice in his Power.
OCTOBER, 1769. 9
Mr Speaker further Reported, that his Excellency was
Excyfs speech P'eased to make an Affectionate Speech to both Houses
to both Houses of Assembiy; of which, to prevent mistakes, he had ob
tained a Copy, and read the same, to the House in the
words following Viz*
[This is the same as already Copied in Journal of Up
per House 31 Oct'. 1769]
The Speech
read James Wright Savannah in Georgia
Council Chamber the 31st October 1769
Resolution Resoeved Nem : Con : That an humble Address of
.Speech16 thanks be presented to His Excellency the Governor for
his Speech delivered to both Houses at the opening of
the present Sessions that being sensible of the many
Dangers this Province is liable to from the encroachment
on Lands beyond the boundary Line fixed between us and
the Indians, To assure his Excellency we will proceed
to consider of and frame such a Bill as may most effect-
tually prevent so alarming an Evil — That his Excel
lency may rely on our serious attention to redress the
Abuses complained of by the Indians respecting the
Trade as now carried on amongst them, that the Diffi
culties are indeed greatly augmented by the Plan adopt
ed at Home as well as the clashing Interests of the
Neighboring Colonies, that we hope their Concurrence
will not be wanting in a measure so essentially beneficial
to the whole, that we will use our utmost care to prevent
those fatal Consequences we have too much reason to
apprehend from the present General Intercourse with
those Indians, That his Excellency may be assured that
a due respect will be had to his Majesty's order in Coun-
10 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
cil relative to the Negroe Law (so beneficial to this:.
Province) and that the late and present Acts together
with the Patrol Law now subsisting shall be taken into
Serious consideration and framed in such manner as
may best answer the several salutary purposes wished
for, That the Night Patrol or Town Guard Duty being
absolutely requisite for our Safety and Preservation, and
the present Mode of Duty appearing to be upon a Dis
agreeable and improper footing we will endeavour to
form a Law whereby the Service may be rendered more-
effectual and will carefully inspect such Laws as are near
expiring and revise amend and Continue those which may
be of Publick Utility, That we receive with a Satisfac
tion equal to the Impotance (slc) of the Subject the
Notification his Excellency is pleased to assure us that
he is authorized to declare that some of the many Taxes.
lately imposed by Parliament are intended to be taken.
off and that no others of the like nature will be added
but deeply Concerned to observe that any unconstitu
tional Act should remain at the same time are not insen
sible of the recent Instances of encouragement afforded
the Produce of America the last Session of Parliament
That we are certain that none but Enemies of the
Mother Country have attempted to disturb the Happi
ness of his Majesty's American Subjects, That it affords-
us additional pleasure that the Grievances of the Colo
nies are likely to meet with Attention and redress from
the wisdom of the British Legislature, That we are bold
to assert that our most gracious Sovereign has not any
Subjects more gratefull or more firmly attached to his
Royal Person and Family than the Inhabitants of Geor
gia ever warmed with a becoming Zeal for the Honour
of Great Britain and the true Liberties of America.
whose Interests must remain inseperable while fixed oir
the Sure and firm Basis of our excellent Constitution
that we are thoroughly convinced that the Glory of the
OCTOBER, 1769. 11
British Empire depends on that Harmony and Unanim
ity which we ardently Pray may ever subsist between
Great Britain and the Colonies, That we thank his Ex
cellency for his kind offer of assistance in any matter
which may tend to the Good of the Province and that we
will chearfully take into our Consideration what he has
been pleased to reccommend to us ' respecting the usual
and necessary Services of the Current Year.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw
up an Address to be presented to his Excellency upon
the said resolution and a Committee was appointed ac
cordingly. Ordered That his Excellency's Speech be referred
to the said Committee.
Ordered That a Committee of Priveleges and
Comm. of Elections be appointed and a Committee was appointed
Priveleges rL L J-
Appointed™3 accordingly, And they are to meet as often as there is oc
casion, and they are to take into Consideration all such
matters as shall or may come in Question touching returns
Elections, and Priveleges and to proceed upon double
returns in the first place and to report their proceedings
with their Opinions thereupon to the House from time
to time And all persons who will question any Returns
are to do it within fourteen days next and so within
fourteen days next after any new Returns shall be
brought in, and the Committee are to have Power to
send for Persons Papers and Records for their Informa
tion And all Members who are Returned for two or more
places are to make their Election by this day Week for
which of the Places they will serve provided there be
no Question, upon the return for that place, and if any
kind shall come in question touching the return, Elec
tion or Matter of Privelege of any Member he is to with
draw during the time the Matter is in Debate and that
12
Comm. of
Grievances Appointed
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
all Members returned upon double returns do withdraw
till their Returns are determined —
Ordered That a Committee of Grievances be ap
pointed and a Committee was appointed accordingly and
they are to Sit as often as is Necessary and they are 10
have power to send for Persons, Papers and Records
for their Information —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
Several Members
Qualify
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday Ist (November 1769
Benjamin Andrews Esqr elected and returned for the
Midway and Parish of S' John —
Isaac Young Esq1" elected and returned for the Dis
trict of Goshen and Abercorn in the Parish of S4 Mat
thew. Proved themselves duly qualified to serve as repre
sentatives according to the Forms prescribed in and
by an Act of the General Assembly of this Province
passed the Twenty Ninth day of June 1761 Intitled an
Act to ascertain the manner and form of Electing Mem
bers to Rq>resent the Inhabitants of this Province in the
Commons House of Assembly and then took the Oaths
and made and Subscribed the Declaration and made and
subscribed the Oath of Abjuration and then took their
Seats.
thePcomm0m ^ MuUryne from the Committee of Priveleges and
aLPEiections' Elections to whom was referred the double return for
the District of Great Ogechee and Parish of Saint Philip
NOVEMBER, 1769. 13
reported they had come to a Resolution which he read
in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the
Table where it was again read and is as follows Viz'
The Committee of Priveleges, and Elections, having
taken under Consideration the double return for the
district of Great Ogechee, and Parish of S' Philip where
in Richard Cunningham Crooke, and Charles Odingsell
Esq1* are returned, as having an equal number of Votes,
that the Committee having duely weighed the Agree
ments, on both sides, and having obtained every In
formation they possibly could are of Opinion that Charles
Odingsell Esqr ought to have been returned duely elected
to serve as a Representative for the district of Great
Ogechee and Parish of S' Philir
Resolved That this House will take the said Report
into Consideration on Monday next —
Ordered That the Clerk do acquaint Richard Cun
ningham Crooke, and Charles Odingsell Esqra that the
said Report will be taken under Consideration on Mon
day next —
Resolved Nem: Con: That the following Rules be
Rules of °
the House the Standing Rules of this House
[The Rules 1-30 are the same as already copied
from the Journal of Commons House 27 Nov. 1764 —
Volume 41]
Thirty first That when the House shall adjourn or go
with an Address or on other Occurrences, No Person
shall rise or go out untill Mr Speaker do arise and go
before and then the Members to follow, and that no Per
son shal} walk ^jaout or interrupt tb? Hpu§e while in
Psbafe-rr
14 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Thirty second That there shall be the following Fees
allowed to the Clerk of this House Viz'
For drawing every Petition not exceeding one Copy
Sheet of Ninety Words Five Shillings and for every
Copy Sheet afterwards one Shilling but no Petition
to exceed Twenty Shillings,
For Reading a Petition Three Shillings,
For passing every Private Bill Six Shillings & six
pence
For entering the Laws in a Book five pence
Ordered That Leave be given to bring an Ordinance
dtotncefTraplfor appointing the Honourable Grey Elliott Esquire,
Holt'Esq^Pro- Agent to Sollicit the Affairs of this Province in Great
'" """ Britain, to commence the first day of June next, and -that
Mr Guinnett, Mr Andrew, and Mr Mullryne to (E,c) pre
pare and bring in the same.
Motion being made that the third reading of the Bill,
Mo°stio0'nin0r the Intitled, an Act to prevent private Persons f rom encroach-
of'the^ndlaS mg upon, or purchasing any of the Lands reserved for
1,11 the Indians or trading with them! without Licence, and
also to repeal an Act, Intitled an Act to prevent Private
Persons from purchasing Lands from the Indians, and
for prenting (s!c) Persons trading with them without Li
cence, should be postponed till after the ensuing Holy-
passed in the days upon the Question being put, it passed "in the Nega-
Negative tive —
Then a Motion was made, that the said Bill should be
read a third time on Monday next, upon the Question
being put, it passed in the Affirmative.
order thereon Ordered That the said Bill be read a third time on
Monday next.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday December 9th 1769
The House met according to adjournment and then
adjourned till Monday Morning Ten of the Clock.
DECEMBER, 1769. 67
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Monday December 11th 1769
Richard Cunningham Crooke Esquire, elected and re-
QuSSef turned for Augusta, and Parish of Saint Paul, proved
dimself duely qualified to serve as a Representative ac
cording to the Terms prescribed in and by an Act of the
General Assembly, and then took the Oaths, and made
and subscribed the Decleration, and took and subscribed
the Oath of Abjuration and then took his Seat —
Mr Grceme, from the Committee appointed to prepare
bui to prevent and bring in a Bill to prevent the Stealing of Horses and
&c&. presented Neat Cattle and for the more effectual Discovery and
punishment of such Persons as shall maliciously wick
edly, and unlawfully Kill, mark, or brand the same, re
ported they had prepared the said Bill which was received
.feread and read the first time, and ordered to be read a Second
time. The House being informed that the Commissioners for
commissrs. for building a New Light House upon the Island of Tybee,
Building a New ° °
^nd the°Hous^ attended at the Door they were called in (and according
to order) presented at the Bar of the House the report of
their proceedings which was read to the House in the
Words following Viz*
The Commissioners appointed for building a New
& make their Light House on Tybee Island in pursuance of the Power
vested in them by the Act of the General Assembly for
that purpose passed have entered into an Agreement
with John Mullryne Esquire, for building the same with
Brick, within two Years from March last, for the sum
of three thousand Pounds, which was the Lowest Esti
mate, and proposal that was made to them, in Conse
quence of their Advertisements for that purpose, One third
68 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
of which Sum to be advanced, On (Blc) third to be paid
when the building shall be raised forty feet, and the re
maining third, when fully compleated, the same to be
Erected upon such Spot, as the Commissioners should
point out.
In Consequence of this Agreement a Board of Com
missioners went down to Tybee and found a Spot which
they imagined would answer the intended purpose, and
which is upon the Land reserved for the use of a Light
House, but the said Spot being, upon further Inspection
thought too low, a full Board of Commissioners again
went down on the twenty eighth past, and got Mr William
Lyford, the Pilot, to accompany them, and having diln
gently Viewed, as well the Publick Land on the said
Island, as such other parts which were thought Necessary
and carefully set the Light House, the Bar, and the Fort
of Cockspur are of Opinion, that the most proper and
Eligible Spot to place the said Light House upon, is on
a high and broad ridge of Land, heretofore the property
of Peter Cadman and now of William Lyford, where it
will appear Conspicuous both to the Northward and
Southward. The Commissioners must Observe, that no future Light
House can be a leading Mark for the Bar, unless erected
where the present one now stands, which is impracticable,
at least would not, from the Encroachment of the Sea,
answer any purpose, but they find that, by cutting down
a few trees above the present Light House, the then
Point of Tybee and the said Fort of Cockspur will be a
very safe and apparent leading Mark —
All which the said Commissioners do report to this.
House pursuant to the Order by them made.
DECEMBER, 1769. 69
Ordered That the report of the said Commissioners
do lie upon the Table to be perused by the Members of
this House.
The Ingrossed Bill, entitled an Act to prevent private
Indian Bui read persons from Incroaching upon or purchasing any of the
Lands reserved for the Indians, or trading with them
without a Licence, and also to repeal an Act, Intitled an
Act to prevent Private Persons from purchasing Lands
from the Indians, and for preventing Persons trading
with them without Licence, was read a third time, upon
the Question being put, that the Bill should pass, it passed
in the Negative —
-fc>c
& Rejected Resolved That the said Bill be Rejected.
Ordered That the other Order of the day, for the
Commissioners of the Town and Common to lay their
proceedings and Accounts before the House be adjourned
over till Thursday next.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday December 12th 1769
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to go down
comm. appoint- to Tybee Island on Friday next to View the place that
therLlghttme is proposed by the Commissioners for building a New
Light House upon the said Island, and report their Opin
ion thereon to the House, and that the said Committee
shall have power to take such Persons with them as they
shall think proper for their Information and that they
do also View the State of the Old Light House and
70 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
likewise the State of Fort George, upon the Island of
Cockspur, and report their Opinion thereon to the House,
and a Committee was appointed accordingly, Committed
to Mr Crooke, Mr LeConte, Mr Bulloch, Mr Odingsell,
Sir Patrick Houstoun, Baronet, Mr Ewen, Mr Simpson,
Mr Elbert, and M1" Rae.
Ordered That the Commissioners appointed by the
commrfs°rtohat- Act of the General Assembly for building a New Light
ceommitteeaid House, upon Tybee Island, be desired by the said Com
mittee to give their Attendance at the same time.
A Petition from several Passengers, whose names are
petition from thereunto subscribed, being just arrived in the Ship
gCTlrfromSire- Hopewell, Thomas Ashe Master, from Belfast, in the
land presented .
by order of the North of Ireland, was delivered to the Clerk of this
Governor House by the Deputy Secretary, by direction of his
Excellency the Governor in Council, and read to the
House in the Words following, Viz* —
& Read
Georgia To his Excellency James Wright, Esquire, Captain
General, and Governor in Chief, of his Majesty's
Province of Georgia, and to the Honourable Coun
cil, and Commons House of Assembly, of the said
Province convened in General Assembly.
The Petition of the Several Passengers just arrived
in this Province, in the Ship Hopewell, Thomas
Ashe, Master, from Belfast in the North of Ire
land.
Most humbly sheweth.
That your Petitioners (chiefly Farmers) being of late
years, greatly oppressed by the Rents exacted at which
they are obliged to hold their Lands, as also by Taxes
DECEMBER, 1769. 71
and other Duties in Ireland, so that the most exerted
Industry, scarcely affords a Comfortable subsistence to
their Families, and having no hopes to obtain better
Terms by renewal of their Leases when expired, thus
distressedly Circumstanced, your Petitioners determined
to seek relief, by moving themselves to some one of his
Majesty's American Provinces, That your Petitioners,
by Letters from Mr John Rae, Merchant in Georgia, to
his Brother in Ireland, and being informed by Sundry
Letters from their Friends who came to settle in this
Province last year from Ireland in the Ship Prince
George, Captain Beatty, that a Certain Portion of Land
was laid out, and appropriated for the Purpose of settling
a Township in this Province, that the Land was extreme
ly good, and Capable of any Cultivation and their Friends,
further acquainting them, of the hospitable Reception
they had met with from the Inhabitants in General, and
the very generous Assistance afforded them by his Ex
cellency the Governor and the General Assembly, The
Consideration of such great Priveleges, and Advantages,
were powerfull Inducements to their immediately resolv
ing to leave their Native Country, to part with their little
substance, and thereby enable themselves to come over
and Settle in this flourishing Province hoping to entitle
themselves to its Protection, Encouragement, and Assist
ance, and of being found in Return, to the utmost of
their Ability equally useful to forward your generous
Intentions, in the further settling and encreasing the
Same, That although some of your Petitioners, are come
over upon Redemption, yet the far greater part have paid
their Passage, in the doing of which (many of them
having large Families) they have much reduced their
Substance, Your Petitioners therefore humbly Pray your
Excellency, and Honours, that you will be pleased to
take their Case, under your Serious Consideration, to
grant that they may be partakers with their Fellow
72 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Countrymen of the Lands yet ungranted, in the Town
ship of Queensborough, according to their respective
Families, be enabled to get up to their Lands and be put
in Possession thereof, and to grant them such other Re
lief, as in your great Wisdom and generous Disposition,
you shall judge Necessary to their Melancholy Circum
stances — And And your Petitioners as in Duty bound
shall ever Pray —
Order in Council annexed to the said Petition
At a Council held on Tuesday the 12th December 1769
Present
His Excellency the Governor in Council
On reading the Petition on behalf of the several People
ciither°efonOUn" lately arrived from Ireland—
It is Ordered That they give into the Clerk of the
Council a list of their Names and respective Number in
each Family and Attest the same before him that so the
Necessary directions may be given to prepare Warrants
for surveying Lands within the Limits of Queensborough
Township, and with respect to the residue of the prayer
of the said Petition, the same is referred to the Consid
eration of the Commons House of Assembly —
By his Excellencys Command
Thomas Moodie for Cha Watson CI : C :
Ordered That the said Petition be taken under Con
sideration to Morrow Morning —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
DECEMBER, 1769. 73
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Wednesday December 13th 1769
The Bill Intitled, an Act to amend an Act Intitled an
reldPa second Act for encouraging the Cultivation of Hemp, Flax and
Wheat, and for regulating the Inspection of Hemp, Flax,
and Wheat flour was read a Second time and ordered to
be committed to a Committee of the whole House
& Committed
The House immediately resolved itself into a Com
mittee accordingly, and after some time spent therein
Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Box from the
Committee reported they had taken the said Bill into
Consideration, gone through the same and made several
Amendments thereto which the Committee had directed
him to report to the House, and he read the report in
his place and afterwards delivered the Bill with the
Amendments in at the Table, where the Amendments were
again read, and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed. Resolved That the Title of the said Bill shall be a
Title of said Bill .
Altered Bill Intitled an Act to repeal after the first day of July
in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred
and Seventy One, part of an Act, Intitled an Act, for the
encouraging the Cultivation of Hemp, Flax, and Wheat,
and for regulating the Inspection of Hemp, Flax and
Wheat flour.
The order of the Day being read for taking under
thetipassen°^rs Consideration the Petition of the People lately arrived
conTidere'f11 from Ireland the House took the Same under Considera
tion, and it appearing to the House that the Petitioners
74 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
would be reduced to very melancholy Circumstances, un
less some Assistance was afforded them, therefore,
Resolved That this House will provide the Sum of
thereon10" Two hundred Pounds for that purpose to be applied in
such manner as shall hereafter be directed.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday December 14th 1769
The Ingrossed Bill intitled an Act to repeal after the
Hemp &ca. Bin first day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand
tfmea ' Seven hundred and Seventy One, part of an Act, Intitled
an Act for encouraging the Cultivation of Hemp, Flax,
and Wheat flour was read the third time.
& Passed Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun do Carry the
Bill to the upper House and desire their Concurence
thereto. Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
order for a Em laying a Duty on New 'Negroes that may be imported for
Negro™ *cT Sale into this Province and for appropriating the Same
to the encouraging Protestant Settlers, that may Arrive
under the Regulations therein mentioned, and that Mr
Odingsell, Mr Ewen, and Mr Mullryne, do prepare and
bring in the said Bill.
Ordered That Mr Barnard have Leave of Absence
till the first of February next to go into the Country
upon extraordinary Avocations
DECEMBER, 1769. 75
The House being informed that the Commissioners for
TownT bom- e the Town and Common of Savannah attended at the
House Door they were called in and at the Bar of the House
presented according to order their Several proceedings
and Accounts relative thereto and then they withdrew
and the Titles of the said Papers were Read.
Ordered That the said Papers do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
Ordered That the Order of the day for the Commis-
Order for the sioners appointed by an Act of this Province to' build a
court House to Court House in the Town of Savannah to lay a State of
attend ad
journed their proceedings and Accounts before the House be ad
journed over till the Seventeenth day of January next.
Resolved That this House will provide a Sum in the
Resolution for Estimate for purchasing a Mace for the use of the
purchasing a
Mace &ca. House, likewise a Gown for Mr Speaker, and a Gown for
the Clerk. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Moring, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday December 1 5th 1 769
Mr Young from the Committee appointed to prepare
watch Bin pre- and bring in a Bill for raising a Certain Number of
1st time Watchmen for preserving good Order in and about the
Town of Savannah and for defraying the expence attend
ing the Same reported they had prepared the Same which
was received and read the first time and ordered to be
read a Second time.
Mr Young from the Committee appointed to prepare
76 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
and bring in an Ordinance for reappointing Benjamin
reappofntg °r Franklin Esquire Agent to Sollicit the affairs of this Prov-
Age™ pre- ince in Great Britain, reported they had prepared the
sented & Eead . x L
same wliicn was received and read the first time and Or
dered to be read a Second time
order for a Ordered That a Committee be appointed to see a
fee^Line6 Run Bine run on the Strand, or Bluff of Savannah to ascer-
o?Biafl oTsa- tain the Back Line of the Wharf Lots, and provide a
Plan thereof together with the Publick Landings at the
end of each respective Street to be annexed to the Bill
for regulating the Rates of Wharfage, Storage &ca Com
mitted to Mr Young, Mr Milledge, Mr Bulloch, Mr Box,
and Mr Ewen. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Saturday December 16th 1769
The House met according to adjournment and then
adjourned till Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Monday December 18th 1769
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to go down
comm.onthe to Tybee Island to View the place that is proposed by
Light Housere- " .
poi-t the Commissioners for building a New Light House upon
the said Island and to View the State of the old Light
Plouse as also the State of Fort George upon the Island
of Cockspur reported that agreeable to Order they had
DECEMBER, 1769. 77
desired the Attendance of the Commissioners and had
taken with them such Persons (who were Commanders
of Vessels and others) which they judged Necessary,
and after obtaining every Information on the Several
Matters recommended to them: that they had come to the
following Resolutions Viz4
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
«ons that the Spots of Ground Approved of by the Commis
sioners is a place highly improper for the purposes in
tended. Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that -a Spot of Ground bearing nearly East South East,
and about Two hundred and fifty Yards from the old
Light House is the most proper place to fix the Intended
Light House on.
Resolved That this Committee is also of Opinion,
that, at a small expence the present Light House may
Stand for a Considerable Number of Years.
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that Fort George, upon the Island of Cockspur, is in a
ruinous Condition, and as it daily Suffers from the In-
croachment of the Sea, any money that might be laid out
upon the Same will be thrown away, unless some Ballast
Stones could be Obtained, (from such Vessels as come
into Cockspur) at a small expence, to be thrown round
the said Fort
The said Resolutions being severally read a Second
time Resolved That this House will take the Same under
Consideration on Tuesday the Sixteenth day of January
next.
78 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The Bill, intitled, an Act for raising a Certain Number
Isaetco1ndtimead of Watchmen for preserving good order in and about
the Town of Savannah, and for defraying the Expence
attending the same, was read a Second time, and ordered
to be committed to a Committee of the whole House
The House immediately resolved itself into a Coni
es committed mittee accordingly, to take the said Bill under Considera
tion, and, after some time spent therein Mr Speaker re
sumed the Chair, and Mr Bulloch from the Committee
reported they had taken the said Bill into Consideration,
made some progress therein and that he was directed
by the Committee to move for Leave to sit again —
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to .sit
again — And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, 'Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday December 19th 1769
The Ordinance for Reappointing Benjamin Franklin
Esquire, Agent to Sollicit the Affairs of this Province in
Great Britain was read a Second time.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Further com- Whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill,
watch" bhi e entitled an Act for raising a Certain Number of Watch
men for preserving good order in and about the Town of
Savannah, and for defraying the expence attending the
same, and, after some (slc) spent therein, Mr Speaker re
sumed the Chair, and Mr Bulloch from the Committee,
reported they had taken the said Bill into further Con
sideration, and made some further progress therein, and
DECEMBER, 1769.
79
Order for a
Duty Bill on
Rum &ca.
that he was directed by the Committee to move for Leave
to sit again — ¦
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to sit again
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
laying a Duty on all Rum and Wines that may be im
ported into this Province and for appropriating the
money arising therefrom, and that Mr Bulloch, Mr Oding
sell, Mr Milledge and Mr Farley, do prepare and bring in
the said Bill. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Wednesday December 20th 1769
A Petition from1 part of the Inhabitants of Saint John's
pirt*©" the'in- Parish, whos names are thereunto subscribed, was pre-
john^plrish*' sented to the House, and read Setting forth, That where
as they are informed the Inhabitants of Saint Andrews
Parish, have petitioned the House for Redress of Griev
ances, by the Grant of a Middle Parish, in which to in
clude a part of the Parish of Saint John's, and whereas
the Inhabitants thereof, for a Considerable term, and
Several, even fifteen Years past, have been laboriously
employed in the Annual performance of the Publick
Work in the same, and having so far accomplished it,
that now themselves and Travellers may pass with some
Conveniency, the Additional Work of a Middle Parish
would certainly be esteemed a very great Grievance Yet
as Saint Andrew's Parish is extensive, if extending the
Boundary four or five Miles would redress them, they
80 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
have no Objection, otherwise they Conceive of that
Parish, there may be made two as large as Saint Johns,
The Petitioners therefore do humbly Sollicit, if the Wis
dom of the House think meet, they may not be either in
cluded in a Middle Parish, or distinctly, from the Chief
of the Inhabitants of Saint John's Parish, made Subject
to any Additional Work, and the Petitioners will Pray,
&ca— Resolved That this House will take the said Petition
under Consideration on Thursday the Eighteenth of Jan
uary next.
A Petition from the North west Inhabitants of Saint
the'iihabftMts Andrews's Parish, whose names are thereunto subscribed,
iarish " rewswas presented to the House, and read, Setting forth,
That the Petitioners are an entire seperate Settlement
in one remote corner of the Parish, without the least
Connection with the other Settlers in the Parish, nor can
there ever be any on account of the large space of Low
Barren Lands that are betwixt them, and that they are
Obliged, upon every small cause that comes under the
Cognizance of Justices, and Freeholders to ride fifteen or
Twenty Miles, with their Evidences, to have it deter
mined, when they have Courts held regularly just by
them, and that they find the Division of Publick Roads
allotted them a very great hardship and no ways pro
portionate to the few Inhabitants in that District, as well
as discouraging to others from settling among them, as
they are Obliged to work from the Parish Line to Fort
Barrington, which is upwards of Twenty five Miles of
Low wet Pine Land, and often not a dry Spot to Camp
at Nights, where their Negroes are obliged to Continue
(upon Account of the Distance they have to go) the whole
time, at the utmost Risk of their Lives, and, as an addition
to their unhappy Circumstances their Commissioners
DECEMBER, 1769.
81
never fail exacting a full fortnight's work of them every
Year, and generally at some very unseasonable time,
Neither can they see any Probability of an end to their
difficulties unless the House will take the substance of
their Petition into its Consideration, and grant such Re
lief as it shall think best for them, either by annexing that
Settlement to Saint John's or forming a Middle Parish,
and the Petitioners will Pray, &ca
Resolved That this House will take the said Petition
under Consideration on Thursday the Eighteenth day of
January next.
Then the Order of the day was read —
Ccmm. ap
pointed re
specting the
£200 Voted
the People
from Ireland
Ordered That the same be adjourned over till Thurs
day the Eighteenth day of January next
Motion being made, that a Committee be appointed
to apply the Sum of Two hundred Pounds, Voted by
this House to the several People lately arrived from, Ire
land (in the Ship Hopewell, Thomas Ashe, Master) in
order to enable them to go to their intended Settlement,
in the Township of Queensborough.
Ordered That Mr Rae and Mr Elbert be a Committee
to apply the said Sum of Two hundred Pounds, and that
they do disburse the same in such manner as will best
suit the Purposes intended.
The Ordinance for Reappointing Benjamin Franklin
ordinance Esquire Agent to Sollicit the Affairs of this Province in
Reappointing ^- °
?thMetimee& Great Britain was read a third time.
passed Resolved That the Ordinance do pass.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do carry the Ordinance
to the Upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto.
6 e r— vol 16
82
Order for a
Comm. to
request his
Exccy to give
an Adjourt.
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That Mr Simpson and Mr Bulloch do wait
upon his Excellency the Governor and desire that his
Excellency will be be <8lc) pleased to adjourn the House
till after the ensuing Holidays and accordingly they
withdrew and being returned, Mr Simpson reported that
they had waited upon his Excellency agreeable to order,
to desire he would please to adjourn the House till after
the ensuing Holidays, and that his Excellency was pleased
to answer that he would send the House an Adjournment
in half an Hour
A Message from his excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery, was read to the House as follows
Viz'
The Housp
adjourned
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assembly
until Monday the Eighth day of January next, then to
meet for the Dispatch of Business, and it is accordingly
Adjourned to the Eighth day of January next.
Given under my hand at Savannah
this 20"1 day of December 1769
James Wright
To the HonWe the Speaker
and Members of the
Commons House of Assembly.
JANUARY, 1770. 83
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday January 8th 1770
The House met according to adjournment and resolved
co'mmt1 of itself into a Committee of the Whole House to take
the Watch Bill . .
into further Consideration the Bill intitled an Act for
raising a Certain Number of Watchmen for preserving
good order in and about the Town of Savannah and for
defraying the expence attending the same, and after
some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed the Chair,
and Mr Bulloch from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into further Consideration, gone
through the same and made Several Amendments thereto
which the Committee had directed him to report to the
House and he read the Report in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill, with the Amendments in at the Table,
where the Amendments were again read, and agreed to
by the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed. Resolved That the Title of the said Bill shall be a
Title Altered Bin intitled an Act, for raising a Certain Number of
Watchmen for preserving good Order in and about the
Town of Savannah. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
84
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Bill to pre
vent Stealing
Horses &ca.
read a Second
time
& Committed
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday January 9"1 1770
The Bill intituled an Act to prevent Stealing of Horses
and Neat Cattle, and for the more effectual discovery
and punishment of such Persons as shall maliciously,
wickedly, and unlawfully Kill, Mark, or Brand the same,
was read a Second time and ordered to be Committed to
a Comittee of the Whole House.
The House immediately resolved itself into a Commit
tee accordingly to take the said Bill into Consideration
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Grceme from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into Consideration and made
some progress therein and that he was directed by the
Committee to move for leave to sit again
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to sit
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
Bill to amend
the Election
Act ordered
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday January io'h 1770
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
amend "an Act intitled an Act to ascertain the manner
"and form of electing Members to represent the Inhabi
tants of this Province in the Commons House of As
sembly" and that Mr Crooke Sir Patrick Houstoun and
Mr Andrew do prepare and bring in the said Bill.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
JANUARY, 1770. 85
Whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
Commtf of intitled an Act to prevent Stealing of Horses and Neat
prevent steal- Cattle and for the more effectual discovery and punish
ing Horses &ca ment of such Persons as shall maliciously, wickedly, and
unlawfully Kill, Mark, or Brand the same; and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair,
and Mr Grceme from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into further Consideration and made
some further Progress therein and that he was directed
by the Committee to move for Leave to sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to sit
again. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday January IIth 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Further Whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
Commt. of
vent^teiunjT" intitled, an Act to prevent Stealing of Horses and Neat
Horses &ca Cattle and for the more effectual discovery and punish
ment of such Persons as shall maliciously wickedly and
unlawfully Kill, Mark, or Brand the same, and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair
and Mr Grceme from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into further Consideration and made
some further progress therein and that he was directed
by the Committee to move for Leave to sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to sit
again. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
86 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday January 12th 1770
The Clerk presented to the House a Message from his
Excellency the Governor together with an Opinion and
Advice of his Majestys Council thereunto annexed. And
it was Resolved That though this is not the proper Method
of having his Excellency's Messages delivered to the
House, yet as the Master in Chancery who usually de
livers these Messages was indisposed, the House through
favour agrees to receive the Message &ca, as presented
which was read to the House in the Words following
Viz'Georgia At a Council held in the Council Chamber at
Savannah on Monday the 27th November 1769
Present
His Excellency James Wright Esquire in Council
His Excellency laid before the Board an Address
Message lately presented to him from the Commons House of As-
Exceiiency sembly requesting that his Excellency would be pleased
aou of council to lssne Writs for electing Four Members to sit in gen
eral Assembly for the four new Parishes, of Saint
Thomas, Saint Patrick, Saint David, and Saint Mary in
this Province, and his Excellency ordered to be read the
Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Seventeenth, of his Majestys
Instructions to him relative to the issuing Writs of Elec
tion for Members to serve in the General Assembly and
also the Answer he returned to the said Address and de
sired the Opinion of the Board, on the Subject Matter
thereof, Who on due Consideration had therein were
unanimous in opinion, that his Excellency was no ways
JANUARY, 1770. 87
authorized to issue such Writs of Election, as requested
by the Commons House in their said Address, and that
the Answer given by his Excellency was highly proper,
And as the Lands containing those four Parishes were by
his Majesty's Royal Proclamation added to this Province
since the above Instructions to his Excellency were given,
they recommended stating the Case fully to Government,
and applying for further Instructions on that Head, as
a very Necessary and desirable measure, altho from the
present small number of Inhabitants in those Parishes,
which is apparently owing to the best Lands being held
by Absentees, under the Grants of the Province of South
Carolina, such an Addition of Members as requested by
the Commons House may not be immediately Necessary.
Cha6 Watson C : C :
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
As a further Answer to your Address of the Sixteenth
November last, I now send you a Copy of the Opinion
and advice of his Majesty's Council to me on that mat
ter James Wright
Savannah the 12"1 January 1770
Ordered That the said Paper do lye upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House —
The Order of the day being read for Leave to bring in
a Bill for dividing this Province into Districts, and for
Constituting Circuit Courts therein.
Ordered That the Consideration thereof be postponed
ill the Sixth day of February next.
till
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
88 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday January 13th 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Further Whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
Commt. of
vent^tUnniT" 'n^^d an Act to prevent Stealing of Horses and Neat
Horses &ca. Cattle and for the more effectual discovery and punish
ment of such Persons as shall maliciously, wickedly and
unlawfully Kill, Mark, or Brand the same, and after
some time Spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair
and Mr Grceme from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into further Consideration and gone
through the same and made Several Amendments there
unto, which they had directed him to report when the
House will please to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be received on Monday
Morning.
And then the House adjourned till Mon
day Morning Ten of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday January 15th 1770
M1' Grceme (according to Order) reported from the
Report thereon Committee of the Whole House to whom the Bill to pre
vent the Stealing of Horses, and Neat Cattle and for the
more effectual discovery and punishment of such Persons
as shall maliciously, wickedly and Unlawfully Kill, Mark,
or Brand the same was Committed, the Amendments
which the Committee had made to the Bill and which
they had directed him to report to the House, and he read
the report in his place and afterwards delivered the Bill,
Title Altered
JANUARY, 1770. 89
with the Amendments in at the Table, where the Amend
ments were read and agreed to by the House.
Resolved That the title of the said Bill shall be a
Bill intitled an Act to prevent Stealing of Horses and
other Cattle, and for the more effectual discovery and
punishment of such Persons as shall maliciously and
wickedly Kill, Mark, or Brand the same.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be in-
grossed. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Tuesday January 16th 1770
The order of the day for taking under Consideration
K*cSnmt the Resolutions of the Committee appointed to go down
TVbe^Lteht t0 Tybee Island to View the place that is proposed by
SdereVand the Commissioners for building a New Light House upon
the said Island and to View the State of the Old Light
House, as also the State of Fort George upon the Island
of Cockspur being read.
The House took the same into Consideration and it
was Ordered That the Commissioners appointed to build
theecommrs a New Light. House upon Tybee Island do immediately
attend the House and that the Messenger do give them
Notice of this order.
to attend
The Commissioners attending according to order were
accordhfT1 examined with regard to their proceedings in building
the said Light House and then they withdrew.
90
and their
Answers
approved of
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Resolved That the Answers given by the said Com
missioners to the Several Questions put to them are Sat
isfactory. Resolved That the further Consideration of the said
Resolutions be postponed.
Ordered That the Committee appointed to inspect
such Laws, and Ordinances, of this Province that are ex
pired, or near expiring, or may want amendment, do
make their Report on Monday next.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
Further
Consideration
of the Resolu
tions respect
ing the Light
House
Resolution thereon
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday January 17th 1770
Ordered That the Clerk do write to the Absent Mem
bers acquainting them that the House require their im
mediate attendance
The House took into further Consideration the Reso
lutions of the Comittee appointed to go down to Tybee
Island to View the Place that is proposed by the Com
missioners for building a New Light House, upon the
said Island, and to View the State of the Old Light
House, as also the State of Fort George on the Island of
Cockspur, and it was —
Resolved That the said Committee do again go down
on Friday Sen-night to Tybee Island to examine the foun
dation of the place before recommended by them to build
the Light House on, and in Case the foundation should
be found insufficient then in that Case with the Commis
sioners to fix on the most proper Spot for that purpose.
from the ~,
Upper House Lhancery.
JANUARY, 1770. 91
The last Resolution of the Committee being read a
Second Time.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to examine
what Sum of Money have been laid out in building and
repairing Fort George on the Island of Cockspur and
report their opinion thereon to the House and a Commit
tee was appointed accordingly-
Committed to Mr Farley, Mr Andrew, and Mr Stevens
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
That the upper House have agreed to the Ordinance
for reappointing Benjamin Franklin Esquire Agent to
sollicit the affairs of this Province in Great Britain with
out any Amendments.
And that they have also agreed to the Bill intitled an
Act for ordering and governing Slaves in this Province
and for establishing a Jurisdiction for the trial of such
Slaves and other Persons therein mentioned and to pre
vent the inveigling, and carrying away Slaves from
their Masters, Owners, or Employers, with some Amend
ments, to which Amendments they desire the Concur
rence of this House.
The House being informed that the Commissioners for
building a Court House, Attended according to Order,
they were called in, and at the Bar presented a Paper
containing proceedings and Accounts and the Title of the
said Paper was read
Ordered That the same do lye upon the Table to be
perused by the Members of the House
Mr Guinnett from the Committee appointed to prepare
92 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ordinance and bring in an Ordinance for appointing the Honbl8
aEiuott Esqr. Grey Elliott Esqr Agent, to sollicit the Affairs of this
£mted &eRead Province in Great Britain Reported they had prepared
the same which was received and read the first time and
ordered to be read a Second time.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday January 18th 1770
The order of the day for taking under Consideration
the motion for leave to bring in a Bill for altering the
Division Line, between the Parishes of Saint John's, and
Saint Andrew, as also the Petitions from part of the In
habitants of Saint John's Parish, and of the North West
Inhabitants of Saint Andrew's Parish being read.
A Petition from the Inhabitants of Saint Andrews
from'the Parish, whose names are thereunto subscribed was pre-
s"haAndrewsf sented to the House and read setting forth that the Peti
tioners labour under many difficulties from the great ex
tent of Saint Andrews Parish, which by its present
Bounds is by far the most extensive of any in this Prov
ince being above Twenty five Miles in Breadth and the
Principal Inhabitants settled at so great a distance from
each other that the performing the Publick and Parochial
Duties are attended with numberless Inconveniences and
Hardships to the Inhabitants in general, among which
working upon the Publick Roads is not the least having
been Obliged to work Twelve days every Year since the
passing of the first Road Act, nor have they any prospect
of ever seeing that intolerable Grievance lessened as they
have near Sixty Miles of Road to make through some of
JANUARY, 1770. 93
the worst Swamps in the Province, And few Negroes to
perform that labour, nor indeed can they ever hope in
their present Situation to make them even passable to the
great discouragement of Settling this and all the South
ern Parishes, The Petitioners therefore humbly pray that
the House, would take the Case into Consideration and
as the only effectual Remedy that can be devised grant
them Relief, by erecting a new Parish out of this and
the Parish of Saint Johns which is also a very extensive
One, bounding the New Parish to the South by Sapelo
River as far as a Creek leading out of the said River
called Brora Creek, to Continue up the said Creek and
Swamp at the head of it to the Publick Road, and from
thence a North West Course, and to the North, as shall
be most agreeable to the Inhabitants of the Parish of
Saint John's, and the Petitioners will ever Pray &ca
Then the House proceeded to consider the order of
the day, and the above recited Petition and
Ordered That the Motion for Leave to bring in a
Bill for altering the Division Line, between the Parishes
of Saint John, and Saint Andrew, be withdrawn.
The ingrossed Bill intitled an Act to regulate and
wharfage ascertain the rates of Wharfage of Shipping and Mer-
Bill read a ° * x °
thMthne& chandize, and also to ascertain the rates of Storage in
the Several Ports in this Province and for the better
regulation of Wharfs and of Shipping in the said Ports,
and for appointing the Duty of a Harbour Master for the
Port of Savannah was read the third time and some
amendments were made by the House to the Bill.
Resolved That the Bill with the Amendments do
pass. Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun, do Carry the
94 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Bill to the upper House and desire their Concurrence
thereto. Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
Amend an Act Intitled an Act for the better regulating
the Town of Savannah, and for ascertaining the Com
mon thereunto belonging, and that Mr Ewen, Mr Mil
ledge, Mr Young, Mr Bulloch, and Mr Box be a Commit
tee to prepare and bring in the said Bill.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday January 19th 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow Morn
ing, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday January 20th 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday Morning
Ten of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia; Vol. 48.)
Monday January 22d 1770
A Petition from part of the Freeholders and other
fromthe Inhabitants of the Parish of Saint Andrew was presented
sthaAnd?ewsf to the House and read Setting forth that many of the
Roads in the said Parish were unpassable owing to the
JANUARY, 1770. 95
Commissioners employing the People (liable to work)
on the Road from Sapelo to Darien and the other Roads
are entirely Neglected which they apprehend is detri
mental to the Parish and the Publick in General therefore
praying Relief.
Ordered That the Petition do lye upon the Table to
be perused by the Members of the House.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday January 23d 1770
The Ordinance appointing the Honble Grey Elliott Esq'
Agent to Sollicit the Affairs of this Province in Great
Britain was read the Second time and —
Ordered To be Ingrossed.
Ordered That the said Ordinance be read a third
time this day fortnight.
The Bill Intitled an Act for raising a Number of
»th£dtimee Watchmen for preserving good order in and about the
Town of Savannah was read a third time
& Passed Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Simpson do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence.
A Petition from the Trustees for the Meeting House
Petition in Savannah and others who usually assemble there for
tHe? of the 3" Divine Worship and whose Names are thereunto sub-
Meeting House r , tt 1 1 r ,.
in savannah scribed was presented to the House and read setting forth
that his late Majesty had been pleased to give and Grant
96 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
a Publick Lot in the Town of Savannah for erecting
thereon a place of Publick Worship for such of his loyal
Subjects as profess the Westminster Confession of Faith
and that a Building for that purpose has been erected on
that Lot accordingly.
The Petitioners find it necessary and are very desirous
that a proper place for burying their Dead should be an
nexed to the said Meeting (sIc). The Petitioners there
fore humbly Pray that part of the Common on the South
west Corner of the Town be assigned for the purpose
to be under the direction of the Minister for the time
being and his Successors in Office for ever to serve as a
Burying place for such as usually attend Divine Worship
in the said Meeting and the Petitioners will ever pray.
Ordered That the said Petition do lye upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Wednesday January 24th 1770
The House being informed that the Clerks of the
Presentments Crown and Peace attended at the Door they were called
of the Grand J
by'th
fore the House to rent the Building commonly called the Watch House,
and to appropriate the monies arising therefrom, at
tending according to order, they were Called in and pre
sented to the House their proceedings therein
120 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That the same do lye upon the Table to
be perused by the Members of the House
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday February 15th 1770
Mr Grceme from the Committee appointed to prepare
an Address to his Excellency the Governor upon the
Resolution of Yesterday reported they had prepared the
same accordingly which was received and read.
Ordered That the same be taken under Considera
tion to Morrow morning.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday February I61* 1770
The Ingrossed Bill intitled an Act to Amend an Act
Intitled an Act to ascertain the manner and form of
Electing Members to represent the Inhabitants of this
Province in the Commons House of Assembly was read
the third time.
Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Cany the said Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence
The Ingrossed Bill intitled an Act for the better se-
FEBRUARY, 1770. 121
curity of the Inhabitants of this Province by obliging
the Male White persons to carry Fire Arms to places of
Publick Worship was read the third time.
Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence
The order of the day for taking under Consideration
the Address to his Excellency the Governor as reported
of Yesterday being read.
A Motion was made that the House take the same
into immediate Consideration and a Debate arising there
on. The Question was put and passed in the Negative
And then the House adjouned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Saturday February 17th 1770
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
Bin to amend an(j bring in a Bill to amend an Act Intitled an Act for
the Jury Act °
presented & ascertaining the Qualification of Jurors and for estab
lishing the Method of Ballotting and summoning Jurors
in the Province of Georgia reported they had prepared
the same which was received and read the first time and
ordered to be read a -second time.
And then the House adjourned till
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
122 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B.'P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Monday February 19th 1770
The Bill to Amend an Act Intitled an Act for ascer
taining the Qualifications of Jurors and for establishing
the Method of Ballotting and Summoning Jurors in the
Province of Georgia was read a Second time and —
Ordered To be Ingrossed.
The Ordinance appointing Inspectors of Hemp Flax
and Wheat flour, for the Ports of Savannah and Sun
bury, was read the third time.
The Question was put if the said Ordinance should
pass and it was —
Resolved In the Affirmative,
Ordered That Mr Crooke do carry the said Ordi
nance to the upper House and desire their Concurrence
A Motion was made that the House take under Con
sideration the Address to his Excellency the Governor
as reported on Thursday last and a Debate arising
thereon. The Question was put and passed in the Negative
The Bill Intitled an Act for the further p-Vmending-
Bm to amend an Act, Intitled an p\ct, for the better regulating the
an Act for reg- t
uiating the fowii of Savannah and for ascertaining- the Common
Town of Savan- 0
aM'timeiead thereunto belonging was, read a Second time and or
dered to be committed to a Committee of the whole
PI o use.
The House immediately resolved itself into a Commit-
FEBRUARY, 1770. 123
& committed tee accordingly, to take the said Bill into Consideration,
and after some time Spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Bulloch from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into Consideration and
made some progress therein and that he was directed
by the Committee to move for Leave to sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to sit
again. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Tuesday February 20th 1770
The House took under Consideration the Address to
his Excellency the Governor as reported of Thursday
last agreed to the same with some Amendments.
Ordered That the Address with the Amendments be
Ingrossed. The said Address being ingrossed was read to the
House in the Words following Viz'
To his Excellency James Wright Esquire Captain
General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's
Province of of (sic) Georgia and Vice Admiral of
the same
The Humble Address of the Commons House of
Assembly —
May it please your Excellency.
We his Majestys dutiful and loyal Subjects the Com-
Address to his mons of Georgia in the General Assembly met, Beer leave
Excelleney the , . ,, & _, J > &
Governor to Address your Excellency once more on the Important
124 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Subject of a full Representation so essential to the Well-
fare of this Province, We thought ourselves happy in
your Excellency's decleration so Correspondent to' the
Sense of this House in Answer to our former Address
and could have wished the Council had instead of refer
ring to private Instructions paid a greater attention to
the Royal Proclomation under the great Seal wherein
it is expressly declared that American Governors, shall
cause the Settlers of the new acceded parts of America
to be Represented A Delay Sir may be deemed a Denial
of Justice and from your Excellencys well known at
tachment to the Interest of this Province We cannot, we
will not doubt of your ready Compliance with this our
Just and reasonable Request founded on the greatest
Assurance that can be given by a King to a free people
A partial Representation is a measure unknown in any
part of his Majesty's, wide extended Dominions and en
tirely inconsistent with the Bulwark of our Liberties the
glorious Bill of Rights the Pride of our Nation, and
the envy of the rest of Mankind, under these distressing
Circumstances unless your Excellency coincides with us,
We dare not impose a General Tax Knowing, with what
abhorrence, and detestation, every Member of the Com
munity holds even the Idea of a Virtual Representa
tion. Resolved That the said Address be presented to his
Excellency the Governor by the whole House
Ordered That Mr Guinnett and Mr Andrew do know
his Excellency the Governors pleasure, when he will be
attended by this Blouse with their Address, and accord
ingly they withdrew and being returned, Mr Guinnett
reported, that, pursuant to order, they had waited upon
his Excellency, to know his pleasure when he would
be attended by the House, and that he was pleased to
FEBRUARY, 1770. 126
say he would be ready to receive the House to Morrow
Morning Ten of the Clock.
A Petition from the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Fnhab?tents *! the Town of Savannah, whos names are thereunto sub-
vaLiST10 a" scribed, was presented to the House and read, setting
forth, That the Petitioners are greatly alarmed at the
large Quantities of Indian Corn that, as they are in
formed, and believe, have for some time past been bought
up here, in order to be sent out of the Province, and are
really apprehensive by such indirect means, superadded
to the general complained of Scantiness of the last Years
Crop of Corn, the Province may be injured and many
Families distressed for want of such Provisions.
The Petitioners therefore pray that the truth of the
Premises appearing, the same may be taken into serious
Consideration, and that the House will grant such relief
therein as the Importance and urgency of the Case may
in Justice call for.
The House took the said Petition into Consideration
and — ¦
Ordsr for a Bill .
to prevent the J
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
! prohibit, for a Certain time, the exportation of Indian
fnlfa^com of Corn and that Mr Ewen and Mr William Young, be a
Committee, to prepare and bring in the said Bill.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery was read to' the House in the words
following Viz'
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I herewith send you a Letter and a Petition which I
hisS ElceHe™c? received from the Inhabitants of Wrightsborough Town
ship, also a Letter wrote by me in Consequence thereof,
12G JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
with the Answer thereto The flourishing State of this
Settlement is so well known and the great advantage it
will soon be of to the Province (if protected and sup
ported for awhile) is so obvious, that its needless for me
to say any thing further on the Subject, and I doubt
not but you will think a small Sum well applied towards
Quieting the minds of those Industrious and well dis
posed people and encouraging them to persevere in their
Plan and Improvements
James Wright
Savannah 20th February 1770
Then the Titles of the said several Papers were read
Ordered That the said Message and papers do lye
upon the Table to be perused by the Members of the
House. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday February 21st 1770
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill, to prohibit for a Certain time the
Exportation of Indian Corn reported they had pre
pared the same, which was received and read the first
time, and ordered to be read a Second time.
^ „ , Mr Speaker with the whole House went to attend his
The Speaker 1
rttehndsetheOU£,c Excellency the Governor to present the address of this
Governor House, and being returned, Mr Speaker reported, that
he, with the whole House had attended his Excellency
the Governor, and presented their Address, to which his
FEBRUARY, 1770. 127
Excellency was pleased to reply, that he would send a
written answer to the House within an Hour.
Ordered That Mr Speaker do write the Agent, de-
Soeakerto siring he will purchase for the use of the House, a Mace,
write the
Agenttopur- to be made of Silver, and double Gut, to cost a Sum not
chase a Mace
ica- exceeding, One hundred pounds Sterling, also two
Gowns such as he thinks will be proper for the Speaker
and Clerk of an American Assembly.
Resolved That this House will provide a sum Suffi-
drf?ayin^ethe0r eient to repay the Agent the expence of purchasing the
Charge thereof gaid Mace &nd QQwns
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery was read to the House in the words
following Viz'
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
In answer to your Address of Yesterday's date, just
Message from now presented to me, I must confess I did not expect it,
his Excellency
the Governor after what has already passed between us on this occa
sion, 'Tis true, that in my answer to your address of the
16th November last, on this Subject, I so far agreed with
you, as to Declare, that I thought it Just and right that
every Parish and District in the Province should be Rep
resented, at the same time I told you, that I did not know
whether- it was in my Power to comply with your Re
quest, but that I should carefully examine my Instruc
tions and if I thought my self at Liberty to issue such
Writs, I would do it, and if not, I would state the Mat
ter Home, and did not doubt but I should receive Orders
to Issue Writs accordingly, I then laid the matter fully
and clearly before his Majesty's Council, whose Advice
and Consent it is Necessary for me to have in the Sum
moning and Calling General Assemblies, and after re
viewing their Opinion and Advice thereupon, I sent the
128 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
same to you as my further Answer to your said Address,
and thought the matter would have rested there till I
should receive his Majesty's directions therein — But I
find that was not satisfactory to you, and, on a Supposi
tion that the Gentlemen of the Council have not paid due
attention to his Majesty's Royal Proclomation of the
3° October 1763, you now again apply to me, and on
Carefull examination of the said Proclomation, I con
ceive you have founded your present Address on a. Mis
take, for no direction is thereby given to any of his
Majesty's American Governors relative to the Summon
ing and Calling of Assemblies, or causing the Settlers
of the Lands ceded by the Treaty concluded at Paris
on the 10th of February 1763, to be Represented, but to
the Governors of the four new Provinces only, and by
the words of the said Proclomation, that matter is clearly
and expressly Confined to the four new Governments
therein mentioned and described and can by no means be
applied or Construed to extend to this Province, I cannot
therefore agree with you in Opinion on this Point, but ap
prehend I am to Conduct myself therein agreeable to
my Commission and Instructions from his Majesty and
which I shall certainly do, But as you seem, to think the
Gentlemen of the Council have not duely attended to the
Proclomation of October 1763 I shall again lay this
matter before them and whatever further Determina
tion or Opinion they may come to thereupon I will com
municate to you. James Wright
Savannah 21st February 1770
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to examine
CoSm^ap*-118 the ^tate of the House in which his Excellency the
spe"tewhat"Re- Governor Lives, and the Fences round the Same and
ta^for'htaE^ report their Opinion thereon to the House, reported that
Governors the Committee had examined accordingly and come to
the following Resolutions Viz*
FEBRUARY, 1770. 129
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that the Shingling an Sill at the West side of the House
are rotten, also the Fence round the Lott and out Build
ings are greatly decayed, all which ought to be repaired
immediately Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that a more durable and Convenient house ought to be
built for the use of the present or any future Governor,
and that the present House and Lot should be sold as
it will be a Continual expence to keep in Repair
The first Resolution being read a Second time was
agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the said Committee do immediately
Order thereon employ proper workmen to repair the said House, Out
houses, and Fence.
Resolved That this House will provide a Sum Suffi
cient to defray the expence attending the repairing there
of— And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday February 22a 1770
The Bill to prohibit for a Certain time the exportation
Bill to prohibit r
the exportation 0f Indian Corn was read a Second time and ordered to
of Indian Corn
read | second fe Committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
The House immediately resolved itself into a Com-
committed mittee accordingly to take the said Bill into Considera
tion and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker re
sumed the Chair, and Mr William Young from the Com-
) c r— vol 15
130 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
mittee reported they had taken the said Bill into Consid
eration gone through the same and made Several Amend
ments thereto which they had directed him to report to
the Plouse and he read the report in his place and after
wards delivered the Bill with the Amendments in at the
Table, where the Amendments were ag:ain read and
agreed to by the House
-lac
OrdEREd That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed. The Ingrossed Bill intitled an Act to Amend an Act
3d «me rea a Intitled an Act for ascertaining the Qualifications of
Jurors and for establishing the method of Ballotting and
Summoning Jurors in the Province of Georgia was read
a third time
& Passed Resolved That the Bill do pass —
Ordered That Mr Box do Carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Further commt Whole House to take into further Consideration the
of the Bill Bill for the further Amending an Act Intitled an Act
for the better regulating the Town of Savannah and for
ascertaining the Common thereunto belonging and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair
and Mr Bulloch from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into further Consideration gone
through the same and made several Amendments thereto
which the Committee had directed him to report to the
House and he read the report in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill with the Amendments in at the Table
where the amendments were again read and agreed to by
the House.
FEBRUARY, 1770. 131
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed. A Petition from the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
Petition from Ebenezer in the Parish of Saint Matthew whose names
the Inhabitants
Ebenezer ™ °f are thereunto Subscribed was presented to the House,
and read, Setting forth, That the Commissioners of the
Road for the District of Ebenezer, in the Parish of Saint
Matthew on application to them made by the Reverend
John Joachim Zubly, Clerk, have laid out unto him a,
private Road to his Plantation, Situate in the Island in
the said District, That Mr Zubly, immediately after the
Road had been laid out to him by the Commissioners,
advertized the same, The Road to' Middlesex Ferry —
That the Legislature hath already established a Ferry
at the Town of Ebenezer, which is but a Small distance
from Mr Zubly's Island and is equally as passable.
The Petitioners therefore pray they may be heard in
the Premises, and that the House will take the same into
Consideration and do therein as to its Wisdom shall
seem meet.
Ordered That the said Petition do lie upon the
Table to be perused by the Members of the House.
Mr Young from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill to- Continue the Several Laws therein
mentioned, reported they had prepared the same, which
was received and read the first time, and ordered to be
read a Second time. And then the House Adjourned till to-
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
132 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday February 23d 1770
The following Messages from the upper House, were
presented to the House by the Master in Chancery.
That the upper House have appointed a Committee
theSupperfrom to inspect the Journals of this House respecting an Ad
dress presented by this House on the 26th November last
to his Excellency the Governor, for writs of Election
to issue for Members to serve in General Assembly for
the four New Parishes, together with his Excellency's
Answer to the Said Address.
Ordered That the Committee appointed by the upper
order thereon House have leave to inspect the Journals of this House
agreeable to their Message, Also that the upper House
have agreed to an Ordinance for appointing Inspectors
AnotherMes- of Hemp, Flax, and Wheat flour, for the Ports of Sa-
uPper House vannah and Sunbury, with some Amendments, to which
Amendments they desire the Concurrence of this House.
The Plouse took the said Amendments into Considera
tion and disagreed thereto.
Ordered That Mr Stevens do Carry the Ordinance
to the upper House, and acquaint them, that this House
having taken the Amendments made by their House to
the said Ordinance into Consideration, have disagreed
thereto, therefore this House desires that they will ap
point a Committee to join a Committee of this House
in in (sic) Conference on the Subject matter of the said
Amendments. The Ingrossed Bill, Intitled an Act to prohibit for a
Certain time the Exportation of Indian Com, was read
the third time.
FEBRUARY, 1770. 133
Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Glen do Carry the said Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence.
The Bill to Continue the Several Laws therein men
tioned was read a Second time and some Amendments
were made by the House to the said Bill.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed. Ordered That Leave be given to bring in an Ordi-
Ord?nafnceanfor nance for appointing Packers and Inspectors for the
spectratiSa.In" Ports of Savannah and Sunbury and also Cullers and
Inspectors of Lumber in the said Ports, and that Mr
William Young and Mr Ewen do prepare and bring in
the same.
Ordered That the Bill to enable the Commissioners
appointed by an Act of the General Assembly of this
Province, Entitled, an Act for regulating The Town of
Savannah and for ascertaining the Common thereunto
belonging to alien and Convey to
and their Successors, in trust for ever, part of the said
Common, for the purpose of enclosing a Cemetry, or
Burial Ground, be read a Second time on Tuesday next.
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the Upper House doth agree that a Committee
fronfthe °^ their House do join a Committee of this House in a
upper House Conference on the subject matter of the amendments
made to an Ordinance for appointing Inspectors of
Hemp, Flax, and Wheat flour, for the Ports of Savan
nah and Sunbury and that the said Conference be in the
room adjoining the Council Chamber immediately.
134 JOURNAL OF COMMONS PIOUSE
Committee, The Honble James Read, John Graham,
and Lewis Johnson Esquires.
Ordered That Mr Bulloch Mr William Young, Mr
Order thereon Farley, Sir Patrick Houstoun, and Mr Andrew, be a
Committee to join the Committee of the upper House
in the said Conference.
The Engrossed Bill, Intitled an Act for further
Amending an Act, Intitled an Act for the better regu
lating the Town of Savannah for ascertaining the Com
mon thereunto belonging, was read the third time.
Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Bulloch do Carry the said Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence.
Resolved That this House will provide a sum not
providing £10 exceeding Ten Pounds to be paid to John Rae Esquire
seed for his purchasing a quantity of Flax Seed to be dis
tributed by him in such manner as he shall judge most
beneficial for the Culture thereof in this Province.
Ordered That the Memorial from the Reverend
John Joachim Zubly, Clerk, and the Petition from the
Freeholders and Inhabitants of Ebenezer in the Parish
of Saint Matthew be taken under Consideration on
Thursday next.
Ordered That leave be given to bring in an Ordi
nance for appointing a Comptroller and Collector of
the Country Duties at the Port of Sunbury and that Mr
Mullryne, and Mr Ewen be a Committee to prepare and
brine: in the same.
'to
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
FEBRUARY, 1770. 135
(From B. P R. V.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday February 24th 1770
Mr William Young from the Committee appointed to
drdinancefor prepare and bring in an Ordinance for appointing Pack-
spectors&ca. ers and Inspectors for the Ports of Savannah and Sun-
presented & ,
Read bury and also Cullers and Inspectors of Lumber in the
said Ports reported they had prepared the same which was
received and read the first time and ordered to be. read
a Second time.
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
Ordinance ap- anc| bring- in an Ordinance for appointing- Tames Kitchen
pointing a ° i i & J
to&cl p°r^c' to he Collector and Comptroller of the Country Duties
senitd at the Port of Sunbury, reported they had prepared the
Same which was received and read the first time and
ordered to be read a Second time Then the said Ordi
nance was read a Second time and Ordered to be En
grossed. And then the House adjourned till
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock.
'(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
(sic)
The Ordinance for appointing James Kitchen Col
lector and Comptroller of the Country duties at the
Port of Sunbury was read the third time.
Resolved That the Ordinance do pass.
Ordered That Mr Deveaux do Carry the said Ordi
nance to the upper Plouse and desire their Concurrence.
136 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
The Ordinance for appointing Packers and Inspectors
for the Ports of Savannah and Sunbury and also Cullers
and Inspectors of Lumber in the said Ports was read
a Second time and ordered to be Engrossed.
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the upper House have agreed to a Bill Intitled
from the an Act for ascertaining the Qualifications of Jurors and
Upper House for establishing the Method of Balloting and Summon
ing Jurors in the Province of Georgia without Amend
ments and also that the upper House have agreed to
a Bill intitled an Act to prohibit for a Certain time the
Exportation of Indian Corn without Amendments, and
also that the upper House have agreed to an Ordinance
for appointing James Kitchen Collector and Comptroller
of the Country Duties at the Port of Sunbury without
Amendments and also that the upper House have agreed
to a Bill Intitled an Act for the better Security of the In
habitants by obliging the Male White Persons to Carry
Fire Arms to places of Publick Worship with some
Amendments to which Amendments they desire the Con
currence of this House.
The House took the Amendments made by the upper
House to the said Bill into Consideration and agreed
thereto. Ordered That Mr Morel do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and acquaint them that this House doth
agree to the Amendments made by their House to the
said Bill.
Mr Bulloch from the Committee of Conference of
coTm'of coen-both Houses on the Amendments made by the upper
House to the Ordinance appointing Inspectors of Hemp,
Flax, and Wheat flour, for the Ports of Savannah and
FEBRUARY, 1770. 137
Sunbury reported that the Committee of both Houses
had agreed on certain Amendments to be made to the
said Bill which he was directed to report to the House
and he read the report in his place and afterwards de
livered the same in at the Table where it was again
read, and agreed to by the House.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday February 27th 1770
The order of the Day being read for reading a Sec-
convey 'part"? ond time the Bill to enable the Commissioners appointed
re^Tsecond by an Act of the General Assembly of this Province in-
titled an Act for regulating the Town of Savannah and
for ascertaining the Common thereunto belonging to
Alien and" Convey to
and their Successors in trust forever part of the said
Common for the purpose of enclosing Ccemetry or
Burial Ground the same was read accordingly a Second
time and ordered to be Committed to a Committee of
the Whole House.
The House resolved itself into a Committee accord
ingly to take the said Bill into Consideration and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair,
and Mr Glen from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into Consideration and had made
some progress therein and that he was directed by the
Committee to move for Leave to Sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to Sit
again.
Committed
138
Messagefrom his
Excelly the
Governor
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery.
Mr Speaker
I am ordered by his Excellency the Governor to ac
quaint you that if your House have any Bills ready
prepared for his assent he is ready to receive the House
in the Council Chamber immediately and then he with
drew.
Accordingly Mr Speaker with the whole House went
to attend his Excellency in the Council Chamber And
being returned
The House Mr Speaker reported that he with the whole House
Excellency & had attended his Excellency the Governor in the Council
receives the
Assent to sev- Chamber where he was pleased to give his Assent to the
Ordinances following Acts and Ordinances Viz'
[For enumeration of these Acts differently arranged,
see Journal of Upper House 27 Feb. 1770. J
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday February 28th 1770
Ordered That the Treasurer, and the Collector and
Treasurer thnnd Comptroller of the Country Duties for the Port of Sun-
to'lay^hei^' bury do lay an Account before the Plouse of what Mon-
Accos before ¦ , 1 i 1 • r , ,
the House ies they have received in consequence of an Act passed
the 11th April 176S Intitled an Act f. >r granting to his
Majesty a Duty upon Raw Neat Hides exported from
this Province and for preventing the exportation of un
merchantable Tanned Leather.
MARCH, 1770.
189
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
totmeSi th?" Amend an Act Intitled an Act for raising a Publick
a Pubhckfto"f Store of Gun Powder for the Defence of this Province
unpow er ^^ ^^ ^ amend an Act Intitled an Act for erecting a
Publick Magazine and that Mr Grceme, Mr Ewen, Mr
Bulloch and Mr Le Conte do prepare and bring in the
said Bill
Ordered That Leave he given to bring in an Ordi-
SrdmanTe to nance for appointing a Harbour Master for the Port of
bouTMasterar" Savannah and that Mr Crooke and Mr Le Conte do pre
pare and bring in the same
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
The Same
reportedand read
Thursday Is' March 1770
Mr Le Conte, from the Committee appointed to pre
pare and bring in an Ordinance appointing Andrew Elton
Wells Harbour Master, for the Port of Savannah, re
ported they had prepared the same which was received
and read the first time and ordered to be read a Second
time.
Mr. Zublys
MemorialConsidered
The order of the day for taking under Consideration
the Memorial of John Joachim Zubly, Clerk, and the
Petition from the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Eben
ezer, in the Parish of Saint Matthew, being read, the
House took the same into Consideration, and M1' Zubly
was examined in support of his said Memorial, and some
of the Petitioners were examined in support of the said
Petition then the House proceeded further in the Con
sideration of the said Memorial and Petition, and —
140 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Resolved That the Prayer of the said Memorial
be granted, so far as respects the establishing a Ferry,
as mentioned in the said Memorial.
Order thereon
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
establishing Two Ferries in this Province & for vesting
the same in the Persons therein mentioned, and that
Mr Bulloch, Mr William Young and Mr Grceme, do pre
pare and bring in the said Bill.
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery That the upper House have agreed to a Bill Entitled
fromathe an Act, to regulate and ascertain the Rates of Wharfage,
upper House Qc Shipping, and Merchandize, and also to ascertain the
Rates of Storage in the several ports in this Province,
and for a better regulation of Wharfs and of Shipping
in the said Ports, and for appointing the Duty of a Har
bour Master for the Port of Savannah, with Several
Amendments to which Amendments they desire the Con
currence of this House.
The House took the said Amendments into Consid
eration and agreed to some, and disagreed to others.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the Bill to the
order thereon upper House, and acquaint them, that this House, hav
ing taken the Amendments made by their House to the
said Bill into Consideration, have agreed to some of the
said Amendments, and disagreed to others, therefore this
Plouse desires they will appoint a Committee to join a
Committee of this House in Conference upon the Sub
ject matter of the said Amendments.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
MARCH, 1770. 141
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Friday March 2a 1770
The Ordinance appointing Andrew Elton Wells Har
bour Master for the Port of Savannah was read the
second time, and —
Ordered To be Ingrossed.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Saturday March 3d 1770
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
p'reSnted and bring in a Bill for Granting to his Majesty a Duty
on Negroes, and other Goods, Wares and Merchandize,
Imported into this Province, reported they had prepared
the same, which was received, and read the first time,
and ordered to be read a second time.
And then the House adjourned till
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Monday March 5th 1770
The Bill for Granting to his Majesty and imposing
Same read a a Duty on Negroes and other Goods, Wares and Mer
chandize Imported into this Province was read the Sec
ond time.
and read
142
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
fng theTo^f" whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
&ca. Conunit- to' enable the Commissioners appointed by an Act of
the General Assembly of this Province Intitled an Act
for regulating the Town of Savannah and for ascertain
ing the Common thereunto belonging, to Alien and Con
vey to Certain Persons and their Successors in Trust,
part of the said Common for the purpose of inclosing a
Ccemetry or Burial Ground, and after some time spent
therein, Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Glen
from the Committee reported they had taken the said
Bill into further Consideration, gone through the same
and made Several Amendments thereto which the Com
mittee had directed him to report to the House, and he
read the report in his place and afterwards delivered
the Bill with the Amendments in at the Table where
the Amendments were again read and agreed to by the
House.
Ordered
grossed.
That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
ordinance ^^e Ordinance appointing Andrew Elton Wells Har-
Harbour"8 a bour Master for the Port of Savannah was read the third
Master read a <.;_-_
third time lime.
& passed Resolved That the Ordinance do pass.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the said Ordi
nance to the upper House and desire their Concurrence.
A Memorial from the Commissioners of the Roads for
fr^nTThfcom- the first North West Division whose^ Names are there-
Roadifi or the unto Subscribed, was presented to the House and read
first N^ "W/esf"
Division' ' setting forth That the Memorialists by a Carefull and
just discharge of the Duties imposed on them and execu
tion of the Powers given them in and by an Act of the
General Assembly Commonly called the Road Act, have
MARCH, 1770. 143
caused the Roads in the first North West Division and
also the Bridges within the same to be put into good
order and Condition and presume to hope that by em
ploying the Several persons liable to work on the said
Road (for six days only in every Year) they will keep
it so — The Memorialists further inform, the Plouse that
they have at this time due, and owing them for fines im
posed on Sundry Persons liable to work on the Roads
within their Divisions who made Default Sixty Pounds
Six Shillings and Six pence, which they have not oc
casion to expend in any of the Ways directed in and by
the before mentioned Act of Assembly The Memorial
ists therefore humbly pray that the House taking into
Consideration that the aforesaid Sum hath been acquired
by the Diligence, Care and Attention of the Memorial
ists will be pleased to Grant the same together with all
such fines as may be recovered from Defaulters within
the said Division for not working Six days yearly for the
term of three years to the Memorialists or the Commis
sioners of the Roads in the first North West Division for
the time being in Trust and to be applied by them1 in pur
chasing Materials and paying Workmen for building a
Chapel of Ease, or place of Public Worship, within
their Division, and that the House will appoint a Com
mittee to prepare and bring in a Bill agreeable to the
prayer of the Memorialists.
A Petition from the Inhabitants near the North West
APetitionfrom Road between Pipe makers Creek and the Spring Bridge,
near the No.' i, whose Names are thereunto subscribed was presented
West Road «*
to the House and read Setting forth — That last Au
gust the Petitioners were Summoned and ordered by the
Comissioners of the high Road with their Slaves to work
on the upper part of the road near Augustines Creek by
which means that part of the Road near the Plantations
of the Petitioners were quite neglected and left unfin-
141 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ished and unrepaired and is now almost impassable, and
the Petitioners are informed that the said Commission
ers have petitioned the House to have the Money which
was levied on the Defaulters for not working, to be ap*-
plied to the building a Chapel on Cherokee Hill contrary
to the Law empowering them to raise and apply such
Fines, the Petitioners therefore pray that the said Money
laised which they are informed amounts to Sixty Pounds
or upwards may be applied to the Purposes intended by
the high Road Act and that the Spring Causeway may be
repaired therewith so far as the aforesaid Sum will go
that the high Road Act may be revised and Commission
ers added to Inspect and Compleat that part of the Road
which has remained hitherto unfinished, and the Peti
tioners will pray &ca
Resolved That the said Memorial and Petition be
taken into Consideration on Thursday Morning next.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Tuesday March 6th 1770.
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow Morn
ing, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday March 7th 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow Morn
ing, Nine of the Clock
MARCH, 1770. 145
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday March 8th 1770
The Ingrossed Ordinance appointing Packers and In
spectors for the Ports of Savannah and Sunbury and
also Cullers and Inspectors of Lumber in the said Ports
was read the third time.
Resolved That the Ordinance do pass.
Ordered That Mr Stevens do Carry the said Ordi
nance to the upper House, and desire their Concurrence.
The order of the day being read, for taking under
Consideration the Memorial and Petition presented on
Monday last.
The House took the Same into Consideration ac
cordingly and —
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill,
agreeable to the prayer of the said Memorial so far as
respects the Fines already incurred and that, Sir Patrick
Houstoun, Mr Odingsell, and Mr Crooke, do prepare and
bring in the same —
A Petition of several Persons professing the Jewish
Sevlrafpe/Jo^ Religion whose names are thereunto subscribed, was
je^hRligion presented to the House, and read, setting forth, that, in
the Year One thousand Seven hundred and thirty three,
a Number of Jew Families arrived in this Province from
England, in consequence, of the Kings Proclomation,
for the encouragement of Settlers therein That, upon
their arrival here, General Oglethorpe allotted them a
piece of ground upon the Common of the Town of Sa
vannah, opposite the Lot now in possession of and be
longing to David Truan, to bury their Dead in, And
10 c r -v 1 15
Upper House
146 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
where several of their Relations and Friends now lie
interred The Petitioners therefore pray the House to
take the same into Consideration, and to pass an Act
for Confirming the first Allotment, and Vesting such a
Quantity of Ground as the House shall think proper to
give upon the Spot or Land before mentioned in Trust for
such Persons as profess the Jewish Religion, and the
Petitioners will pray &ca
Resolved That the said Petition be taken into Con
sideration on Monday Morning next
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the upper House agrees to the Conference de-
fronittie sired by this House on the Amendments made by their
House to the Bill intitled an Act to regulate and ascer
tain the Rates of Wharfage of Shipping and Merchan
dize, and also to ascertain the Rates of Storage in the Sev
eral Ports of this Province, and for the better regulation
of Wharfs in the Said Ports, and for appointing the
Duty of a Harbour Master for the Port of Savannah,
and have appointed the Same to be held in a Room ad
joining the Council Chamber to Morrow Morning,
Eleven OClock —
Committee, John Graham, James Edwa Powell, and
James Read Esquires.
Ordered That Mr Bulloch, Mr Odingsell, Mr Ewen,
Mr Crooke, and Mr Andrew, be a Committee to join the
Committee of the upper House in the said Conference.
The House resolved itself into' a Committee of the
Whole House to take into Consideration the Bill for
Granting to his Majesty and imposing a Duty on Ne
groes and other Goods, wares and Merchandize Import-
MARCH, 1770. 147
ed into this Province, and, after some time Spent therein
Mr Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Bulloch from the
Committee reported they had taken the said Bill into
Consideration and made some progress therein, and that
he was directed by the Committee to move for Leave to
sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have leave to sit
again. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday March 9"1 1770
Mr Bulloch from the Committee of Conference of both
«om^off&m--^-ouses on the Amendments made by the upper House
ierence to t^e Tngrossed Bill to regulate and ascertain the rates
of Wharfage, of Shipping and Merchandize, and also
to ascertain the rates of Storage in the Several Ports
of this Province and for the better regulation of Wharfs
and of Shipping in the said Ports, and for ascertaining
the Duty of a Harbour Master for the Port of Savannah,
reported, that the Committee of both Houses had agreed
on certain Amendments, to be made to the said Bill.
which he was directed to report to the House, and he
read the report in his place and afterwards delivered
the same in at the Table where it was again read and
agreed to by the House.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the Bill to the
upper House, and acquaint them, that this House agrees
to the report of their Committee of Conference.
Resolved That this House will on Thursday next,
take into Consideration, whether they will enter upon a
Tax Bill for the present Year.
148 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That there be a Call of the House on
Thursday next.
Resolved That such Members, who do not then At
tend, shall be proceeded against with the Utmost Se
verity. Ordered That the Clerk do write the Several Absent
Members, acquainting them of the above Order and
Resolution. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday March 10th 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Further comm. whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
of the Duty bui j;or grant;ng. to h;s Majesty and imposing a Duty on
Negroes and other Goods Wares and Merchandize im
ported into this Province and after some time spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Bulloch
from the Committee reported they had taken the said
Bill into further Consideration gone through the same
and made several Amendments thereto which they had
directed him to report to the House and he read the re
port in his place, and afterwards delivered the Bill
with the Amendments in at fhe Table where the Amend
ments were again read and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed. And then the House adjourned tilE
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock.
MARCH, 1770. 149
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday March 12th 1770
The order of the Day for taking under Considera
tion the Petition of several Persons professing the Jewish
Religion, presented to the House last Thursday, being
read. The House took the same into Consideration accord
ingly, and —
Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill, per-
suant to the prayer of the said petition, and that Mr Bul
loch, Mr Crooke and Mr Grceme do prepare and bring in
the said Bill
A Petition from William Harding was presented to
APetMonfrom the House, and read, setting forth, That the Petitioner
Wm. Harding ' ' o >
has been from his earliest Years brought up in the Prac
tice of Machinery of various kinds both in Ireland, and
America, and thinks that it is in his power to make many
beneficial Improvements in the Rice pounding Machines,
Sawmills, &ca, preferable to any hitherto introduced in
this Province, that he intends immediately to construct
a Rice Machine, which may be viewed, and if not pref
erable to any of the Kind that have been seen in this
Province, he does not expect the Countenance and favour
of the House, That the Petitioner hopes (if his Endeav
ours should deserve the Attention of the House) to have
a Certain Sum of Money provided conditionally, which
will enable him to go on chearfully in every Branch of
Machinery that may be advantageous to- the Province in
General, &ca.
Resolved That this House will take the said Peti
tion into Consideration on Tuesday Morning next.
150 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The following Messages from the upper House by the
Master in Chancery.
That a Committee of the upper House having joined a
ffomX3 Committee of this House the 8th of February last, on the
Subject matter of the Amendments made by their House
to the Ingrossed Bill from this House, entitled an Act
for raising a Number of Watchmen for preserving good
Order in and about the Town of Savannah the upper
House desires that this House will by message acquaint
them of the report of the Committee thereon
Also that the upper House having on the 13th Feb
ruary last, joined this House in a free Conference on the
subject matter of the amendments made by their House
to the Ingrossed Bill from this House, entitled an Act
for ordering and Governing Slaves within this Province
&c. &ca which Conference, at the request of this House
is yet Kept Open the upper House therefore desires that
the said free Conference may be resumed.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday March 13th 1770
The Ingrossed Bill entitled, an Act to Continue the
several Laws therein mentioned, was read the third time,
and an Amendment Was made, by the House to the Bill.
Resolved That the Bill with the Amendments do
pass. Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun do Carry the
said Bill to the upper House and desire their Concur
rence.
MARCH, 1770. 151
The Ingrossed Bill entitled an Act to enable the Com
missioners appointed by an Act of the General Assem
bly of this Province Intitled, an Act for regulating the
Town of Savannah and for ascertaining the Common
thereunto belonging to Alien and Convey to certain Per
sons, and their Successors, in trust, part of the said Com
mon for the purpose of inclosing a Ccemetry or Burial
Ground was read the third time
Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun do Carry the
said Bill to the upper House, and desire their Concur
rence. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Wednesday March 14th 1770
A Petition from a Number of the Inhabitants of the
thfiSltenS Town of Savannah, whose Names are thereunto sub-
slvannaiT" °f scribed, was presented to the House, and read, setting
forth, that whereas a Petition hath been presented to the
House by People professing the Jewish Religion, craving
a Spot of Ground upon the Common of the Town of
Savannah, opposite the Lot of David Truan, to bury
their Dead in, That the Petitioners have been informed,
and verily believe that some of their Dead, for several
Years past, have been buried a considerable distance
from Town which at this time can make but little Differ
ence to them to Continue there, and the Petitioners are
apprehensive, should the prayer of the Petition be grant
ed it would reduce the Value of many of their Lots, as
the Burial Ground would be more inconvenient than
either of the Christian Ccemetries are.
152 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The Petitioners therefore Pray the House to take the
same into Consideration, and Act therein as shall seem
meet, and the Petitioners will pray &ca
Ordered That the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
Mr Speaker, with the whole House, went to resume
The :House re- tjie free Conference with the upper House on the In-
sumes the Free l i
grossed Bill, Intitled an Act for ordering and governing
Slaves within this Province and for establishing a Juris
diction for the trial of such Slaves, and other Persons
therein mentioned, and to prevent the inveigling and
Carrying away Slaves from their Masters, Owners, or
Employers, and being returned, Mr Speaker reported
they had at the said Conference Agreed on certain
Amendments to be made to the said Bill.
Conferencewith the
Upper House
Mr. Speaker
reports
Resolutionthereon H
The House took the same into Consideration, and
agreed thereto, but at the same time —
Resolved, Nem : Con : That this House agrees to the
suspending Clause solely from the Necessity of the Case,
and not from any Conviction that such a Clause ought to
be inserted in any Bill whatsoever, That this House looks
upon suspending Clauses to be of such pernicious Conse
quences, that it almost tends to annihilate the Rights
of any Assembly and may prevent the execution of any
Act, though ever so immediately necessary and Beneficial
to the Province.
Resolved Nem : Con : That this House having
agreed through Necessity only to the suspending Clause
to the above mentioned Bill, it ought never to be pleaded
as a Precedent. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
MARCH, 1770. 153
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday March 15th 1770
The order of the day for a Call of the House being
read the House was Called over accordingly.
Then the other Order of the day for taking under
Consideration whether this House will enter upon a
Tax bill for the present Year, being read, the House
took the same into Consideration accordingly and a De
bate arising —
The Question was put and passed in the Affirmative.
Then a Motion was made that there be a Clause in
the Tax Bill, exempting the Four Southern Parishes
from paying Tax as not being Represented, and —
Resolved That there be a Clause in the Tax Bill to
exempt the Four Southern Parishes from paying Tax
they not being Represented in this House.
Resolved That leave be given to bring in a Bill for
&r«.etion granting to his Majesty the Sum of £ (slc> for the
Tax Sill use and Support of the Government of Georgia for the
Year One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy to be
raised at certain rates and after the method therein men
tioned And for the more effectual Collecting of Arrears
and for exempting the Parishes of Saint David, Saint
Patrick, Saint Thomas and Saint Mary they not being
Represented, and that Sir Patrick Houstoun Mr Ewen,
~Mr Crooke, and Mr Reddoch do prepare and bring in the
said Bill.
A Petition from several of the Inhabitants of the Town
the Inhabitant!! °* Savannah, whose names are thereunto subscribed was
of savannah presenteci to t^e House and read Setting forth that the
154 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Petitioners understanding an application has been made
to the House by the Inhabitants of this Town professing
the Jewish Religion for the Confirmation of a piece of
Land on the Common which many Years since was al
lotted for a Burying Ground for their People, and in
which many have been interred As the Petitioners can
have no objection to so reasonable request and are well
assured that such Allotment was really made them for
that purpose they therefore hope the House will in con
sideration of the Premises comply with their application
and the Petitioners will pray &c — ¦
Ordered That the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House.
Complaint being made by a Member of this House
Member forbbe- th^ he had been served with a Writ or Process by the
anwriTedwith Provost Marshal during the present Session which he
apprehends to be a Violation of the Rights and Prive
leges of an Assembly.
Ordered That the said Complaint be referred to the
Committee of Priveleges, and Elections,
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the upper House upon report from the Managers
Message at the free Conference of both Houses on the Amend-
upper House ments made by their House to the Ingrossed Bill intitled
an Act for ordering and governing Slaves within this
Province and for establishing a Jurisdiction for the trial
of Offences committed by such Slaves, and other Persons
therein mentioned and to prevent the inveigling and
Carrying away Slaves from their Masters, Owners, or
Employers that the upper House doth agree to the
Amendments made at the said free Conference.
MARCH, 1770. 155
Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun do Carry the
following Message to the upper House
That this House in Answer to their Message of this
Message to the day acquaint them that upon Report from the Committee
Upper House / r L
of free Conference on the Amendments made to the In-
grossed Bill intitled an Act for ordering and governing
Slaves within this Province and for establishing a Juris
diction for the trial of Offences committed by such Slaves
and other Persons therein mentioned, and to' prevent the
inveigling and Carrying away Slaves from their Masters
Owners, or Employers, that this House have agreed (in
Consequence of the great Necessity for such an Act)
to the Amendments made at the said free Conference
and at the same time have resolved it shall never be
pleaded as a Precedent. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday March 16th 1770
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to prepare
Tax bui pre- and bring in a Bill for Granting to his Majesty the Sum
sented & Read _ _ ... _ , . ~
of i (SK> for the use and Support of the Government
of Georgia for the Year 1770 to be raised at certain
rates and after the method therein mentioned and for the
more effectual Collecting of Arrears and for exempting
the Parishes of Saint David, Saint Patrick, Saint
Thomas, and Saint Mary, they not being represented,
reported they had prepared the same which was received
and read the first time and ordered to be read a Second
time
156 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the upper House have agreed to the Bill intitled
ftonfthe an Act to Continue the Several Laws therein mentioned
upper House with0ut any Amendments. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday March 17th 1770
The House adjourned till Monday Morning Ten of
the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday March 19th 1770
The House met, and adjourned till to Morrow Morn
ing, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia., Vol. 48.)
Tuesday March 20th 1770
The order of the day for taking under Consideration
the Petition of William Harding being read, the House
took the same into Consideration accordingly, and
Resolved That this House will provide the sum of
vote to provide One hundred Pounds, to be paid to the said William
£100 for ' r
wm. Harding Harding, agreeable to the prayer of the said Petition,
upon his Machine being viewed by Commissioners to
MARCH, 1770. 157
be appointed by this House for that purpose, and it ap
pearing to them to be of a new Construction, and of
Publick Utility
The Bill for granting to his Majesty the Sum of
Mxtutelreada£ (slc) for the use and support of the Government of
Georgia, for the Year 1770 to be raised at certain rates
and after the method therein mentioned for the more
effectual Collecting of Arrears, and for exempting the
Parishes of Saint David, Saint Patrick, Saint Thomas
and Saint Mary, they not being represented, was read the
Second time. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 2 Ist March 1770
The Ingrossed Bill Intitled, an Act for granting to his
Duty Biiiread a Majesty, and imposing a Duty on Negroes, Goods Wares,
and Merchandize, Imported into this Province, was read
the third time, and sundry Amendments were made by
the House to the said Bill.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 22° March 1770
The Question was put, if the Ingrossed Bill intitled
an Act for granting to his Majesty and imposing a
158 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Duty on Negroes, and Merchandize Imported into this
Province, should pass, and it was —
Passed Resolved In the affirmative.
Ordered That Mr Box do Carry the said Bill to the
upper House, and desire their Concurrence
A Petition from Several of the Inhabitants and Free-
a Petition from holder 0f the Parishes of Saint Philip, Saint John, and
Several of the l J
i"raaofthepar- Saint Andrew, whose names are thereunto subscribed
Pha!p0*ct was presented to the House, and read, setting forth, That
it is the Earnest request of the Petitioners, that a Ferry
should by Law be established from the Town of Sunbury
to some convenient place in the Parish of Saint Philip, to
be chose by the House, or Commissioners for that pur
pose appointed, and a high Road laid out from such place
to join the main Southern Road near Ogechee Ferry, as
by that means the distance between Savannah and Sun
bury will be made shorter by Ten Miles, and in many other
respects more Convenient to Travellers, and the Com
munication between the Metropolis and the flourishing
Southern Settlements, rendered more open and easy, to
the great Emolument and advantage of the Province in
general —
The Petitioners therefore Pray that a Law may be
brought in and passed through the House for that pur
pose. Motion was made, that the Consideration of the said
Petition be postponed till Tuesday Morning next
Upon the Question being put —
it passed in the Affirmative —
Resolved That this House will Resolve itself into a
MARCH, 1770. 159
Committee of the whole House, to take under Considera
tion the address of the Council of the 12th March 1770 to
his Excellency the Governor as published in the Gazette
of this Province on Wednesday the 14"1 this Instant —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock-
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday March 23d 1770
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery — ¦
That the upper House have agreed to an Ordinance ap
pointing Andrew Elton Wells, Harbour Master for the
Port of Savannah, without Amendments
That the upper House have also agreed to an Ordi
nance for appointing Packers and Inspectors for the Ports
•of Savannah and Sunbury an also Cullers and Inspectors
of Lumber in the said Ports with an Amendment, to
which Amendment they desire the Concurrence of this
House. The House took the Amendment made by the upper
House to the said Ordinance under Consideration, and
agreed thereto.-
Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun do Carry the
Ordinance to the upper House, and acquaint them, that
this House agrees to the Amendment made by their House
to the said Ordinance
The House according to order Resolved itself into a
160
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
committee on Committee of the whole House to take into Consideration
the1 council8 to the address of the Council of the 12th this Instant March,
the Go'vlrnOT3' to his Excellency the Governor, and Published in the Ga
zette of this Province, and, after some time spent therein
Mr Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Milledge from the
Committee reported they had come to a Resolution which
they had directed him to report to the House, and he read
the same in his place and afterwards delivered it, in at the
Table, where it was again Read, and agreed to by the
House Nem : Con : and is as follows, Viz'
Resolutionthereon
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee,
that the address of the Council, of the 12th this Instant
presented to his Excellency the Governor, and published
in the Gazette of this Province, is an unjust Reflection,
and an unprovoked Insult offered to the Dignity of this
House. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R.\0.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday March 24th 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday Morning,
Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 26th March 1770
The House Resolved itself into a Committee of the
committee on whole House to take under Consideration the several Ac-
lllG Acco'-'
against the counts delivered in to the Clerk and after some time spent
Publick r
therein, Mr Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Elbert
MARCH, 1770. Itil
from the Committee reported they had taken the same
into Consideration and made some progress therein, and
that he was directed by the Committee" to move for leave
to sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have leave to sit again.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of thd Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday March 27th 1770
A Petition from the Inhabitants and Freeholders of
a Petition from the Parish of Saint Philip, whose names are thereunto
the Inhabitants c
of st. Philip subscribed was presented to the House and Read Sitting
forth, that they are informed of a Petition presented to
this House for laying out a New Road in that Parish and
establishing a Ferry in the same by the Inhabitants of
several Parishes no ways concerned and to wh:m it can
be of no Benefit or Public Utility, they assert it will make
at least a Difference of Ten Miles to Sunbury which the
Petitioners deny it can make half that, as such a Road can
not be Carried on a direct Line on Account of large
Creeks and Marshes which it must head and wi',1 make a
Distance at least of Fifteen or Eighteen MiLs ;h ongh
bad ground, the Road already laid out and worked upon
these fifteen Years is no ways compleat the Causeway
having been impassable for near three Weeks aid is much
damaged by the rate Fresh and is more than the few In
habitants of that Parish can Keep in Repair the Petition
ers therefore" Pray that such a Road be not granted and
they will ever pray, &e'
Thefi the order of the day for taking under Considera
tion the Petition from several- of the Inhabitants and Free-
ller— T0115
162 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
holders of the Parishes of Saint Philip, Saint John, and
Saint Andrew, being read the House took the same into
Consideration accordingly and —
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill agree-
Order thereon ^ tQ thg prayer of the said petition and that there be
included in the said Bill a Clause, or Clauses, appointing
and empowering Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out
a Road from the Town of Queensborough in the nearest
and most Convenient way to the Road already laid out
from Savannah to the Honbl8 Jonathan Bryan's Cowpen
on the River Great Ogechee, and that Mr Grceme, Mr
Crooke and Mr Rae do prepare and bring in the said Bill.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 28th March 1770
A Memorial from Samuel Savery whose name is there-
l?aemiorsave^y unto Subscribed was presented to the House and read Set
ting forth —
That the Memorialist was in the Year 1768 employed
to inspect the Survey of the Boundary Line (so Called)
between this Province and the Creek Indian Nation, That
the Memorialist, last Session of the Assembly preferred
an Account wherein he charged at the Rate of 25/- per
diem for the said Service and as he thought very moder
ate from the Inconveniences, dangers and Fatigues, he
labored under, which may be made manifest by those who
were appointed as Commissioners to see this Work exe
cuted, That the Memorialist is allowed by every Indi
vidual who employs him in Surveying (which he appre
hends the above work if not Similar to be nearly allied
MARCH, 1770. 163
to) the Sum of 21/- per diem, and as the late Assembly
only allowed him at the Rate of 15/- per day, he hopes
the House taking the matter into Serious Consideration
and being Convinced that it is Customary for Private
Persons to pay for Resurveying 21/- per day they will
allow him after the same Rate, that the Memorialist in
executing this Work for the Public lost two Horses which
cost him £22.. 10/- Sterling which he begs leave to sub
mit to the House if a Compensation should not be made
him, as it has been done to other Persons that lost their
Horses and were employed as Assistants in the same Serv
ice. That the Memorialist was the only Surveyor that
would undertake the Service it being presumed there was
great Danger attending it which he by experience found
to be true that the Memorialist made no kind of agree
ment with the Persons that employed him but submitted
himself entirely to the Justice of the House which he still
confides in and hopes the House will do in the Premisses
as to their Wisdom shall seem meet &ca
Ordered That the said Memorial do lye upon the Ta
ble to be perused by the Members of the House.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Gomm. of the whole House to take into further Consideration the several
'Accounts against the Publick delivered in to the Clerk
of this House and after some time spent therein Mr
Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Elbert from the Com
mittee reported they had taken the said Accounts into
further Consideration and made some further progress
therein and that he was directed by the Committee to
move for leave to sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to sit again.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
164 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. Or^B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 29th March 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
offte s^w1™ *rtr^1°^e House to take into further Consideration the sev
eral Accounts against the Publick delivered in to the Clerkr
of this House, ahd after some time spent therein MT
Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Elbert from the Com
mittee reported they had taken the said Accounts into
further Consideration and made some further progress;
therein and that he was directed by the Committee to
move for leave to sit again
Ordered That the Committee have leave to sit again.
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to prepare*
aRoddBiiipre- and bring in a Bill for laying out a Road from some Con
sented & Read & . n •
venient place in the Parish of Saint Philip, to join the,
Main Southern Road near Ogechee Ferry and for em
powering the Commissioners or Surveyors of the Roads
to establish a Ferry from the Town of Sunbury and also
for laying out a Road from the Town of Queensborough
to the Cowpen of Jonathan Bryan Esquire on great Oge
chee River and for appointing Commissioners for the-
purposes herein mentioned, reported they had prepared
the same which was received and read the first time and!
ordered to be read a second time
if:.-
Alld then the House adjourned till to*
MorroW Morning Nine of the Clock
MARCH, i77Q= 165
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 30^ March 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Further cpmm. whole House, to take into further Consideration the sev-
of the Publick '
Accos. eraj Accounts against the Public delivered in to the Clerk
of this House, and after some time spent therein Mr
Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Elbert from the Com
mittee reported they had taken the said Accounts into fur
ther Consideration, and gone through the same and that
the Committee had come to a Resolution which he was
directed to report to the House and he read the report in
his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Table,
where the same was again read and agreed to by the
House. The Bill for laying out a Road from some Convenient
Jlftimi1 ^ place in the Parish of Saint Philip to join the main South
ern Road near Ogechee Ferry, and for empowering the
Commissioners or Surveyors of the Roads to establish a
Ferry from the Town of Sunbury, and also for laying out
a Road from, the Town of Queensborough to the Cowpen
of Jonathan Bryan Esquire on Great Ogechee River, and
for appointing Commissioners for the purposes herein
mentioned, was read the second time and ordered to be
Committed. Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to prepare
Buitt, ampnd and bring in a Bill to enable the Commissioners appointed
uiktmg t°heres" in and by an Act of the General Assembly of this Prov-
Town &ca. pre- , • 1 m r r*
aented jnce, Intitled An Act for regulating the Town of Savan
nah and for ascertaining the Common thereunto belong
ing, to Alien and Convey to certain Persons, and their
Successors in trust, part of the said Common for the pur
pose of Inclosing a Ccemetry or Burial Ground for the
Inhabitants of the said Town of Savannah professing the
166 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Jewish Religion reported they had prepared the same,
which was received and read the first time, and ordered
to be read a Second time-
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 31st March 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
Road Bm com- whole House, to take into Consideration the Bill for lay
ing out a Road from some Convenient place in the Parish
of Saint Philip to join the main Southern Road near Oge
chee Ferry, and for empowering the Commissioners or
Surveyors of the Roads to establish a Ferry from the
Town of Sunbury, and also for laying out a Road from
the Town of Queensborough to the Cowpen of Jonathan
Bryan Esquire on Great Ogechee River, and for appoint
ing Commissioners for the purposes herein mentioned,
and, after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr Guinnett from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into Consideration gone
through the same, and made several Amendments there
to, which the Committee had directed him to report to the
House, and he read the report in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill, with the Amendments in at the Table,
where the Amendments were again read and agreed to by
the House.
Ordered That the Bill, with Amendments be In-
grossed Resolved That the Title of the said Bill be a Bill, In-
Titie Altered titled an Act for laying out a Road in the Parish of Saint
Philip, and empowering the Commissioners to establish
Resolutionthereon
APRIL, 1770. 167
a Ferry to the Town of Sunbury and also for laying out
a Road from the v Town of Queensborough to join the
Newington Road leading to Savannah, and for clearing
the River Great Ogechee.
The Master in Chancery by order of his Excellency
sundry Papers the Governor, presented to the House several Papers,
laid before the r
House by OTder which his Excellency had received relative to the Inhabi
tants of Wrightsborough Township, and the said Papers
being severally read, the House took the same into Con
sideration, and — •
Resolved That this House will provide a Sum not
exceeding One hundred pounds to be appropriated for the
protection of the said and adjacent Inhabitants from the
Insults of the Stragling Indians, who steal their Horses
and Commit other Depridations.
And then the House adjourned till Mon
day Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 2d April 1770
Bui for Laying ^ie Ingrossed Bill Intitled an Act for laying out a
radathedthi?radR°ad in the Parish of Saint Philip and empowering Com-
'""'" missioners to establish a Ferry to and from the Town of
Sunbury and also for laying out a Road from the Town
of Queensborough to Join the Newington Road leading
to Savannah and for clearing the River Great Ogechee
was read the third time and some Amendments were made
by the House to the Bill.
Resolved That the Bill with the Amendments do
pass. Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence
and Passed
168 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Grceme from the Committee of Conference of both
cfmm'ol Cpen- Houses on the Amendments made by the upper House
to the Ingrossed Bill Intitled an Act for raising a Num
ber of Watchmen for preserving good order in and about
the Town of Savannah, reported that the Committee of
both Houses had agreed on certain Amendments to be
made to the said Bill which he was directed to report to
the House and he read the report in his place and after
wards delivered the same in at the Table where it was
again read and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and acquaint them that the House agrees to
the report of their Committee of Conference.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 3d April 1770
The Bill to enable the Commissioners in and by an Act
pni for grant- of the General Assembly of this Province Intitled an Act
Ground to Per- for regulating the Town of Savannah and for ascertaining
sons professing ' . " '
the Jewish Re- the Common thereunto belonging- to Alien and Convey
Ugion read a ° ° r
second time t0 certain Persons and their Successors in trust part of the
said Common for the purpose of Inclosing a Ccemetry or
Burial Ground for the Inhabitants of the said Town of
Savannah professing the Jewish Religion, was read a
Second time and ordered to be Committed —
Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill for
order for :. Bill the encouraging the Cultivation of Tobacco in this Prov-
to e^.courfge ° °
of-Tob^'cco'1'0" ince and appointing Inspectors thereof in the Town of
Augusta and that Mr Crooke Mr Rae, Mr Ewen, and Mr
Ebert do prepare and bring in the said Bill —
APRIL, i?7Q,
169
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
of^BiiTiw Whole House to take into Consideration the Bill to en-
BTtiai" Ground able the Commissioners appointed in and by an Act of
PfofessinsTthe the General Assembly of this Province Intitled an Act for
Jewish Re- .' . ' _. ' ' . .
ligion regulating the Town of Savannah, and for ascertaining
the Common thereunto belonging to Alien and Convey
to certain persons and their Successors in trust, part of
the said Common for the purposes of Inclosing a Cceme-
try or Burial Ground for the Inhabitants of the said Town
of Savannah professing the Jewish Religion, and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair
and Mr Elbert from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into Consideration gone through the
same and made several Amendments thereto' which he was
directed to Report to the House and he read the report in
his place, and afterwards delivered the Bill with the
Amendments in at the Table where the Amendments were
again read and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amnedments be In-
grossed. Ordered That the said Bill be offered for the third
Reading on Friday next.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
Committee on
the Estimate
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 4th April 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House, to take into Consideration the Estimate of
the necessary Charges of Government in the Province
of Georgia for one Year commencing the 29th September
1 769 and ending the 29th September 1 770 and after some
170 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair, and
Mr Elbert from the Committee reported they had taken
the same into Consideration and made some progress
therein and that he was directed by the Committee to
move for Leave to sit again.
Ordered That the Committee have Leave to sit again.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 5th April 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole
ofUthe Esttakte House to take into futher Consideration the Estimate of
the Necessary Charges of Government in the Province
of Georgia for one Year Commencing the 29th September
1769 and ending 29th September 1770 and after some
time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr
Elbert from the Committee reported they had taken the
said Estimate into further Consideration gone through
the same, and come to several Resolutions which the
Committee had directed him to Report to the House and
he read the Report in his place and afterwards delivered
the same in at the Table where it was again read and
agreed to by the House.
Ordered That a Committee of ways and means be
Comm.of wayB aPP0inted bring in an Ordinance for appointing an Agent to
silted Pre" Sollicit the Affairs of this Province in Great Britain to
commence the first day of June next and to Continue
for one Year, reported they had prepared the same which
was received and read the first time.
The Ingrossed Bill Intitled an Act for appointing In-
reVaThird specters of Tobacco and to prevent the exportation of
bad and unmerchantable Tobacco was read a third time.
& passed Resolved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Crooke do carry the said Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the Bill Intitled
t? th? upper an Act for Granting to his Majesty the Sum. of
House £3355.. 9.. oy4 for the use and Support of the Govern
ment of Georgia for the Year 1770 to be raised at certain
184
JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
a Memorial
from Thomas
Moodie Dy.
-Secretary
Rates, and after the method therein mentioned for the
more effectual Collecting of Arrears and for exempting
the Parishes of Saint David, Saint Patrick, Saint
Thomas, and Saint Mary They not being represented to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence.
A Memorial from Thomas Moodie Deputy Secretary
whos name is thereunto Subscribed was presented to the
House and Read Setting forth, that the Memorialist has
Acted as Deputy Secretary of this Province since the 2d
January 1765 and he hopes to the Satisfaction of all
Concerned That the Commons Blouse of Assembly has
hitherto been pleased to provide him a Sum for doing
publick business not exceeding £60 payable the 29th Sep
tember every year, and so late as the Year 1767 as will
appear by the Several Tax Acts, That since that time they
have only provided Yearly the Sum of £40 for the said
Business, these Provisions were made in order to pay
him for Business done to the 29th September in each
Year The State of his Account for Two Years are as
follows —
The Amount of his Account to 29th Sep
tember 1765 £62.. 14.. 1 1 y2
he only Received what was provided for
him.. 60.. -.. -
which Sum was provided in next Tax
Act £ 2.. 14.. ny2
He was provided in the Act 1766 £60.. -.. -
but his Account came only to 52.. 10.. 9^
So his Account were short of the Pro-]
vision for him this Ballance he did not If 7.. 9.. 2l/2
nor could not Receive j
That it will appear by all his former Accounts the
MAY, 1770. 185
Business he is intitled to do as Secretary has always
been done before he demanded the Money of the Treas
urer That he has no appointment from the Publick nor
Salary and that considering his Circumstances and Ne
cessity's he humbly hopes the Assembly will take his
Case into their Serious Consideration and allow such a
Sum as will enable the Treasurer to pay him what will
fall due by his Attested Account to the 29th September
next as usual &ca
That the said Memorial do lye upon the Table to be
perused by the Members of the House.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday May 2d 1770
Order for a Bin Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill em-
inhabitants of powering Commissioners to assess the Inhabitants of the
Savannah cfcca. _ - - ¦
for support of Town of Savannah in the Sum of £200.. 13.. 4 and also
a Town Watch O t
to empower the Treasurer to issue Certificates for the
Sum of £100.. 6.. 8 to be sunk in the next General Tax
Act for supporting a Watch in the Town of Savannah
and that Mr Grceme, Mr Le Conte, and Mr Ewen do pre
pare and bring in the said Bill
ordinance Re- The Ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Franklin
appointing the <-.
Serandrtimea Esquire Agent to Sollicit the affairs of this Province in
Great Britain to commence the first day of June next and
to continue for One Year was read the second time and
Ordered To be Ingrossed.
The House took into Consideration the Amendments
186 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The House con- made by the upper House to the Ingrossed Bill intitled
Amendments an Act for laying out a Road in the Parish of S' Philip
made by the ,. . , _. .. . .^
upper House to and lmpowermg the Commissioners to establish Ferrys
the Road Bill rr\ ¦
to and from the Town of Sunbury and also for laying
out a Road from the Town of Queensborough to Join
the Newington Road leading to Savannah and for clear
ing the River Great Ogechee and agreed to all the said
Amendments except one.
Ordered That Mr Grceme do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and acquaint them, that this House, having
taken the Amendments made by their House to the said
Bill into Consideration, have agreed to all the Amend
ments except one-, therefore this House desires they will
they will (sic) appoint a Committee to join a Committee
of this House in Conference upon the Subject matter of
the said Amendments And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday May 3d 1770
Mr Le Conte from the Committee appointed to pre-
Bm to assess pare and bring in a Bill empowering: Commissioners to
the Inhabitants L ° l &
ofthe Town of assess the Inhabitants of the Town of Savannah in .the
Savannah &ca-
TorwSnPWatc°h£a Sum of £200.. 13.. 4 and also to empower the Treasurer
to issue Certificates for the Sum of £100.. 6.. 8 to be
sunk in the next General Tax Act for supporting a Watch
in the Town of Savannah, reported they had prepared the
same which was received and read the first time and Or
dered to be read a Second time.
The Ordinance for Reappointing Benjamin Franklin
MAY, 1770.
187
ordinance for Esquire, Agent to Sollicit the Affairs of this Province in
theTgent read Great Britain, to Commence the first day of June next,
a third time ^^ tQ Continue for One Year, was read a third time.
& Passed Resolved That the Ordinance do pass.
Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun do Carry the
said Ordinance to the upper House, and desire their
Concurrence. A Message from the upper House" by the Master in
Chancery.
Message from the
Upper House
Report' of the
Committee of
Conference
That the upper House agrees to the Conference de
sired by this House on the Amendments made by their
House to the Ingrossed Bill for laying out a road in the
Parish of Saint Philip, and empowering Commissioners
to establish Ferries &c, &c, and have named a Committee
for that purpose, and do appoint the same to be held in
the Room adjoining the Council Chamber immediately
Committee James McKay and James Read Esquires
Ordered That Mr Le Conte, Mr Farley and Mr
Grceme be a Committee to join the Committee of the
upper House in the said Conference, and accordingly
they went to the said Conference, and being returned Mr
Grceme reported that they had joined the Committee of
the upper House in Conference on the Amendments made
to the said Bill and had agreed to the same which he was
directed to report to the House and he read the report
in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the
Table where it was again read and agreed to by the
House.
Ordered That Mr Grceme do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and acquaint them that this House agrees
to the report of their Committee of Conference.
188 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
A Message from, the, upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the upper House desires that they may have laid
theupper from before them the Correspondence that has passed between
Mr Benjamin Franklin and the Publick during the time
he has been appointed Agent for this Province
Ordered That the upper House be furnished with
the same
The House took under Consideration his Excellency
the Governor's Message N° 2 of the 7th of November
last, and
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw up
an Address in Answer to the said Message, and a Com
mittee was appointed accordingly.
Committed to Mr Le Conte, Mr Andrew, Mr Grceme,
Mr Crooke, and Sir Patrick Houstoun.
Ordered That his Excellency the Governor's Mes
sage be referred to the said Committee.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday May 4th 1770
The Bill for empowering Commissioners to assess the
Biiito assess Inhabitants of the Town of Savannah in the Sum of
the Inhabitants
sivhe&crnof £2°°- I3" 4 and also to empower the Treasurer to issue
tfme a Se"md Certificates for the sum of £100.. 6.. 8 to be sunk by
the next General Tax Act for supporting a Watch in the
MAY, 1770. 189
Town of Savannah, was read a second time, and ordered
to be Committed.
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery That the upper House have agreed to the Ingrossed
tteBupperfrom Bil1 for granting to his Majesty the Sum of
houm £3355.- 9- 034 for the use and Support of the Govern
ment of Georgia for the Year 1770, to be raised at cer
tain Rates, and after the method therein mentioned, for
the more effectual Collecting of Arrears and for exempt
ing the Parishes of Saint David, Saint Patrick, Saint
Thomas, and Saint Mary, they not being represented,
without any Amendment. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday May 5th 1770
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the upper House have agreed to the Bill Intitled,
Message from an Act for further Amending- an Act, Intitled an Act
the Upper * '
House for the better regulating the Town of Savannah and for
ascertaining the Common thereunto belonging without
any Amendments, that the upper House have also agreed
- to a Bill, Intitled, an Act for appointing Inspectors of
Tobacco, and to prevent the exportation of bad and un
merchantable Tobacco, without Amendments.
That the upper House have also agreed to an Ordi
nance for Reappointing Benjamin Franklin Esquire
190 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Agent to Sollicit the Affairs of this Province in Great
Britain, to Commence the first day of June next and to
Continue for One Year, with some Amendments, to
which Amendments they desire the Concurrence of this
House. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
fhTBiiTtoM- Whole House to take into Consideration the Bill for
itantshofIltheb" empowering Commissioners to assess the Inhabitants of
Bah&ca. avan" the Town of Savannah in the Sum of £200.. 13.. 4 and
also to empower the Treasurer to issue Certificates for
the Sum of £100.. 6.. 8 to be sunk by the next general
Tax for supporting a Watch in the Town of Savannah,
and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr William Young from the Committee
reported they had taken the said Bill into Consideration,
gone though the same, and made several Amendments
thereto, which the Committee had directed him to Re
port to the House and he read the Report in his place,
and afterwards delivered the Bill, with the Amendments
in at the Table where the Amendments were again read
and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be
Ingrossed The House took under Consideration the amendments
made by the upper House to the Ordinance for Reap
pointing Benjamin Franklin Esquire Agent to Sollicit
the affairs of this Province in Great Britain to Com
mence the first day of June next, and to Continue for
One Year and agreed to the same.
Ordered That Mr Grceme do Carry the Ordinance to
the upper House, and acquaint them that this House
agrees to the Amendments made by their House to the
said Ordinance.
MAY, 1770. 191
The Ingrossed Bill for empowering Commissioners to
?hMBtimeeada Assess the Inhabitants of the Town of Savannah in the
Sum of £200.. 13.. 4 and also to empower the Treasurer
to issue Certificates for the Sum of £100.. 6.. 8 to be sunk
by the next general Tax Act for supporting a Watch
in the Town of Savannah was read a third time.
and Passed rES0Lved That the Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Grceme do Carry the Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw
Committee ap-
pointed to draw up such Instructions as may be thought proper to be
up Instructions J ° A
to the Agent transmitted to the Agent, and report the same to the
House, and a Committee was appointed accordingly
Committed, to Mr Crooke, Mr Le Conte, Mr Simpson,
Mr Ewen, and Mr Grceme.
A Message from the upper House to the Master in
Chancery —
That the upper House have agreed to the Ingrossed
theuppar from Bill for empowering Commissioners to Assess the In-
Bouse habitants of the Town of Savannah in the Sum of
£200.. 1 3. .4 and also to empower the Treasurer to issue
Certificates for the Sum of £ioo..6..8 to be sunk by the
next general Tax Act for supporting a Watch in the
Town of Savannah, without any Amendments.
And then the House adjourned till Mon
day Morning Nine of the Clock
192 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday May 7th 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow Morn
ing, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday May 8th 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow Morn
ing, Nine of the Clock j
(From, B. P.R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday May 9th 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow Morn
ing, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday May 10th 1770
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery —
Message from His Excellency the Governor requires the Attendance
,ncyof this House in the Council Chamber immediately
Accordingly Mr Speaker with the whole House went
tends'his Exat" to attend his Excellency the Governor in the Council
£"eesn hisaAds-he Chamber, and being returned Mr Speaker reported that
Aet» *ca".evc ''* he with the whole House had attended his Excellency
MAY, 1770. 193
in the Council Chamber where he was pleased to give his
Assent to the following Acts and Ordinances Viz'
[For enumeration of these Acts, see Journal of Upper
House 10 May 1770.]
Mr Speaker further reported that his Excellency the
Governor was pleased to say he would consider of the
following Bills Viz'
[For enumeration of these two Bills, see Journal of
Upper House 10 May 1770.]
Mr Speaker further Reported that his Excellency was
pleased to make the following Speech to both Houses of
Assembly Viz'
Honble Gentlemen —
His Excel lencys
Houses of As- [For transcript of Governour's Speech see Journal of
Upper House 10 May 1770]
James Wright Council Chamber
the 10th May 1770
And that his Excellency was pleased to enquire whether
the House had anything further to do, Mr Speaker, an
swered that the House had some further Business yet to
Consider of —
Mr Grceme from the Committee appointed to draw up
ooStteethfP- such Instructions as may be thought proper to be trans-
Sp iStructio^ mitted to the Agent Reported that the Committee had
ted the Agent come to several Resolutions which they had directed him
to Report to the House, and he read the Report in his
place, and afterwards delivered the same in at the Table,
where the Resolutions were severally again Read and
agreed to by the House and are as follows Viz'
13 c r— vul 15
1»4 f JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Resolved That it is the Oppinion of this Committee
that the Agent be Instructed by the Committee of Cor
respondence to use his utmost endeavours to obtain his
Majesty's Royal Assent as soon as possible to the Act
passed this Sessions for ordering and governing Slaves
&ca Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that the Agent be instructed to use his utmost endeavours
to obtain an Instruction from his Majesty permitting his
Excellency the Governor to issue Writs for Electing
Members to represent the Parishes of Saint David, Saint
Patrick, Saint Thomas and Saint Mary.
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that the Agent be instructed to use his utmost endeavours
to obtain an Instruction from his Majesty permitting his
Excellency the Governor to give his Assent to a Law of
the same Tenor and Purport as a Bill passed both Houses
of Assembly this Session Intitled an Act, to amend an
Act, to ascertain the manner and form of Electing Mem
bers to Represent the Inhabitants of this Province in the
Commons House of Assembly —
Resolved That, it is the Opinion of this Committee
that the Agent be instructed to use his utmost endeavours
to obtain from William Knox, Esquire (lately an Agent
for this Province) the Plan of the Lands claimed by the
late Sir William Baker, deceased and the Petition ac
companying it, which was transmitted to him, to be
presented to his Majesty, and that the Agent be further
Instructed to present the said Petition to his Majesty
with all Convenient Speed —
Ordered That the above Resolutions be referred to
the Committee of Correspondence as an Act of this
House —
MAY, t-^o. 195
The Hous** being informed that the Machine, con
structed by William Harding, for the Pounding of Rice,
will be ready to be viewed in a few Weeks therefore —
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to inspect
a£potated*"to the said Machine and report their Opinion thereon at the
Barkings next meeting' of tlie House and a Committee was ap-
pointed accordingly —
Committed to Mr Milledge, Mr Bulloch, Mr Mullryne,
Mr Isaac Young, Mr Ewen, Mr Le Conte, Mr Odingsell,
Mr Andrew, Mr Stevens Mr Rae, Sir Patrick Houstoun,
Mr Grceme and Mr Box.
Ordered That Mr Grceme do acquaint the upper
wJSe^HcSJe116 House that this House being of, Opinion, that the Bill
intitled, an Act, for amending an Act, to ascertain the
manner and form of Electing Members to represent the
Inhabitants of this Province in the Commons House of
Assembly" will be a great advantage to this Province,
which was passed both Houses of Assembly this Session,
and his Excellency was pleased (upon its being presented
for the Assent) to say he would consider of it, therefore
this House desires they will appoint a Committee to Join
a Committee of this House in preparing an Address to
be presented to his Excellency, Requesting, that he would
be pleased to use his utmost endeavours and Influence
to obtain an Instruction from his Majesty permitting
him to Assent to a Law of the same Tenor and purport.
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery That the upper House agrees in Opinion with this
House with respect to the Bill entitled iui Act r~- amend
ing an Act, to ascertain the manner and r_/m of electing
Members to Represent the Inhabitants of this Province
in the Commons House of Assembly, and have appointed
196 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
a Committee to Join a Committee of this House in pre
paring an Address accordingly.
Committed to John Graham, and James Edward
Powell, Esquires.
Ordered That Mr Grceme and Sir Patrick Houstoun
be a Committee to Join a Committee of the upper House
in preparing the said Address —
Report from
the Comm. ap
Upper House
Mr Grceme from the Committee appointed to Join a
Committee of the upper House to draw up an Address to
a0comm!rf)the his Excellency the Governor, requesting that he would
be pleased to use his utmost Endeavours and Influence
to obtain an Instruction from his Majesty permitting
him to assent to a Law of the same Tenor and Purport
with a Bill passed both Houses of Assembly this Session
Intituled an Act for amending an Act. to ascertain the
Manner and Form of electing Members to represent the
Inhabitants of this Province in the Commons House of
Assembly, reported they had prepared the same, which
was received and read, and agreed to by the House
A Message from the upper House by the Master in
Chancery.
Messagefrom the
That the upper House, upon report from the Com
mittee of their House appointed to join a Committee of
upper House ^s fjouse jn preparing an Address to his Excellency the
Governor, requesting that he would be pleased to use his
utmost Endeavours and Influence to obtain an Instruction
from his Majesty permitting him to assent to a Law of
the same Tenor and Purport with a Bill passed both
Houses of Assembly this Session intituled an Act for
amending an Act to ascertain the Manner and Form of
Electing Members to Represent the Inhabitants of this
Province in the Commons House of Assembly' have
agreed to the Address so prepared —
MAY, 1770. _ 197
Ordered That Mr Grceme do acquaint the upper
House, that this House doth agree with their House in
the said Address.
Ordered That the said Address be Ingrossed
The said Address being ingrossed was -read to the
House in the Words following Viz'
To his Excellency James Wright, Esquire Captain
General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's
Province of Georgia, Chancellor, and Vice Admiral
of the same.
The humble Address of both Houses of Assembly in
general Assembly met.
May it please your Excellency —
Both Houses Whereas a Bill
Address to his
Excellency the [For transcript of Address to the Governor, see Jour
nal of Upper House 10 May 1770]
Resolved That this House will join the upper House
in presenting the said Address —
Ordered That Mr Grceme do join a Member of the
upper House to know his Excellency, the Governors
pleasure, when he will be attended by both Houses, and
accordingly he withdrew, and being returned, Reported,
that, pursuant to order, he had joined a Member of the
upper House, to know his Excellency's pleasure, when he
would be attended by both Houses of Assembly with
their Address, and that his Excellency was pleased to
say he should" be ready to receive them in the Council
Chamber immediately —
Accordingly Mr Speaker with the whole House went
'8 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The House at- to atte"d his Excellency in the Council Chamber when
c5teL» wi**" the Address of both Houses was presented, and read to
his Excellency, by the President of the Upper House, in
Answer to which he was pleased to say —
Gentlemen.
[For transcript of Governor's Answer to an Address
" Answer1" from both Houses, see Journal of Upper House 10 May
1 770. J
And then his Excellency was pleased to prorogue the
theAswimbiy General Assembly, untill Monday the 13"1 August next.
A true Copy from the Original Jour
nals Examined and Certified
Jn8 Simpson C: D: C.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
GEORGIA.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Commons House
of Assembly of the Province of Georgia at the Second
Session of the Seventh General Assembly of the said
Province met according to Prorogation, at the Town of
Savannah, on Monday the 22" day of October in the
Year of our Lord 1770 —
A True Copy from the Original Jour
nals Compared and examined
P Jn' Simpson C : D : C :
Rec' Oct" 21. 1771.
Seal taken off by S. B.
OCTOBER, 1770. 199
Journal of the Proceedings of the Commons House
of Assembly of the Province of Georgia at the Second
Session of the Seventh General Assembly of the said
Province, met according to Prorogation at the Town of
Savannah, on Monday the 22a day of October in the
Year of our Lord 1770 —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday October 22* 1770
The House met according to Prorogation, and ad
journed till to Morrow morning, Ten of the Clock —
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday, October 23d 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morning
Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.) »
Wednesday 24th October 1770
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency the Governor, desiring he will be
pleased to give orders for issuing two Writs of Election,
Viz' One to Elect a Member for the Parish of Saint An
drew, in the Room of William Grceme, Esquire, deceased,
and another to Elect a Member for the district of Little
Ogechee, in the parish of Christ Church in the Room of
William Deveaux, Esquire, who has removed and resides
out of the Province—
200 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The said Address being prepared was read and agreed
to by the House
Ordered That Mr Le Conte and Mr Andrew, do wait
on his Excellency, and present the said Address, and
accordingly they withdrew, and being returned, Mr Le
Conte, reported they had waited on his Excellency, and
presented the Address, and he was pleased to answer,
that he would give directions for issuing the said Writs.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk to the Master in Chancery —
Mr Speaker
I am ordered by his Excellency the Governor to ac
quaint you, that he requires the Attendance of this House
in the Council Chamber immediately, accordingly Mr
Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Excel
lency and being returned, Mr Speaker reported that he
with the House, had attended his Excellency, and that
he was pleased to make an Affectionate Speech to both
Houses of Assembly, of which Mr Speaker said he had,
to prevent mistakes obtained a Copy, which he read to
the House, and is as followeth, Viz'
[For transcript of the Governor's Speech see Journal
of the Upper House 24 Oct. 1770]
Savannah in Georgia )
Council Chamber, the 24th of October 1770)
Resolved, Nem. Con. That an humble Address of
thanks be presented to his Excellency the Governor for
his Speech delivered to both Houses at the Opening of
this Session, that We are sorry he has nothing particular
in charge from his Majesty, as we were in expectation
of the Royal Assent to the Bill passed last Session for
ordering and governing Slaves &c* and that his Excel-
OCTOBER, 1770. 201
lency would have had some Instructions relative to the
Bill for amending the Election Law, of which he was
pleased to say he would Consider : That We are truely
sensible that the Indian Affairs ought to be better regu
lated, and it is with Concern we acquaint his Excellency
that in our opinion no Bill can be framed better to an
swer the desired Effect than the Laws now in force, un
less the Neighbouring Colonies would Assent to Regula
tions similar in their Nature and Operation : That his
Excellency's Attention to the Commercial Interests of
the Province deserves our sincere acknowledgements and
that we are Convinced that the Navigation of the River,
the distress of Seamen and other poor persons, requires
our Serious Consideration : That it gives us great Satis
faction that the Publick Faith and Credit of the Province
is upon so good a footing, and that he may be assured
We shall always endeavour to support and maintain it :
That we are fully Convinced of the Utility and great
Consequence of a Light House on Tybee Island, and, as
ample provision has already been made for that impor
tant Service, We apprehend we have only to enquire into
the Application of the Sum Granted : that we shall also-
take into Consideration the Condition of Fort George
on the Island of Cockspur, and thank his Excellency for
his promise of Concurrence in any measure for the Pub
lick Good. That the produce of the last years Tax, and
the necessary Services of the Current Year, shall be
carefully attended to—
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw up
an Address to be presented to his Excellency upon the
said Resolution and a Committee was appointed accord
ingly- Committed to Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Ewen, Mr Le
Conte Mr Glen, and Mr William Young —
202 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That his Excellency's Speech be referred to
the said Committee
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency the Governor, desiring that he would
be pleased to give orders for issuing Writs to Elect
Representatives for the Parishes of Saint David, Saint
Patrick, Saint Thomas, and Saint Mary —
The said Address being prepared was read and agreed
to by the House —
Ordered That Mr Simpson and Mr Andrew, do wait
on his Excellency and present the said Address; accord
ingly they withdrew and being returned, Mr Simpson
reported they had waited on his Excellency and presented
the Address, to which he was pleased to say that he
would send an Answer to the House.
Resolved That this House will attend Mr Speaker
to divine Service on Sunday next
Ordered That Mr Le Conte and Mr Ewen do wait
on the Reverend Mr Frink and acquaint him therewith —
And then the House adjourned till -t»
Morrow morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol, 48.)
Thursday, 25th October, 1770
Sir Patrick Houstoun, from the Committee appointed
to draw up an Address to be presented to his Excellency
the Governor, Reported that the Committee had drawn
tip an Address accordingly, which they had directed hun
to report to the House, and he read the same in his place,
OCTOBER, 1770. 203
and afterwards delivered it in at the Table, where the
same was again read, and ordered to be Committed to a
Committee of the whole House —
The House immediately resolved itself into a Com
mittee, accordingly, and, after some time spent therein,
Mr Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Glen from the
Committee reported they had taken the said Address into
Consideration, and made several Amendments thereto,
and he read the Same in his place, and afterwards de
livered the Address, with the Amendments, in at the
Table, where the Amendments were again read and
agreed to by the House —
Ordered That the Address with the Amendments
be Ingrossed —
The said Address being Ingrossed was read to the
House in the Words following, Viz'
To his Excellency, James Wright, Esquire Captain
General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's
Province of Georgia Chancellor and Vice Admiral
of the Same
The Humble Address of the Commons House of
Assembly.
May it please your Excellency —
We his Majesty's faithfull and loyal Subjects the
Commons of Georgia in General Assembly met, return
your Excellency our thanks for your Speech at the Open
ing of this Session
We are sorry you have nothing particular in charge
from his Majesty, as we were in expectation of the Royal
Assent to the Bill passed last Session for ordering and
governing Slaves &c* and that your Excellency would
204 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
have had some Instructions relative to the Bill for amend
ing the Election Law of which you was pleased to say
you would Consider.
We are truely Sensible that the Indian Affairs ought
to be better regulated, and it is with Concern We ac
quaint your Excellency that in our opinion no Bill can
be framed better to Answer the desired Effect than the
Laws now in force unless the Neighbouring Colonies
would Assent to Regulations similar in their Nature and
Operation — ¦
Your Excellency's Attention to the Commercial In
terests of the Province deserves our sincere acknowl
edgements, and We are Convinced that the Navigation
of the River, the distress of Seamen and other poor per
sons requires our Serious Consideration.
It gives us great Satisfaction that the Publick Faith
and Credit of the Province is upon so good a footing
and you may be assured Sir that we shall always endeav
our to support and maintain it —
We are fully Convinced of the Utility and great Con
sequence of a Light House on Tybee Island and as ample
provision has already been made for that important
Service, We apprehend We have only to enquire into
the Application of the Sum granted We shall also take
into Consideration the Condition of Fort George on the
Island of Cockspur and thank you Sir for your promise
of Concurrence in any measure for the Publick Good
The Produce of the last years Tax and the necessary
Services of the Current year We shall carefully attend
to — Ordered That Mr Speaker do sign the said Address
OCTOBER, 1770. 205
Resolved That the said Address be presented to his
Excellency the Governor by the whole House —
Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun and Mr Glen
do know his Excellency the Governor's pleasure when
he will be attended by this House accordingly they with
drew and being returned Sir Patrick Houstoun reported
to the House that his Excellency the Governor having
been waited upon (pursuant to Order) to know his Ex
cellency's pleasure when he would be attended by this
House had been pleased to appoint this afternoon at four
of the Clock
Ordered That the House be called over on Monday
next the 29th of this Instant October and that the Clerk
in the mean time do write to the Absent Members re
quiring their Attendance —
Mr Speaker with the whole House went to attend his
Excellency the Governor to present the Address of this
House and being returned Mr Speaker reported that he
•with the whole House had attended his Excellency and
presented their Address to which his Excellency was
pleased to give the following Answer, Viz'
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly —
In answer to your Address I must observe that its im
possible his Majesty's approbation of our Negro Law
could have been obtained and received by this time, for
that Bill was not passed till the 10th of May, and the
Copy of the several Laws not prepared and ready to
transmit till the middle of July and the same reason
holds with respect to the Election Bill —
And notwithstanding we seem to differ in opinion with
respect to a Law relative to our Indian Affairs, yet I am
not the less clear or satisfied that many things which I
206 i JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
eould point out, might be much better regulated than they
are at present by any Laws now in force, and this Inde
pendent of the Concurrence of any of the Neighbouring
Colonies, however, I rest perfectly satisfied in having
discharged my Duty to the People of this Province by
recommending those matters to your Consideration —
I thank you Gentlemen for any acknowledgements you
are pleased to make of my Deserts, and doubt not but if
the Affairs I have recommended or such of them as you
may approve of are Carried properly into execution, their
good Effects will be soon felt —
25th October 1770 James Wright
And then the House adjourned till to.
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 26th October 1770
Two Messages from his Excellency the Governor was.
presented to the House by the Clerk to the Master in
Chancery and read to the House in the words following
Viz' Mr Speaker and Gentlemen
In consequence of your Message of yesterday desiring
1 will give orders for issuing Writs to Elect Representa
tives for the Parishes of Saint David, Saint Patrick,
Saint Thomas and Saint Mary —
I am to acquaint you that the Conduct I observed with
respect to this matter on your Several Addresses during
the last Session of Assembly has been approved of by his
Majesty, who considers the appointing what places shall
OCTOBER, 1770. 207
send Representatives to the Assembly as a matter which
by the Form and principles of Government established
for this Province, entirely depends upon his Royal Dis
cretion, and which he will always be ready to exercise in
such manner as shall be for the Interest and Welfare of
the Province, when it shall appear to be necessary, either
upon the Representation of the State of those Parishes,
or on the Application of the Inhabitants there, to be in
dulged in the Privelege of Electing Representatives And
I have represented this matter in such a light, that I
doubt not I shall receive his Majesty's permission to Issue
the Writs you desire, but untill I do, its not in my power
to order them to be issued. James Wright, 25th October 1770
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly —
I lately went down and viewed with some attention
Fort George and the Light House and found that the
very Severe Gale of Wind we had in June last together
with the many hard Easterly Winds and high Tides, had
then washed away the North East and South East Angles
of the Fort Wall and Parapet, that was faced with Pal-
mettoes and done considerable other Damage and am in
formed more has been done since. I also found the plat
forms all but some of the large Timbers or Keepers en
tirely decayed and fallen in and the whole work except
the Capponiere in such a ruinous State as not to be worth
Repairing —
The Light House seems to me to be much Stronger
and in better order than it is generally supposed to be,
and I am of Opinion with some further Security to the
Foundation and other Repairs may Stand and Answer
every purpose that any Light House or Beacon can do, for
a great many Years, Perhaps from Ten to fifteen or
208 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
twenty Years and as a great deal of Tybee Island has
been lately cleared by cutting down a few more straggling
Trees it will be much more Conspicuous than ever and
seen from many Points at Sea where it was not before —
I have had some Conversation with Colonel Mullryne
on this Subject and have reason to believe that if it shall
appear or be thought Beneficial to the Publick, he will
consent to Cancel the Agreement made with him for
building a New Light House —
The Utility indeed and Necessity of building a New
Fort is so obvious, that its needless for me to offer any
Reasons on that Head, and as the Expence, of it may be
too much for the Inhabitants to bear just now, Therefore
I think it proper to State the following Proposals for
your Consideration Viz' That a Committee should be
appointed to go down and View both the Fort and the
Light House that they should take with them Workmen
who may be thought proper Judges and can be depended
upon, to examine the state and Condition of the Light
House, and if on the Report of the Committee it shall
appear to the House as it does to me I would then pro
pose that such part of the Sum of Two thousand pounds
lately granted for building a New Light House as may
appear sufficient, should be borrowed and appropriated to
repair the old Light House, and that such other part of
the said Sum of Two thousand pounds as may appear
necessary and Sufficient should be borrowed and appro
priated to the Building of a respectable and substantial
Fort of Tabby on such part of Cockspur Island as may
be judged most Convenient and effectual for the pur
poses intended by having a Fort there — And such Sums
of Money to be replaced in such Proportions and within
such a term of Years as may be thought proper and Con
venient And that a Bill should be prepared reciting the
whole Matter and for Borrowing and appropriating such
OCTOBER, 1770. 20S
Sums as may be Necessary for the purposes aforesaid,
with -a Clause that the Money so borrowed shall be re
placed within a Certain time by Annual Payments or
Sums to be raised in the General Tax for the purpose
of building' a New Light House as heretofore intended
when the same shall appear necessary, and which Sums
or payments I apprehend need not commence till some
years "hence — By this Method I conceive the great and
necessary Ends of a Light House and Fort will be ef
fectually answered without the Inconvenience of raising
any Tax which may be in the least felt by your Constitu
ents — James Wright
Savannah in Georgia Council Chamber]
the 26th October 1770 j
Ordered That the said Messages do lie upon the
Table to be perused by the Members of the House —
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
prevent Stealing of Horses and other Cattle, and for the
more effectual discovery and punishment of sUch persons
as shall maliciously and wickedly Kill, mark, or brand
the same, and that MT Ewen and Mr William Young be
a Committee to prepare and, bring in the same —
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
empower Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out, make
and repair the Roads already laid out, or may hereafter
be necessary, and also to clear the Rivers and Creeks
within- their respective Divisions, and that Mr Le Conte
and Sir Patrick Houstoun be a Committee to prepare
and bring in the said Bill —
The House.being informed that the Clerk of the Crown
and: Peaee -W attended at the-. Door, he was Called in,
andj at the Bar ofthe: House, delivered ina paper, enti-
14 e r— toI 15
210 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
tied, Presentments of the Grand Jury at June Sessions,
1770, and then he withdrew and then the Title of the
said Paper being read —
Ordered That the said Paper do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House —
Ordered That the Clerk do furnish the Printer with
a Copy of the Journals weekly and that the same be
printed in the Gazette —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 27th October 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock.
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 29th October 1770
The Order of the Day for the House being called over
being read the House was Called over accordingly and
several Members being absent It is
Ordered That the Clerk do write Letters to the Ab
sent Members requiring their immediate Attendance.
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill to prevent Stealing of Horses and
other Cattle and for the more effectual Discovery and
punishment of such Persons as shall maliciously and
OCTOBER, 1770. 211
wickedly Kill, mark or brand the Same reported they
had prepared the said Bill which was received and read
the first time and ordered to be read a Second time
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to inspect
such Laws and Ordinances that are expired or near ex
piring or may want Amendment and report their opin
ion thereon to the House
And a Committee was appointed accordingly —
Committed to Mr Le Conte, Mr Andrew, Mr Ewen Mr
William Young and Mr Glen —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 30"1 October 1770
A Message from his Excellency the Governor was
presented to the House by the Clerk to the Master in
Chancery and read in the following Words, Viz'
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
In the last Session of Assembly a very Salutary Law
was Assented to for raising a Number of Watchmen for
preserving good order in and about the Town of Savan
nah, this Watch or Guard was to consist of Twenty
Seven Able Men and a Drummer The Drummer on the
pay of Ten pounds per Annum, and the Men at Eight
pounds agreeable to which Law and a Commission and
Instructions issued by me, the said Number of Men were
duely Inlisted but did not chuse to engage for a longer
time than three Months, and at the end of the three
Months the Captain reported to me, that the whole Num-
212 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ber except Eight or Ten refused to engage for any
longer Term unless their pay was increased and on my
ordef ing him 'to endeavour to get other Men to Inlist
he again reported, that he could not get any. Therefore
in order tp keep up, this very necessary Service and duty-
till the meeting .of the General Assembly, I advanced to
each Man five Shillings by Way of Levy money, and*
ordered the Captain to tell 'em that. I should recommend
the Matter to your Consideration and that possibly their
pay might be encreased, this I found Necessary to induce
them to Inlist for three Months longer, and which time
will expire on the 16th of next month. The Officers also-
complained that their pay was likewise too little.
James Wright
Savannah 30th October 1770
, Ordered That the said Message do lie upon the
Table to be perused by the Members of the House.
The Bill to prevent the stealing of Horses and other
Cattle, and for the more effectual Discovery and punish
ment of such Persons as shall maliciously and wickedly
Kill, mark or brand the same, was read a Second time
and ordered to-be Committed.
A Petition from the Freeholders and Inhabitants of
the Parish of Saint Peter and Parts adjacent in the
Province of South Carolina whose names are thereunto
subscribed was presented, to the House and read Setting-
forth That being desirous of having the most Convenient
(Communication between that Province and Georgia That
the. Petjtioners and their Neighbors some time ago ap
plied to .the Legislature of South Carolina and obtained
an Act of Assembly for estsablishing a Ferry at the Two*
Sisters, Bluff. on Savannah River and for laying out and
makjng a, Publick Road about fifteen Miles, in length to
the said Ferry from the rnain Rpad lead jng from Coosa-
OCTOBER, 1770. 213
watchie to Purisburgh which new Road ;the Petitioners
expect will be compleated the ensuing Fall so as to admit
any Carriages. That the Proprietor of the said Ferry
has been at expence in providing a proper Person and
Boats to attend it and that the making the said Road
has and will cost the Persons liable to work thereon great
expence and. labour, But that Hugh , Kennedy Owner of
the Land opposite to the Two Sisters Bluff has fenced in
the said Land so as to prevent Travellers from making
use of the Road thro' it, which has been heretofore fre
quented whreby, the good Intention of that Law is and
without the Interposition of the Legislature of Georgia
will be frustrated and the Petitioners and their Neigh
bours- prevented from driving Stock and carrying Poultry
to Savannah Market and trading with the said Town
which they would do if the said Road was made Publick
That the Two Sisters Bluff is the fittest place for a Ferry
on the said River, for that the Swamp opposiite to Eben
ezer is very low, four mile wide and impassable but at dry
Seasons ahd tho' the place called Tuckasee Kings bluff
is on the River yet it is very Steep and the Land opposite
to it is low Swamp, subject to be overflowed with the
least freshes, and at a great distance from the high Land.
Whereas the Two Sisters Bluff is adjoining to high Land
and Kennedys opposite to it is high River Swampi and
the distance thro' his Land from the River to the Main
Road leading from Augusta to Savannah is not more
than three Quarters of a Mile, so that in every respect
the Places above mentioned are the most proper for
Ferries and the Roads above described for an Intercourse
between the Two Provinces, which the Petitioners know
to be Fact, being thoroughly acquainted with the Lands
on both sides of the said River — The Petitioners there
fore pray the House will be pleased to take the Premises
into Consideration and pass a Law for making Publick
the Road thro' the Land of Hugh Kennedy from Savan-
214 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
nah River to the main Road leading from Augusta to
Savannah and for establishing a Ferry on the Land of
the said Kennedy opposite to the Two Sisters Bluff and
Vesting the same in him and the Petitioners will pray
&ca Ordered That the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House and it is
also Ordered That the Clerk do furnish the said Hugh
Kennedy with a Copy of the Said Petition —
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into Consideration the Bill to pre
vent the Stealing of Horses and other Cattle, and for
the more effectual discovery and punishment of such Per
sons as shall maliciously and wickedly Kill Mark or
brand the same, and after some time spent therein Mr
Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Glen from the Com
mittee reported they had taken the Said Bill into Consid
eration and made some progress threin and that he was
directed by the Committee to move for Leave to sit
again —
Resolved That the Committee have leave to sit
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
the more easy and Speedy recovery of Losses and Dam
ages sustained by the Negligence of Owners or Patroons
of Vessels employed in Carrying Rice and other Com
modities, and that Mr Andrew, Mr Bulloch, and Mr
Morel be a Committee to prepare and bring in the said
Bill. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
OCTOBER, 1770. 215
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 31s' October 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
to prevent the Stealing of Horses and other Cattle and
for the more effectual discovery and punishment of such
Persons as shall maliciously and wickedly Kill, mark, or
brand the same, and after some time spent therein Mr
Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Glen from the Com
mittee reported they had taken the said Bill into further
Consideration gone through the same and made several
Amendments thereto which he was directed to report
When the House would please to receive the Same.
Ordered That the Report be made to Morrow morn
ing. A Message from his Excellency the Governor was pre
sented to the House by the Clerk to the Master in Chan
cery and read in the words following Viz'
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I lately received Letters from Lieutenant Governor
Bull of South Carolina and Mr Delancey the Deputy
Post Master General requesting that I would recommend
it to the Legislature of this Province to establish a
Ferry opposite to a place called the Two Sisters where
a Ferry is now established in South Carolina which
place they are of opinion is most Convenient for keeping
open the necessary Intercourse between these Provinces
and East Florida.
This is a matter I believe may be usefull. I send you
the above mentioned Letters for your perusal that you
may see the Reasons given by those Gentlemen and if it
216 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
shall appear to be of Public Utility (as I doubt not it
will) I hope you will prepare a Bill for establishing the
same as desired. James Wright 30th October 1770
Then the title of the said Letters were read
Ordered That his Excellency's Message and the Let
ters referred to, do lie upon the Table to be perused by
the Members of the House.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday Is' November 1770
Mr Glen (according to order) reported from the Com
mittee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to prevent
Stealing of Horses and other Cattle, and for the more
effectual discovery and punishment of such Persons as
shall maliciously and wickedly Kill, mark or brand the
same, was Committed, the Amendments which the Com--
mittee had made to the Bill, and which they had directed
him to report to the House, and he read the report in his
place and afterwards delivered the Bill with the Amend
ments in at the Table, where the Amendments were read
and agreed to by the House —
Ordered That the Bill, with the Amendments be In-
grossed A Message from his Excellency the Governor was pre
sented to the House by the Clerk to the Master in Chan
cery, and read in the following words Viz'
NOVEMBER, 1770. 21?
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly.
I now send you the usual Estimate for the support of
Government from the 29th of September 1770, to the 29'11
of September 1771 and have directed the Treasurer to
give you every Information you may have occasion for
from his Office. James Wright, i8' November 1770
Then the Title of the Said Estimate was read
Ordered That the said Message and Estimate do lie
upon the Table to be perused by the Members of the
House. Resolved That this House will take under Consid
eration the Presentments of the Grand Jury at June Ses
sions 1770 on Thursday next.
Resolved That this House will also take under Con
sideration his Excellency the Governors Message of the
26th October last relative to the Light House on Tybee
Island and Fort George on the Island of Cockspur.
Mr Bulloch from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for the more easy and speedy recovery
of Losses and Damages sustained by the Negligence of
Owners or Patroons of Vessels employed in Carrying
Rice, and other Commodities, reported they had prepared
the same which was received and read the first time, and
ordered to be read a Second time.
The House took into Consideration his Excellency the
Governor's Message of the 30th October, relative to the
Watch in the Town of Savannah, and
Ordered That the Treasurer do lay before the House
an Account of the expence incurred for the support of
218 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the said Watch and the produce of the Assessment raised
for that purpose. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 2a November 1770
A Bill for the more easy and speedy recovery of Losses
or Damages sustained by the Negligence of Owners or
Patroons of Vessels employed in carrying Rice and other
Commodities, was read a Second time and ordered to be
Committed. The House immediately resolved itself into a Commit
tee accordingly to take the said Bill into Consideration,
and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr Le Conte from the Committee reported
that they had taken the said Bill into Consideration,
gone through the same and made several Amendments
thereto, which he read in his place and afterwards de
livered the Bill with the Amendments, in at the Table,
where the Amendments were read, and agreed to by the
House. Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning, Nine of the Clock
NOVEMBER, 1770. 219-
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 3d November 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 5th November 1770
The House being informed of the much lamented
Death of the Reverend Mr George Whitefield which late
ly happened at Newbury Port in the Massachusets Gov
ernment and taking into Consideration the many and un
common Instances of his Friendly disinterested regard
and attention to the Wellfare of the Inhabitants of this
Province as well as his Benevolence to mankind in Gen
eral and unwearied Assiduity in preaching the Gospel
wherever he had the opportunity, And this House being
desirous to transmit to Posterity the just sense they en
tertain of the Virtues of the Deceased and to perpetuate
the Commemoration of them have unanimously come to
the following Resolutions Viz'
Resolved That this House will provide a Sufficient
Sum to defray the expence of bringing the Remains of
the Reverend Mr Whitefield from Newbury Port in the
Massachusets Government to be deposited at the Orphan
House in this Province.
Resolved That this House will provide a sufficient
Sum to erect a proper Monument at the Orphan House
for depositing the remains of the Reverend Mr White-
field— " Resolved That this House will provide a Sufficient
Sum to defray the expence of putting the Church of
220 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Savannah in mourning on Account of the Death of the
Reverend Mr Whitefield.
Ordered That Mr Ewen and Mr Crooke do wait on
the Rector of Christ Church in Savannah and request
he will preach a funeral Sermon in memory of the Rev
erend Mr Whitefield next Sunday accordingly they with
drew and being returned Mr Ewen reported they had
(according to order) waited on the Rector and that he
answered he would prepare a Sermon accordingly.
Ordered That the Clerk do write the Rector and
Church Wardens of Christ Church in Savannah acquaint
ing them that the House having come to a Resolution
to defray the expence of putting the Church in Mourning
on Account of the Death of the Reverend Mr Whitefield
the House therefore requests they will be pleased to give
orders accordingly.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to enquire
what will be the expence attending the putting the fore
going Resolutions into execution and report their Opin
ion thereon to the House and a Committee was appointed
accordingly. Committed to Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Rae, Mr Bul
loch, Mr Le Conte and Mr Young.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill
for the more effectual clearing the River Savannah from
the Town of Augusta to the Town of Savannah and for
laying a duty on Boats trading on and Rafts coming
down the said River and that Mr Crooke and Mr William
Young be a Committee to prepare and bring in the said
Bill. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
NOVEMBER, 1770. 221
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday November 6th 1770
The Ingrossed Bill Intitled an Act to prevent Stealing
of Horses and other Cattle and for the more effectual
discovery artd punishment: of such persons as shall mali
ciously and wickedly, Kill, mark, or brand the same was
read a third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass
The Ingrossed Bill Intitled an Act for the more easy
and Speedy recovery of Losses or Damages sustained by
the Negligehce of Owner or Patroons of Vessels em
ployed in carrying Rice and other Commodities was read
a third time.
Resolved That the Said Bill do pass
Ordered That Mr Crooke do carry the said Bill to
the Upper House and desire their Concurrence.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
prevent Persons Hunting with Fire in the Night and
that Mr Ewen, Mr Guinnett and Mr Rae be a Committee
to prepare and bring in the said Bill.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(Ffom'B.-p. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday November 7th 1770
The Treasurer according to order presented to the
House a pap£r intitled : t^e pfoduce-of the Assessment
on. the Inhabitants of Savannah, for the support of a
222 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Watch in the said Town and then he withdrew and then
the Title of the said Paper being read.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to enquire
what Number of Men have been upon Duty in the said
Watch and what money has been paid for support of the
same and report their Opinion thereon to the House and
a Committee was appointed accordingly.
Committed to Mr Bulloch, Mr Young, Mr Andrew, Mr
Le Conte, Mr Box and Mr Farley.
Mr Le Conte from the Committee appointed to inspect
such Laws and Ordinances of this Province that are
expired or near expiring or may want to be revived or
amended reported they had made some progress therein
and come to several Resolutions which he was directed
to report when the House would please to receive the
same. Ordered That the Report be now made
Then Mr Le Conte read the Report in his place and
afterwards delivered the same in at the Table where it
was again read and is as followeth Viz'
Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee
that an Act intitled an Act for the better ordering the
Militia of this Province passed the 25th March 1765
which was to continue and be in force for five years and
from thence to the end of the next Sessions of the Gen
eral Assembly, ought to be Revived and Amended
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that an Act intitled an Act for holding a special and ex
traordinary Courts of Common Pleas for the tryals of
Causes arising between Merchants, Dealers, and others
and Shipmasters Supercargoes and other Transient Per-
NOVEMBER, 1770. 223
sons passed the 7"1 of April 1763 which was to Continue
and be in force for three years and from thence to the
end of the next Session of the general Assembly, and
also an Act to amend the said Act passed the 6th of March
17766, both which Acts were continued by an Act Intit
uled an Act for Continuing the several Laws of this
Province which are near expiring passed the 26th March
1767 which was to Continue and be in force for and
during the term of three years and from thence to the
end of the next Session of the general Assembly, ought
to be Revived and Amended.
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that an Act intitled an Act to prevent Masters of Vessels
from carrying off Persons in Debt from this province
passed the 27th March 1759 which was to be in force
for two years from the passing thereof and which was
amended and further Continued by an Act intitled an Act
to amend the said Act which was to Continue and be in
force for the term of three years from the passing there
of and from thence to the end of the then next Session
of the General Assembly and which was further Con
tinued by an Act passed the 29th February 1764 to the
first day of November 1764 and from thence to the end
of the then next Session of the General Assembly which
said Act and Amendments are further Continued by an
Act passed 25th March 1765 to the first day of November
1770 and from thence to the end of the next Session of
the General Assembly, ought to be Continued and
Amended. The said Resolutions being again read were severally
agreed to by the House —
Mr Le Conte then further reported that he was di
rected by the Committee to move for Leave to sit again.
224 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That the Committee have leave to sit
again— Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
the better ordering the Militia and that Mr Ewen, Mr
Box, and Mr Elbert be a Committee to prepare and bring
in the said Bill. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday November 8th 1770
The order of the day being read for taking under Con
sideration the Presentments of the Grand Jury at June
Sessions 1770, it was
Resolved That the Consideration of the same be ad
journed over untill the 26th day of December next.
The other order of the day for taking under Consider
ation his Excellency the Governor's Message of the 26th
October last relative to the Light House on Tybee Is
land, and Fort George on the Island of Cockspur being
read it was
Resolved That the Same be taken under Considera
tion to Morrow morning. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
NOVEMBER, 1770. 225
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 9th November 1770
The order of the day being read for taking under Con
sideration his Excellency the Governor's Message of the
26"1 October last relative to the Light House on Tybee
Island and Fort George on the Island of Cockspur the
House took the same into Consideration accordingly and.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to enquire
which will be the most proper place for building a New
Fort at the entrance of Savannah River the expence of
building the same and also what will be the expence
of repairing the old Light House upon Tybee Island and
report their Opinion thereon to the House and a Com
mittee was appointed accordingly.
Committed to Mr Simpson, Mr Crooke, Mr Mullryne,
Mr Glen, Mr Bulloch, Mr Ewen, Mr Elbert, Mr Farley
and Mr Box.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
empowering Commissioners to build a New Fort at the
entrance of Savannah River, and to repair the old Light
House upon the Island of Tybee and also for borrowing
the Sum of (slc) from the Commis
sioners appointed in and by an Act of the General Assem
bly intitled "an Act to empower the Commissioners ap
pointed in and by an Act of the General Assembly In-
"titled "an Act for laying a Duty upon N?groes and other
"Slaves that have been above Six Months in any of the
"Islands or Colonies in America and imported for Sale
"iii this Province and for appropriating the same towards
"repairing or rebuilding the Light House on Tybee Is
land and to prevent Negroe Convicts being imported
"into and sold in this Province" to btujd a New Light
15 c r — vol 15
226 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
"House on any part of the Land reserved for the use
"thereof upon the said Island and also for procuring an
"accurate Survey and Chart of the Sea Coasts and In-
"lets of this Province and publishing the same and for
"Granting to his Majesty the Sum of Two thousand Two
"hundred pounds for the said purposes and for appoint-
"ing and empowering Commissioners to issue Certificates
"for that Sum and sinking the same and for further Con-
"tinuing the Acts herein after mentioned" and for re
placing the said Sum, and that Mr Simpson, Mr Crooke,
Mr Mullryne, Mr Glen and Mr Bulloch be a Committee
to prepare and bring in the said Bill.
Motion was made for Leave to bring in a Bill to em
power Commissioners to Erect a Beacon or Sea Mark
at the Entrance of the Port of Sunbury, and a debate
arising thereon the Question was put and
Passed in the Negative —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday io'h November 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday Morning
Ten of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 12th November 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morning
Ten of the Clock.
NOVEMBER, 1770. 227
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 13th November 1770
Ordered That the thanks of this House be given to
the Reverend Mr Frink, Rector of Christ Church for his
Sermon preached last Sunday, and that Mr Ewen and Mr
Crooke do acquaint him therewith.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
establishing the Several Ferries therein mentioned, and
that Mr Ewen, Mr Crooke, and Mr Elbert, do prepare and
bring in the same.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill pre
scribing the method of proving Book Debts in the Gen
eral Court of Pleas and that Mr Glen, Mr Farley, and Mr
William Young do prepare and bring in the same.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in an Ordi
nance for Reappointing Benjamin Franklin, Esquire,
Agent to sollicit the Affairs of this Province in Great
Britain, and that Sir Patrick Houstoun and Mr Crooke
do prepare and bring in the same.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
the Relief of Parishes and other places from such
Charges as may arise from Bastard Children and that
Mr Le Conte and Mr Crooke do prepare and bring in the
same. Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill to prevent Persons hunting with Fire
in the Night, reported they had prepared the same which
was received and read the first time, and ordered to be
read a second time.
Ordered That all Persons having demands against
228 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the Publick, do deliver in their Accounts properly At
tested to the Clerk of this House on or before the first
day of December next
Ordered That Notice thereof be published in the
Gazette. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. 0.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 14th November 1770
A Message from the Upper House by the Clerk to the
Master in Chancery.
That the Upper House have agreed to the Bill in-
titled an Act for the more easy and speedy recovery of
Losses or damages sustained by the Negligence of Own
ers or Patroons of Vessels employed in carrying Rice and
other Commodities with some Amendments to which
Amendments they desire the Concurrence of this House.
That the Upper House have also agreed to the Bill In-
titled an Act to prevent Stealing of Horses and other Cat
tle and for the more effectual discovery and punishment
of such Persons as shall maliciously and wickedly Kill,
mark, or brand the same with some Amendments to which
Amendments they desire the Concurrence of this House.
Jonathan Bryan, Esquire, elected and returned Rep
resentative for the district of Little Ogechee in the parish
of Christ Church proved himself duly Qualified to serve
as a Representative agreable to the Terms prescribed in
and by an Act of the General Assembly of this Province
and then he took the Oaths and made and subscribed the
Declaration and took and Subscribed the Oath of Ab
juration, and then took his Seat.
NOVEMBER, 1770. 229
Mr Farley from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill prescribing the Method for proving
Book Debts in the General Court, reported they had pre
pared the same which was received and read the first
time and ordered to be read a Second time.
Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee appointed
to prepare and bring in an Ordinance for Reappointing
Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, Agent to sollicit the Affairs
of this Province in Great Britain, . reported they had
prepared the same which was received and read the
first time and ordered to be read a Second time.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to enquire
which will be the most proper place or places for estab
lishing a Ferry or Ferrys from this Province to South
Carolina and report their opinion thereon to the House,
and a Committee was appointed accordingly.
Committed to Mr Ewen, Mr Bryan, Mr Farley, Mr
Andrew Mr Young, Mr Bullock, and Mr Crooke.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 15th November 1770
The Bill to prevent Persons hunting with Fire in the
Night, was read a Second time and ordered to be Com
mitted to a Committee of the whole House, the House
immediately Resolved itself into a Committee according
ly to take the said Bill into Consideration, and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair
and Mr Elbert from the Committee reported they had
taken the said Bill into Consideration gone through the
230 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
same and made several Amendments thereto which he
was directed to report to the House when the House
will please to receive the Same.
Ordered That the Report be now made.
Then Mr Elbert read the Report in his place and after
wards delivered the Bill with the Amendments in at
the Table where the Amendments were read and agreed
to by the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed Resolved That the Title of the said Bill shall be a
Bill to discourage the practice of hunting with Fire in
the Night.
The Bill prescribing the Method for proving Book
Debts in the General Court, was read a second time and
ordered to be Committed. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 16th November 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morning
Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 17"1 November 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock
NOVEMBER, 1770. 231
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 19th November 1770
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for the more effectual Clearing the
River Savannah from the Town of Augusta to the Town
of Savannah and for laying (sic) upon Boats trading on
and Rafts coming down the said River, reported they had
prepared the Same which was received and read the first
time and ordered to be read a Second time.
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for the better ordering the Militia
reported they had prepared the same which was received
and read the first time and ordered to be read a second
time And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 20th November 1770
Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee appointed
to prepare and bring in a Bill to empower Commissioners
or Surveyors to lay out make and repair the Roads al
ready laid out or may hereafter be necessary and also
to Clear the Rivers and Creeks within their respective
Divisions reported they had prepared the Same which
was received and read the first time and ordered to be
read a second time
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency the Governor requesting he will be
pleased to give orders for issuing a Writ of Election to
282 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
choose a Representative for the Parish of Saint Philip
and district of Great Ogechee in the Room of Charles
Odingsell, Esquire, deceased.
Ordered That Mr Crooke and Mr William Young
do wait on his Excellency the Governor and present the
said Address And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 21s' November 1770
The Bill for the better ordering of the Militia was
read a second time and ordered to be Committed to a
Committee of the whole House.
The House immediately resolved itself into a Com
mittee accordingly to take the said Bill into Considera
tion and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker re-
surred the Chair and Mr Glen from the Committee re
ported they had taken the said Bill into Consideration
and made some progress therein and that he was direct
ed by the Committee to move for Leave to sit again.
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take the said Bill into
further Consideration to Morrow morning.
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to wait upon
his Excellency the Governor with the Address of this
House of yesterday reported that they had (pursuant to
order) waited on his Excellency and presented the said
NOVEMBER, 1770. 233
Address to which his Excellency was pleased to answer
he would give orders for issuing a Writ accordingly.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 22a November 1770
The Blouse resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
for the better ordering the Militia, and after some time
spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr
Glen from the Committee reported they had taken the
said Bill into further Consideration made some further
progress therein and that he was directed by the Com
mittee to move for Leave to sit again.
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take the said Bill into
further Consideration to Morrow morning.
A Member of the Committee (appointed to enquire
what number of Men had been upon duty in the Town
Watch of Savannah and what money had been paid for
the support of the same and report their Opinion thereon
to the House) Complained to the House that they had
been obstructed in their proceedings by the behaviour of
William Moore one of the Lieutenants of the said Watch
when he was called before the said Committee to be ex
amined, by which means they have not as yet been able
to make such Report as is necessary for the Information
of this House.
234 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Resolved That this House will take the said Com
plaint into Consideration on Monday morning next.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 23d November 1770
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
for the better ordering the Militia and after some time
spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Glen
from the Committee reported they had taken the said Bill
into further Consideration gone through the same and
made several Amendments thereto which he was directed
by the Committee to report to the House when the House
will please to receive the Same —
Ordered That the Report be received on Monday
morning next And then the House adjourned till fo
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 24th November 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock
November; 1770. 235
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 26th November 1770
Mr Glen (according to order) reported from the Com
mittee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for the
better ordering of the Militia was Committed, the Amend
ments which the Committee had made to the Bill and
which they had directed him to report to the House and
he read the report in his place and afterwards delivered
the Bill, with the Amendments, in at the Table, where
the Amendments, were read and agreed to by the House
and several Amendments were made by the House to the
Bill— Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed A Petition from John Dawney, whose Name is there
unto subscribed, was presented to the House, and read set
ting forth That on the fifth day of December last, his Ex
cellency the Governor was pleased to appoint the Peti
tioner Cryer of the General Court of Sessions of this
Province, Keeper of the Court House and Tipstaff to
the Judges, which Offices the Petitioner hath ever since
faithfully executed, to the Utmost of his Power. That
by means of the holding many special Courts and numer
ous Adjournments of the General Courts (owing to the
increase of Law Business) and the keeping the Court
House in good order, &c. The Petitioner's said Depart
ments are attended with much loss of time, and great
trouble and expence, and that only Ten pounds a year
hath hitherto been allowed by the Legislature of this
province for executing the said Offices : The Petitioner
therefore humbly prays the House to' make him a further
Annual Allowance for his said trouble and Attendance,.
and the Petitioner will ever pray &c.
'236 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the Blouse —
The order of the day for taking under Consideration
the Complaint of one of the Members of the Committee
appointed to enquire what number of Men had been upon
Duty in the Town Watch of Savannah, and what money
had been paid for the Support of the Same, and report
their Opinion thereon to the House, being' read. —
Ordered That the Consideration thereof be ad
journed till Wednesday morning next — ¦
And then the Blouse adjourned till to
Morrow morning, Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 27th November 1770
The Bill to empower Commissioners or Surveyors to
lay out make and repair the Roads already laid out, or
may hereafter be necessary, and also to Clear the Rivers
and Creeks within their Respective Divisions, was read
a Second time and ordered to be Committed to a Com
mittee of the whole House
The House immediately Resolved itself into a Commit
tee accordingly to take the said Bill into Consideration,
and, after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and M1' Bulloch from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into Consideration, and made
some progress therein, and that he was directed by the
Committee to move for Leave to sit again —
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
NOVEMBER, 1.779. 237
Committee of the whole House to take the said Bill into
further Consideration to Morrow morning —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 28"1 November 1770
The order of the day, for taking under Consideration
the Complaint of one of the Members of the Committee
to enquire what number of Men had been upon Duty in
the Town Watch of Savannah, and what money had been
paid for the support of the same, being read, The House
took the same into Consideration accordingly, and —
Ordered , That Mr Speaker do reprimand William
Moore, one of the Lieutenants of the said Watch Compa
ny (for his behavior to the said Committee) at the Bar
of the House and the said William Moore attending at
the Door he was called in, and Reprimanded at the Bar
of the House by Mr Speaker, and then he was directed to
withdraw Mr Bryan from the Committee appointed to enquire
which will be the most proper place or places for estab
lishing a Ferry or Ferrys from this Province to South
Carolina reported that they had enquired accordingly,
and after getting the best Information they could had
come to the following Resolutions, Viz' —
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committer,
that a place opposite to the lower Pluff, commonly called
the Two Sisters on Savannah River, js proper and Convex
238 NOVEMBER, 1770.
nient for establishing a Ferry for the more easy Commu
nication between this Province and South Carolina —
The said Resolution being read was agreed to by the
House Ordered That the same be referred to the Committee
appointed to bring in a Bill for establishing the several
Ferries therein mentioned and that there be a Clause or
Clauses in the said bill for establishing a Ferry at the
place aforesaid.
A Petition from Andrew Elton Wells, Harbour Master,
whose name is thereunto subscribed, was presented to the
House and read setting forth, That the Petitioner is ex
tremely Obliged to the House, for the Sundry Offices Con
ferred on him, but, at the same time is sorry, that he is
Constrained to say that the sum of five shillings on every
Topsail Vessel and three Shillings on every Sloop and
Schooner is not an equivalent or sufficient for the time he
is obliged to take to see Ballast discharged, examining the
Wharfs, keeping clear the Publick Docks, attending
Courts, deciding Disputes and doing every other Duty of
his Office, having received during the Term of Six
Months Service, not the Amount of Seven pounds : The
Petitioner therefore humbly prays some additional Salary
or Gratuity may be Granted him as to the wisdom of the
House may seem meet, &ca
Ordered That the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House —
The House (according to order) resolved itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take into further
Consideration the Bill to empower Commissioners or
Surveyors to lay out mark and repair the Roads already
laid out or may hereafter be necessary and also to clear
NOVEMBER, 1770. 239
the Rivers and Creeks within their respective Divisions,
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Bulloch from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into further Consideration
and made some further progress therein and that he was
directed by the Committee to move for Leave to sit
again —
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House, to take the said Bill into
further Consideration to Morrow morning —
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to enquire
which will be the most proper place for building a New
Fort at the entrance of Savannah River, the expence of
building the same, and also what will be the expence of
repairing the Old Light House upon Tybee Island re
ported that the Committee had enquired accordingly and
come to several Resolutions which they had directed him
to report to the House and he read the report in his place
and afterwards delivered the same in at fhe Table where
the Resolutions were read and are as follows, Viz' —
Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee
that a Spot of Ground on the Island of Coclcspur (ad
joining to Lands of John Wand and to Lands leased to
William Lyford) extending one hundred and forty feet
in wedth and two hundred feet in length, is the best Situ
ation (of the Lands reserved for the use of his Maj
esty on said Island) for building a Fort —
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that in order to make a Fort respectable and Compleat
on the said Island it may be necessary to purchase from
the said John Wand a certain part of his Land upon the
Island of Cockspur not exceeding Sixty feet in Wedth
•and two hundred feet in Depth —
240 NOVEMBER, 1770.
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that the Charge of building a usefull and respectable Fort
on the said Island will amount to Two' thousand five hun
dred pounds —
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that the present Light House on Tybee Island may be
repaired and continue standing (without some unforeseen
accidents) for ten fifteen or Twenty years and that
the Sum of Six hundred pounds will be sufficient for
repairing the same and securing the foundation.
The said Resolutions being again severally read
Resolved That this House will take the same into
Consideration on Tuesday morning next.
Ordered That there be a Call of the House on the
same Day previous to the Consideration of the said
Resolutions — • And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 29th November 1770
The House (according to order) resolved itself into a
Commi.tee of the whole House to take into further Con
sideration the Bill to empower Commissioners or Sur
veyors to lay out make and repair the Roads already laid
out or may hereafter be necessary and also1 to clear the
Rivers and Creeks within their respective Divisions and
after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the
Chair and Mr Bulloch from 'he Committee reported they
had taken the said Bill into further Consideration and
NOVEMBER, 1770. 24i
made some further progress therein and that he was
directed by the Committee to move for Leave to sit
again. Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take the said Bill into
further Consideration to Morrow morning.
A Petition from Several Persons whose names are
thereunto subscribed was presented to the House, and
read setting forth That to remedy the want of a Short
and Safe Communication with South Carolina the House
last Session gave leave to bring in a BiU for establishing
a Ferry at a place called Middlesex which upon the ex
amination of several persons appeared the most likely to
answer this good purpose, The Petitioners are informed
that the Proprietor of the said place has been at consid
erable Expence to carry this Design into execution a
notwithstanding the uncommon height of the River din
ing the whole Summer has so far succeeded that a Num
ber of perons (and some Carriages) have passed and re
passed, the Petitioners therefore pray that a Publick
Road may be made to the said place and a Ferry be es
tablished agreeable to the Resolutions of the House last
Session and the Petitioners will pray &ca —
Ordered That the said Petition be referred to the
Committee appointed to bring in a Bill for establishing
the several Ferries therein mentioned.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock —
16 c r— toI 15
242 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 30th November 1770
The House (according to order) resolved itself into
a Committee of the whole House to take into further
Consideration the Bill to empower Commissioners or
Surveyors to lay out make and repair the Roads already
laid out or may hereafter be Necessary and also to clear
the Rivers and Creeks within their respective Divisions
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Bulloch from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into further Consideration
and made some further progress therein and that he was
directed by the Committee to move for Leave to sit
again —
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take the said Bill into
further Consideration on Monday morning next.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 1" December 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock
DECEMBER, 1770. 243
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 3d December 1770
The House (according to order) resolved itself into
a Committee of the whole House to take into further
Consideration the Bill to empower Commissioners or
Surveyors to lay out make and repair the Roads already
laid out or may hereafter be Necessary and also to clear
the Rivers and Creeks within their respective Divisions
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Bulloch from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into further Consideration
gone through the same and made several Amendments
thereto which the Committee had directed him to report
to the House when the House will please to receive the
same. Ordered That the Report be received to Morrow
morning And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 4th December 1770
Mr Bulloch (according to order) reported from the
Committee of the whole House to whom the Bill to em
power Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out make and
repair the Roads already laid out or may hereafter be
necessary and also to clear the Rivers and Creeks within
their respective Divisions was Committed the Amend
ments which the Committee had made to the Bill and
which they had directed him to report to' the House, and
244 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
he read the Report in his place, and afterwards delivered
the Bill with the Amendments in at the Table where the
Amendments were read and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed The order of the Day for the House being called over
the House was called over accordingly —
Mr Speaker presented to the House a Letter from
Thomas Young, Esquire, elected and returned Represen
tative for the Parish of Saint Andrew in the Room of
William Grceme, Esquire, deceased, desiring to decline
taking his Seat as a Member of the House, and it ap
pearing to the House that he had been Elected contrary
to his Inclination and without his Knowledge, there
fore —
Resolved That the written excuse from the said
Thomas Young, Esquire, for declining his Seat as a
Member of the House be admitted —
i Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency the Governor requesting he will be
pleased to give Orders for issuing a Writ to elect a
Representative for the Parish of Saint Andrew in the
Room of Thomas Young, Esquire, who has declined
taking his Seat as a Member of the House.
The said Address being prepared was Read and agreed
to by the House.
Ordered That Mr Barnard and Mr Crooke do wait
on his Excellency and present the said Address
Tlie other order of the day being read
DECEMBER, 1770. 245
Ordered That the same be adjourned over till next
Thursday Week And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock — -
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 5"1 December 1770
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to examine
into the State of the Several Accounts and Finances the
produce of the General Tax the State of the Currency
and Funds for Sinking Certificates and report their
Opinion thereon to the House and a Committee was ap
pointed accordingly and they have power to send for
Persons Papers and records —
Committed to Mr Bulloch, Mr Le Conte, Mr Morel Mr
Farley, Sir Patrick Houstoun, and Mr Andrew
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock — -
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 6th December 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morning
Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 7th December 1770
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morning
Nine of the Clock
246 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 8th December 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday io'b December 1770
The Ordinance for Reappointing Benjamin Franklin
Esquire, Agent to sollicit the Affairs of this Province in
Great Britain was read a Second time.
Ordered That the said Ordinance be Ingrossed.
Resolved That this House will provide a Sufficient
Sum for defraying the expence of putting up and fixing
the Dial in Johnsons Square where it formerly stood
Ordered That the Commissary do give such direc
tions for putting up and fixing the same as may appear
Necessary and proper —
The Ingrossed Bill intitled an Act for the better order
ing the Militia was read a third time — ¦
Resolved That (he Bill do pass
Ordered That Mr Barnard do Carry the said Bill to
the Upper House and desire their Concurrence.
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
DECEMBER, 1770. 247
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 11th December 1770
Mr Barnard from the Committee appointed to wait
upon his Excellency the Governor with the Address of
this House on Wednesday last reported that they had
(pursuant to order) waited on his Excellency and pre
sented the said Address to which his Excellency was
pleased to answer he would give orders for issuing a Writ
accordingly — ¦
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into Consideration the several Ac
counts against the Publick and after some time spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Sir Patrick
Houstoun from the Committee reported they had taken
the said Accounts into Consideration and made some
progress therein and that he was directed by the Com
mittee to move for Leave to sit again
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take the said Accounts
into further Consideration on Tuesday next —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 12th December 1770
The House took under Consideration the Petition of
Andrew Elton Wells, Harbour Master presented to this
House the 28th November last —
248 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
And a Motion was made that a Committee be ap
pointed to enquire what Number of Shipping have ar
rived in the Port of Savannah for the last Six Months,
a deba'.e arising thereon.
The Question was put
and passed in the Negative
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to enquire
what Number of Shipping have arrived in the Port of
Savannah for the last twelve months and report their
opinion thereon to the House and a Committee was ap
pointed accordingly —
Committed to Mr Simpson, Mr Crooke, Mr Bryan, Mr
Andrew and Mr Isaac Young —
The House took under Consideration the Petition of
John Dawney Cryer and Keeper of the Court &ca and
Resolved That this House will provide the Sum of
Five pounds to be added to the susual Salary of Cryer
and Keeper of the said Court &ca
Ordered That the Committee appointed to enquire
what Number of Men have been upon Duty in the Town
Watch of Savannah and what Money has been paid for
support of the same do make their report on or before
Friday morning next — ¦
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
DECEMBER, 1770. 249
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 13th December 1770
Samuel Jones, Esquire, elect :d and returned Represen
tative for the Parish of Saint Philip, proved himself
duely qualified to serve as a Representative, agreeable
to the Terms prescribed in and by an Act of the General
Assembly of this Province, and then took the Oaths, and
made and subscribed the Declaration, and took and sub
scribed the Oath of Abjuration, and then took his Seat —
The order of the day, for the taking under Considera
tion the Resolutions of the Committee appointed to en
quire which will be the most proper place for building a
'New Fort at the Entrance of Savannah River the expence
of building the Same, and also what will be the expence
of repairing the old Light House upon Tybee Island,
beinsr read —
*&
The House took the same into Consideration accord
ingly, and
Ordered That the Consideration of the first three
Resolutions be postponed —
Then a Motion was made, that the New Light House
should be built, and a Debate arising thereon —
The Question was put, and
Passed in the Negative
Resolved, on the last Resolution of the said Com
mittee That a Sum not exceeding Six hundred and Sixty
pounds be borrowed from the Fund for building a New
250 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Light House on Tybee Island, and appropriated for re
pairing the Old Light House on the said Island — ¦
Mr William Young, from the Committee appointed to
enquire what Number of Men have been upon duty in
the Town Watch of Savannah, and what money have
been paid for support of the same, reported they had
come to a Resolution, which the Committee had directed
him to report to the House and he read the report in his
place, and afterwards delivered the same in at fhe Table
where it was again read, and is as follows Viz'—
Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee
that a Nightly Watch or Guard in the Town of Savan
nah is absolutely Necessary and of Publick Utility and
from the best Information the Committee could obtain
are of Opinion that the Sum allowed (to each Man doing
their duty) by the Act of Assembly past last Session has
proved insufficient to inlist the number of Men required
for that Service —
The said Resolution being again read
Resolved That this House will take the State of the
Watch Company in the Town of Savannah into Consid
eration on Monday morning next —
Ordered That the Captain of the said Watch do lay
a State of the Accounts and of the number of Men in-
listed in the same before the House at the said Time — ¦
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
DECEMBER, 1770. 251
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 14th December 1770
Ordered That the Clerk do write Button Gwinnett
Esquire, acquainting him that the House requires his im
mediate Attendance
The ingrossed Bill intitled an Act to empower Com
missioners or Surveyors to lay out make and repair the
Roads already laid out or may hereafter be necessary
and also to clear the Rivers and Creeks within their
respective Divisions was read a third time and some
Amendments were made to the Bill by way of Rider —
Resolved That the Bill do pass
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the said Bill to
the Upper House and desire their Concurrence —
The Ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Franklin,
Esquire, Agent to sollicit the Affairs of this Province in
Great Britain was read a third time — ¦
Resolved That the Ordinance do pass
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the said Ordi
nance to the Upper House and desire their Concurrence — -
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Safurday 15th December 1770
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning-
Ten of the Clock.
252 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 17th December 1770
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for the Relief of Parishes from such
Charges as may arise from Bastard Children, reported
they had prepared the same which was received and read
the first time and ordered to be read a Second time —
Mr Ewen from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for establishing several Ferries, and
for Vesting the same in the persons therein mentioned,
reported they had prepared the same which was received
and read the first time, and ordered to be read a second
time —
A Petition from Peter Tondee, Robert Kirkwood, and
Joseph Dunlap, whose Names are thereunto subscribed,
was presented to the House, and read setting forth, that,
on or about the 26th November 1 765 the Petitioners were
employed to build a two Story Brick House for the pur
pose of holding the General Courts of this Province,
under the Direction of the Commissioners appointed for
that purpose an Estimate of the labour thereon being first
laid before the said Commissioners amounting to Four
hundred and fifty pounds Nineteen Shillings and Six
pence —
That the Petitioners having made a Calculation of the
work now done on the said House, find themselves great
losers thereby, the Calculation now made amounting by
measurements at the lowest Rates, to Five hundred and
Ninety five pounds so that there plainly appears a Loss
much more than the Petitioners are able to bear, they
therefore humbly pray the House will take the Premises
DECEMBER, 1770. 253
under Consideration, and grant such further Allowance
as to the Wisdom of the House shall seem meet, and that
one of the Petitioners may be permitted to explain this
matter to the House —
That as there is a considerable Ballance still due the
Petitioners exclusive of any Additional Allowance the
House may please to Grant, fhe Want of which, Causes
the Petitioners to labour under great Hardships and Dis
tress, a State of the same being hereunto annexed, they
therefore intreat the House will take the whole into Con
sideration, and make provision accordingly and the Peti
tioners will ever pray, &c —
Then the Title of the Account referred to by the
Petition being read —
Ordered That the said Petition and Account do lie
upon the Table to be perused by the Members of the
House —
The order of the day for taking under Consideration
the State of the Watch Company in fhe Town of Savan
nah, being read, The House took the same into Consid
eration accordingly, and the Captain of the said Watch
attending according to order, presented to the House his
several Accounts, and the Titles of the said Accounts
were read —
Resolved That this House will provide the Sum of
Seventeen pounds five Shillings, to be paid to the Several
Officers and Private Men of the Watch in the Town of
Savannah in the following manner, Viz' at the Rate of
Twenty five Shillings to each Officer for the ensuing
Quarter, and at the Rate of Ten Shillings to each Private
Man for the ensuing Quarter, over and above the pay
allowed by the Act of Assembly —
254 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That Leave be given to' bring in a Bill to
amend an Act for raising a Certain Number of Watch
men for preserving good order in and about the Town of
Savannah, and that Mr Crooke, Mr William Young, and
Mr Farley, do prepare and bring in the said Bill —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday i8'b December 1770
The Bill for the Relief of Parishes from such Charges
as may arise from Bastard Children, was read a Second
time, and ordered to be Committed —
The House immediately resolved itself into a Commit
tee accordingly to take the said Bill into Consideration,
and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Elbert from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into Consideration, gone
through the same, and made several Amendments there1-
to, which the Committee had directed him to report to
the House, and he read the report in his place, and after
wards delivered the Bill, with the Amendments in at the
Table, where the Amendments were read and agreed to
by the House —
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
DECEMBER, 1770. 255
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 19th December 1770
The Bill for establishing several Ferries, and for Vest
ing the same in the persons therein mentioned, was read
a second time, and ordered to be Committed to a Com
mittee of the whole House, The House immediately re
solved itself into a Committee accordingly to take the
said Bill into Consideration and after some time spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Glen from
the Committee reported they had taken the said Bill into
Consideration and made several Amendments thereto
which the Committee had directed him to report to the
House, and he read the report in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill, with the Amendments in at the Table,
where the Amendments were read and agreed to by the
House —
Ordered That the said Bill with the Amendments be
Ingrossed Ordered That the several Commissioners of the
Roads within this Province do lay a State of their Ac
counts and proceedings before the House on or before
the 22* day of January next —
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency the Governor, acquainting him, that the
House have come to a Resolution to provide the Sum of
Seventeen pounds five Shillings to be paid to the Several
Officers and private men of the Watch in the Town of
Savannah, in the following Manner, Viz* at the Rate
¦of Twenty five Shillings to each Officer for the ensuing
Quarter at the Rate of Ten Shillings to each Private Man
for the ensuing Quarter, over and above the pay allowed
hy the Act of Assembly and to request that his Excellency
256 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
will be pleased to give orders to the Officers of the said
Watch to enlist Men with all possible Dispatch.
Motion was made for Leave to bring in a Bill to em
power Commissioners to repair and fit up the Filature
in the Town of Savannah and to appropriate the same as
a House for the Governor for the time being, and to
dispose of the House now possessed by the Governor, and
for applying the Money arising therefrom towards the
reimbursing the expence of repairing and fitting up the
said Filature.
Resolved That this House will take the said Motion
into Consideration on Friday morning next —
A Message from the Upper House by the Deputy Clerk
of the General Assembly: That the Upper House have
passed an Ordinance for appointing the Honorable James
Read, Esquire, a Commissioner in the General Loan
Office of this Province in the Room of the Honnorable
Francis, (sic) Esquire, who has declined serving in the
said Office to which Ordinance they desire the Concur
rence of this House — ¦
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 20th December 1770
The Address as ordered of Yesterday, to his Excel
lency the Governor, being prepared, was read and agreed
to hy the House — ¦
Ordered That Mr Glen and Mr Elbert do wait on Ins
DECEMBER, 1770. 257
Excellency and present the said Address, and accordingly
they withdrew, and being returned, Mr Glen, reported
they had pursuant to order waited upon his Excellency
and presented the said Address, to which he was pleased
to Answer that he would give orders for that purpose
immediately The Ingrossed Bill, entitled an Act for the Relief of
Parishes from such Charges as may arise from Bastard
Children, was read a third time —
Resolved That the Bill do pass
Ordered That Mr Crooke do Carry the said Bill to
the Upper House and desire their Concurrence —
A Message from the Upper House by the Deputy Clerk
of the General Assembly that the Upper House had sent
for the Consideration of the House — •
A Petition from Hugh Ross, whose name is thereunto
subscribed, directed to his Excellency the Governor, the
Honorable Members of his Majesty's Council, Mr
Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of As
sembly —
The said Petition was read to the House in the follow
ing words Viz' : That the Petitioner had the Honour to
be appointed Clerk of the Market in the Town of Savan
nah in the year 1755, and, by an Act passed that year,
was to provide Weights and Measures agreeable to those
of the Exchequer of Great Britain, which he accordingly
did at his own expence, and for which he has never been
paid : That as the Measures the Petitioner has provided
are made of Wood, bound with iron, and, by constantly
making use of them in examining and rectifying other
Measures, are now much wore away, the Petitioner there-
17 0 r— vol 15
258 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
fore humbly prays there may be a new Sett provided, to
be made of Copper, from a Gill to a Bushel, also a Brass
yard, and the Petitioner will ever pray, &ca
Ordered That the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House —
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to find out
ways and means for reimbursing the General Tax the
Sum of Four hundred and Ninety pounds paid to John
Rae Esquire, for two Lots on the Strand in the Town of
Savannah, and a Committee was appointed accordingly —
Committed to Mr Bulloch Mr William Young and Mr
Farley — ¦
The Ingrossed Bill intitled an Act for establishing sev
eral Ferries and for Vesting the same in the Persons
therein mentioned, was read a third time —
Resolved That the Bill do pass
Ordered That Mr Glen do carry the said Bill to the
Upper House and desire their concurrence —
dV Message from the Upper House by the Deputy Clerk
of the General Assembly —
That the Upper House have agreed to a Bill intitled an
Act for the better ordering the Militia, with some Amend
ments to which Amendments they desire the Concurrence
of this House —
The House took the said Amendments into Considera
tion and agreed to some, and disagreed to others.
Ordered That Mr Glen do carry the Bill to the Up
per House, and acquaint them that this House, having
DECEMBER, 1770. 259
taken the Amendments made by their House to the said
Bill into Consideration, have agreed to some, and dis
agreed to others therefore this House desires that they
will appoint a Committee to join a Committee of this
House in Conference on the subject matter of the said
Amendments — And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 21s' December 1770
Ordered That the Clerk of the Committee of Cor
respondence do lay the Proceedings of the said Commit
tee before the House
The order of the day, for taking under Consideration
the motion made for leave to bring in a Bill to empower
Commissioners to repair and fit up the Filature in the
Town of Savannah, and to appropriate the same as a
House for the Governor for the Time being, and to dis
pose of the House now possessed by the Governor, and
for applying the money arising therefrom, towards the
reimbursing the expence of repairing and fitting up the
said Filature, being read —
The House took the same into Consideration accord
ingly and a Motion being made for Leave to bring in the
said Bill —
the Question was put, and passed in the Negative
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to examine
the Condition of the Filature in the Town of Savannah
and to what use it may be proper to appropriate the same,
260 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
and report their Opinion thereon to the House, and a
Committee was appointed accordingly
Committed to Mr Bulloch, Mr Simpson and Sir Patrick
Houstoun. A Message from the Upper House by the Deputy Clerk
of the General Assembly : That the upper House have
agreed to the Ordinance for Reappointing Benjamin
Franklin, Esquire, Agent to solicit the Affairs of this
Province in Great Britain with some Amendments, to
which Amendments they desire the Concurrence of this
House A Message from the Upper House by the Deputy Clerk
of the General Assembly : That the Upper House agree
to the Conference proposed by this House on the Amend
ments made to the Ingrossed Bill, intitled, an Act for the
better ordering the Militia, and have appointed a Com
mittee of their House to join a Committee of this House
thereon, to meet in the Room adjoining the Council
Chamber immediately
Committee, Honorable Noble Jones, Francis Harris,
James McKay, James Edward Powell, Esquires. —
Ordered That Mr Bulloch, Mr Glen, Sir Patrick
Houstoun, Mr Morel, and Mr Jones be a Committee to
join a Committee of the Upper House in the said Con
ference Ordered That Mr Ewen and Mr Box do wait upon
his Excellency the Governor and desire that his Excel
lency will be pleased to adjourn the House till after the
ensuing Holidays, and accordingly they withdrew, and
being returned, Mr Ewen reported, that they had, accord
ing to order, waited upon his Excellency and that he was
DECEMBER, 1770. 261
pleased to Answer that he would send the House an ad
journment in half an hour.
Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee of Confer
ence of both Houses on the Amendments made by the
Upper House to the Ingrossed Bill, intitled an Act for
the better ordering the Militia, reported, that the Com
mittee of both Houses had agreed on certain Amend
ments to be made to the said Bill, which he was directed
to report to the House, and he read the Report in his
place, and afterwards delivered the same in at the Table,
where it was read and agreed to by the House —
Ordered That Leave be given -to bring in a Bill for
ascertaining the fees of Publick Officers, and other Per
sons therein mentioned, and that Mr Bulloch, Mr Glen
and Sir Patrick Houstoun, be a Committee to prepare
and bring in the said Bill — ¦
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
laying a Duty on Negroes, Rum, Wines, Goods, Wares,
and other Merchandize, herein after mentioned, Imported
for Sale and for appropriating the money arising there
from and that Mr William Young, Mr Bulloch and Mr
Ewen, be a Committee to prepare and bring in the said
Bill— A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Deputy Clerk of the General Assembly —
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assembly
untill the Eighth day of January next, to meet for the
262 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
dispatch of Business, and it is accordingly adjourned to
the Eighth day of January next —
Given under my hand at Savannah the
21s' day of December, 1770
James Wright
To the Honorable the Speaker and Members
of the Commons House of Assembly —
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia; Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 8th January, 1771
The House met according to Prorogation, and then
adjourned till to Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 9th January 1771
Mr Crooke from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill to empower the Commissioners ap
pointed in and by an Act of the General Assembly In-
titled ["an Act for laying a duty upon Negroes and other
"Slaves that have been above Six Months in any of the
"Islands or Colonies in America, and imported for Sale
"in this Province and for appropriating the Same to-
"wards repairing or rebuilding the Light House on Tybee
"Island and to prevent Negroe Convicts being imported
"into and sold in this Province"] To Cancell and make
void the Contract entered into by them with John Mull-
ryne, Esquire, for building a New Light House upon the
Island of Tybee, also to purchase the Materials herein
after mentioned from the said John Mullryne, and to
JANUARY, 1771. 263
dispose of the same, and to repair the present Light
House, and also to empower Commissioners herein after
named, to build a Fort on the Island of Cockspur, and
for borrowing a Sum not exceeding (sic) from the Light
House Fund for the purpose herein after mentioned, and
for replacing the said Sum reported they had prepared
the same, which was received and read the first time
and ordered to be read a Second time —
Mr Bulloch from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for laying a Duty on Negroes, Rum,
Wines, Goods, Wares, and other Merchandize herein
after mentioned imported for Sale, and for appropriating
the Money arising therefrom, reported they had pre
pared the same which was received and read the first
time, and ordered to be read a second time — ¦
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
regulating the Proceedings of the General Court, and
that Mr Bulloch and Mr Andrew be a Committee to pre
pare and bring in the said Bill —
Mr Bulloch from the said Committee, reported, that
they had the said Bill ready prepared, which he was
directed to report to the House, and the said Bill was re
ceived and read the first time, and ordered to be read
a Second time — And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Thursday io'h January, 1771
The Bill for laying a Duty on Negroes, Rum, Wines,
Goods, Wares, and other Merchandize, herein after men-
264 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
tioned, imported for Sale, and for appropriating the
Money arising therefrom was read a Second time, and
ordered to be Committed to a Committee of the whole
House —
The Bill for regulating the Proceedings of the General
Court was read a Second time, and ordered to be Com
mitted to a Committee of the whole House —
The House immediately resolved itself into a Com
mittee accordingly to take the said Bill into Consideration
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Bulloch from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into Consideration, gone
through the same, and made some Amendments thereto,
which the Committee had directed him to report to the
House, and he read the Report in his place, and after
wards delivered the Bill, with the Amendments, in at the
Table, where the Amendments were read and agreed to
by the House —
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday, 1 Ith January, 1771
The Bill to empower the Commissioners appointed in
and by an Act of the General Assembly, Intitled ["an Act
"for laying a Duty upon Negroes and other Slaves that
"have been above Six months in any of the Islands or
"Colonies in America, and imported for Sale in this
'Province, and for appropriating the Same towards re-
JANUARY, 1771. 265
"pairing or rebuilding the Light House on Tybee Island,
"and to prevent Negroe Convicts being imported into and
"Sold in this Province] to Cancell and make Void the
Contract entered into by them with John Mullryne, Es
quire, for building a New Light House upon the Island
of Tybee, also to purchase the Materials herein after men
tioned from the said John Mullryne, and to dispose of
the Same, and to repair the present Light House and also
to empower Commissioners herein after named to build
a Fort on the Island of Cockspur and for borrowing a
Sum not exceeding (sic) from the Light House Fund, for
the purpose herein after mentioned, and for replacing the
said Sum was read a Second time, and ordered to be
Committed to a Committee of the whole House —
Ordered That the Clerk do write Jonathan Bryan,
Esquire, acquainting him that the House requires his
immediate Attendance. And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 12th January 1771
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 14th January 1771
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into Consideration the Bill for lay
ing a Duty on Negroes, Rum, Wines, Goods, Wares, and
266 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
other Merchandize herein after mentioned, imported for
Sale, and for appropriating the money arising therefrom,
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr William Young from the Committee
reported they had taken the said Bill into Consideration,
and made some progress therein, and that he was directed
by the Committee to move for Leave to Sit again.
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take the said Bill into
further Consideration to Morrow morning —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 15"1 January 1771
The House resolved itself into' a Committee of the
whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill
for laying a Duty on Negroes, Rum, Wines, Goods,
Wares, and other Merchandize, herein after mentioned
imported for Sale, and for appropriating the Money aris
ing therefrom and after some time spent therein Mr
Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr William Young from
the Committee reported they had taken the said Bill
into further Consideration and made some further prog
ress therein and that he was directed by the Committee
to move for Leave to sit again —
Resolved That this House will resolve itself into a
Committee of the whole House to take the said Bill into
further Consideration —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
JANUARY, 1771. 267
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 16th January 1771
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into Consideration the Bill to em
power the Commissioners appointed in and by an Act
of the General Assembly, Intitled, ["an Act for laying
"a Duty upon Negroes and other Slaves that have been
"above six Months in any of the Islands or Colonies in
"America, and imported for Sale in this Province and
"for appropriating the Same towards repairing or re
building the Light House on Tybee Island, and to pre-
"vent Negroe Convicts being imported into and sold in
"this Province"] to Cancell and make Void the Contract
entered into by them with John Mullryne, Esquire, for
building a New Light House upon the Island of Tybee
also to purchase the Materials herein after mentioned
from the said John Mullryne, and to dispose of the same
and to repair the present Light House and also to em
power Commissioners herein after named to build a Fort
on the Island of Cockspur, and for borrowing a Sum not
exceeding ~
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 4th February 1771
Motion was made, that John Morel, Esquire, a Member
of this House, in Custody of the Messenger, be admitted
to make his excuse for not attending his Duty in Assem
bly And the House being informed he was attending at the
Door he was called in, and,, at the Bar of the House, al-
ledged, that the Badness of the Weather had prevented
his attendance, and that he did not mean any disrespect
to the House —
Resolved That as it appears John Morel, Esquire,.
was absent from his Duty in Assembly without Leave of
the House but declaring he did not mean any disrespect.
to the House therefore —
Ordered That the said John Morel, Esquire, be dis
charged out of Custody of the Messenger, upon Payment
of his Fees.
Motion was made, that the Ingrossed Ordinance from
the Upper House for appointing the Honorable James
Read Esquire, a Commissioner in the General Loan Office
of this Province, in the Room of the Honorable Francis
Harris, Esquire, who has declined serving in the said
Office, should be read the first time, a debate arising there
on, and the Question being put,
It was passed in the Negative
Resolved That, as it is the Opinion of this House
that an Ordinance of this Nature ought constitutionally to
take its Rise in the Commons House of Assembly, there
fore —
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in an Ordi-
286 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
nance for appointing the Honorable James Read, Esquire,
a Commissioner in the General Loan Office, in the Room
of the Honorable Francis Harris, Esquire, who has de
clined serving in that Capacity and that Mr Simpson, M1'
Ewen, and Mr Elbert, be a Committee to prepare and
bring in the Same —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 5th February 1771
Mr Simpson, from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in an Ordinance for appointing the Honorable
James Read, Esquire, a Commissioner in the General
Loan Office in the Room of the Honorable Francis Harris
Esquire, who has declined serving in that Capacity, re
ported they had prepared the Same which was received
and read the first time, and ordered to be read a Second
time —
The order of the day, for taking into Consideration the
necessity of erecting Places of Public Worship in the dif
ferent Parishes of this Province, and for providing for
Ministers to Officiate therein, and also to provide for an
Assistant for the Parish of Christ Church, being read, the
House took the same into Consideration accordingly,
and —
Resolved That there is an absolute necessity for
erecting places of Publick Worship in Several Parishes of
this Province and for providing for Persons to officiate
therein, and also to provide for an Assistant for the Par
ish of Christ Church.
FEBRUARY, 1771. 287
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
erecting Churches, Chapels, or Schools, in the several
Parishes herein after mentioned, and also for the Main
tenance of Persons to Officiate therein, and also for a
Maintenance of an Assistant for the Parish of Christ
Church, and that Mr Farley, Mr Bulloch and Mr LeConte
be a Committee to prepare and bring in the said Bill —
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for
laying a Duty on Goods, Wares, and Merchandize, sold
at Vendue, and for appropriating the Same, and that Mr
Le Conte Mr Rae; and Mr Crooke, be a Committee to
prepare and bring in the said Bill —
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill for laying
a Duty upon Deer Skins exported, and for appropriating
the same —
The Question being put
It passed in the Negative.
And then the House adjourned till t«
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Wednesday, 6th February 1771
The Ingrossed Bill for laying a Duty upon Negroes,
Rum, and Wines, imported for Sale, and for appropriat
ing the same, was read a third time, and Some Amend
ments were made to the Bill —
The Question was put if the said Bill should pass, it
It passed in the Negative —
288 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The Ordinance for appointing the Honorable James
Read, Esquire, a Commissioner in the General Loan
Office, in the Room of the Honorable Francis Harris, Es
quire, who has declined Serving in that Capacity, was read
the Second time and ordered to be Ingrossed —
A Petition from several Inhabitants of the Town of
Queensborough whose names are. thereunto Subscribed,
was presented to the House, and read setting forth, That
the kind Reception which their Friends and Country Peo
ple met with upon their Arrival in this Province, and,
from the great encouragement they had from the Publick ;
The Petitioners were influenced to part with what little
personal substance they were possessed of in order to en
able them to come to this Province and upon their Arrival
the scarcity of Provisions and the Inconveniences they
were put to for purchasing the same, laid them under the
Necessity of parting with what little remains they had
of their former Substance and whereas the Securing of
their Land is a Matter of the utmost Importance unto
them and their Posterity, and being utterly unable of
themselves to secure the Same, and being encouraged by
former Generosity extended to Strangers in General, and
to them in particular, in assisting them to their Settle
ment : The Petitioners therefore beg that the House would
take their Necessity into Consideration, and Grant them
such Assistance as to its Wisdom shall seem meet towards
the taking out the Grants of their Land, &ca
Motion was made that the prayer of the said Petition
be granted —
The Question being put, it
It passed in the Negative
Resolved That this House will, on this day fortnight,
FEBRUARY, 1771. 289
take into Consideration the entering upon a Tax Bill for
the present year —
Ordered That there be a Call of the House on the
same day previous to the taking the said Resolution into
Consideration Resolved That such Members who do not attend at
that time shall be proceeded against with the utmost
Severity. Resolved That during an Adjournment or Proroga
tion of the General Assembly, if any Member of the Com
mons House of Assembly shall die, that then and in that
Case, Mr Speaker for the time being shall have full power
and Authority to Address his Excellency the Governor or
Commander in Chief for the time being, requesting, that
a Writ or Writs may issue for electing a Representative
or Representatives in the Room of such Member or Mem
bers so dying, and the Address, so prepared signed and
presented, shall be deemed an Act of the House —
Motion was made for altering the fifth Rule of this
House and that for the future not less than twelve Mem
bers and the Speaker shall proceed to Business except in
issuing Warrants, and ordering letters to be wrote to
Members of this House, or any other Person, that then
and in that Case Eight Members and the Speaker shall
have full power and Authority for these purposes and no
other — •
Resolved That this House will take the said Motion
into Consideration this day Week —
A Message from the Upper House by their Clerk That
the Upper House have agreed to the Ingrossed Bill to em
power Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out make and
repair the Roads already laid out, or may hereafter be
19 0 r— vol 15
290 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
necessary, and also to clear the Rivers and Creeks within
their respective Divisions, with some Amendments, to
which Amendments they desire the Concurrence of this
House and also that the Upper House have agreed to the
Ingrossed Bill for establishing several Ferries, and for
Vesting the same in the Persons herein mentioned, with
some Amendments, to which Amendments they desire the
Concurrence of this House, and then the Messenger with
drew — And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock —
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Thursday 7th February 1771
The House took into Consideration the Amendments
made by the Upper House to the Ingrossed Bill for es
tablishing several Ferries, and for Vesting the same in the
Persons herein mentioned, and agreed to the Same —
Ordered That Mr Farley do carry the Bill to the
upper Blouse and acquaint them that this House hath
agreed to the Amendments made by their House to the
said Bill
The Ingrossed Ordinance for appointing the Honorable
James Read, Esquire, a Commissioner in the General
Loan Office, in the Room of the Honorable Francis Har
ris Esquire, who has declined serving was read the third
time —
Resolved That the Ordinance do pass
Ordered That Sir Patrick Houstoun do carry the
FEBRUARY, 1 771. 291
said Ordinance to the upper House, and desire their
Concurrence — And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 8th February 1771
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency the Governor, requesting he will be
pleased to give orders for issuing a Writ to elect a Repre
sentative for the Parish of Saint Philip, in the Room of
Samuel Jones Esquire, deceased —
The said Address being prepared, was read and agreed
to by the House
Ordered That Mr Le Conte and Mr Crooke do wait
upon his Excellency and present the said Address, and
being returned Mr Le Conte reported they had waited on
his Excellency and presented the Address, and that he was
pleased to answer that he would give directions for issu
ing the said Writ immediately —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Saturday 9"1 February 1771
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock
292 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday IIth February 1771
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morning
Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 12th February 1771
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into further Consideration the Bill to
ascertain and regulate Publick Officers Fees, and also the
Fees of other persons herein after mentioned and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair,
and Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Bill into further Consideration,
gone through the Same, and made several Amendments
thereto, which the Committee had directed him to report
to the House when the House will please to receive the
Same —
Ordered That the report on the Amendments to the
said Bill be made to morrow morning —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 13th February 1777 (slc)
Sir Patrick Houstoun (according to order) reported
from the Committee of the whole House to whom the Bill
FEBRUARY, 1 771. 293
to ascertain and regulate Publick Officers Fees, and also
the Fees of other Persons herein after mentioned was
committed, the Amendments which the Committee had
made to the Bill, and which they had directed him to re
port to the House, and he read the Report in his place,
and afterwards delivered tlie Bill, with the Amendments
in at the Table where the Amendments were read and
agreed to by the House —
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed The order of the day for taking under Consideration
the Motion for altering the fifth rule of this House, and
for the future that not less than Twelve Members and the
Speaker shall proceed to any Business, except in issuing
Warrants and ordering Letters to be wrote to Members,
or any other Person, then and in that Case, Eight Mem
bers and the Speaker shall have full power and Authority
for these purposes, and no other ; being read,
The House took the Same into Consideration accord
ingly, and
Resolved That the said fifth Rule be altered, and that
for the future the Speaker and Twelve Members shall be
a Quorum to act as if all the Members were present, but
that the Speaker and Eight Members may order Letters
to be wrote to, or issue warrants against absent Members,
and in no other Business of the House
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
294 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Thursday 14th February 1771
Mr William Young, from the Committee appointed to
prepare and bring in a Bill for altering part of an Act, In-
titled an Act for raising a certain Number of Watchmen
for preserving good order in and about the Town of Sa
vannah reported they had prepared the same, which was
received and read the first time, and ordered to be read
a Second time —
The House took into Consideration the Amendments
made by the Upper House to the Ingrossed Bill To em
power Commissioners, or Surveyors to lay out, make
and repair the Roads already laid out, or may hereafter
be necessary, and also to clear the Rivers and Creeks
within their respective Divisions, and agreed to some, and
disagreed to others — ¦
Ordered That Mr Farley do Carry the Bill to the
Upper House and acquaint them, that this House having
taken the Amendments made by their House to the said
Bill into Consideration, have agreed to some, and dis
agreed to others, therefore this House desires that (sic) will
appoint a Committee to join a Committee of this House
in Conference on the Subject matter of the said Amend
ments And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Friday 15th February 1771
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morn
ing Nine of the Clock
FEBRUARY, 1771. 295
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday 16th February 1771
The House met and adjourned till Monday morning
Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 18"1 February 1771
Mr Farley from the Committee appointed to examine
the proceedings of the several Courts of Justice and also
to enquire into the State of the Publick Offices to whom
was referred a Complaint made to the House against
Thomas Shruder, Esquire, Deputy Surveyor General for
exacting Double Fees of several Persons for their pre
cepts for Lands, reported the Committee found it neces
sary to require the Attendance of Thomas Moodie, Es
quire, Deputy Secretary to answer such Questions as the
Committee might deem expedient to propose —
Your Committee accordingly made an order on the
said Mr Moodie for that purpose who attended on Thurs
day last and being acquainted that it was a Resolution of
the Committee to examine all Persons called before them
on Oath, the following was read to him ("you shall true
answer make to all such Questions as may be required of
you by this Committee relative to Fees allowed to be
taken by the several Officers respecting Lands laid out
and reserved for the use of the Irish and other Settlers So
help you God") Mr Moodie being then asked whether he
would take the said Oath, Replied
That as he apprehended no Oath whatever hath here
tofore been required of any Person called either before
the House of Assembly or a Committee thereof — he did
296 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
not chuse to be made the first example, for that reason he
said he would not take the Oath requested of him' —
Your Committee are unanimously of Opinion that the
Refusal of the said Mr Moodie to comply with their re
quest is a presumptuous Breach of the Privilege of the
House and a daring Contempt of the Authority of your
Committee whereby the Course of Publick Justice is re
tarded the injured Complainants are unredressed and our
Constituents exposed to the rapacity and Insolence of
Office— The said Report being read
The Question was put if the House agree to the said
Report It passed in the Affirmative therefore —
Ordered That Mr Speaker do issue his Warrant to
the Messenger attending this House and the Acting Pro
vost Marshal to take and commit the Body of the said
Thomas Moodie immediately to the Common Goal in
Savannah there to remain during the Pleasure of the
House — And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 19"1 February 1771
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into Consideration the Bill for al
tering part of an Act Intitled "an Act for raising a Cer
tain number of Watchmen for preserving good order in
and about the Town of Savannah" and after some time
spent therein M1' Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Far-
FEBRUARY, 1771. 297
ley from the Committee reported they had taken the said
Bill into Consideration gone through the same and made
some Amendments thereto which he was directed by the
Committee to report to the House and he read the report
in his place and afterwards delivered the Bill with the
Amendments in at the Table where the Amendments were
read and agreed to by the House — ¦
Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments be In-
grossed Two Messages from the Upper House by their Clerk
Viz' That the Upper House have agreed to the Ingrossed
Bill For the Relief of Parishes from such Charges as
may arise from Bastard Children without any Amend
ment and also that the Upper House have agreed to the
Conference desired by this House on the Amendments
made (slc) their House to the "Ingrossed Bill to empower
"Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out make and repair
"the Roads already laid out or may hereafter be neces-
"sary and also to clear the Rivers and Creeks within their
"respective Divisions" and have appointed a Committee
accordingly to meet in the Room adjoining the Council
Chamber To morrow morning Ten of the Clock
Committed to the Honorable John Graham, James
Edward Powell, and Lewis Johnson, Esquire —
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to join a
Committee of the Upper House in Conference on the
Amendments made by the Upper House to the said Bill
Committed to Mr Bulloch, Mr Le Conte, Mr Andrew,
Sir Patrick Houstoun and Mr Bryan —
And then the House adjourned till To
morrow morning Nine of the Clock
298 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 20th February 1771
The order of the day, for a Call of the House being
read the House was called over accordingly; and the
Names of John Millidge, Button Guinnett, and Edward
Barnard, Esquires, being called over a Second time and
they not appearing, nor any excuse for their Absence — -
Ordered That the Clerk do write John Millidge, Es
quire that the House requires his attending his Duty in
Assembly immediately —
Ordered That the Speaker do issue his Warrant for
taking into Custody Button Guinnett, Esquire, a Member
of this House, for absenting himself from his Duty in As
sembly. Resolved That if Edward Barnard, Esquire, a Mem
ber of this House, do not attend his Duty in Assembly
on or before this day fortnight, his Seat shall be deemed
Vacant —
Ordered That the Clerk do write to the said Edward
Barnard, and acquaint him of the above Resolution —
The other order of the day for taking into Considera
tion the entering upon a Tax Bill for the present year
being read, the House took the same into Consideration
accordingly and A Motion was made, that the House or
der in a Tax Bill for the present year, and a Debate
arising thereon,
The Question was put, and it
It passed in the Negative
Resolved That this House will not enter upon a Tax
FEBRUARY, 1771. 299
Bill for the present year, the Parishes of Saint David
Saint Patrick, Saint Thomas and Saint Mary, not being
represented —
The Ingrossed Bill to ascertain and regulate Publick
Officers Fees, and also the Fees of other Persons herein
after mentioned, was read the third time —
Resolved That the Bill do pass
Ordered That Mr Bulloch do carry the said Bill to
the Upper House and desire their Concurrence —
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 21s' February 1771
The House met and adjourned till to Morrow morning
Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 22s February 1771
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House, to take into further Consideration the Sev
eral Accounts delivered in against the Publick, and, after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair.
and Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee reported
they had taken the said Accounts into further Considera
tion gone through Sundry of the said Accounts, which he
was directed to Report to the House, and he read the re-
300 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
port in his place, and afterwards delivered the Report in
at the Table, where the Report was read and agreed to by
the House — And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow morning Nine of the Clock
But on the Evening of the same day being the 22d of
February 1771, His Excellency the Governor was pleased
to dissolve the Assembly by Proclamation —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
GEORGIA.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Commons House of
Assembly of the Province of Georgia at the first Meeting
of the Eight General Assembly of the Said Province, con
vened at the Town of Savannah on Tuesday the Twenty
third day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand
Seven hundred and Seventy One, by his Excellency James
Wright Esquire, Captain General and Governor in Chief
of the Province aforesaid A True Copy from the Original Jour
nals Examined ^ Jn° Simpson C : D : C :
Recd Ocf 30, 1 77 1.
Journal of the Proceedings of the Commons House of
Assembly of the Province of Georgia at the first Meeting
of the Eight General Assembly of the Said Province, con
vened at the Town of Savannah on Tuesday the Twenty
third day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand
Seven hundred and Seventy One, by his Excellency James
Wright Esquire, Captain General and Governor in Chief
of the Province aforesaid
APRIL, 1771.
301
The Commis
sion for quali
fying- the
Members de
livered to the
Clerk
The Clerk of the Council delivered to the Clerk of the
Commons House of Assembly, by order of his Excellency
the Governor a Commission directed to Jonathan Bryan,
Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bulloch, and William
Young Esquires, the Members elected and returned to
serve in General Assembly for the Town and District of
Savannah The Clerk of the Council also delivered the
several Writs of Election upon which the Representatives
are elected and returned together with the several In
dentures from the Provost Marshal
The Clerk of the Commons House of Assembly after
the several63 having examined the several Indentures returned with
wrthnthTwrits the Writs of Election read to the Representatives present
cS^mtsston6 the aforesaid Commission in the words following Viz'
Georgia By his Excellency James Wright, Esquire, Captain
General, Governor and Comander in Chief of his
Majesty's said Province of Georgia, Chancellor and
Vice Admiral of the same — -
To Jonathan Bryan, Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald
Bulloch, and William Young, Esquires, Greeting
TheCommission
Whereas his most Sacred Majesty in and by his Royal
Commission to me under the Great Seal of Great Britain
hath amongst other things directed that the several Per
sons duly elected to serve as Members of the General As
sembly of this Province shall before their Sitting take the
Oaths mentioned and appointed to be taken by an Act
Passed in the first year of the Reign of his late Majesty
King George the first entitled "an Act for the further
"Security of his Majesty's Person and Government and
"the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late
"Princess Sophia being Protestants, and for extinguish
ing the Hopes of the Pretended Prince of Wales and
302 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
"his open and Secret Abettors" And whereas the said
Act was altered by an Act of the Parliament of Great
Britain made in the Sixth year of the Reign of our Sov
ereign Lord the King, that now is entitled "an Act for
altering the Oath of Abjuration, and the assurance and
for amending so much of an Act of the Seventh Year of
her late Majesty Queen Anne entitled "an Act for the
"improvement of the Union of the two Kingdoms" as
"after the time therein limited requires the Delivery of
"Certain Lists and Copies therein mentioned to Persons
"indicted of high Treason or Misprision of Treason"
And whereas the said Persons so elected are required also
to make and subscribe the Declaration mentioned in an
Act of Parliament made in the Twenty fifth Year of the
Reign of King Charles the Second entitled "An Act for
preventing Dangers which may happen from Popish Re
cusants" which said Oaths (in the Form- prescribed by the
Act of Parliament last ab.ove mentioned) and the Declar
ation aforesaid I am fully authorized and empowered to
commissionate fit Persons under the Seal of the Province
aforesaid to tender and administer to the said several
Persons so elected, And it is by his Majesty's Royal
Commission and Instructions declared that untill the same
be so taken and subscribed no Person shall be capable of
Sitting though elected, I therefore reposing special Trust
and Confidence in the Integrity Care and Circumspection
of you the said Jonathan Bryan, Noble Wimberly Jones,
Archibald Bulloch, and William Young, have Commis-
sionated and appointed and by Virtue and pursuant to the
Powers Vested in me as aforesaid do give unto you or
any two or more of you full Power and Authority to ten
der and administer the Oaths in the last mentioned Act of
Parliament contained and also the Declaration above
mentioned unto the several Persons elected or that may
hereafter be elected to serve as Members of the said Gen
eral Assembly and to see them subscribe severally the said
APRIL, 1 77 1. 303
Declaration when and as often as the same shall be requi
site and necessary to be done, and you the said Jonathan
Bryan, Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bulloch, and
William Young are hereby required to make a due return
of your Proceedings by Virtue of this Commission from
time to time unto me under your Hands and Seals with
the Names of such Members as have been duely Quali
fied before you as aforesaid —
This Commission to Continue during Pleasure
Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of his
Majesty's said Province of Georgia the Twenty third
day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand
Seven hundred and Seventy One and in the Eleventh
Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the
Third
James Wright L S
Secretary's Office
By his Excellencys Command
Thomas Moodie, Deputy Secretary
The following Representatives being met, Viz' Noble
Several Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bulloch, and William Young
QuSimed Esquires, for the Town and District of Savannah, James
Habersham, Jun1 Esquire, for the Town of Frederica and
Parish of Saint James, Edward Barnard and Richard
Cunningham Crooke, Esquires, for the Town of Augusta
and Parish of Saint Paul, William Ewen, John Adam
Treutlen and Stephen Millen, Esquires, for the Town of
Ebenezer and Parish of Saint Matthew, Philip Box, Es
quire, for the Village of Acton in the Parish of Christ
Church, Richard Wylly, Esquire, for the Town of Ver
nonburgh in the Parish of Christ Church, Benjamin An
drew, and Josiah Powell, Esquires, for Medway and
Parish of Saint John, Collin Reddock, Esquire, for Hali-
304 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
fax, and Parish of Saint George Samuel Farley, Esquire,
for the District of Great Ogechee and Parish of Saint
Philip, proved themselves duly qualified to serve as Rep
resentatives according to the Terms prescribed in and by
an Act of the General Assembly of this Province Passed
the 29th day of June 1761, entitled "an Act to Ascertain
"the manner and Form of electing Members to represent
"the Inhabitants of this Province in the Commons House
"of Assembly" and then took the Oaths and made and
subscribed the Declaration and took and subscribed the
Oath of Abjuration and then took their Seats —
The cierk of ^e Clerk of the Council by order of his Excellency
infoSsthe *he Governor, acquainted the Members present that as
etet'th^thisres" his Excellency apprehended there might be a thin meeting
would 1SCm the to day, he would come to the Council Chamber to mor-
ber to Morrow row, at Ten of the Clock in the morning-, when he would
at 10 of the °
clock and send send them a Message.
them a Message °
And then the Clerk of the Commons House of Assem
bly at the desire of the Members Present took the Chair,
and adjourned them till to morrow morning Ten of the
Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 24th April 1771
Jonathan Bryan, Esquire, elected and returned for the
Me^mifeVs Town and District of Savannah, John Rae, Esquire elect-
Qualified ecj ancj returried for the Town of Augusta, and Parish of
Saint Paul, William Wylly, Esquire, elected and returned
for Halifax and Parish of Saint George proved them
selves duly qualified to serve as Representatives, accord
ing to the Terms Prescribed in and by an Act of the Gen
eral Assembly of this Province, and then took the Oaths,
APRIL, 1 771. 305
and made and Subscribed the Declaration, and made and
subscribed the Oath of Abjuration and then took their
Seats —
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the Council —
Gentlemen
His Excellency His Excellency the Governor has ordered me to ac-
requires the -'
!frocneeTto%iecluaint y°u That you have his Leave and Direction t© Pro-
sSVfa ceed to the Choice of a Speaker-
Then the Members Present Proceeded to the choice of a
Elated63 Speaker, and unanimously elected Noble Wimberly Jones,
Esquire, to be their Speaker, and he was accordingly
conducted to the Chair —
Speaker
Mr Bulloch and Mr Crooke, were ordered to attend his
^weTto^at- Excellency the Governor, and acquaint him, that the
ktncy^na^ac-3'" Members had unanimously made choice of Noble Wim-
thereof berly Jones, Esquire, to be their Speaker, and desire to
know when they should attend his Excellency to present
him, accordingly they withdrew, and being returned, re
ported, that his Excellency the Governor had been Pleased
"prov^of by to disapprove of the Choice of Noble Wimberly Jones,
his Excellency j?SqUire, to be the Speaker, and therefore required they
would proceed to the Choice of another Speaker Then the
p^c^to'the Members Present Proceeded to the Choice of another
otherspeaker Speaker and unanimously elected Archibald Bulloch, Es-
kwh Elected quire, to be their Speaker, and he was accordingly con
ducted to the Chair
Mr Crooke and Mr Barnard were ordered to attend his
a committM Excellency the Governor, and acquaint him, that the
toey andEae-eI" Members present had unanimously elected Archibald Bul-
X£j£fhlm loch, Esquire, to be their Speaker, in the room of Noble
Wimberly Jones, Esquire, who was rejected by his Ex-
20 c r— vol 15
306 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
cellency, and desire to know when they should attend his
Excellency to present him, accordingly they withdrew,
and being returned, reported, that his Excellency was
pleased to say, immediately
M1' Crooke and Mr Barnard were appointed a Corn-
Mr. Crookepre- ,,.__*,, . , , _
aented and ap- mittee to attend his Lxcellency with the Speaker elect,
proved of S _ j r >
and present him for his Excellency's approbation who
was pleased to approve of him
—£ And then Mr Speaker informed the House he had de-
fj^m33pt^erin" sired his Excellency, in the Name and behalf of this House
quests h^hll6" that he will be pleased to grant that they may have free-
Siiency in theft dom of Speech, as by right of Custom they used to have,
half "" and all their Just Priveleges and Liberties allowed them,
and that in any thing he should deliver in the Name of
the House, if he committed any mistake it may not be
imputed to the House, but that he may resort again to
the House for a Declaration of their true Intent and
meaning, and that, as often as his Majesty's Service, or
the good of the Province, required, he might by Direction
of the House, have free Access to his Excellency, To
HisExceiien- which his Excellency was pleased to Answer, that he
cy-. Awwer wJn Grant the Assembly every Right and Privelege that
they have usually enjoyed, and which he conceives they
can justly Claim, and that (slc) is in his Power to Grant
them, consistant with his Majestys Royal Instructions,
And whatever may be delivered in the Name of the House
if there is any Mistake in it, he shall have free Liberty
to resort to the House and correct or amend such Mis
take, and he shall have free Access to him whenever the
Publick Business may require it.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
&££ Clerk of the Council.
APRIL, 1771. v> ¦"¦.'.!., 307
Mr Speaker
I am ordered by his Excellency the Governor to ac
quaint you that he requires the Attendance of this House
in the Council Chamber immediately
Accordingly Mr Speaker, with the House, went up
ten «jeHhfai,iiit" to attend his Excellency, and being returned, Mr Speaker
cha£b£ea reported, that he with the House, had attended his Ex
cellency and that he was pleased to make a Speech to
both Houses of Assembly, of which Mr Speaker said
he had to prevent Mistakes, obtained a Copy, which he
read to the House, and is as followeth, Viz'
Honorable Gentlemen
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
Tbe Governors
[For transcript of Gov" Speech see Journal of the
Upper House 24 Apl 1773 J
Xeselutlon of
the House
thereupon
Savannah in Georgia ]
Council Chamber the [
24th April 1 771 J
Resoeved, Nem. Con. That an Humble Address of
thanks be presented to his Excellency the Governor for
his Speech delivered to both Houses at the opening of
the present Sessions to beg his Acceptance of our Grate-
full Acknowledgements for the Attention he has been
pleased to pay to the united request of both Houses of the
late Assembly respecting the Election Bill as at the same
time he assures us his Majesty has been graciously
pleased to permit him to Assent to an Act for that pur
pose, but with concern observe, that the material clause
for limiting the duration of Assembly is excepted not
withstanding the advanced Season of the year, we shall
chearfully proceed to frame all such Bills as to us may
appear most conducive to the real interest of our Constitu-
308 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ents ever keeping in view the great and essential Rights
of the People and the Honour and Dignity of the Crown
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw up
p^Sted'on the an Address to be presented to his Excellency upon the
«ai Reao utwn ^ ^ Resolution, and a Committee was appointed accord
ingly — Committee, Mr Crooke, Mr Barnard, Mr Farley,
Mr William Young, Mr Ewen, Mr Habersham and Mr
Andrew —
Ordered That his Excellency's Speech be referred to
the said Committee
Sir Patrick Houstoun, Baronet, elected and returned
sir Patrick one of the Representatives for Darien and Parish of
Houstoun de-
MlnseatakiDsr Saint Andrew attended the House & in person declined
taking his Seat as a Member of this House, upon account
of his private affairs not permitting him to attend.
The Clerk presented to the House a Letter from Jermyn
eIq™ decune?* Wright, Esquire, elected and returned for the parish of
taking his seat gaint Thomas directed to him, wherein he sets forth that
theElectors for theParish of Saint Thomas had, unknown
to him, elected him to serve as a Representative for that
Parish in the Commons House of Assembly, that he ac
knowledges himself obliged to them for their favour,
but that his being at so great a Distance from Savannah,
when at his place of Residence, it will by no means be
convenient to him to attend the House as a Member,
therefore requests the Clerk to acquaint the Gentlemen
who do serve, that a Writ may be applied for to chuse
another in his Stead —
Resolved That as Jermyn Wright, Esquire, was
elected a Representative for the Parish of Saint Thomas
without his knowledge, and as it appears he cannot con
veniently attend his Duty in Assembly that his written
excuse be admitted for his not serving —
Address order-
APRIL, 1 771. 309
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
ed to be Pre^ to his Excellency the Governor requesting he will be
sented to his pleased to give Orders for issuing two Writs of Election,
Excellency re- ., T. t
-questing he Viz1 One to elect a Representative for Darien and Parish
will order new x
write to issue 0f Saint Andrew in the room of Sir Patrick Houstoun,
Baronet, who has declined taking his Seat as a Member
of the House and also another to elect a Representative
for the Parish of Saint Thomas, in the room of Jermyn
Wright, Esquire, who has likewise declined taking his
Seat as a Member of the House.
Ordered That Mr Harley and Mr Andrew do wait
upon his Excellency the Governor and present the said
Address Ordered That a Committee of Priveleges and Elec-
PrtJ™iM" °fnd tions be appointed, and a Committee was appointed ac-
iteetions ap- cordingly and they are to meet as often as there is Occa
sion, and they are to take into Consideration all such
Matters as may or shall come in Question touching Re
turns, Elections and Priveleges, and to proceed upon
double Returns in the first place, and to report their pro
ceedings with their Opinions thereupon, to the House
from time to time, and all Persons who will question any
Returns are to do it within fourteen days next
and so within fourteen days next after any new
Returns shall be brought in, and the Committee are to
have power to send for Persons, papers and Records for
their Information, and all Members who are returned
for two or more places are to make their Election by
this day Week for which of the places they will serve,
Provided there be no question upon the Returns for that
place, and if any thing shall come in Question touching
the Return, Election, or Matter of Privelege, of any
Member he is to withdraw during the time the Matter is
in Debate, and that all Members returned upon double
Returns do withdraw till their Returns are determined.
310 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Committee, Mr Ewen, Mr Crooke, Mr Jones, Mr Bryart
Mr Farley, Mr Richard Wylly and Mr William Young.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw
S?™otatedetoe up standing Rules, and report the same, with their Opinion
rS of the thereupon to the House, and a Committee was appointed
House ,• ,
accordingly. Committee, M1' Jones, Mr Farley, Mr Rae, Mr Barnard.
and M1' Box.
.„. . Ordered That a Committee of Grievances be ap-
Committee of , 1
poruttediec?:aP"P°*'ntec^ anweth viz'
[For transcript of Speech see Journal of the Upper
House 22 April 1772]
Savannah in Georgia —
Council Chamber the 22a April 1772
Resolved, nem, con, That an humble address be pre
sented to his Honour the President for his Speech deliv
ered to both Houses at the Opening of the Present Ses
sion : That we thank him for his warm expressions of
Attachment and good disposition towards the Province,
and readily Perswade ourselves that the trust repossed in
him by his Majesty, his long residence amongst us, and
Anxiety for our Prosperity, will point out to his Honour
the most Salutary Steps necessary to be Pursued at this
important juncture, and are truly Sensible of the detri
ment that must Arise to our Private Affairs on Account of
Meeting at this inconvenient Season, and nothing but the
Welfare of our Constituents could induce us to Neglect
our Private Concerns at this time, added to the Necessity
we See of Proceeding upon Business, and Supporting the
APRIL, 1772. 325
Publick faith, we shall therefore endeavour to avoid
every impediment that can Possibly arise to Obstruct
those desirable ends, and Postpone every Matter which
shall not appear immediately necessary. We also Observe
with Pleasure the Account his Honour has received of
Satisfaction being Obtained of the Creek Indians for the
Murder committed by one of their People at Queenbor-
ough a Circumstance which shews their Peaceable dispo
sition towards us, and when a State of the Public debts
shall be laid before us we shall readily take into our Se
rious Consideration what his Honour was pleased to rec
ommend respecting them —
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw up
an Address to be Presented to his Honour upon the said
Resolution, and a Committee was appointed Accordingly.
Ordered That his Honour's Speech be referred to
the said Committee
Resolved That the Minutes of this House be inserted
weekly in the Gazette
Ordered That a Committee of Privileges and Elec
tions be appointed and a Committee was appointed Ac
cordingly, and they are to meet as often as there is Oc
casion, and they are to take into Consideration all such
Matters as may or shall come in question touching re
turns, Elections, and Privileges, and to Proceed upon
double returns in the first Place and to refer their pro
ceeding, with their Opinion thereupon, to the House, from
time to time: and all Persons who will Question any re
turns are to do it within fourteen days next, and so with
in fourteen days next after any new return shall be
brought in : and the Committee are to have Power to
send for Persons, Papers, and Records, for their Infor
mation: and all Members who are returned for two or
326 ,: JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
more Places are to make their Election by this day Week
for which of the Places they will Serve, Provided there
be no Question upon the return for that Place: and if
any thing shall come in Question touching the return,
Election or matter of Privilege, of any Member, he is to
withdraw during the time the Matter is in debate, and
that all Members returned upon double returns to with
draw till their returns are determined, Committed to Mr
Hall, Mr Le Conte Mr Jones, Mr William Young Mr
Cochran Mr Bryan Mr Farley M1' Inglis and Mr Carter —
Resolved That the rules of the former House of As
sembly (excepting the fifth) shall be the Standing rules
of this House until altered —
Resolved That (instead of the fifth rule of the form
er Assembly) not less than Eighteen Members and the
Speaker shall Proceed to any business except issuing war
rants and ordering Letters to be wrote to members, or any
other Person, that then and in that Case eight Members
and the Speaker shall have full Power and authority for
these Purposes, and no other
Resolved That this House will attend Mr Speaker
to divine Service on Sunday next —
Ordered That Mr Hall and and M1' Inglis do wait on
the Rev Mr Lowten, and Acquaint him therewith — And
then the House adjourned till to Morrow Morning, nine
of the Clock—
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 24"' April
The House met according to Adjournment, and ad
journed till to Morrow Morning, nine of the Clock
APRIL, 1772. 327
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 24th April
George Baillie Esqr Elected for the Parish of S* Thom
as, and on a double return for the Town of Vernonburgh,
in the Parish of Christ Church Attended, and declined
Serving for the said Parish of S' Thomas and chose to
abide by the determination upon the double return for
Vernonburgh — ¦
Resolved That an Address be presented to his Hon
our the President requesting he will be pleased to order a
Writ to.be issued for electing a Member for the Parish
of S' Thomas, in the room of George Baillie, Esqr who
being returned for the said Parish and also on a double
return for the town of Vernonburgh, in the Parish of
Christ Church, chose to decline Serving for the said Par
ish of S' Thomas.
George Mackintosh Esq1" Elected and returned for the
Parish of S' Andrew, proved himself duly Qualified to
Serve as a Representative according to the Terms Pre
scribed in and by an Act of the general Assembly of this
Province, and then took the Oaths, and made and Sub
scribed the declaration, and made and Subscribed the
Oath of Abjuration, and then took his Seat —
Mr Speaker received a Letter from John Thomas Esqr
Elected for the Parish of S' George, Setting forth, that
being elected contrary to his inclination, begged to be ex
cused Serving, as it would be highly injurious to his
Private interest —
Resolved That the said excuse be admitted, it ap
pearing that he was Elected contrary to his inclination
Resolved That an Address be presented to his Hon-
328 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
our the President requesting that he will be pleased to
order a Writ to be issued for Electing a Member for the
Parish of S' George, in the room of John Thomas Esq1
who has declined Serving —
Mr Hall from the Committee appointed to wait on the
Rev : Mr Lowten, Reported they had accordingly called
at his house, and were informed that he was out of town,
and that they had left a Note to inform him of the Same.
Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a bill to
continue the Several Laws that are near Expiring, Com
mitted to Mr Farley Mr Andrew and Mr William Young.
A Message from his Honour the President by the Clerk
of the Council
Mr Speaker.
His Honour the President commands the Attendance
of your Clerk with the Journals of this House in the
Council Chamber immediately
And then the House adjourned till to
Morrow Morning, nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday. 25th April
Mr Barnard from the Committee appointed to draw up
an Address to be Presented to his Honour the President,
Reported, that the Committee had drawn up an Address
accordingly, and was ready to make their Report whew
the House Please to receive the Same —
Resolved That the Committee have leave to make
theii' Report
APRIL, 1772. 329
M1' Barnard accordingly read the Same in his place,
which was approved of, and is as follow's
To his Honour James Habersham Esq' President
and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Province
of Georgia, Chancellor, Vice Admiral, and Ordinary
of the Same —
The Humble Address of the Commons House of
Assembly.
May it please your Plonour
We his Majesty's dutiful and loyal Subjects the Com-
mons of Georgia in General Assembly met, return youi
Honour our Sincere thanks for your Speech delivered to
us at the Opening of the Session
We thank you Sir, for your warm expressions of At
tachment and good disposition towards the Province, and
we readily perswade ourselves that the trust reposed in
you by his Majesty, your long residence amongst us, and
anxiety for our prosperity, will point out to your Honour
the most Salutary Steps necessary to be pursued at this
Important juncture —
We are Truly Sensible of the detriment that must arise
to our private affairs on Account of Meeting at this in
convenient Season, and nothing but the Welfare of our
Constituents could induce us to Neglect our private Con
cerns at this time, added to the Necessity we See of pro
ceeding upon business and Supporting the publick faith
we shall therefore endeavour to avoid every impediment
that can possibly arise to Obstruct these desirable ends
and postpone every matter that shall not appear imme
diately necessary, we Observe with pleasure the Account
your Honour hath received of the Satisfaction being Ob
tained from the Creek Indians for the Murder committed
330 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
by one of their people at Queensborough a Circumstance
which shews their peaceable disposition towards us —
When a State of the publick debts shall be laid before
us we will readily take into our Serious Consideration
what your Honour is pleased to recommend respecting
them. Ordered That Mr Speaker do sign the said Address
Ordered That Mr Young and Mr Hall do wait on
his Honour the President to know when he will be pleased
to receive the above Address
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare
and bring in an ordinance to appoint Benjamin Franklin
Esqr Agent to Solicit the Affairs of this Province in Great
Britain- Committed to Mr Jones and Mr Le Conte.
Ordered That all persons having any demands
against the publick do deliver their Accounts immediately,
properly attested, to the Clerk of this House —
Ordered That notice thereof be published in the Ga
zette — •
A Message from his Honour the President by the Clerk
of the Council — Council Chamber, 25'"- April, 1772
M' Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I am Extremely Sorry to find by your journals that
some very Exceptionable Minutes are entered I particu
larly mean your third Choice of Noble Wimberly Jones
Esqr as your Speaker, upon whom I had, Agreeable to
his Majesty's express directions, twice put a Negative,
and that your Choice of your present Speaker was only
APRIL, 1772. 331
in Consequence of his declining the Chair, if this Minute
is to Stand upon your Journals, I have no Choice left but
to Proceed to an immediate dissolution, I therefore desire
you will Come to a Present and Speedy determination to
recede from it, if you do, I shall with the most unfeigned
Satisfaction proceed to Business which you cannot but be
Sensible will be of the highest Advantage to the Province,
I shall expect your immediate answer to this Message,
that my conduct may be regulated by it, and shall for that
purpose remain in the Council Chamber. James Habersham
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House, to Consider of an answer to the said Mes
sage, and, Mr Speaker having resumed the Chair Mr
Ewen from the Committee Reported, that it was the
Opinion of the said Committee that a Committee be ap
pointed to draw up an address in Answer to his Honour
the President, and that a Message be sent to Acquaint his
Honour thereof — ¦
Ordered That Mr Le Conte Mr Bryan Mr Farley Mr
Inglis and Mr Jones, be a Committee to prepare the Same
Ordered That Mr Inglis and Mr Spalding do carry
the following Message to his Honour the President —
May it Please Your Honour
This House having taking into the Consideration your
Message of this day have appointed a Committee to meet
this Afternoon to draw up an Address in answer thereto,
which they doubt not will be Satisfactory.
They accordingly withdrew, and, being returned, Mr
Inglis Reported that they had waited on his Honour the
President, and he was Pleased to say he would be in the
332 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Council Chamber at Six O'Clock in the afternoon to re
ceive their Answer —
And then the House Adjourned until
five of the Clock afternoon
Mr Farley from the Committee appointed to draw up an
address in answer to his Honour the President's Message,
Reported, that they had agreeable to order, Prepared the
same, and was ready to make their Report when the
House Please to receive the Same —
Resolved That the Committee have leave to make
their Report —
Mr Farley accordingly read the said Address in his
Place, which was approved of, and is as follows —
To His Honour James Habersham Esqr President
and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Province
of Georgia, Chancellor, Vice Admiral, and Ordinary
of the Same
The Humble Address of the Commons House of
Assembly
May it please your Honour
We his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the
Commons of Georgia in General Assembly met, are very
unhappy to find, by your Message to us of this day, that
any Minutes entered in our Journals should be construed
by your Honour in a manner so very different from the
true intent and design of this House. Conscious we are
Sir, that our third Choice of Noble Wimberly Jones Esq1',
as our Speaker, was not in the least meant as disrespectful
to his Majesty or you his Representative, nor thereby
APRIL, 1772. 333
did we mean in infringe on the just Prerogative of the
Crown, We have Seriously reconsidered that particular
Minute which Seems to have given your Honour so much
Offence, and cannot Perceive wherein it is contrary to the
Strict mode of Parliamentary Proceeding, or repugnant
to any thing communicated to us by your Honour, We
were hopefull that no further impediment would have
arisen to retard the urgent business of the Publick, and
Still flatter ourselves that we may be Permitted to do that
Justice to our Constituents which they have a Right to
expect from us, and we do Sincerely assure your Hon
our that it is our hearty wish and desire to finish the
Business recommended to us by yon with all harmony and
dispatch —
Ordered That M1' Speaker do sign the said Address
Ordered That Mr Cochran and M1' Farley do wait on
his Honour the President to know when he will be At
tended therewith — ¦
They According!)' withdrew, and being returned Mr
Farley Reported, that they had waited on his Honour and
he was Pleased to say he would Let the house know in a
few Minutes — •
Motion being made, that this House do Pass a vote
of Credit, in order to Establish a Watch in the town of
Savannah, as a means to Protect (sic) from the danger of
fire, and other unhappy Consequences that May happen
to the Province in General from the want of such a
Watch, a debate arising thereon, the House divided, and
it Passed in the Negative —
A Message from his Honour the President by the Clerk
of the Council
334 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Speaker
His Honour the President desires the Attendance of
this House in the Council Chamber immediately.
Accordingly Mr Speaker with the house Attended his
Honour the President, and being returned Mr Speaker
reported, that he had Accordingly with the House waited
on his Honour and did deliver the Address, and then Mr
Speaker with the House withdrew —
A Message from his Honour the President by the Clerk
of the Council
Mr Speaker
His Honour the President desires the Attendance of
this House immediately
Accordingly Mr Speaker with the whole House, went to
attend his Honour in the Council Chamber and his Hon
our was Pleased to Dissolve the general Assembly —
Examined & Compared with the Original.
Rich" CuNBm Crooke C. D. C.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, 1 'ol. 48.)
The Journal of the proceedings of the Commons House
of Assembly of the Province of Georgia, at the first
Meeting of the Eighth General Assembly of the said
Province, convened at the Town of Savannah, on
Wednesday the Ninth Day of December, in the Year of
Our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Seventy Two,
by His Honour James Habersham, Esquire, President
and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Province of
Georgia, Chancellor, Vice Admiral, and Ordinary of ihe
same, for the time be'ng
DECEMBER, 1772. 335
The Clerk of the Council delivered to the Clerk of the
Commons House of Assembly, by Order of his Honour
the President, a commission, directed to Jonathan Bryan,
Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bulloch, and William
Young, Esquires, Elected and returned for the Town and
district of Savannah, the Clerk of the Council also deliv
ered the Several Writs of election upon which the repre
sentatives are elected and returned, together with the
Several Indentures from the Provost Marshal —
The Clerk of the Commons House of Assembly, after
having examined the several Indentures returned with
the Writs of election, read to the representatives present
the aforesaid Commission in the Words following, Viz —
[For transcript of Commission see ante Minutes of
Commons House 21s' April 1772.]
[This ends thus : — J
Given under my Hand and the great Seal of his Maj-
eesty's said Province of Georgia the Ninth day of Decem
ber, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand seven Hun
dred and seventy Two, and in the thirteenth Year of his
Majesty King George the Third
(L. S.) James Habersham
Secretarys Office.
By his Honour's Command
Thomas Moodie Dep. Sec.
The following Representatives being- met, Viz. Jona
than Bryan, Noble Wimberly Jones, Archibald Bulloch,
and William Young, Esquires, for the Town and district
of Savannah, David Zubly, Esquire, for the Village of
336 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Acton ; John Jamieson, Esquire, for the Town of Ver-
nonburg, in the Parish of Christ Church ; Henry Yong?,
Esquire, for the Islands of Wilmington, Skidaway, and
Green Island, in the Parish of Christ Church; Henry
Bourquin, Esquire for the district of Little Ogechee in
the Parish of Christ Church, William Le Conte, and
John Baker, Esquires, for the Parish of Saint Philip.
John Stirk, Esquire, for the Town and district of Eb
enezer, in the Parish of Saint Matthew, Benjamin An
drew, Josiah Powell, and Audley Maxwell, Esquires, for
Midway and Parish of Saint John; Sir Patrick Hous
toun, Bart, and Thomas Young, Esquire, for Darien
and Parish of Saint Andrew; William Jones, and John
Simpson, Esquires, for the Parish of Saint George;
James Houstoun, Esquire, for the parish of Saint James ;
Edward Barnard, Thomas Shruder, and Thomas Nether-
clift, Esquires,_ for Augusta and Parish of Saint Paul ;
Francis Brown, Esquire, for the Parish of Saint Patrick ;
proved themselves duly qualified to serve as representa
tives, according to the terms prescribed in and by an
Act of the General Assembly of this Province, passed the
29th day of June 1761, entitled an Act to ascertain the
Manner and form of electing Members, to represent the
Inhabitants of this Province in the Commons House of
Assembly, and then took the Oaths, and made and Sub
scribed the declaration, and took and Subscribed the
Oath of abjuration, and then took their Seats.
A Message from his Honor the president by the Clerk
of the Council.
Gentlemen, Plis Honour has directed me to deliver you the several
Writs of election which have been Issued for calling yoi
together, and the returns thereon made by the Provost
Marshal ; also a commission empowering- and requiring
DECEMBER, 1772. 337
Noble Wimberly Jones, Jonathan Bryan, Archibald Bul
loch, and William Young, Esquires, to qualify the Mem
bers who have been elected, by Administering the State
Oaths &c and, when that is done, the House have his
Honour's permission and direction to proceed to the
choice of a Speaker —
9th December 1772 Alex. Wylly, C: C.
In Consequence of his Honours Message the Members
present proceeded to the choice of a Speaker, and Sir
Patrick Houstoun, Bart and Noble Wimberly Jones,
Esquires, being Nominated, the Majority of Votes ap
pearing in favour of Noble Wimberly Jones, Esquire.
Resolved That Noble Wimberly Jones Esqr be
speaker and he was Accordingly conducted to the Chair
And then the Speaker Elect, at the desire of the Mem
bers present, adjourned them untill tomorrow Morning
Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday December 10, 1772
The House met according to Adjournment.
Stephen Millen, Esquire elected and returned for the
Town and district of Ebenezer, in the parish of Saint
Matthew, proved himself duly qualified to serve as a rep
resentative, According to the terms prescribed in and by
an Act of the General Assembly, of this Province, passed
the 29th day of June 1761, entitled an Act to Ascertain
the Manner and form of electing Members to represent
the Inhabitants of this Province in the commons House
of Assembly, and then took the Oaths, and made and
22 c r— vol 15
338 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Subscribed the declaration, and took and subscribed the
Oath of Abjuration and then took his seat as a Member
of this House.
Noble Wimberly Jones, Esquire, having been elected
Speaker, observed That this repeated Mark of approba
tion from the representatives of the Province in General
Assembly gives him the highest pleasure, beyond what he
is able to express, and is certain far exceeds his Abilities
to merit, and, if he has any claim thereto, it must proceed
from his integrity of heart, and resolution to support the
Liberties of his fellow Subjects, that can in the least
entitle him to it, and though this Instance would oblige
him in gratitude to do all in his power that the Province
could request, yet, as it would so very much interfere
with his private business, he trusts that the Gentlemen
will at this time indulge him in resigning the high office
which they have conferred upon him, but may depend on
his best endeavours in every other duty as a Member of
the House.
The Members Present then Proceeded to the choice of
another Speaker and Sir Patrick Houstoun, Bart and
William Young, Esquire, being Nominated, and the ma
jority of Votes appeared in favor of William, Young
Esquire. Resolved, that William Young, Esquire, be Speaker
and he was accordingly conducted to the Chair
Ordered That Mr Simpson and Mr Thomas Young
do wait on his Honour the President and Acquaint him,
that the Members had proceeded to the choice of a Speak
er, and desire to know when they shall attend his Honour
to Present him —
DECEMBER, 1772. 339
Accordingly they withdrew, and being returned report
ed, that his Honour was pleased to say that he would be
in the Council Chamber at four of the Clock this after
noon to receive the House with their Speaker —
Resolved that Peter Tondee be Messenger and Adam
Irick Door keeper of this House — ¦
And then the Speaker Elect, at the desire of the Mem
bers Present adjourned them untill half an hour after
three of the Clock afternoon —
A Message from his Honor the President by the Clerk
of Council
Gentlemen His Honour the President desires the Attendance of
this House, and is ready to receive the House, and is
ready to receive, the House in the Council Chamber im
mediately with their Speaker.
Mr Speaker with the House accordingly attended his
Honour the President and being Returned. Mr Speaker
informed the House, that he had desired his Honour
would be pleased to grant that the Commons House of
Assembly may have freedom of Speech as by right and
custom they have used, and all their ancient and just
Privilege and Liberties allowed to them, and that, in any
thing he may deliver in the Name of the House, if he
should commit any mistake ; it may not be imputed to the
House, but that he may resort again to> the House for a
true declaration of their intent, and meaning; and that,
as often as Necessity for his Majesty's Service and the
good of the Province shall require, he may, by direction
of the House, have free Access to' his Honour. To which
his Honour was pleased to Answer, that he would grant
the Assembly every Right and priyiledge that they usu-
310 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ally enjoyed, and which was in his power to grant them;
and that, whenever the Publick business should require,
he should have free Access to his person.
A Message from his Honour the President by the Clerk
of the Council.
Mr Speaker
I am ordered by his Honour the President to Acquaint
yon that he requires the attendance of the House in the
Council Chamber immediately —
Accordingly Mr Speaker, with the House, attended his
Honour, and being returned, Mr Speaker reported, that
he, with the House, had Accordingly attended his Hon
our, who was pleased to make a speech to both Houses,
of which Mr Speaker said he had, for fear of Mistakes
Obtain'd a Copy, which he read to the House, and is as
followeth, Viz'
[For transcript of Speech see Minutes of Upper House
10 Dec. 1772]
Savannah in Georgia council
Chamber, the io'h December 1772.
And then the House adjourned till nine
of the Clock tomorrow Morning.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday December 11, 1772
The House met according to adjournment
Resolved that not less than Eighteen Members and the
DECEMBER, 1772. 341
Speaker, shall proceed to any business except Issuing
Warrants and ordering letters to be Wrote to Members,
or any other person, that then and in that case, eight
Members and the Speaker shall have full power and au
thority for these purposes, and no other.
Resolved, nem, con, that an humble address of thanks
be presented to his Honour the President for his speech
delivered at the opening of the Session; that we are
truly Sensible of the Necessity of immediately entring
upon publick business : that we observe with pleasure the
progress of this colony towards wealth and importance,
and to thank his Honour for his repeated Assurances to
promote its Interest and prosperity: to permit us to de
clare that we meet him (as the representatives of a free
and truly loyal people) with hearts disposed to prove
their duty to their Sovereign, and regard to the interest of
this his province which we will endeavour to manifest
by a close application to the important matters by his
Honour recommended to our consideration : that we are
Sorry to observe that from the Accounts he has received
from the Treasurer, there should be any deficiency in the
tax collection for some time past, which plainly points
out the Necessity of an enquiry therein ; and that he may
be assured that the publick certificates now circulating
will be an object of our attention : that we will not fad
to take under our consideration the state of the publick
Goal in Savannah, and also that of fort George on the
Island of Cockspur, and the continuing and making such
Laws as shall appear Necessary for the good of the Prov
ince : that when a State of the publick Accounts are laid
before us we will Seriously consider what his Honour
recommends respecting them
Ordered That a committee be appointed to draw up
842 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
an address to be presented to his Honour the President
upon the said resolution, and a committee was appointed
Accordingly Ordered That his Honour's Speech be refered to the
said Committee.
Ordered, that a Committee of priviledges and elections
being appointed and a committee was appointed Accord
ingly, and they are to meet as often as there is Occasion,.
and they are to take into consideration all such matters
as may or shall come in question touching returns, elec
tions, and priviledges, and to proceed upon double returns
in the first place, and to report their Proceedings, with
their Opinion thereupon, to the House, from time to
time; and all persons who will question any returns are
to do it within fourteen Days next and so within fourteen
Days next after any new return shall be brought in ; and
the committee are to have power to send for persons,
papers, and records, for their information ; and Members
who are returned for two or more places are to' make
their election by this day Week for which of the places
they will serve, provided there be no question upon the re
turn for that Place : and if any thing shall come in ques
tion touching the return, election or matter of priviledge,
of any Member he is to withdraw during the time the mat
ter is in debate; and that all Members returned upon
double returns do withdraw till their returnes be deter
mined Committed to Dr Jones, Mr Simpson, Sir Patrick
Houstoun, Mr Andrew, Mr Le Conte, Mr Netherclift, and
Mr William Jones.
Resolved That this House will attend Mr Speaker to
divine Service on Sunday next.
Ordered, that Mr Simpson and Mr Thos Young do
wait on the Rev. Mr Lowten and Acquaint him there-
DECEMBER, 1772. 343
with, Accordingly they withdrew, and being returned,
Mr Simpson reported, that they had Waited on the Rev :
Mr Lowten, who was pleased to say that he would pre
pare a Sermon Accordingly
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to
amend an act, entitled, an Act, to ascertain the manner
and form of electing Members to represent the inhabi
tants of this Province in the Commons House of As
sembly, committed to Dr Jones, Mr Barnard, Mr Shruder,
Dr Houstoun, and Mr Thos Young.
Mr Jones, presented to the House the Petition of
Samuel Farley, Esqr Sitting forth, That, at an election,
held on the Island of Burnpot, on Monday the sixteenth
day of November last, for one Member to represent the
district of that part of the Parish of Christ Church com
monly called the Sea Islands, Henry Yonge, Jur Esqr
and the petitioner were Nominated candidates, who hav
ing taken the Oath prescribed by an Act of this Province,
Several freeholders residing in the said district presented
themselves to the returning officer, and requested their
Votes might be taken and entered on the poll for the
Petitioner, but the returning officer, notwithstanding the
said freeholders were willing to take the Oath agreeable
to the election Law, did absolutely refuse to receive them
unless they1 would be qualified by an Oath he at the same
time tendered differing from that directed by the said
Act, in manifest breach of the known rights and privi
ledges of election. And the petitioner further sheweth,
That, by reason of the refusal and non acceptance of the
said Voters in his favour, the 'Number entered on the
poll for the other candidate appears to exceed that of the
petitioner, who therefore prays this Honorable House
will take the premisses into consideration, and grant such
344 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
relief therein as to its Wisdom shall seem meet and the
petitioner shall pray. &c
Samuel Farley
December n'h 1772
Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the
committee of priviledges and elections
Mr Speaker received a Letter from Joseph Law Es
quire Elected and returned for the Parish of Saint Mary,
which being read,
Resolved that the same shall not be Admitted as a
sufficient excuse for his declining
Ordered that the Clerk do wright to Joseph Law,
Esqr to acquaint him that this House requires his attend
ance in person to declare his Intention.
Ordered that a committee be appointed to enquire
into such Laws that have expired, or are near expiring,
and also such laws as require amending and continuing,
and report their Oppinion thereon to the House, com
mitted to Mr Shruder Mr Stirk, Mr Baker, Mr Jamieson,
D1' Jones, Sir Patrick Houstoun, and Dy Houstoun.
Ordered, that the Clerk do wright to the absent Mem
bers to require their attendance immediately
Resolved that an Address lie presented to his Honour
fhe president, requesting that he will be pleased to Order
a Writ to be issued for electing a Member in the room
of John Baker, Esqr elected and returned for the Parish
of Saint Philip, and likewise for the Parish of Saint
Thomas, who made his election for the said Parish of
Saint Philip
DECEMBER, 1772. 345
Ordered that Mr Le Conte, and Mr Andrew do wait
on his Honour the president and present the same
Motion being made, that this House do pass a Vote
of Credit to enable and empower the Treasurer to issue
a Sum of Money, to pay a guard of Six men, to be estab
lished for one Month during the time of Christmas holli-
days for the protection of the publick offices and records
of this Province, and the question being put, it passed in
the Nagative And then the House adjourned until to
morrow Morning, nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday Decern1, 12"1 1772
The House met according to adjournment and then
Adjourned till Monday Morning Nine of the Clock —
''From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia., Vol 48.)
Commons House of Assembly, Monday Decr 14th 1772
The House met according to Adjournment.
Resolved that the Minutes of this House be inserted
weekly in the Gazette
Resolved. That the yeas and Nays be likewise in
serted either when the Members who make the Motion,
or the Majority of the Members present, shall think
proper Mr Speaker informed the House, that he, with the
House, did attend devine Service Yesterday, agreeable
to a resolution of the House, and that the Rev : Mr
346 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Lowten did Accordingly make a very Suitable discourse
upon the Occasion.
Resolved that the thanks of this House be given to
the Rev : Mr Lowten for his discourse delivered Yester
day Ordered that Mr Thomas Young, and Mr Netherclift
do acquaint him therewith
Mr Simpson, from the committee appointed to draw up
an Address to be presented to his Honour the president,
reported that the committee had drawn up an address
Accordingly, and were ready to make their report when
the House please to receive the same
Resolved that the committee have leave to make their
report Mr Simpson Accordingly read the same in his place,
and afterwards delivered it in at the Table, where the
same was again read, and ordered to be committed to a
committee of the whole House
The House resolved itself into a committee accord
ingly, and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair, and Mr Barnard, from the Commit
tee, reported they had taken the said Address into con
sideration, and made several Amendments thereto, and
he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered
the address, with the amendments, in at the Table, Where
the amendments were again read and agreed to by the
House, nem, con.
Ordered that the address with the amendments, be
engrossed .
DECEMBER, 1772. 347
The said Address being engrossed was read to the
House in the Words following Viz :
Georgia To his Honour James Habersham, Esquire Presi
dent and commander in Chief of his Majesty's said
Province, Chancellor, Vice Admiral, and Ordinary
of the same
The Humble Address of the Commons House of
Assembly.
May it please your Honour
We his Majesty's dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Com
mons of Georgia, in General assembly met, return your
Honour our sincere thanks for your affectionate Speech
delivered at the Opening of the Session.
We are truly, sensible of the Necessity of immediately
entering upon publick business We observe with pleasure
the progress of this Colony towards wealth and import
ance, and thank your Honour for your repeated Assur
ances to promote its interest and prosperity, permit us to
declare, that we meet you (as the representatives of a
free and truly Loyal people) with hearts disposed to
prove our duty to our Sovereign, and regard to the in
terest of this his Province, which we will endeavour to
manifast by a close application to the important Matters
by your Honour recommended to our consideration
We are sorry to observe that, from the Accounts you
have received from the Treasurer, there should be any
deficiency in the tax collected for some years past, which
plainly points out the necessity of an enquiry therein,
and you may be assured That the publick certificat.es now
circulating will be an object of our attention
348 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
We will not fail to take under our consideration the
state of the publick Goal in Savannah, and also that of
Fort George on the Island of Cockspur, and the continu
ing and making such laws as shall appear Necessary for
the good of the Province
When a state of the publick Accounts is laid before us
we will Seriously consider what your Honour recom
mends respecting them
Ordered that Mr Speaker do sign the same
Resolved that the said address be presented to his
Honour the president by the whole House
Ordered that Sir Patrick Houstoun, and Mr Barnard,
do know his Honour the presidents pleasure when he will
be attended by this House
Accordingly they withdrew, and being returned, re
ported, that they had attended his Honour and that he
was pleased to say he would be ready to receive the
House in half an hour
Mr Speaker with the House accordingly went to at
tend his Honour to present the Address of this House,
and being returned, reported, that he, with the House
had attended his Honour and presented their Address,
to which his Honour was pleased to give the following
answer Viz.
Mr Speaker and Gentl" of the Assembly
Accept of my hearty thanks for this Address the as
surance you give me for making the important Matters
I have recommended an Imediate object of your con
sideration must be highly pleasing to me ; and as it is my
duty, I can with truth say that my inclination coinsides
DECEMBER, 1772. 345*
to do every thing in my power to make the inhabitants.
of this Province an happy and flourishing people
James Habersham
Savannah 14th Decer 1772
Ordered that the Clerk do furnish the Printer with
a Copy of the address of this House to his Honour the
president, and also with a Copy of his Honours answer,
and that the same be Inserted in the Next Gazette.
And then the House adjourned till to
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 15th December 1772
The House met According to adjournment
Thomas Carter, Esqr elected and returned for the
Parish of Saint David, and Joseph Law, Esqr for the
Parish of Saint Mary, proved themselves duly qualified
to serve as representatives, According to the terms pre
scribed in and by an Act of the General Assembly of this
Province passed the 29th day of June 1761, entitled, an
Act to ascertain the Manner and form of electing Mem
bers to represent the inhabitants of this Province in the
commons House of Assembly, and then took the Oaths;
and made and Subscribed the declaration, and took and
subscribed the Oath of abjuration, and then took their
seats. Motion being made that leave be given to bring in
a Bill for the preservation of Deer and to prevent the
Mischiefs arrising from the practice of hunting and
killing Deer by Night, a debate arising thereon, the
350 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
House divided and it passed in the affirmative, the Mem
bers for the Motion were, Mr Simpson, Mr Netherclift,
Mr Jamieson, Sir Patrick Houstoun, Dr Houstoun, Mr
Henry Yonge, Mr Le Conte, Mr Maxwell, Mr Andrew,
Mr Shruder, Mr Stirk, Mr Millen, Mr William Jones,
Mr Baker, Mr Thomas Young, Mr Bourquin, Mr Powell,
and Mr Law, The Members against the Motion were,
Mr Brown, Mr Carter, Mr Bryan, Dr Jones, Mr Zubly,
and Mr Barnard.
Ordered that Mr Simpson, Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr
Thomas Young, Mr Netherclift, and Mr Le Conte, be a
committee to prepare and bring in the said Bill
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill, entitled,
an Act to empower the several commissioners or Sur
veyors hereafter named to lay out and make such publick
Roads, in the province of Georgia as aie herein after
mentioned and Directed, and to continue to work upon,
clair, and repair, and improve the several roads, already
laid out, and also the rivers and Creeks within their Sev
eral and respective Divisions, and that Sir Patrick Hous
toun, Mr Bryan Dr Jones Mr Carter, Mr Andrew, Mr
Thomas Young and Mr Baker do prepare and bring in
the same
Mr Le Conte from the committee appointed to wait o.i
his Honour the president with an address, requesting
that he will be pleased to Order a Writ to be issued in
the room of John Baker, Esqr elected and returned for
the Parish of Saint Philip, and also for the Parish of
Saint Thomas, and who made his election for the said
Parish of Saint Philip, reported, that they had Accord
ingly waited on his Honour, and presented the Address,
and he was pleased to say he would give Orders for that
purpose immediately
DECEMBER, 1772. 351
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday Decr 16th 1772
The House met according to Adjournment
Motion being made, that the House do' resolve itself
into a committee of the whole House to take under con
sideration the rules of the House Accordingly resolved
itself into a committe of the whole House and after some
time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed the Chair anu
Mr Shruder from the committee reported, that the com
mittee had drawn up several rules, which they directed
him to report to the House, and which he read in his
place and delivered it in at the Table
Resolved that the report of the said committee be
taken into consideration to morrow morning
And then the House adjourned untill
Tomorrow morning nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday Decer 17, 1772
The House met according to Adjournment
The order of the day being read, the House took
under* consideration the report of the said Committee
upon the said rules, and made some amendment there
unto, which amendments were agreed to by the House
Ordered that the said rules, with the amendments, be
engrossed And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow morning 9 of the Clock.
352 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday Decer 18th 1772
The House met accordingly to adjournment
Dr Jones, from the committee, of priviledges and elec
tions, reported, that they had Examined several Wit
nesses with respect to the Election of the sea Islands in
consequence of a petition from Samuel Farley, Esqr that
they are of Oppinion that the circumstances attending
the same are of so extraordinary a Nature that Nothing
they could do in the Matter would be conclusive, and
therefore recommended the consideration thereof to the
House Ordered that Mr Powell and Mr William. Jones do
wait on his Honour the president and request that his
Honour will be pleased to Adjourn the House till after,
the ensuing holidays; and Accordingly they withdrew
and being returned, Mr Powell reported, that they had
waited on his Honour the president agreeable to order,
and that, he was pleased to say that he would send for
the Clerk of the Council and have it done immediately
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a bill for the
better ordering of the Militia and that Mr Stirk, Mr
Zubly, Mr Carter, Mr Law, and Mr Jamieson be a Com
mittee to prepare and bring in the same
Resolved that the report of the committee of Privi
ledges and elections be taken into consideration theTwen-
tieth of January next
Ordered that Henry Yonge and Samuel Farley Esq™
do attend on that day with their respective Witnesses
JANUARY, 1773. 363
Ordered that the Clerk do Acquaint Henry Yonge,
and Samuel Farley Esq" therewith
Ordered that a. Committee be appointed to examine
into the Treasurer's Accounts, committee, Mr Simpson,
Mr Thomas Young, Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Nether
clift, Mr Shruder, Dr Jones, Mr Zubly, and Mr Bryan,
A Message from his Honour the presedent by the
Clerk of the Council
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assembly
until Monday the 18th day of January next, then to meet
for the dispatch of business, and it is Accordingly ad
journed to the said 18th day of January next, Given
under my. Hand, at Savannah, 18th day of December,
1772
James Habersham
To the Honourable the Speaker and Members
of the commons House of Assembly —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Commons House of Assembly, Monday January 18th
1773-
The House met according to Adjournment
Archibald Bulloch, Esquire, elected and returned for
the Town and district of Savannah, in the Parish of
Christ Church, appeared, and did in person decline taking
his seat
Ordered that an Address be presented to his Honour
23 0 r— vol 15
364 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the president, requesting that he w;ll be pleased to Order
a writ to be issued for the electing of a Member for the
Town and district of Savannah in the Parish of Christ
Church, in the room of Archibald Bulloch, Esqr who has
declined Serving
The said Address being prepared was read and agreed
to by the House
Ordered, that Mr Zubly, and Mr Le Conte do wait on
his Honour to present the said address.
Motion being made, that the committee appointed to
examine the Treasurer's Account may also be Ordered
to examine the Accounts of the commissioners of the
Loan office
Ordered that the Committee do examine into the said
Accounts and make their report thereon to the House.
The House being informed that the Clerk of the
Crown and peace attended at the door, he was called in,
and at the bar of the House delivered in Several papers,
entitled, The presentments of the Grand Jury for Decern-.
ber Sessions 1770, June and December Sessions 1771
and June and December Sessions 1772
OrdEREd that the said papers do lie upon the table
to be perused by the Members of the House
And then the House adjourned until
nine of the Clock tomorrow morning.
JANUARY, 1773. 355
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday, January 19th 1773
The House met According to Adjournment
Ordered that Mr Speaker do issue his warrant to take
into custody Isaac Young, Esqr elected and returned for
the district of Goshen, in the Parish of Saint Matthew,
he not appearing, or any excuse offered for his non at
tendance Ordered that the Clerk do write to the absent Mem
bers to require their immediate attendance
Mr Simpson from the committe appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill, entitled, an Act for the preservation
of Deer, and to prevent the Mischiefs Arising from the
practice of hunting and killing Deer by Night, reported
that they had prepared the same, which was received and
read the first time, and Ordered to be read. a Second time
Mr Le Conte appointed to wait on his Honor the
president with an address, to request that he would be
pleased to give orders tor issuing a Writ of election for
the town and district of Savannah, in the room of Archi
bald Bulloch, Esqr who declined Serving, reported that
he, with Mr Zubly, had, accordingly to order, waited on
his Honour the president, who was pleased to say he
would give Order for that purpose immediately
Motion being made for leave to bring in a Bill for
Ihe relief of Parishes from such charges as may arise
from bastard Children, a debate, Arising thereon, and
the question being put it passed in the Nagative, the Mem
bers for the Motion were: Mr Andrew, Mr Baker, Mr
Stirk and Mr Powell, the members against the Motion
356 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
were: Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Thomas Young, Mr
Simpson, Mr Shruder, Dr Houstoun, Mr Brown, Mr
Carter, Mr Millen, Mr Le Conte, Mr Jamieson, Mr Henry
Yonge, Mr Bourquin, Mr William Jones, and Mr Max
well. Motion being made for leave to bring in a bill to-
Declare an Act of Parliament of Great Britain, made in
the 24th year of the reign of his late Majesty KingGeorge
the second, entitled an Act for rendering Justices of the
peace more Safe in the execution of their office, and for
indemnifying Constables and others Acting in Obedience
to their Warrants, of force in this Province, a debate
arising thereon, the House, devided, and it passed in the
Affirmative, The members for the Motion were: Mr
Simpson, Mr Thomas Young, Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr
Bourquin, Dr Houstoun Mr Baker, Mr Shruder, Mr
Yonge, Mr William Jones, Mr Jamieson, Mr Stirk, Mr
Carter, Mr Powell, and Mr Brown, The Members against
the Motion were Mr Le Conte, Mr Andrews, Mr Max
well, and Mr Millen,
Ordered That leave be given to bring in the said
Bill, and that Mr Shruder, Mr Jamieson, Mr Thomas
Young, Sir Patrick Houstoun, and Mr Simpson, do Pre
pare and bring in the same.
And then the House adjourned until to
morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday, Jany 20. 1773
The House met according to Adjournment
John Adam Treutlen, Esqr elected and returned for the
JANUARY, 1773. 357
Town and district of Ebenezer, in the Parish of Saint
Matthew, proved himself duly qualified to serve as a
Representative, according to the terms prescribed in and
by an Act of the General assembly of this Province,
passed the 29th day of July 1761, entitled, an Act to
ascertain the Manner and form of electing Members to
represent the inhabitants of this Province in the Com
mons House of Assembly, and then took the Oaths, and
made and subscribed the declaration, and took and sub
scribed the Oath of Abjuration, and then took his Seat
A petition from Thomas Burton was presented and
read, Setting forth, That the petitioner, having purchased
a Tract of Land in the Parish of Saint George, and made
a Settlement thereon with an intention to reside in the
Province: that the petitioner farther begs leave to in
form the House that he had, at a considerable expence
and trouble, provided himself with proper Boats, and
laid out a rode through the Swamp, of a Mile and a
half in length, on the Opposite side of the River in South
Carolina which travellors may at any time (except in a
very extraordinary high Fresh, and then by carrying
them about half a Mile's distance only) be conveyed from
this to the Neighbouring Province in a more expeditious
manner than any hitherto fallen upon or established : the
petitioner therefore prays the Honourable House to take
the premises under consideration, and be pleased to estab
lished a ferry from his said plantation, in Saint George's
Parish, to the opposite side in South Carolina, and vest
the same in the Petitioner for such a Number of Years
as the House shall think proper : and the petitioner shall
pray &°
The order of the day being read, Ordered, that the
petition of Samuel Farley, Esqr be read. Samuel Farley
Esq was then heard, in Support of his Petition, the re-
358 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
turning Officer was then called in and examined, and
being directed to withdraw, Samuel Farley, Esqr was
again heard, Henry Yonge, Esqr was then heard, a Wit
ness was was then called in and examined, with respect
to his qualification, and being directed to withdraw, an
other witness was called in and examined who was like
wise directed to withdraw, Another witness was then
called and examined and afterwards directed to with
draw, another Witness was then examined, and being
directed to withdraw, another was called in and examined,
and he being directed to withdraw, the House resolved
that the further consideration of the Order of the day
be postponed until tomorrow Morning
Ordered that Mr Shruder, Mr Netherclift, Mr Andrew,
and Mr Le Conte, be a committee to go down to Tybee
Island to examine the light House, and report their Op-
pinion whether the same is compleated in a proper man
ner so as to answer the purposes intended
The House being informed that Isaac Young, Esqr in
custody of the Messenger of this House attended at the
door, he was accordingly, called in.
Ordered that Isaac Young, Esqr be discharged upon
paying his fees, Then Isaac Young, Esqr elected and re
turned for the district of Goshen in the Parish of Saint
Matthew, proved himself duly qualified to serve as a
representative, according to the terms prescribed in and
by an Act of the General Assembly of this Province
passed the 29th day of June 1761, entitled an Act to as
certain the manner and form of electing Members to
represent the inhabitrnts of this Province in the com
mons House of Assembly and then took the Oaths, and
JANUARY, 1773. 359
made and Subscribed the declaration, and took and Sub
scribed the Oath of Abjuration, and then took his Seat
And then the House adjourned until to
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday Jany 21st 1773.
The House met according to Adjournment
The House, according to Order, took into further con
sideration the Order of the Day on the report of the
committee of priviledges and elections with respect to the
election of the sea Islands.
Motion being made that the House do determine
whether William Oldis had a Legal Vote for a represen
tative, at an election held on burnpot Island in November
last, for the Islands of Wilmington, Skidaway, Tybee,
and Green Island.
Resolved that it appears to the House that the vote of
the said William Oldis is not legal
Motion being likewise made, that the House do deter
mine, whether Thomas Ellis had a legal Vote for a
representative, at an election held on Burnpot Island in
November last, for the Islands of Wilmington, Skidaway,
Tybee, and Green Island
Resolved that it appears to the Plouse that the Vote
of the said Thomas Ellis is not legal
Motion being made, that the House will Determine
whether the election for the sea Islands be deemed an
360 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
undue election, as it appeared that the returning officer,
refused the Votes of Several persons that were entitled
to Vote within the district, agreeable to the meaning of
the Writ and Custom for many Years past, a debate
arising thereon, the House divided, and it passed in the
affirmative, the Members for the motion were, Mr Isaac
Young, Mr Bakery Mr Carter, Mr Brown, Mr Millen,
Dr Jones, Mr Zubly, Mr Treutlen, Mr d^k'111 Jones>
Mr Maxwell, Mr Le Conte, Mr Bourquin,^r Andrew,
and Mr Stirk, the Members against the Motion were:
Dr Houstoun, Mr Simpson, Mr Netherclift, Mr Jamieson,
Mr Shruder, Sir Patrick Houstoun, and Mr Thomas
Young Ordered that Mr Thomas Young, Mr Simpson, Mr
William Jones, Mr Stirk, and Mr Isaac Young, be added
to the committee appointed to go down to Tybee Island
to examine the light House, and report their Oppinion
whether the same is compleated in a proper manner so
as to answer the purposes intended
The House being informed that a Vessell had arrived
from Philadelphia with a person on board infected with
the small pox, and that the said Vessell was now lying
of the Trustees Gardens
Ordered that an Address be presented to his Honour
the president, to request his Honour to enforce the Ouar-
antain Law, in that case made and provided, in such
Manner that the impending danger of that distemper's
being Spread may be prevented as far as it can by all
legal precautions.
Which address being prepared and read was agreed -c
Qp.dEREd that Mr Speaker do Sign the same.
JANUARY, 1773. 361
Ordered that Mr Shruder, and Mr Simpson, do wait
on his Honour the president with the said Address, ac
cordingly they withdrew, and being returned Mr Shruder
reported, that they had, agreeable to Order Waited on his
Honour the president with the address, who was pleased
to say, that he would send the House an Answer tomor-
OrderEd that an Address be presented to his Honour
the president to request him to issue a Writ for electing
of a Member for the sea Islands in the Parish of Christ
Church in the room of Henry Yonge Junr Esqr whose
election was resolved to be undue
Ordered that Mr Simpson and Mr Zubly do wait on
his Honour the president with the said Address
A Message from his Honour the president by the
Clerk of the Council
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly
In answer to your Message of the evening, respecting
a Vessell which arrived a few Days since from Philadel
phia, having a person on board infected with the Small
pox, and that the said Vessell is yet lying off the Trus
tees Gardens ; as it is apprehended contrary to the law in
that case made and provided and requesting me to put in
force (he Quarantain law in such manner as to prevent
as far as may be, the impending danger that may be ap
prehended from the Spreading of the said disorder in
this Province, I acquaint you, that I have taken every
Step in my power, agreeable to the law referred to in
your Message, to prevent the evils you dread from falling
on the inhibantants of this Town in particular and the
Province In General, and that nothing but contrary
362 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Winds, bad weather and Other unavoidable circumstances
could possibly have prevented the Vessell, and all the
persons which arrived in her being removed so far from
Savannah as to render it almost impossable that any in
fection could be communicated
James Habersham
Savannah 21s' Jan7 1773
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow morning nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday Jan7 22d 1773.
The House met According to adjournment
Resolved that if Edward Barnard, Esqr a Member
of this House, does not attend his duty in the House on
Monday next, that the Speaker's Warrant shall be issued
to take the said Edward Barnard into the custody of the
Messenger of this House
Mr Simpson, appointed to wait on his Honour the
president with an Address, requesting him to Issue a
Writ for electing a Member for the Sea Islands in the
Parish of Christ Church in the room of Henry Yonge
Esqr whose election was resolved to be undue, reporte,
that he with Mr Zubly, had waited on his Honour, and
who was pleased to Say, he would give Orders for that
purpose immediately.
OrdErEd that the Minutes of the commitee of cor-
respondance be laid before the House : which were Ac
cordingly presented to the House and read; and then
Noble Wimberly Jones, Esq1 read to the House para-
JANUARY, 1773. 363
graph's of several Letters he had received from Mr Frank
lin the late Agent, during, the interval Occasioned by the
late dissolutions
Ordered that leave be given to bring in an Ordinance
for reappointing Benjamin Franklin Esq1 Agent to
solecite the affairs of this Province in Great Britain.
Ordered that Dr Jones, Mr Simpson, Mr Le Conte,
Mr Zubly and Mr William Jones do prepare and bring in
the same.
Mr Thomas Young from the committee appointed to
prepare and bring in a bill, intitled, An Act, to declare an
Act of Parliament made in the twenty fourth Year of
the reign of his late Majesty King George the second,
entitled, an Act for rendering the Justices of the peace
more safe in the execution of their Office, and for en-
demnifying Constables and Others Acting in Obedience
to their Warrants of force in this Province, reported,
that they had prepared the same, which was received and
read the first time, and Ordered to be read a Second time.
Dr Jones from the committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a bill for the better Ordering the Militia, re
ported, that they had prepared the same, which was re
ceived and read the first time, and Ordered to be read
a Second time
Ordered that all persons having "Demands against the
Publick do deliver in their Accounts, properly attested,
to the Clerk of this House, on or before the 15"1 Feb
ruary next
Ordered that notice thereof be published in the next
Gazette
364 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Resolved that if Jonathan Bryan Esq1" a Member of
this House, does not attend his duty in the House on
Monday 'Next, that the Speakers Warrant be issued to
take the said Jonathan Bryan into the custody of the
Messenger of this House
And then the House adjourned until
Monday Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Commons House of Assembly Monday January 25'11
^77 3
The House met According to adjournment and then
Adjourned until tomorrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday Jany 26th 1773
George Baillie, Esqr elected and returned for the
Parish of Saint Thomas, appeared, and did in person de
cline taking his seat
Ordered that an Address be presented to his Honour
the president to request him to Order a Writ to be issued
for the electing of a Member in the room of George Bail-
lie, Esqr elected and returned for the Parish of Saint
Thomas who declined Serving.
Ordered that Mr Thomas Young and Sir Patrick
Houstoun do wait on his Honour the president with the
said Address they Accordingly withdrew, and being re
turned, Mr Young reported that they had Accordingly
JANUARY, 1773. 366
waited on his Honour who was pleased to say he would
give Orders for that purpose immediately
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a bill to As
certain and regulate the ffees of publick Officers, and also
the fees of other persons therein mentioned and that Mr
Le Conte, Mr William Jones, Mr Andrew, Mr Shruder,
and Mr Simpson do prepare and bring in the same
The Petition of Thomas Ross was presented to the
House and read Setting forth : that the petitioner acted
as Cryer to the General Court and Court of Sessions of
Oyer and Terminer and General Goal delivery and also
as Tipstaff to the Justices of the said Courts, and keeper
of the Court House in Savannah from the 15"1 day of
August 1771, as appears by his Commission; and that,
as the business of the said Courts has lately much en-
creased, the petitioner has Sustained great loss by his
attendance to them; and that the fees appointed by his
Excellency the Governor in Council to be taken and re
ceived by the Cryer of the Supreme Courts though duly
paid, have been inadequate to' his attendance; he there
fore prays that the House will take his case into consid
eration and grant him such Salary for his trouble and
attendance as the House shall think proper —
Ordered that the said Petition do lie upon the table to
be perused by the Members of the House
A bill entitled an Act for the preservation of deer, and
to prevent the Mischiefs, arising from the practice of
hunting and killing Deer by Night, was read the second
time, and ordered to be committed to a committee of the
whole House
The House immediately resolved itself into a Com
mittee and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker re-
366 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
sumed the Chair, and Sir Patrick Houstoun, from the
committee, reported, they had taken the said Bill into
consideration, gone through the same, and made Several
Amendments thereto, Which the committee had directed
him to report to the Blouse
Ordered that the report of the said committee be re
ceived to morrow morning
Ordered that Mr Speaker do issue his Warrant, agree
able to a resolution of the House on the 22a instant,
to take into custody Edward Barnard, Esqr, a Member
of this House, Mr Speaker did Accordingly issue his War
rant agreeable to Order.
And then the House Adjourned until to
morrow morning nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday Jan7 27th 1773
The Blouse met according to adjournment
The House being informed that Edward Barnard Esqr
against whom the Speakers warrant was issued yesterday,
was prevented from Attending the House by an indis
position, Ordered, that the said warrant be withdrawn
A petition of Several of the inhabitants of the parish
of Saint Andrew was presented to the House and read
setting forth ; that a dispute had for some time Subsisted
between the inhabitants of Saint John and SaintAndrew's
Parishes Owing to the commissioners of the Roads for
Saint John refusing to Join their Road at the Bridge
built over South Newport River by the Petitioners,
JANUARY, 1773. 367
which leaves the Space of about three quarters of a
Mile of Swamp upon the parish line between the two
Rodes undetermined though many of the petitioners have
proposed to terminate the dispute by working Jointly
upon that part of the rode, the want of which entirely
cuts off the communication with the Nothern parts of
the Province; and the petitioners being informed that a
New Road Bill is now depending in the Honourable
House, they therefore pray that a clause may be inserted
in the said bill to oblige the inhabitants of this Province,
of Saint John's Parish, to make twelve feet wide of the
rode now in dispute upon the parish line for the whole
distance and the inhabitants of this parish to make the
other twelve feet, before any Other roades are worked
upon, and the petitoners, as in duty bound will ever pray
Ordered that the said petition be taken under consid
eration of the House next Monday Se'nnight
Sir Patrick Houstoun, (according to Order) from the
Committee of the whole House, to whom the bill, en
titled, an Act for the preservation of Deer, and to prevent
the Mischiefs arising from the practice of hunting and
killing Deer by Night, reported, that they had taken the
same into consideration, and Made several amendments
thereto which he read in his place, and afterwards deliv
ered the bill, with the amendments, in at the Table where
the amendments were read and agreed to by the House
Resolved, that the title of the said bill shall be, a bill,
entitled, an Act to prevent the Mischiefs arising from the
practice of hunting with fire and killing Deer by Night
Ordered that the bill with the amendments be en
grossed Dr Jones from the committee appointed to prepare and
368 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
bring in an ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Frank
lin, Esqr agent to solicit the affairs of this Province in
Great Britain, reported, they had prepared the Same,
which was received and read the first time and ordered to
be read a Second time.
Mr Le Conte, from the committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a bill to Ascertain and regulate the fees of
the Publick officers, also fees of other persons therein
mentioned, reported, They had prepared the same, whicn
was read the first time and Ordered to be read a Second
time and then the House adjourned until to
Morrow morning nine of the Clock — •
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday Jan7 28, 1773.
The house met according to adjournment
An ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Franklin,
Esqr agent to Solicit the affairs of this Province in Great
Britain, was read the second time
Ordered that the said Ordinance be committed to a
committee of the whole House
The House immediately resolved itself into a committee
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr Shruder from the committee, reported,
they had taken the said Ordinance into consideration, gone
through the same and made an amendment thereto, which
the committee directed him to report to the House and
he read the report in his place, and afterwards delivered
JANUARY, 1773. 36'?
the Ordinance with the amendment, in at the table, where
the amendment was read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that the Ordinance with the amendment be
engrossed Motion being made for leave to bring in an ordinance
to appoint the Honourable Grey Elliott, Esqr to be the
Provincial agent in Great Britain in case of Mr Frank
lin's absence from Great Britain a debate arising thereon
and the question being put, it passed in the affirmative
the Members for the Motion were Mr Simpson, Mr Millen,
Mr Stirk, Mr Law, Mr Netherclift, Dr Houstoun, M1"
Thomas Younge, M1' Andrew, Sir Patrick, Houston Mr
Shrewder, Mr Isaac Young, Mr William Jones, Mr Jamie
son, M1' Carter, and Mr Barnard the Members against the
Motion were Dr Jones, Mr Bryan, Mr Zubly and Mr Le
Conte Ordered that Mr Simpson, Mr Netherclift, Mr Shruder,
Sir Patrick Houstoun, and Mr Carter do prepare and
bring in the same.
Mr Speaker informed the House that he would on
Monday next offer for a third reading, an ordinance for
reappointing Benjamin Franklin, Esq' agent to Solecit
the affairs of this Province in Great Britain, and also
a bill entitled an Act to prevent the Mischiefs arising
from the practice of hunting wi;h fire and killing Deer by
Night— a bill for the better ordering of the Militia was read a
Second time and then the House adjourned until to
morrow Morning nine of the Clock.
-vol 15
Sftf JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday Jan7 29 1773
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed until Monday Morning nine of the Clock —
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Commons House of Assembly, Monday Feb7 Is' 1773.
An ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Franklin
Esq1" agent to Solicit the affairs of this Province in Great
Britain was read the third time
Resolved, nem. con. that the said Ordinance do pass.
Ordered that Mr Le Conte do cany the same to the
upper House and desire their concurrence thereto
A bill, entitled, an Act to Prevent the Mischiefs arising
from the Practice of hunting with fire, and killing deer
by Night was read the third time
Resolved that the said bill do pass.
Ordered that Mr Thomas Young do carry the same
to the upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto.
Mr Netherclift from the committee appointed to go
down to Tybee Island to examine the light House, and
report their Opinion Whether the same is compleated in
a Proper Manner so as to answer the purpose intended
reported that they had, agreeable to Order, gone down
to Tybee Island, and that they had come to the following
resolutions, Viz'
Resolved that it is the Opinion of the committee, after
FEBRUARY, 1773. 371
having carefully reviewed and examined the light House,
on Tybee Island, that the same is fully and compleatly
finished agreeable to the contract entered into by the
commissioners with John Mullryne, Esq1
Resolved that it is the Opinion of this committee that
they cannot in Justice to the undertaker, omit to observe,
that the foundation is made upwards of four feet in di
ameter more, and the House, included the Spire and ball,
many feet higher than contracted for,
Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Committee that
the meterials appear to them to be of the very be.-t
-quality Resolved that it is the Opinion of this committee that
upon the whole, the publick has had the most punctual
Justice done by Mr Mullryne in the erection of the
"Same Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Committee that
it will effectually answer the purpose intended, as well
for a Land Mark as a leading mark over the bar
Resolved that it is the Opinion of this committee that
it will be necessary to cut down a few more trees to the
westward and Southward in order to render it more con
spicuous Resolved that it is the Opinion of this committee th'.t
the same be recommended to the commissioners of the
pilotage to consider of and get effected
The House resolved itself into a committee to take
into consideration a bill for the better ordering the
Militia, and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair, and Mr Barnard, from the committee
reported that they had taken the said bill into considera-
372 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE/
tion, and made some progress therein, and he was di
rected by the committee to move for leave to sit again
Ordered that the committee have leave to sit again.
and then the House adjourned until Nine
of the Clock tomorrow morning
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday Feb7 2a 1773
The House met according to adjournment
*
The House resolved itself into a committee to take into
further consideration a bill for the better Ordering the
Militia, and, after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair, and Mr Barnard from the committee
reported that they had taken the said bill into further con
sideration gone through the same, and made several
amendments thereto, which he read in his place, and
afterwards delivered the bill with the amendments in at
the Table, where the same were again read and agreed to
by the House, except the first
Ordered that the said bill with the Amendments, De
engrossed And then the House adjourned until to-
morrow morning nine of the Clock
FEBRUARY, 1773. 373
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday Feb7 3rd 1773
The House met according to adjournment
a petition from Thomas Morgan was presented to the
House and read setting forth : that the petitioner is in
formed that Thomas Burton of the parish of Saint
George, planter, hath made application to the Hon"'*
House, for establishing a ferry from his plantation .n
the said parish, and to vest the same in him for such Num
ber of Years as the House shall think proper, the peti
tioner therefore begs leave to acquaint the House, that
the land on which the said Thomas Burton resides
formerly belonged to the petitioner, and, at the time of
the sale thereof, he did reserve to himself five Acres out
of the said Tract, as being a very proper and convenient
place for the purpose of conveying persons from this to
the Neighboring province, and, although the same is not
confirmed, by law yet Travellers have been for some
time past accommodated there, and is well known by the
name of duns ferry : The petitioner therefore prays that
if the House are of Opinion with him that establishing a
ferry at the place above mentioned will be of publick
utillity, that the same may be vested in the petitioner
and his assigns for any Number of years the House ia
their wisdom shall think fit, and if Necessary that the
petitioner may be heard in the premises
Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the members of this House
A bill, entitled, an Act to ascertain and regulate pub
lick officers fees, and also the fees of other persona
herein after mentioned was read a second time, and Or-
374 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
dered to be committed to a committee of the whole
House
A bill, entitled, an Act to empower commissioners or
Surveyors to lay out, make, and repair the Roads already
laid out, or may hereafter be necessary, and also to clear
the rivers and Creeks within their respective Divisions,
was read a Second time, and ordered to be committed to
a committee of the whole House
A petition, signed, by the officers and men of the
Granadier Company, was presented to the House and
read, Setting forth thai the petitioners have been consti
tuted by commission from his Honour the president, and
have at much trouble acquired a proper exercise: that
they have been always ready and willing to turn out upon
duty whenever there was the least probabili.y of danger
in the Town, and have sent to England at a very great
expence for Necessary Cloaths and Accoutrements, which
they daily expect : And the petitioners humbly conceive
that they would be the better able to serve the Province
upon any alarm of danger or other emergency, if they
were incorporated and exempt from some particular du
ties. The petitioners therefore humbly pray the said
company may be incorporated, and such privileges grantepl
them as may the better encourage and enable them to
serve the Province, and particularly that they may be ex
empted from serving the office of Constable; and the
petitioners will ever pray &°
Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of this House
and then the House adjourned until to-
J .- morrow morning nine of the Clock.
FEBRUARY, 1773. 375
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday Feb7 4th 1773
The House met according to adjournment and then
adjourned until tomorrow morning nine of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Commons house of assembly, Monday Feb7 8tb 1773
A petition from Several of the inhabitants of Saint
John's Parish was presented to the House and read Set-
tnig forth : That by the first Road Act passed in this
Province, a road was ordered to be laid out, and made
from Savannah to the Southern Boundary of this Prov
ince, to be carried on in such order as that every South
ern parish or district should begin their part of the same
where the adjoining northern parish ended, and which
order was followed till interrupted by Saint Andrews
Parish that the petitioners being desirous to accommodate
their Neighbours in the best Manner had appointed a
day and place to meet the commissioners of Saint An
drews to consult with them which way they chose the
road should be laid out. That the commissioners of the
said parish of Saint Andrew refused to meet, and that
then the commissioners of Saint John's employed a Sur
veyor to run a traverse to the plantation of Capt" John
McIntosh near Sapelo Bridge, by which means they were
enabled to open an easier communication with Savannah,
but that the inhabitants of Saint Andrews parish, refus
ing to Join the inhabitants of Saint John's obtained an
Act of assembly compelling the inhabitants of the said
parish of Saint John to carry their road to Hasting's
line which was disapproved of by the Commissioners of
376 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the said parish of Saint John, who adjudged it too dif
ficult to be accomplished : the petitioners notwithstand
ing opened the road near the said line and threw up s
very considerable part thereof : and that the inhabitant'--,
of Saint Andrew by another application to the House >f
Assembly, had instead of getting one communication, as
the law directed, obtained two, the one to the westward,
and the other to the eastward : that the inhabitants of
Saint Andrew's did again alledge that neither of these
roads gave them a proper communication with Savannah,
(though directed by themselves) and by another applica
tion, obtained a Middle road to be made by the petitioners :
by which means the parish of Saint John is burthened in
the Southern part of it with three publick roads for the
use of the parish of Saint Andrew : and as the said
parish of Saint Andrew do again petition that the com
missioners may be compell'd to make more roads for them
the petitioners therefore humbly pray that no other bur
then of the like Nature may be laid upon them for the
use of the said inhabitants of the parish of Saint Andrew
on whose account they have already suffered considera
bly, and the petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever
pray &c
Then the house proceed to consider the order of the
day, and the above recited petition, and Motion being
made, that a clause may be insterted in the road bill 10
oblige the inhabitants of the parishes of Saint Andrew
and Saint John to make and keep in, repair, by their
Joint labour, that part of the road which remains un
opened between the Two parishes on the lower road
and is on the line dividing the above parishes, a debaie
arising thereon, the House divided and it passed in the
Nagative A petition of Several of the freeholders and inhabitants
of the parish of Saint Andrew was presented to the
FEBRUpVRY, 1773. 377
House and read, Setting forth: That the petitioners
Laboured under Several grievances from the large ex-^
tent of their parish and the badness of the roads occa
sioned thereby: the petitioners therefore have thought
proper to lay before the House a state of the Several roads
in the said parish, and pray that the Plouse will take
under consideration the several grievances, particularly
that part of the road from Sapelo to Darien, which they
look upon to be of no benefit of their parish and the
petitioners do request that it be entirely set aside, and
another laid out from Sapelo to the meeting House H
the said parish, and from thence to the river road near
Cathead: the petitioners also pray that their parish mny
be laid out in different divisions and Districts and that
line be run parallel with their parish line by the above
mentioned Meeting House : and likewise that a line be
run from the East side of the plantation of William Le
Conte Esqr to the Alatamaha, near Mr Lewis's Old place,
agreeable to a plan presented to a former House, and the
petitioners will ever pray &c
Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
A petition from Peter Tondee and Joseph Dunlap was
presented to the House and read, Setting forth : that
in the Year 1765 the petitioners were employed, to build
a Two Story brick House for the purpose of holding the
General Courts of this province under the direction of
the commissioners appointed to contract for the same, an
estimate of which amounting to £450.. 19.. 6 was laid
before the said commissioners that the petitioners having
made now a calculation of the work done find themselves
great losers thereby the calculation made by measurement
amounting at the lowest rate to £595.. o.. o in conse
quence of which there appears a loss much grater than
37,8 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the petitioners can bear: the petitioners therefore pray
the House will take the premises under consideration,
and grant such farther Allowance as in their wisdom
shall seem meet, and that one of the petitioners may be
permitted to explain the matter to the House : the peti
tioners further set forth, that there is still a considerable
ballance due them, exclusive of any additional allowance
this House may please to grant, the want of which oc
casions the petitioners to labour under many hardships,
a state of which the petitioners have annexed hereunto;
the petitioners further observe, That a petition of the
same import with the present was delivered to the com
mons House of Assembly the 17th December, 1770, but
as that House was dissolved there could be no provision
made for the petitioners : they therefore pray the House
will take the whole under consideration, and the peti
tioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray &''
Ordered that the said pe.ition do lie on the Table to
be perused by the Members of the Blouse
a message from the upper House by their Clerk : that
the upper House had agreed to the Ordainance for re
appointing Benjamin Franklin, Esqr agent to Solicit the
affair^ of this Province in Great Britain with an amend
ment; and that they have also agreed to the bill, entitled
an act to prevent the Mischiefs arising from the practice
of hunting with fire, and killing Deer by Night, with
several Amendments, to which amendments they desire
the concurrence of this House
And then the House adjourned until
nine of the Clock to morrow Morning—-
FEBRUARY, 1773. 379
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday Feb7 9th 1773
The House met according to adjournment
A petition of Hugh Kennedy was presented to the
House and read Setting forth : that about two Years ago.
an Act passed a former House of Assembly to establish
a ferry over Savannah River in Saint Matthews Parish,
and to vest the same in the petitioner, the petitioner has
since made a Road from that of Augusta to Savannah
river convenient for Carriages, and also cut a canal from
the river to the high Land ; the petitioner therefore prays
that the House will establish a ferry, and vest it in the
petitioner in the same manner as the ferry Opposite to
the petitioner has been established by the province of
South Carolina, and that the Road now cut out may be
kept in repair by the parish, and the petitioner will pray
&° Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the table to
be perused by the Members of the House.
A petition from several of the inhabitants of Saint
Matthew's parish was also presented to the House and
read setting forth : that they are informed a publick ferry
is to be established opposite the two Sisters on Savannah
River, and a publick road leading thereto to be laid out
through the Land of Hugh Kennedy, the swamp of which
is upwards of a Mile wide and very deep ; and as the
petitioners are weak Handed, and even not able to put
the publick Roads already laid out in such proper Manner
as they ought to be, and likewise the river for the con-
veniency of boats and rafts ; and as the petitioners cannot
conceive that the said road or ferry will ever answer any-
•380 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
other purpose than drawing insupportable hardships upon
them, and as there is more convenient places where ferries
might be established they humbly conceive the best should
be chosen : the petitioners therefore confide in the wisdom
and clemency of the House, and flatter themselves that
the House will so Order matters as to give them reason
to pray &c
Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the table to
be perused by the Members of the House
The House resolved itself into a committee, to take
into consideration a bill to empower commissioners or
Surveyors to lay out, make, and repair the roads already
laid out or may hereafter be Necessary, and also to clear
the rivers and Creeks within their respective divisions
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr Jamieson from the committee, reported,
that they had taken the said bill into consideration and
made some progress therein and he was directed by the
¦committee to move for leave to sit again
Ordered that the committee have leave to sit again- -
The memorial of John Mulryne Esqr to his Honour
the president, to his Maje-ty's Honourable Council, to
the honourable Speaker and Members of the commons
House of Assembly was presented to the House and read
setting forth : that the memorialist had the Misfortune
to have his dwelling- Horre in the parish of Christ Church
with the greatest part of his furniture and effects, de
stroyed by fire in the Night, in the 8th day of January in
the Year 1771 : That a very little time before the said
accident happened the Memorialist had received a con
siderable Sum of Money in the bills of Credit of this
Province, some part of which he had paid away, but to
the best of his recollection and belief there was remain-
FEBRUARY, 1773. 38*
ing in his desk, which was totally consumed, the sum
of £60.. o.. o or more, in the said bills: that as the said
bills of Credit were issued by the publick for a Valuab'e
consideration the publick must of course be gainers by
the memorialist's loss, unless the Legislature shall think
it equitable to relieve him in the premises, in the same-
manner as was clone in a case of the like Nature some
Years ago, the memorialist therefore hopes that the same
may be taken under consideration, and that leave may
be given to bring in a bill to empower the commissioners
of the General Loan office, to issue biils of credit to the
amount of £60.. o.. o to be paid to your memorialist in
lieu of and to replace the like Sum lost by the accident of
fire aforesaid
Ordered that the said memorial do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the members of the House.
Motion being made that a committee be appointed to
examine into the State of the Governors House, and if
any repairs be found Necessary to report the same to the
House a debate arising thereon, the House divided, and
it passed in the Nagative, the members for the motion
were, Mr Stirk, Mr Jamieson, Mr Thomas Young, Mr
Shruder, Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Law, Mr Treutlen,
M1' Simpson, and Mr Barnard, the Members against the
Motion were : Mr Bourquin, Mr Millen, Mr Brown, Mr
Baker, Mr Carter, Mr Andrew, M* Le Conte, Dr Jones,
Mr Zubly Mr Powell Mr Maxwell and Mr Bryan
And then the House adjourned until to
morrow morning nine of the Clock.
382 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday Feb7 io'h 1773
The House met according to adjournment
A petition from several of the inhabitants of Saint
Matthew's parish was presented to the House, setting
forth : that the petitioners had presented to a former
House of Assembly a petition pointing out the incon-
veniency of a publick road through their Lands to Mid
dlesex ferry but as tlie commissioners of the publick
roads have already laid out a private road for the Rev :
Mr Zubly leading to the place above mentioned, and that
the said M1' Zubly hath not met with any obstruction
from any of them with respect to the private road laid
out for him, the petitioners therefore humbly Solicit the
House that, as they are already great Sufferers by the
road aforesaid going through their small Tracts of Land,
they reay not be burthened with working- on or making
the road aforesaid, and the petitioners will ever pray.
Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the Table
to bo perused by the members of the House
Joseph Clay Esq1 elected and returned for the Town
and district of Savannah in the parish of Christ Church,
proved himself duly qualified to serve as a representative,
according to the terms prescribed in and by an Act of
the General assembly of this province, passed the 29th
day of June 1761, entitled, an Act to ascertain the man
ner and form of electing Members to represent the in
habitants of this province in the commons house of as
sembly and then took the Oaths, and made and subscribed
the declaration, and took and subscribed the Oath of ab
juration, and then took his seat.
FEBRUARY, 1773. 38S
The House took into consideration the amendments
made by the upper House to the engrossed Ordinance, en
titled, an Ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Frank
lin, Esq1" Agent to Solicit the affairs of this province in
Great Britain, and agreed to the same
Ordered that Mr Simpson do carry the ordinance to
the upper House and acquaint them that this House
have agreed to the amendments madq by their House to
the said Ordinance
The House also took into consideration the amend
ments made by the upper House to the engrossed bill,
entitled, an Act to prevent the Mischiefs arising from the
practice of hunting with fire and killing deer by Nigh',
and agreed to some of the said amendments, and dis
agreed to Others.
Ordered that Mr Simpson do carry the bill to the up
per House, and acquaint them that this House have
agreed to some of the amendments made by their House
to the said bill, and disagreed to others, and that this
House desires that they will appoint a committee to
Join a committee of this House in conference on the sub
ject matter of the said Amendments
Ordered that the commissioners appointed to lease out
the spring and watch House do lay their Accounts be
fore this House on Monday next.
The House resolved itself into a committee to take into
further consideration the bill to empower commissioners
or Surveyors to lay Out, make, and repair the roads
already laid out, or may hereafter be necessary: and
also to clair the rivers and Creeks within their respective
Divisions ; and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker
resumed the chair, and Mr Jamieson from the committee
384 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
reported that they had taken the said bill into considera
tion, and made some further progress therein, and he
was directed by the committee to^ move for leave to Sit
again. Ordered that the committee have leave to sit again
Ordered that the commissioners appointed to dispose
of such Materials as were provided for rebuilding Christ
Church in Savannah, and to place out at Interest the
Monies arising, by the sale thereof, together with the
monies provided by several acts of Assembly for repair
ing and rebuilding of the said Church, then in the Hands
of the Treasurer, be ordered to lay their Accounts be
fore the House on or before the i8'b Instant
And then the House adjourned until to
morrow morning nine of the Clock.
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday Feb7 ii"1 1773
The House met according to adjournment
Motion being made, that a committee be appointed to
wait on his Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, on
his Arrival at the landing place, to congratulate him on
his safe return to this province, and a debate arising
thereon, the House devided, and it passed in the affirma
tive, the members for the motion were: Mr Carter, Mr
Clay, Mr Treutlen, Mr Jamieson, Mr Law, Mr Nether
clift, Mr Shruder, Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Simpson,
Mr Thomas Young, DT Houstoun, Mr Powell, Mr Millen,
Mr Maxwell, Mr Stirk, Mr Barnard, and Mr Brown, The
Members against the motion were Mr Bourquin, Mr
FEBRUARY, 1773. 386
Isaac Young, Mr Le Conte, Mr Zubly, Dr Jones, Mr
Baker, Mr Andrew, and Mr Bryan,
Ordered that Mr Thomas Young, M1' Shruder, M"
Simpson, Mr Maxwell, Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Jamie
son, and Mr Barnard be a committee to wait on his ex
cellency the Governor on his Arrival at the landing
place, to congratulate him on his safe return to this prov
ince The House resolved itself into a committee to take into
further consideration the bill to empower commissioners
or Surveyors to lay out make and repair the roads already
laid out or may hereafter be necessary, and also to clear
the rivers and Creeks within their respective divisions,
and after some time spent therein. Mr Speaker resumed
the chair and Mr Jamieson, from the committee, reported,
that they had taken the said bill in consideration and made
some further progress therein, and he was directed by the
committee to move for leave to sit again
Ordered that the committee have leave to sit again
A message from his Honor the president by the Clerk
of the Council :
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the assembly
In the month of April last, one Joseph Prine, a no
torious Horse Stealer, broke out of the Goal in Savan
nah, and, as I understood he had threatened the lives of
many Gentlemen of consequence in this Province, I laid
the matter before his Majesty's Council, who advised me
to issue a proclamation, offering a Reward of £50.. o.. o..
to any person who should Apprehend and deliver him
into the said Goal in hopes thereby to avoid the evils ap
prehended from his being at Large, Yesterday the said
Joseph Prine was brought from Carolina and is now in
25 c r— vol 15
386 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Goal, but as I have no fund from whence to take the
sum mentioned in the proclamation, all I have been able
to do has been to get the Treasurer to advance the same
to the persons who apprehended him, and I doubt not
but you will provide for his reimbursment, at the same
time I am under an indispensable necessety of once more
reminding you of the present insecure state of the Goal,
which is such that I am apprehensive the felons now
confined in it will avail themselves of it, and avade Jus
tice, especially since one, who has already, escaped twice
therefrom, is now with them, and I think the only method
at present to prevent such an escape will be to have a
Guard at the Goal, which I recommend to you to con
sider of
James Habersham
Savannah the IIth February 1773 —
Another Message from his Honour the President was
also delivered by the Clerk of the Council Viz'
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the assembly
Since my message to you of this day concerning
Joseph Prine, and the insufficiency of the common Goal,
I am informed by the Provost Marshal that John Mc-
Luer, a carpenter, who he employed to lay a new floor
and make some other repairs to the Goal, reported to him,
that the whole building is so rotten and defective that
he dare not venter to lay a new floor lest the weight of
the same should bring down the prison, as all the lower
part of the frame is totally rotten, and that he is of opin
ion it cannot stand many days, I therefore recommend
this matter1 to your immediate and serious consideration,
as the lives of the unhappy people now confined there
are in imminent danger
James Habersham
Savannah 11th February 1773 j
FEBRUARY, 1773- 38T
Resolved that as it had been represented to this House
by his Honour the president, that Joseph Prine, a most
Notorious and atrocious Villain is now confined in the
common Goal of Savannah, and that there is great reason
to apprehend he will attempt an escape which may be
attended with dangerous consequences, a yote of credit
may pass this House for a sum not exceeding £10.. o.. o
Sterling to be applied to the payment of a guard to as
sist the Provost marshal in preventing the escape of the
said Joseph Prine And then the House adjourned until to
morrow morning nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday Feb7 12th 1773
The house met according to adjournment
The House resolved itself into a committee to take
into further consideration the bill to empower commission
ers or Surveyors to lay out, make, and repair, the roads
already laid out, or may hereafter be necessary; and also
to clear the rivers and Creeks within their respective
divisions and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker
resumed the chair, and Mr Jamieson from the committee
reported that they had taken the said bill into considera
tion, and made some further Progress therein, and he
was directed by the committee to move for leave to sit
again Ordered that the. committee have leave to sit again
And then the House adjourned until
Monday Morning, ten, of the. Clock
aw J JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 15"1 February 1773
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the Council
I do hereby Adjourn the Commons House of Assem
bly to Tuesday 23rd day of this Instant Feb7 and the
said House is hereby Adjourned Accordingly until the
said Twenty third day of February then to meet for the
dispatch of Business
Given under my hand At Savannah in Georgia the
15"" day of February 1773 James Wright
To the Honble the Speaker and Members of the Com
mons House of Assembly
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 23rd of February 1773
The House met According to Adjournment and then
Adjourned until Nine of the Clock tomorrow Morning
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 24th February 1773
The House met According to Adjournment and the»
Adjourned until nine of the Clock Tomorrow Morning1
MARCH, 1773. 389
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 25th of February 1773
The House met According to Adjournment and then
Adjourned until Nine of the Clock Tomorrow Morning
(From B. P: R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 26th February 1773
The House met According to Adjournment and then
Adjourned until Monday Morning ten of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday Ist March 1773
Mr Thomas Young from the Committee Appointed
to wait on his Excellency Sir James Wright Baronet on
his Arrival at the landing Place to Congratulate him on
his safe return to this Province reported, that they had
according to Order waited on his Excellency the Gov
ernor who was Pleased to say "That he took it exceed
ingly kind of the Commons House of Assembly That
he was much obliged to them for their Civility and de
sired his Compliments might be made to the Speaker and
the rest of the Members —
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the Council —
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen —
His Excellency the Governor requires the Attendance
of this House in the Council Chamber immediately
$90 y f JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Accordingly Mr Speaker with the House Attended his
Excellency the Governor, and being returned, reported,.
that he, with the House had attended His Excellency,.
when he was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses,
and which for fear of Mistakes Mr Speaker said he had
obtained a Copy, which he read to the House, and is as
followeth Viz'
[For transcript of speech see Minutes of Upper House
i March 1773]
Savannah in Georgia Council)
Chamber Ist March 1773 )
Resolved Nem : Con : That an humble Address of
thanks be presented to his Excellency the Governor for
his Speach delivered to both Houses begging Leave to
return him our thanks for his affectionate Speech to
both Houses, that we with the Greatest Pleasure learn
from him that our most Gracious Sovereign has approved
of the plan for enlarging the Boundaries of this Province
which will be an object, when compleated of the utmost
importance to us and will in all probability be attended
with the Salutary consequencies Mentioned by his Ex
cellency that we cannot b,ut in Justice Acknowledge how
much the Province is indebted to his Excellency on this
Occasion as well for his effectual endeavors exerted while
in England as his Excellency's assurances that his re
turn to this Province is to compleat his Majesty's gra
cious intentions in the Most beneficial Manner
That his Excellency may rely that we Shall on our
parts as far as in us lies, give every proper encourage
ment to such Settlers as may come in to purchase and
reside on the Land proposed to be ceded — That we shall
pay due Attention to the several Matters which may
come before us and that any Expence that we may find'
MARCH, 1773. 391
t
Necessary to lay on our constituents we shall take care to
make as easy as possible
Ordered that a Committee be Appointed to draw up
an Address to be presented to his Excellency the Gov
ernor upon the said resolution
Ordered that his Excellency's Speech be referred to
the said Committee
Henry Yonge Junr Esqr elected and returned for the
Islands of Wilmington, Tybee Skidaway and Green Isl
and in the parish of Christ Church proved himself duly
Qualified to serve as A Representative agreeable to the
terms prescribed in and by an Act of the General Assem
bly of this Province, and then took the Oaths, and made
and Subscribed the declaration and Subscribed the Oath
of Abjuration, and then took his Seat
A Petition from Several of the Inhabitants of the
Parish of Saint George was Presented to the House and
read Setting forth That the Petitioners are Informed
that Thomas Morgan of Savannah, Taylor, has Peti
tioned to the House to establish a Ferry, and to vest the
same in him as he (the said Thomas Morgan) did at
the time of the sale of the Land now belonging to Thomas
Burton reserve to himself five acres of the said Tract
as being a very proper and convenient Place for the
purpose of conveying Persons from this to the Neigh
bouring province and that Travellers have been for some
time Accommodated there, and is well known by the
Name of Dunn's Ferry, the Petitioners therefore beg
leave to inform the House that the Ferry has been now
Mr Simpson reported to the House that his Excel
lency the Governor having been waited upon (pursuant
to Order) to know his Excellencys Pleasure when he
wou'd be attended by the House, with an Address, had
been pleased to say, that, he wou'd receive the House at
ten of the Clock tomorrow Morning
And then the House Adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B.P- R. O.—B. of T.,. Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 3rd of March 1773
Mr Speaker informed the House that he with the
MARCH, 1773. 397
House had Attended his Excellency the Governor with
the Address of the House, and that his Excellency was
pleased to return the following Answer Viz'
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I thank you for this Address and the pleasure you ex
press at our most gracious Sovereign's approbation of
the plan for extending our boundary
And Gentlemen, I am Obliged to you for Your Ac
knowledgement of any Services rendered, or Intended
by me for the welfare of this province and the Assur
ance you are pleased to give me, that, you will pay due
attention to the several Matters recommended, and which
may come before you, is very agreeable to me
James Wright
Savannah in Georgia
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk —
Mr Speaker
In Answer to your message of the io'h of February
desiring this House to appoint a Committee of Confer
ence to Join a Committee of your House on the Subject
Matter of the Amendments made by this House to the
Bill Entitled an Act to prevent the Mischiefs Arising
from the practice of hunting with fire and killing Deer
by night, This House doth agree thereto and hath ap
pointed a Committee Accordingly to meet in the Room
adjoining the Council Chamber Tomorrow Morning 10
oClock Committee the Honourable Anthony Stokes,
James Edward Powell, and Clement Martin Esquires
Ordered that a Committee be Appointed to Join a
Committee of the upper House in Conferrence on the
amendments made by the upper House to the said Bin,.
398 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
and a Committee was appointed Accordingly, Committed
to Mr Simpson, Mr Thomas Young, Mr Le Conte, Mr
Andrew, Mr Henry Yonge, Docf Jones and Mr Shru
der —
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
into consideration the Bill to ascertain and regulate the
fees of Publick officers, and also the fees of other per
sons therein mentioned, and after sometime spent therein
! Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Clay from the
Committee reported, that they had taken the said Bill
into consideration, gone through the same, and made sev
eral amendments thereto, which he was directed to report,
when the House will please to receive the Same
Ordered that the said report be received Tomorrow
Morning — And then the House Adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 4th March 1773
Mr Clay pursuant to Order reported from the Com
mittee of the Whole House to whom the Bill to ascer
tain and regulate the Publick officers ffees and also the
Fees of other persons herein after mentioned, was com
mitted the Amendments which the Committee had made
to the Bill, and which they had directed him to report
to the House and he read the report in his place and after
wards delivered the Bill with the Amendments, in at the
Table where the Amendments were read and agreed to
by the House
MARCH, 1773. 399
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be In-
grossed —
Then the Order of the day, for a third reading of a
Bill for the better Ordering of the Militia was read —
Ordered that the same be adjourned over till To
morrow morning And then the House adjourned until
nine of the Clock Tomorrow Morning
(Prom B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 5th March 1773
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the Council
Mr Speaker
His Excellency the Governor has Ordered me to de
liver you an Estimate of the necessary Charges of Gov-
ernment in the Province of Georgia commencing the
Twenty Ninth of September 1 770 and ending the Twenty
Ninth of September 1773 and also the several Accounts
against the publick which have come to his Hands
Ordered that the said Estimate with the Accounts
do lie upon the Table to be perused by the Members of
the House
The Bill Entitled an Act for the better Ordering of the
Militia was read a third time
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Stirk do carry the Bill to the upper
House and desire their Concurrence thereto
40© g[[ ' JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Complaint being made by Mr Treutlen a Member of
the House that he had received an Insult from John
Oates Ordered that the said John Oates do attend this House
on Monday Morning
Ordered, that, the Messenger do Acquaint him there
with Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed to Join a.
Committee of the upper House in conferrence on the
amendments made by their House to the Bill "Entitled an
Act to prevent the Mischiefs Arising from the practice
of hunting with fire and killing deer by Night, reported,
that the Committee had Joined the Committee of the
upper House in conferrence and had taken the Matters
recommended to them under consideration but not being
Able to come to any determination, were of Opinion that
the same should be referred to a free Conferrence of
both Houses — And then the House Adjourned until
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock —
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday March 8th 1773
The House being informed that John Oates agreeable
to Order was attending at the door
Ordered that the said John Oates be Called in and the
said John Oates being called in and several Questions
asked him
Ordered that he do withdraw
MARCH, 1773. 4'0J
Resolved that John Oates, by Insulting John Adam
Treutlen Esquire a Member of the House and likewise
in Speaking certain words in a pubblick Manner highly
reflecting upon the Honour of the House is guilty of a
breach of privilege of this House
Ordered that John Oates be called to the Bar of the
House and upon his asking Pardon of the House be
reprimanded by Mr Speaker
John Oates was Accordingly again called in, and at
the Bar of the House did Acknowledge his fault, and
asked Pardon of the House and being reprimanded by
the Speaker was Ordered to be dismissed
A Petition from Hugh Kenedy was presented to the
House and read setting forth that the Petitioner lately
petitioned the House to grant him a Publick Ferry over
Savannah River, and a road through his Land to the
said Ferry opposite to the Established Ferry on tlie
Carolina side that it appears that since the above men
tioned petition Another was presented by Several of fie
Inhabitants of the parish aforesaid setting forth a sup
posed burthen on the Parishoners if compelled to make
and repair the said Road, alledging that it is upwards
of a Mile from the High Lands Belonging to the Peti
tioner, to the River, that the Petitioner caused the dis
tance to be Measured and it appears to be, no more than
fifty Chains, and that it is well known that the swamp
on the said Land is passable when all others for several
Miles up or down the river are not that there is another
inconveniency in Establishing a Ferry elsewhere, if it
be done for The Conveniency of Travellors and not f dr
the benefit of an Individual, as there is an impossibility
of swiming Cattle over the river for Ten Miles down or
five Miles up the river (palachocala Excepted) from the
said Ferry that the Petitioners against the Road and
26 0 r— vol 15
402 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ferry applied for by the Petitioner are Strangers to the
whole that it Seems inconsistant as well as Inconvenient
to have two Ferries within one Mile of each other, as
no other is allowed to be kept within Six Miles of the
one Established on the Carolina Side and to which a
Road is already Opened and which is Opposite the Peti
tioners Land that as the petitioners against the road above
mentioned were of Opinion the Number of Hands ap
plied for by the Petitioner were not sufficient to keep the
same in repair the Petitioner is willing hereafter to do it
at his Own expence if it is not thought proper to grant
the said Road as Roads in General are, the petitioner is
informed that a Neighbour of his reports that he has a
Grant of a Ferry on his Land a little below the petitioner
where Passengers may be put over to the Carolina Shore
that he further says no other Individual is to put over
any Traveller within Ten Miles up or down the river,
and that the petitioner does not know what to think of
the Ferry already Established on the Carolina side
Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
A Memorial of Samuel Savery was likewise presented
to the House and read Setting forth that the Memorial
ist on or about the first day of June 1768 was Emploied
to run the boundary line between this Province and the
Creek Indians under direction of Commissioners ap
pointed for that Purpose That the Memorialist Accord
ingly attended the Commissioners and run the same from
a place called Williams Creek about 50 Miles above
Augusta to the river Saint Mary the Southern extrimety
of the Province being about 260 Miles that the Memo
rialist was three Months on this Service and was ex
posed to all the inclemencies of the season to the great
Injury of his Health that some time in the Year of 1769
the Memorialist presented his Account for running the
MARCH, 1773. 403
said Line to the House then Sitting (a Copy of which is
hereunto annexed) who provided Sixty five pounds for
the Memorialist in the Tax Bill of that Year which was
greatly inadequate to the Trouble Loss of time and health
of the Memorialist; that sometime in the ensuing Year,
the Memorialist again applied for the remainder of his
Account And also to be paid for two Horses which were
killed with fatigue on that Occasion, that Cost the Memo
rialist Twenty two pounds Ten Shillings Sterling but
that House of Assembly being desolved nothing could be
done in the application of the Memorialist that every
other Man who lost horses in that Service was Paid the
full Value of the same with which' the Memorialist was
not Acquainted when he made his first Application to
the House but when he found that all others were reim
bursed for their Losses he thought it but Justice that he
•should be also and therefore Applied as aforesaid that
the usual Fee to Surveyors upon Common Occasions is
Twenty one Shillings Sterling Per Day and Generally
about Plantations where they may be comfortably Ac
commodated but this being a Work of excessive Labour,
risque and fatigue the Memorialist charged Twenty five
Shillings Per day which he apprehends in consideration
of the Trouble — was but a Moderate Charge that the
Memorialist had the fullest Assurances from the Com
missioners that the House would make him ample Satis
faction for his Services and then he undertook the Ar
duous business upon the Strongest conviction that he
should be generously rewarded, the Memorialist therefore
humbly prays the House to take the premisses into con
sideration and grant him relief therein, by providing
payment In the Tax Bill for such Sum as may be found
upon due enquiry to be due to the Memorialist, and the
Memorialist will ever pray &°
404 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered that the said Memorial do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
Ordered that the commissioners for regulating the
Market in the Town of Savannah do lay their Accounts
before this House on Monday next
Dr Jones from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill to amend an Act entitled an Act to
Ascertain the Manner and form of Electing Members
to represent the Inhabitants of this Province in the Com
mons House of Assembly, reported that they had pre
pared the same which was received and read the first time
and Ordered to be read a Second time
And then the House adjourned untill to
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday March 9"1 1773
Peter Sallins Esquire Elected and returned for the
parish of Saint Thomas proved himself duly Qualified
to serve as a representative, agreeable to the Terms pre
scribed in and by an Act of the General assembly of this
Province and then took the Oaths, and made and Sub
scribed the declaration and took and Subscribed the Oath
of abjuration and then took his Seat
Alexander Wylly Esquire one of the Commissioners
appointed to lease the Spring and Watch House, attend
ed agreeable to Order and made a report
Resolved that the report made to this House by the
Commissioners to lease the Spring and Watch House is,
not Satisfactory
MARCH, 1773. 405
Ordered that the said commissioners be directed to
pay into the Hands of the Treasurer the Monies Arising
from the Sale of a Lease made by them of a Building in
the Town of Savannah called the Watch House agreeable
to an Act of assembly passed the Twenty fifth of March
1765 on or before the Eighteenth Instant and that they
produce their Accounts to this House on that day to
gether with the Treasurers receipt for the Monies so to
be paid —
Ordered that the Commissioners empowered by an
Act passed the Eleventh of April 1768 to Sell for a term
of Years the Ferry over great Ogechee river do lay their
Accounts before this House on or before the Eighteenth
Instant Ordered- that a Messenger be Sent to the upper House
to Acquaint them that the Committee of this House
having reported they did not come to any determination
with their committee appointed to confer on the Subject
Matter of the Amendments made by their House to the
Bill to prevent the Mischiefs Arising from the practice
of hunting with fire and killing deer by Night this House
therefore desires they will agree to a free conferrence
of both Houses on the Subject Matter of the said Amend
ments Ordered that Mr Thomas Young do carry the said
Message to the upper House
Mr Shruder According to Order from the Committee
appointed to enquire into such Laws that have expired or
are near expiring also such Laws as require amending
and continuing and report their Opinion thereon to the
House reported that the Committee had examined Ac
cordingly the said Laws, and come to a resolution, which
they had directed him to report to the House, and he
406 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
read the report in his place, and afterwards delivered it in
at the Table, where it was again read and is as fol-
loweth Resolved that it is the Opinion oi this Committee that
the following Acts will expire with the end of the present
Sessions — Viz' An Act passed the io'h of May 1770 for
raising a certain Number of Watchmen for preserving
good Order in and about the Town of Savannah, ought
to be continued An Act passed the 27th of March 1759
for the better regulating Taverns, Punch Houses and
retailers of Sperituous Liquors and further Continued
4th March 1762 And an Additional Act passed the 25th
of March 1765 Ought to be continued in one Act An Act
passed the 11th of April 1768 for regulating the Assize
of Bread ought to be continued An Act passed the 25th
of March 1 765 to prevent Masters of Vessels from carry
ing off Persons in Debt from this Province Ought to be
continued An Act passed the 26th of March 1767 to pre
vent Stealing of Horses and Neat Cattle and for the
more effectual discovery and punishment of such per
sons as shall unlawfully Brand, Mark, Kill, or drive the
same, and further continued io'h May 1770 Ought to
be continued, An Act passed the 7th of April 1763 for
holding Special or extraordinary Courts of Common
Please for the Trial of causes arising between Merchants
dealers and Others and Ship Masters Supercargoes and
other Transient persons and further continued 26th of
March 1767 ought to be continued, An Act passed 29th
February 1764 for the punishment of Vagabonds and
other Idle and disorderly persons and for Erecting pris
ons places of Security in the Several parishes of this
province and for preventing Trespasses on Lands of the
Crown or Lands reserved for the Indians and the more
effectual Surpressing and punishing persons bartering
with the Indians in the Woods and further continued
MARCH, 1773. 40?
26th March 1767 Ought to be continued. An Act passed
4th March 1762 to oblige Masters of Vessels and Super-
cargoes and other Transient persons importing Goods
and Merchandize into this province to pay Tax for the
same and further continued 26th of March 1767 Ought
to be continued an Act passed 29th February 1764 to Sup
press Lotteries and prevent other excessive and Deceitful
gaming An Additional Act passed 25th March 1765
to the said Act ought to be continued in one Act, An Act
passed the 11th of April 1768 to prevent as much as
may be the spreading of the Small pox in this province
ought to be continued An act passed 7th of April 1763
to prevent persons throwing ballast or rubbish or Faling
Trees into the Rivers and Navigable Creeks within this
province and for keeping Clear the Channels of the same
to be continued, An Act passed to amend the same ought
to be continued, An Act passed 25th of March 1765 to
prevent frauds and Abuses in Admeasuring and laying
out his Majesty's Lands in this province ought to be
continued, An Act passed 25th of March 1765 to amend
An Act entitled an Act to prevent private persons from
purchasing Lands from the Indians and for preventing
person Trading with them without a License ought to
be continued an Act passed 6th March 1766 for punishing
Seamen and Mariners Neglecting or deserting their duty
on Board their respective Ships or Vessels and from
preventing seamen or Mariners from being harbered or
running in debt ought to be continued, an Act passed
27th of February 1770 for the better Security of the In
habitants by obliging the Male White persons to Carry
fire Arms to places of publick worship ought to be con
tinued An Act passed the fourth of March 1762 for
the relief of Debtors who may be confined in Goal and
are unable to Support themselves during such their
confinement Ought to be continued, An Act passed 6th
of March 1766 to prevent frauds and deceits in Selling,
40 S JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Beef, Pork, pitch, Tar, Turpentine and Firewood
ought to be continued, An Act passed 6th March
1766 to amend An Act for the better regulating the
Town of Savannah and for Ascertaining the Common
thereunto belonging and also to Authorize and empower
the Church Wardens and Vestry of the parish of Christ
. Church to appoint a Beadle for the purposes therein
Mentioned Ought to be continued, An Act passed the 26"1
of March 1767 to regulate the Making of Cypress Oak
and pine Lumber, Staves and Shingles and for ascertain
ing the Quality thereof ought to be continued, An Act
passed 26th March 1767 to prevent the bringing and
Spreading of Malignant and Contagious distempers in
this province and to oblige Masters or Commanders of
Vessels going out of any port within the same first to
produce a pasport from the Governor or Commander in
Chief to prevent the harbouring of Sick Sailors and
Others and for regulating and well Ordering the Laza
retto upon the Island of Tybee further continued 10th
May 1770 ought to be continued An Act passed io'11
May 1770 to amend the same ought to be continued an
Act passed 24th December 1768 for encouraging the Culti
vation of hemp Flax and wheat and for regulating the
Inspection of Hemp, Flax and wheat Flour, ought to be
continued, an Act passed 10th May 1770 to regulate and
ascertain the rates of Wharfage of Shipping and Mer
chandize and also to ascertain the Rates of Storage in
the Several ports of this province and for the better
regulation of Wharves and Shipping in the said ports
and for ascertaining the duty of an Harbour Master for
the port of Savannah, ought to be continued an Act
passed io'h May 1770 for appointing inspectors of To
bacco and to prevent the Exportation of bad and un
merchantable Tobacco ought to be continued An Act
passed IIth April 1768 to empower the Commissioners
therein Named to put up to Sale for the benefit of the
MARCH, 1773. 409
Publick the Ferry over great Ogechee, at a place called
pine Bluff for a Term of Five Years and to Authorize
the said Commissioners to Inspect and regulate the said
Ferry ought to be renewed, an Act passed n*h of April
1768 for establishing Several Ferries in this province
and for Vesting the same in the persons therein Men
tioned ought to be continued, A Ordinance passed 11th
April 1768 for appointing Inspectors of Tanned Leather
for the ports of Savannah and Sunbury in this province
ought to be continued An Ordinance passed 27th February
1770 appointing Inspectors of Hemp Flax and wheat
Flour for the ports of Savannah and Sunbury ought to
be continued that a new Ordinance should be brought in
appointing an Harbour Master for the port of Savannah.
That a new Law is much wanted to lay a duty upon
raw neat Hides exported from this province
That it is the opinion of this Committee that the fol
lowing Acts require amendments Viz' an Act passed the
9th of June 1761 for Subjecting and making liable to at
tachment the Estate real and personal of Absent debtors
in the Custody or power of any person or persons within
this Province ought to be amended An Act passed thei5'h
of March 1758 for constituting and dividing the Several
Districts and divisions of this Province into Parishes and
for establishing religious worship therein according to the
rites and ceremonies of the Church of England and also
for empowering Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the
respective Parishes to assess rates for the repair of
Churches the relief of the poor, and other parochial Serv
ices ought to be amended, An Act passed 4"1 March
1762 for regulating the pilotage of Vessels into the Sev
eral ports of this Province ought to be amended, An Act
passed the 7th of April 1 763 for regulating a Work House
for the Custody and punishment of Negroes, ought to be
amended and continued, an Act passed 27th March 1759
for establishing the Method of appointing Constables as-
410 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
certaining the Qualifications of persons to serve in that
office and to point out the duties attending the same ought
to be amended An Act passed 29th February 1764 to di
rect Executors and Administrators in the Manner and
Method of returning Inventories and Accounts of their
Testator and Intestates Estates and for allowing them
and all other persons who shall or may be intrusted with
the care and Management of Minors and others Estates
to charge commissions thereon, ought to be amended and
continued, An Act passed 18th November 1765 for the
Establishing and regulating patrols and prevent any per
son from purchasing provisions or any other Commodi
ties from or Selling such to any Slave unless such Slave
shall produce a Ticket from his or her Owner Manager or
Employer ought to be amended and continued An Act
passed 7th of April 1763 to prevent damages which may-
arise from dams or Banks for reserving or Stopping of
Water ought to be amended and continued An Act passed.
24th december 1 768 to prevent fraudulent Mortgages and
Conveyances and for making Valid all deeds and Convey
ances heretofore made with respect to' any defect in the
form and manner of making thereof with certain restric
tions, ought to be amended and continued
Ordered that the said report be taken under consid
eration of a committee of the whole House tomorrow
Morning A Message from the Upper House by their Clerk
Mr Speaker
In answer to your Message of this day desiring a free
conference of both Houses on the subject matter of the
amendments made by this House to the Bill to prevent
hunting by Fire Light &c this House doth agree to the
MARCH, 1773. 411
same and are ready to meet your House in the room ad
joining the Council Chamber immediately
Upper House of Assembly 9"1 March 1773
Mr Speaker informed the House that he would offer
for a third reading Tomorrow Morning the Bill to ascer
tain and regulate the publick officers Fees and also the
Fees of other persons herein after mentioned, and also
that he would on Thursday next offer for a third reading
the Bill to empower Commissioners or Surveyors to lay
out make and repair the roads already laid out or may
hereafter be necessary and also to clear the Rivers and
Creeks within their respective divisions
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning 9 of the Clock — ¦
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday March io'h 1773
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take into consideration the report of the
Committee appointed to enquire into such Laws as have
expired or near expiring also such Laws as require
amending and continuing and after some time spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Barnard
from the Committee reported that they had taken the
same into consideration gone through the same and made
some Amendments thereto which he read in his place and
afterwards delivered the report with amendments in at
the Table where the amendments were read and agreed
to by the House and are as follows Viz'
An Act passed 10th May 1770 for raising a certain
412 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Number of Watchmen for preserving good Order in the
Town of Savannah
Resolved that such a Law is Necessary
An Act passed 27th March 1759 for better regulating
taverns punch Houses and retailers of Sperituous Liquors
and an additional Act passed 25th March 1765
Resolved that the same be continued
An Act passed ntb of April 1768 for regulating the
Assize of Bread ought to be continued.
An Act passed 25th of March 1765 to prevent Masters
of Vessels from carrying off Persons in deb.t from this
province ought to be continued
An Act passed 26th of March 1767 to prevent Stealing
of Horses and Neat Cattle and for the more effectual dis
covery and punishment of such persons as shall unlaw
fully, Brand, mark, Kill or drive the same
Resolved that the same be continued
An Act passed 7"1 of April 1763 for holding Special
or extraordinary Courts of Commons Please for the trial
of Causes arising between Merchants Dealers and others
and Ship Masters Supercargoes and other Transient
Persons Resolved that such a Law is Necessary —
An Act passed 29th of February 1764 for the punish
ment of Vagabonds and other Idle and disorderly persons
and for erecting prisons and places of Security in the
Several Parishes of this Province and for preventing tres
passers on the Lands of the Crown or Lands reserved for
MARCH, 1773. 413-
the Indians and the more effectual Suppressing and pun
ishing persons Bartering with the Indians in the Woods
Resolved that the same be continued
An Act passed 4"1 March 1762 to oblige Masters of
Vessels Supercargoes and other Transient Persons im
porting Goods and Merchandize into this Province to pay
Tax for the same
Resolved that the same be amended and continued
An Act passed 29th of February 1764 to suppress Lot
teries and prevent other excessive and deceitful gaming:
an Additional Act passed 25th March 1765
Resolved that the same be continued
An Act passed 11th April 1768 to prevent as much as
may be the spreading of the small pox in this Province
Resolved that the same be continued
An Act passed 7"1 of April 1763 to prevent persons
throwing ballast or rubbish or falling Trees into the riv
ers and Navigable Creeks within this Province and for
keeping Clear the Channels of the same
Resolved that it requires to be amended and Con
tinued An Act passed 25th of March 1765 to prevent frauds
and Abuses in. admeasuring and laying out his Majesty's
Lands in this Province
Resolved that it be continued
An Act passed 25th of March 1765 to amend an Act
entitled an Act to prevent private persons from purchas-
414 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ing Lands from the Indians and for preventing persons
Trading with them without a License
Resolved that it be continued
An Act passed 6th March 1 766. for punishing Seamen
and Mariners Neglecting or deserting their duty on board
their respective Ships or Vessels and for preventing Sea
men or Mariners from being harboured or running in
Debt Resolved that it be continued
An Act passed 27th of February 1770 for the better
Security of the Inhabitants by obliging the male white
persons to carry fire arms to places of publick Worship
Resolved that it be continued
An Act passed 6th March 1766 for the relief of Debtors
who may be confined in Goal and are unable to support
themselves during such their confinment
Resolved that such a Law is necessary
An Act passed 6th March 1766 to prevent frauds and
deceits in Selling Beef Pork, pitch, Tar Turpentine and
firewood Resolved that it be continued
An Act passed 6th March 1766 to amend an Act for
the better regulating the Town of Savannah and for
ascertaining the Common thereunto belonging, and also
to Authorize and empower the Church Wardens and
Vestry of the Parish of Christ Church to appoint a
Beadle for the purpose therein Mentioned
Resolved that it be continued
MARCH, 1773. 415
An Act passed 26th March 1767 to regulate the mak
ing of Cypress Oak and pine Lumber Staves, and Shin
gles and for ascertaining the Quality thereof
Resolved that the same be continued
An Act passed 26th March 1767 to prevent the bring
ing into and Spreading of Malignant and Contagious
distempers in this Province and to oblige Masters or
Commanders of Vessels going out of any Port within the
same first to produce a passport from the Governor or
Commander in Chief to prevent the Harbouring of Sick
Sailors and others (Blc) for regulating and well ordering
the Lazaretto upon the Island of Tybee and an Act
passed io'h May 1770 to amend the same
Resolved that the said Laws be continued
An Act passed the 24th December 1768 for encourag
ing the cultivation of Hemp, Flax, and Wheat and for
regulating the Inspection of Hemp Flax and Wheat
Flour Resolved that this Law is Expired
An Act passed io'h May 1770 to regulate and ascer
tain the rates of Wharfage of Shipping and Merchan
dize and also to ascertain the rates of Storage in the
several Ports of this Province and for the better regula
tion of Wharves and Shipping in the said Ports and for
ascertaining the duty of an harbour Master for the Port
-of Savannah -1
Resolved that the same be continued
An Act passed 10th May 1770 for appointing Inspec
tors of Tobacco and also to prevent the Exportation of
tbad unmerchantable Tobacco
Resolved that the same be continued
416 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
An Act passed 11th April 1768 to empower the Com
missioners therein named to put up to Sale for the bene
fit of the publick, the Ferry over Great Ogechee River
at a Place called the Pine Bluff for Five Years and to
authorize the said Commissioners to Inspect and regu
late the said Ferry
Resolved that a new Law is Necessary
An Act passed 11th April 1768 for establishing several
Ferries in this Province and for Vesting the same in the
Persons therein Mentioned
Resolved that it be continued
Resolved that a Law is much Wanted for the laying
a Duty upon raw and Neat Hides exported from this
Province Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that
the following Laws require amendment
An Act passed the gth June 1761 for Subjecting and
making liable to Attachment the Estate real and Per
sonal of absent debtors in the custody or power of any
Person or Persons within this Province
An Act passed 15th March 1758 for constituting and
dividing the several districts and divisions of this Prov
ince into Parishes and for establishing religious Wor
ship therein According to the rites and ceremonies of
the Church of England and also for empowering Church
Wardens and Vestry men of the respective Parishes to
assess rates for the repair of Churches the relief of the
poor and other Parochial Charges —
An Act passed 4th March 1762 for regulating the
pilotage of Vessels into the Several Ports of this Prov
ince
MARCH, 1773. 417
An Act passed 7'11 April 1763 for regulating a Work
House for the custody and punishment of Negroes
Resolved that the same be amended and continued
An Act passed 27th March 1759 for Establishing the
Method of appointing constables ascertaining the Quali
fications of persons to serve in that office and to point
Out the duties attending the same
An Act passed 29th February 1764 to direct Executors
and administrators in the manner and method of return
ing Inventories and accounts of their Testators and in
testates Estates and for allowing them and all other
persons who shall or may be intrusted with the eare and
management of Minors and others Estates to charge
Commissions thereon —
An Act passed 18th November 1765 for Establishing
and regulating Patrols and to Prevent any Person from
purchasing provisions or any other commodities from or
Selling such to any slave unless such Slave shall produce
a Ticket from his or her Owner Manager or Employer
An Act passed 7"1 April 1763 to prevent damages
which may arise from Dams or Banks for reserving or
Stopping of Water —
An Act passed 24th December 1768 to prevent fraudu
lent Mortgages and conveyances and for making Valid
all Deeds and conveyances heretofore made with respect
to any defect in the form and manner of making thereof
with certain restrictions
Resolved that the following Ordinance is Necessary
Viz' An Ordinance for appointing Inspectors of Tanned
27 or -vol 15
418 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Leather for the ports of Savannah and Sunbury in this
Province Resolved that an Ordinance appointing Inspectors of
Hemp Flax and Wheat Flour for the Ports of Savannah
and Sunbury is unnecessary
Resolved that it is the Opinion of this Committee
that an Ordinance should be brought in for appointing
an Harbour Master for the Port of Savannah
An Engrossed Bill from the upper House by their
Clerk Entitled an Act to Explain amend and reduce into
one Act of Assembly the Several Laws now in being re
lating (9lc) holding Special Courts for the Trial of per
sonal Actions wherein any Transient Person or persons
is or are plaintiff or plaintiffs Defendant or Defendants
was read the first time and Ordered to be read a Second
Time The Members Appointed to Manage at the free con
ferrence of both Houses upon the subject matter of the
Amendments made by their House to the Bill entitled
an Act to prevent the Mischiefs Arising from the Prac
tice of hunting with Fire and killing Deer by Night Re
ported that they had agreed to the amendments made by
the upper House with the Alterations made therein at
the said Conference
Ordered that Mr Shruder do carry the following Mes
sage to the upper House
Honorable Gentlemen
This House having taken into consideration the re
port of the Messengers of the free conference of both
Houses upon the Subject Matter of the amendments pro
posed by your House to the Bill entitled an Act to pre-
MARCH, 1773. 419
vent the Mischiefs arising from the practice of hunting
with Fire and Killing Deer by Night cloth agree to the
amendments proposed by your House with the altera
tions made at the said conference
Commons House of Assembly
io'h March 1773
A Bill to ascertain and regulate the Fees of Publick
Officers and also the Fees of other Persons therein Men
tioned was Read a third Time
Resolved that the said Bill do Pass
Ordered that Mr Shruder do carry the same to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
Ordered that the Clerk of the Navil office for the
port of Savannah do lay before this House an Account
of all Monies and Gun-powder received by him as Pow
der Receiver as also the Quantity of Gun powder now in
the Magazine in Savannah belonging to the publick on
or before the i8'h Instant
And then the House adjourned until 9
of the Clock Tomorrow Morning-
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T._, Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday March 11th 1773
Mr Simpson from the Committee Appointed to pre
pare and bring in an Ordinance appointing the Honor
able Grey Elliott Esquire agent to Solicit the affairs of
this Province in Great Britain in case of the absence of
Benjamin Franklin Esquire from Great Britain reported
that they had prepared the same which was received and
-120 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
read the first time, and Ordered to be read a second
time Ordered that Mr Le Conte and Mr William Jones d©
wait on his Excellency the Governor with an Address
requesting that his Excellency will be pleased to adjourn
the General Assembly of this Province until the 8th day of
June next as the planting Season is so far advanced that
the presence of the Planters at their respective Planta
tions is so immediately necessary that most of the Mem
bers cannot attend without great and Manifast Injury to
their Private Concerns
Resolved that the Order of the Day for the third
reading of a Bill to empower commissioners or Survey
ors to Lay out make and repair the roads already Laid
out or may hereafter be Necessary and also to clear the
rivers and Creeks within their respective divisions; be
adjourned over until the io'h Day of June next
And then the House Adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning 9 of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 12th March 1773
A Petition from Richard Capers with a Certificate
thereunto annexed Signed by Several Merchants in Sup
port of the said Petition was Presented to the House and
read Setting forth, that the Petitioner has been a resi
dent in this Province for several Years Past and flatters
himself that during his said residence as well as in the
former part of his Life (Blc) support an Honest and un
blemished Charrector (8lc) that the Petitioner tho once
of some property hath lately been greatly reduced, and
MARCH, 1773. 421
therefore in Order to Support his Family he has for
sometime past been obliged to betake himself to the In
specting culling and Measuring of Lumber : that the
petitioner humbly hopes that the certificate above Al
luded to will be a Sufficient Motive to grant the prayer of
his Petition the Petitioner therefore Prays that the House
will take the Premisses into consideration and appoint
the Petitioner an Inspector, culler and Measurer of Lum
ber for the parish of Christ Church and also that he
may in the usual Manner as Soon as Possible be ap
pointed for that purpose and the Petitioner as in duty
bound will ever pray
Ordered that the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
A Petition from several of the Inhabitants of the par
ish of Saint Paul was presented to the House and read
Setting forth that the Petitioners crave that all such
Laws as the Legislative Body may think conducive to
the Good of the Publick may be compiled and Printed
in one Code the Petitioners further Pray that Wrights-
borough Town Ship may be Seperated from the other
part of the Parish to enjoy such Privileges as other Par
ishes do and be left as a frontier until the Cession of the
Indian Lands is Compleated that General Courts of Com
mon Pleas Oyer And Terminer &c be established in the
back Parts of the Province which the Petitioners do con
ceive will be the Means of the Laws being more effec
tually put into Execution and also an easement to the
Inhabitants who reside so far from Savannah that they
beg Leave to observe that Wrightsborough is the Most
centrical place at this time and will be much More so
when the Cession of the Indian Lands is Accomplished,
and of Cource the properest place to Accommodate a
Court of that kind that the Election Law be amended
that they may have an Election once in three Years and
422 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
that the Election may be by Ballotting, that the Mem
bers may be allowed a Sum of Money Sufficient to de
fray their expences while sitting that all grain such as
Wheat, Corn, Rice &° may undergo the same Prohibi
tion in a time of Scarcity that such Clauses may be added
to the Road Law as may enable the back Settlers of this
Province to make their Trade both by Land and Water
as convenient as may be for the benefit of the whole and
that the Petitioners upon obtaining their Several requests
will greatfully Acknowlege the Obligation
Ordered that the said Petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
Resolved that the Orders for the several Commis
sioners to lay their respective Accounts before this House
on or before the i8'h Instant be adjourned over until the
io'h Day of June next
Ordered that the Clerk do acquaint them therewith —
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill for Es
tablishing the Method of appointing Constables ascer
taining the Qualifications of persons to Serve in that
Office and to Point out the duties attending the same and
that Docf Jones Mr Le Conte and Mr Zubly do prepare
and bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to pre
vent the Stealing of Horses and Neat Cattle and the more
effectual discovery and Punishment of Such Persons as
shall unlawfully brand, Mark, Kill or drive away the
same and that Mr Henry Yonge Mr Zubly, and Docf
Jones do prepare and bring in the Same
Ordered that Leave be given to bring in a Bill to
amend an Act entitled an Act to direct Executors and
administrators in the Manner and Method of returning
MARCH, 1773. 423
inventories of their Testators and Intestates Estates and
for allowing them and all other Persons who shall or
may be Intrusted with the Care of Minors and others
Estates to charge commissions thereon and that Mr
Henry Yonge, Mr Zubly and Mr Clay do prepare and
bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in an Ordinance
to appoint Comptrollers of the Country duties for the
Port of Savannah and that Mr Simpson, Mr Henry
Yonge, and Mr Shruder do prepare and bring in the
same Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to pre
vent damages arising from dams or Banks and for pre
venting persons Stopping the Natural Course or Courses
of Water to the Injury of their Neighbors and that Mr
Andrew, Mr Law and Mr Maxwell do prepare and bring
in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill for the
relief of Debtors who may be confined in Goal and are
unable to support themselves during such their Confine
ment and that Mr Stirk, Mr Isaac Young and Mr Millen
do prepare and bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to lay
a duty on raw and neat Hides Exported out of this Prov
ince and for preventing the Exportation of unmerchant
able Tanned Leather and that Mr Clay, Mr Le Conte and
Mr Jamieson do prepare and bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to em
power Commissioners therein named to put up to Sale for
the Benefit of the publick the Ferry over great ogechee
River for a Term of Years and to Authorize the said
Commissioners to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry,
424 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
and that Sir Patrick Houstoun, Mr Le Conte and Mr
Powell do prepare and bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to con
tinue the laws that are Near Expiring and that Sir Pat
rick Houstoun Docf Houstoun and Mr Simpson do Pre
pare and bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend
An Act entitled an Act to oblige Masters of Vessels Super
cargoes and other Transient persons importing Goods and
Merchandize into this province to pay Tax for the same,
and that Mr Clay Mr Jamieson and Mr Shruder do prepare
and bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in An Ordinance
to Appoint an Harbour Master for the port of Savannah
and that Mr Zubly, M1' William Jones and Mr Stirk do
prepare and bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend
an Act entitled an Act for the Regulating the pilotage of
Vessels into the several Ports of this province and that
Mr Clay, Docr Houstoun and Mr Shruder do prepare and
bring in the same
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill for estab
lishing Several Ferries in this Province and for Vesting
the same in the persons therein mentioned and that Sir
Patrick Houstoun Mr Le Conte, Mr Zubly, Docf Jones
and Docf Houstoun do prepare and bring in the same
Mr Le Conte Informed the House that he with M1'
Jones had agreeable to Order waited on his Excellency
the Governor with an Address and that his Excellency
was pleased to say that he would send the House an An
swer Tomorrow Morning
Motion being made that as the House apprehended
MARCH, 1773. 425
when the following Bill was Moved for and rejected they
had not time to go through the same but as it now ap
pears that they will meet at a more convenient Season
Resolved, Nem : Con that leave be given to bring in u
Bill for Clearing of Savannah River from the Town of
Savannah upwards and for laying a duty on Boats Trad
ing on and Rafts coming down the same, and that Mr
Simpson, Mr Jamieson, and Mr William Jones do prepare
and bring in the same
Ordered that the Country Comptroller and Clerk of the
Naval office (or powder Receiver) for the port of Sun
bury day lay their Accounts before this House on the i6'h
day of June next and that the Clerk do Acquaint them
therewith Ordered that Sir Patrick Houstoun and Mr Andrew do
Wait on his Excellency the Governor with an address
setting forth that the House having Maturely considered
the Many inconveniences Arising to the Inhabitants of the
southern parts of this province on Account of their be
ing so much Circumscribed by the Indian Line beg leave
to Request that his Excellency will be pleased at the ap
proaching congress to exert his influence with the In
dians to obtain their consent to an extention of the same
that the House also beg leave to avail themselves of this
Occasion to assure his Excellency that they will Readily
concur in Such measures as may be thought necessary to
exempt Persons purchasing the Indian Lands to be ceded
from Attending on Juries in Savannah for a Limited
time and for affording (consistantly with the Good of
their constituents) such other encouragement as may tend
to promote the Speedy Settling those Lands and the Wel
fare of the province in General, they Accordingly with
drew and being returned, Sir Patrick Houstoun Reported
that his Excellency was pleased to give the following An
swer Viz'
426 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I am perfectly Sensible that the Indian Line at the
Back of our Southern Settlements is much too near and
you may Rely on it, that, if it be possible to obtain an
extention of it, I will effect it; and I thank you for de
claring your Intention to concur in the measures Rec
ommended by me for the encouragement of Persons who
may purchase and Settle the Lands expected to be ceded
to his Majesty Ja" Wright
Savannah in Georgia
1 3"1 March 1773
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the Council —
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
It will always give me pleasure to have the publick
business carried on at such time as may be most conven
ient and agreeable to the Representatives of the people
and as I well know how Necessary it is for planters to see
their Lands Properly planted therefore I very cheerfully
grant your Request and send you an adjournment ac
cordingly Ja3 Wright
Savannah in Georgia
13th March 1773
I do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assem
bly until Tuesday the 8th day of June next then to meet for
the dispatch of Business and it is accordingly Adjourned
to the said 8th day of June —
Given under my Hand at Savannah in
Georgia the 13th day of March 1773 —
Ja8 Wright
To the Honorable the Speaker and Members
of the Commons House of Assembly
JUNE, 1773- 427
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol, 48.)
Tuesday 8th June 1773
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Nine "Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 9'11 June 1773
The House met Accord (slc) to adjournment and Ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Nine "Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday io'h June 1773
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning nine "Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 11th June 1773
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed until Monday morning 10 of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 14th June 1773
Resolved that the excuse made by Edward Barnard
Esquire for his Non Attendance is not Sufficient
428 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered that the Clerk do write to Edward Barnard
Esquire to Acquaint him that his Attendance is Required
on this day Fortnight
Resolved that the Orders for the Several Commission ¦
ers to -lay their Respective Accounts before this House on
or before the io'h Instant be adjourned over until Thurs
day Se might
Ordered that the Clerk do Acquaint them therewith
Resolved that the Order of the day for the third read
ing of a Bill to empower Commissioners or Surveyors te
lay out make and Repair the Roads already laid out or
may hereafter be Necessary and also to clear the Rivers
and Creeks within their respective divisions be farther
Adjourned over until next Friday Sen : night
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Tuesday 15th June 1773
A Bill Entitled an Act to amend an Act to ascertain the
Manner and form of Electing Members to Represent the
Inhabitants of this Province in the Commons House of
Assembly was Read a Second time and Ordered to be
committed to a Committee of the Whole House
The House Immediately Resolved itself into a Commit
tee and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Netherclift from the committee Report
ed that they had taken the said Bill into consideration
gone through the Same and made Several Amendments
thereto which he Read in his place and afterwards deliv-
JUNE, 1773. 429
ered the Bill with the Amendments in at the Table where
the same was again read and Agreed to by the House
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed And then the House Adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 16th June 1773
A petition from Several of the Inhabitants of Saint
Pauls Parish was presented to the House and Read Set
ting forth that the upper Settlers of the above Parish have
no convenient way of conveying their Heavy Produce but
by carrying it in Wagons to some Landing on Savannah
River where it may be taken off by Boats and as the up
permost Landing of this River and by much the most
convenient to the upper Settlers has no Road opened to it
and as the Creek commonly called Raes Creek Is frequent
ly high and impassable for Carriages to the great detri
ment to the upper part of the said parish the Petitioners
therefore Pray that they may obtain a Road to the River
Opposite to the Boat Landing of Le Roy Hammonds and
Company on the Carolina side being the uppermost place
where Boats can pass of any considerable Burthen and
that the Commissioners of the Roads in the said Parish
may be empowered to lay out the Same and the petitioners
as in duty bound will ever Pray &°
Ordered that the said petition do lie on the Table to be
perused by the Members of the House
The Engrossed Bill to explain amend and reduce into
one Act of Assembly the Several Laws now in being Re-
430 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
lating to the Holding Special Courts for the Trial of
Personal Actions wherein any Transient person or per
sons is or Are Plaintiff or Plaintiffs Defendant or De
fendants was Read a Second time and ordered to be com
mitted to a Committee of the whole House
The House Accordingly Resolved itself into a Commit
tee and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker Re
sumed the Chair and Mr Zubly from the Committee Re
ported that they had taken the said Bill into consideration
gone through the same and made Several Amendments
thereto which he read in his place and afterwards deliv
ered the Bill with the amendments in at the Table where
the same was again read and agreed to
A Bill entitled an Act to declare an Act of Parliament
made in the Twenty fourth Year of the reign of his late
Majesty King George the second "Entitled an Act for ren
dering the Justices of the Peace more safe in the Execu
tion of their office and for endemnifying Constables and
others Acting in obedience to their Warrants" of Force in
this province was read a Second time
Ordered that the said Bill be committed to a Commit
tee of the whole House on the 25th of December next
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning 10 of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 17"' June 1773
Motion being made that the seat of William Jones Es
quire ;i Member of this Blouse be deemed Vacant on his
application for that purpose having left the province with
an Intention not to return for Several Months, the House
JUNE, 1773- 431
divided and it passed in the Nagative. The Members for
the Motion were, Mr Simpson, Mr Shruder, Mr Jamieson,
Mr Henry Young, Mr Netherclift Mr Stirk, Mr I. Young,
Mr Brown, Mr Bryan and Mr Clay. The Members against
the Motion were Mr Baker, Docr Jones, Mr Sallens, Mr
Andrew, Mr Bourquin, Mr Powell, Mr Maxwell, Mr Car
ter, Mr Law, Mr Treutlen and Mr Zubly
Mr Law from the Committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a Bill to prevent damages Arising from dams or
Banks and for preventing persons Stopping the Natural
Course or Courses of Water to the Injury of their Neigh
bours Reported, they had prepared the same which was
Received and Read the first time and ordered to be read
a second Time
Mr Henry Yonge from the Committee appointed to pre
pare and bring in a Bill to amend an Act Entitled an
Act to direct Executors and Administrators in the Man
ner and Method of Returning Inventories and Accounts
of their Testators and Intestates Estates and for allowing
them and all other persons who shall or may be Intrusted
with the care and Management of Minors and Others
Estates to charge commissions thereon Reported they
had prepared the same which was Received and Read the
first time and Ordered to be Read a Second time
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 18"1 June 1773
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed until Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
432 ,p JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE 5
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday '218' June 1773
A Bill to amend an Act Entitled an Act to direct Ex
ecutors and Administrators in the Manner and Method of
Returning of Inventories and Accounts of their Testators
and Intestates Estates and for allowing them and all
other persons who shall or may be intrusted with the care
and management of Minors and other Estates to charge
Commissions thereon was read a Second time
Ordered that the said Bill be committed to a Commit
tee of the whole House on the 25th of December Next
Mr Speaker Informed the House that he would on
Thursday next offer for a third reading "A Bill to amend
an Act Entitled an Act to Ascertain the Manner and form
of Electing Members to Represent the Inhabitants of this
Province in the commons House of Assembly
And also Informed the House that he wou'd on To
morrow Morning offer for a third Reading the Engrossed
Bill to Explain amend and reduce into one Act of Assem
bly the Several Laws now in being Relating to the hold
ing Special Courts for the Trial of personal Actions
wherein any Transient Person or Persons is or are Plain
tiff or Plaintiffs Defendant or Defendants
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Tuesday 22nd June 1773
The Engrossed Bill from the upper House to Explain.
JUNE, 1773. 433
amend and Reduce into one Act of Assembly the Several
Laws Now in being Relating to the holding Special
Courts for the Trial of personal Actions wherein any
Transient person or persons is or are Plaintiff or Plain
tiffs defendant or defendants was Read the third time
and after Several amendments made thereto it was
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Baker do Carry the Bill with the
Amendments to the upper House and desire their Con
currence thereto
A Bill to prevent damages Arising from Dams or Banks
and for preventing Persons Stopping the Natural Course
or Courses of Water to the Injury of their Neighbours
was Read a Second time and Ordered to be committed to
a Committee of the whole House
The House Accordingly Resolved itself into a Commit
tee and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Re
sumed the Chair artel Mr Netherclift from the Committee
Reported that they had taken the said Bill into consider
ation, gone through the Same and made Several amend
ments thereto which he Read in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill with the Amendments in at the Table
where the same was again Read and agreed to by the
House Ordered that the said Bill with the amendments be En
grossed Ordered that the Clerk do write to Sir Patrick Hous
toun to Acquaint him that the House requires his Attend
ance Immediately
The House being Informed that the Clerk of the Crown
and Peace was attending at the Door he was According
28 e r— vol 15
434 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE '
called in and at the Barr of the House delivered in a pa
per, Entitled the presentments of the Grand Jury for
June Sessions, and then he Withdrew and the Title of the
said paper was read
Ordered that the said paper do lie upon the Table to
be perused by the Members of the House
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 23rd June 1773
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to make
the Lands to the Southward of the River Alatamaha
granted by the Governor of South Carolina in the Year of
1763 Subject to Sale for the Payment of all Taxes which
now are or may become due thereon and that Mr Simp
son, Mr Andrew and Mr Shruder do prepare and bring in
the same
Mr Clay from the Committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a Bill for granting to his Majesty a duty upon
Raw Neat Hides exported from this province and for
preventing the Exportation of unmerchantable Tanned
Leather Reported they had prepared the same which was
Received and Read the first time and Ordered to be read
a Second time
Mr Stirk from the committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a Bill for the Relief of Debtors who may be con
fined in Goal and are unable to Support themselves dur
ing such their confinement Reported they had prepared
the same which was Received and Read the first time and
Ordered to be Read a Second time
JUNE, 1773. 435
Mr Speaker Informed the House that he wou'd offer
for a third Reading the Bill to prevent damages arising
from Dams or Banks and for Preventing persons stop
ping the Natural Course or Courses of Water to the In
jury of their Neighbours on Tuesday Next
Mr Henry Yonge from the Committee appointed to pre
pare and bring in a Bill to prevent Stealing of Horses and
Neat Cattle and for the effectual discovery and punish
ment of such persons as shall unlawfully brand, Mark,
Kill or drive the the same Reported they had prepared the
same which was Received and Read the first time and
Ordered to be Read a Second time
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill for Rais
ing a fund to Support a Watch in the Town of Savannah
and that Mr Clay, Mr Stirk Docf Jones, Mr Shruder and
Mr Maxwell do prepare and bring in the same
And then the House Adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol, 48.)
Thursday 24th June 1773
Resolved that the Order of the day for the third Read
ing of the Bill to amend an Act Entitled an Act to Ascer
tain the Manner and form of Electing Members to Rep
resent the Inhabitants of this Province in the Commons
Hous of Assembly be Adjourned over until Wednesday
next Mr Jamieson from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for clearing of Savannah River from
the Town of Savannah upwards and for laying a duty on
Boats Trading and Rafts coming Down the same Re-
436 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ported that they had prepared the same Which was Re
ceived and Read the first time and Ordered to be Read a
second time
The Bill for the Relief of Debtors who may be con
fined in Goal and are unable to support themselves during
such their confinement was read a Second time and Or
dered to be committed to a Committee of the whole
House The House Accordingly Resolved itself into a Commit
tee and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker Re
sumed the Chair and Mr Shruder from the Committee
Reported that they had taken the said Bill into consider
ation gone through the same and made several Amend
ments thereto which he read in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill with the amendments in at the Table
where the same was again read and agreed to
Resolved that the Title of the Bill be "A Bill for the
Relief of Insolvent debtors confined in Goal
Ordered that the said Bill with the amendments be
Engrossed A Bill for Granting to his Majesty a duty upon Raw
and Neat Hides Exported from this province and for
preventing the Exportation of unmerchantable Tanned
Leather was read a second time and Ordered to be com
mitted A Bill to prevent Stealing of Horses and Neat Cattle
and for the effectual discovery and Punishment of such
persons as shall unlawfully Brand, Mark, Kill or drive
the same was also read the second time and Ordered to
be committed And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
JUNE, 1773- 437
(From B. P R. O.—B. Of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 25th June 1773
ResolvEd that the Order of the day for the third read
ing of a Bill to empower Commissioners or Surveyors to
lay out make and Repair the Roads already laid out or
may hereafter be Necessary and also to clear the Rivers
and Creeks within their Respective divisions be adjourned
over until Tuesday next
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take into
consideration the Bill for granting to his Majesty a duty
upon Raw Neat Hides Exported from this province and
for preventing the Exportation of unmerchantable Tanned
Leather and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Re
sumed the Chair and Mr Netherclift from the Committee
Reported that they had accordingly taken the same into
consideration gone through the same and made some
amendments thereto which he was directed to Report
when the house will be pleased to Receive the same
Ordered that the said Report be received on Monday
next And then the House adjourned until
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 28th June 1773
A Bill for clearing Savannah River from the Town of
Savannah upwards and for laying a duty on Boats Trad
ing on and Rafts coming down the same was Read a Sec
ond time and Ordered to be committed
438 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The House Accordingly Resolved itself into a Commit
tee and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed
the Chair and Mr Henry Yonge from the Committee Re
ported that they had taken the said Bill into consideration
and Made some progress therein and he was directed by
the Committee to Move for leave to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
Two Messages from the upper House by Thomas Moo
die Esquire in the room of the Clerk of the Upper House
Upper House of Assembly 28th June 1773
Mr Speaker
This House having considered the Engrossed Bill from
your House Entitled an Act for the better Ordering the
Militia do agree to the same with some amendments to
which they desire the concurrence of your House
Upper House of Assembly 28"1 June 1 773
Mr Speaker
This House having taken under consideration the
Amendments made by your House to the Bill Entitled an
Act, to Explain amend and Reduce into one Act of assem
bly the Several Laws now In being Relating to the hold
ing Special Courts for the Trial of personal Actions
Wherein any person or persons is or are plaintiff or plain
tiffs Defendant or Defendants have agreed to one of the
said amendments but disagree to the others this House
therefore desire your House will Join them in a free Con
ference on the subject Matter of the said amendments
which if you agree to, this House will enter on the said
business at Eleven oclock on Thursday Next in the room
adjoining the Council Chamber
JUNE, 1773. 439
Resolved that an Address be presented to his Excel
lency the Governor to thank him for his indifatigable and
Successful endeavours in Obtaining from the Indians a
large body of Valuable Lands in addition to this province
and that Mr Jamieson, Mr Simpson, and Mr Netherclift do
prepare and bring in the same
Motion being made that the thanks of this House be
given to George Galphin and Lachlan McGillivray Es
quires for exerting their Influence with the Indians and
being Very Instrumental in assisting the Governor to
obtain the late Cession of Lands, a debate arising thereon
the House divided and it passed in the Nagative the
Members for the Motion were Mr Clay, M1" Henry Yonge,
Docf Jones, Mr Bryan, Mr Bourquin, Mr Treutlen, Mr
Andrew, Mr Stirk, Mr Baker, and Mr I. Young the Mem
bers against the Motion wer Mr Simpson, Mr Jamieson,
Mr Netherclift, Mr Shruder, Mr Sallens, Sir P. Houstoun,
Docf Houstoun, Mr Powell Mr Law, Mr Maxwell and
Mr Thomas Young
Mr Netherclift (according to Order) Reported from the
Committee of the whole House to whom the Bill for
Granting to his Majesty a duty upon Raw neat Hides
exported from this Province and for preventing the Ex
portation of unmerchantable Tanned Leather was com
mitted the amendments which the Committee had made
to the Bill and which they had directed (8ic) Report to the
House and he Read the Report in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill with the amendments in at the Table
where the amendments were read and agreed to by the
House Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
440 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 29th June 1773
Mr Clay from the Committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a Bill to amend an Act Entitled an Act to oblige
Masters of Vessels Supercargoes and other Transient
Persons Importing Goods and Merchandize into this
Province to pay Tax for the same and to oblige the Treas
urer and Collector of Duties to give Security for the due
performance of their Office and for Monies that may be
Received by them by Virtue of this Act and other Acts
of this Province Reported they had prepared the same
which was received and Read the first Time and Ordered
to be Read a Second time
Then the Order of the day for Reading a third time the
Bill to empower Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out
make and Repair the Roads already Laid out or may
hereafter be Necessary and also to Clear the Rivers and
Creeks within their respective divisions, being Read, the
said Bill was read a third time and some Amendments
being made thereto
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Netherclift do Carry the said Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
Resolved that the Order of the day for the third Read
ing of the Bill to prevent damages Arising from dams or
Banks and for preventing persons Stopping the Natural
Course or Courses of Water to the Injury of their Neigh
bours be adjourned Over until Tomorrow Morning
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
JUNE, 1773- 441
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 30th June 1773
A Bill Entitled an Act to prevent damages arising
from dams or Banks and for preventing persons Stopping
the Natural Course or Courses of Water to the Injury of
their Neighbours was Read the third time and an Amend
ment was made by the House to the Bill
Resolved that the Bill do pass
OrdErEd that Mr Thomas Young do carry the said Bill
to the upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed on Monday
Last to draw up an Address to be presented to his Ex
cellency the Governor reported that the Committee had
drawn up an Address accordingly which they had directed
him to report to the House and he read the same in his
place and afterwards delivered it in at the Table where
the same was again read and Ordered to be committed
to a committee of the whole House
The House resolved itself into a Committee accordingly
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the
Chair and Mr Shruder from the Committee reported they
had taken the said Address into consideration and made
some amendments thereto and read the same in his place
and afterwards delivered the Address with the amend
ments in at the Table where the amendments were again
read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that the address be Engrossed
The said Address being Engrossed was read to the
House in the Words following Viz'
442 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
To his Excellency Sir James Wright Baronet Cap
tain General Governor and Commander in Chief of"
his Majestys Province of Georgia Chancellor and
Vice admiral of the same
The humble address of the Commons House of As
sembly
May it please your Excellency
His Majesty's Dutiful and loyal Subjects the Com
mons House of Assembly in General assembly met, well
convinced on the Many real and important advantages
which must result in this Province from the Acquisition
of the Lands lately ceded to his Majesty by the Creek
and Cheroque Indians and Sensible with how much
Ardor and Assiduity your Excellency planned, and pur
sued the Measures Necessary to the Accomplishment of
so desirable and Interesting an undertaking beg leave
to congratulate you on the Success you have met with and
to render you their thanks for the great affection you
have Shewn and the essential Service you have done the
Province on this Occasion
Ordered that Mr Speaker do sign the said address
Resolved that the said Address be presented to his
Excellency the Governor by the whole House
Ordered that Mr Henry Yonge and Mr Baker do know
his Excellency's pleasure when he will be attend by this
House A Bill to amend an Act Entitled an Act to ascertain
the Manner and form of Electing Members to represent
the Inhabitants of this Province in the Commons House
of Assembly was read the third time and some amend
ments were made by the House to the Bill —
JUNE, 1773- 44a
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Thomas Young do carry the Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
A Petition from Hugh Kennedy was presented to the
House and read Setting forth that the Petitioner had some
time ago presented a petition to the House which was re
ceived and read relating to a road he had made to the
Ferry at the two Sisters praying that he might have the
said Ferry established in him the petitioner further sets
forth that he has opened the old road leading through
his swamp for the better Accommodating of Travellors
and therefore prays the House will allow of a road to te-
Laid out through the Lands of John Adam Treutlen Es
quire Who has run a Fence across the same to the Bluff
and which the petitioner says Travellors do complain of- -
The petitioner therefore further prays the House will-
Comply with his request as it cannot be of any Injury to
Mr Treutlen and says it is but half a Mile in Length from
the King's road to the edge of the swamp, and he Prom
ises when the said road is made that leads to the above
Ferry to make a bridge over the Creek at his own Ex-
pence Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
Ordered that Mr Shruder do carry the following Mes
sage to the upper House Commons House of Assembly
30 June 1773—
Honorable Gent"
In answer to your Message of the 28th Instant desiring
a free Conference upon the Subject Matter of the amend-
444 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ments made by this House to the Engrossed Bill Entitled
an Act to explain amend and reduce into one Act of As
sembly the several Laws now in being relating to the
holding Special Courts for the Trial of personal Actions
wherein any person or persons is or are plaintiff or plain
tiffs Defendant or Defendants this House doth agree to
the same and will meet your House accordingly at the
place and time appointed
Mr Henry Young reported to the House that his Ex
cellency the Governor having been waited upon (pursuant
to Order) to know his Excellency's pleasure when he
wou'd be Attended by this, House, had been pleased to
appoint Twelve of the Clock this Morning
Accordingly Mr Speaker with the House went to attend
his Excellency the Governor to present the Address and
being returned Mr Speaker reported that he with the
House had attended his Excellency and presented their
address to which his Excellency was pleased to give the
following answer
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I return you my best thanks for this very obligeing
address — The Cession of the Lands Obtained from the
Cheroque and Creek Indians is certainly a Matter of
Very great importance to the safety and prosperity of
the Good people of this Province, and it does and always
will, give me the greatest pleasure to have my conduct ap
proved of by you their representatives Ja9 Wright
Savannah in Georgia
30th June 1773
JULY, 1773. 445
The Ho'iise having received Information of the ab
sence of William Jones Esquire from the Province and
that his business would detain him for several months
Resolved That the seat of the said William Jones
be deemed Vacant.
Ordered that an Address be presented to his Excel
lency the Governor to request him to give Orders for a
Writ to be Issued for the Electing of a Member for the
parish of Saint George in the room of William Jones Es
quire whose seat is deemed Vacant and that Mr Simpson
and Mr Stirk do wait upon his Excellency the Governor
with the said Address accordingly they withdrew and
being returned Mr Simpson reported that he with Mr
Stirk had (According to Order) waited on his Excellency
with the Address who was pleased to say he would give
orders for that purpose Immediately
Resolved that this House do on Wednesday next re
solve itself into a Committee of the whole House to take
into consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
Ordered that Mr Speaker do Issue His warrant to
take Edward Barnard Esquire into the Custody of the
Messenger of this House for his non attendance
'&>v
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B.PR. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday iBt July 1773
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Bill to prevent Stealing of Horses
and Neat Cattle and for the Effectual discovery and pun-
446 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ishment of such persons as shall unlawfully brand, Mark,
Kill, or drive the same, and after some time spent therein
Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Clay from the
committee reported they had taken the said Bill into con
sideration and made some progress therein and that he
was directed by the Committee to move for leave to sit
again Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
A Message from, his Excellency the Governor by
Thomas Moodie Esqr in the room of the Clerk of the
Council Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I herewith send you a Memorial of the Honorable
Lewis Johnson Esquire Provost Marshal of this Province
together with an affidavit of some Carpenters of reputa
tion who have Viewed the publick Goal and also the pro
test of David Tubear Keeper of the Common Goal
From these several papers you will see The present
most ruinous state of the Goal — This Gentlemen is a
Matter which calls Loudly on us for relief it has been
laid before former Assemblies but hath hitherto remained
without redress I apprehend from an Idea that the pro
vost Marshal or Sheriff is obliged to provide a prison or
Goal at his own Expence but if you will take the Trouble
to look into this point I believe you will find that all Goals
or prisons are the Kings and Called Common or publick
Goals and that they are built and repaired at the Com
mon Charge of the Country that all commitments are to
the Common Goal that the Sheriff or provost Marshal
cannot (if he wou'd) build a Common Goal that in Eng
land Goals or prisons cannot be erected by any less au-
JULY, 1773. 447
thority than an Act of Parliament and here I presume by
an Act of the General Assembly
The Honour of the Province Suffers, Publick Justice
is impeded and often prevented, and the laws of our
Country are in a great measure rendered useless by the
frequent breaches of the prison and Escapes of Delin
quents, and not only these reasons but common Humanity
calls upon us all to remedy and prevent in future the
Calamitous circumstances attending the Want of a proper
publick Goal
I must therefore in the strongest Manner recommend
the provost Marshals Memorial to your most serious con
sideration, and hope you will give that relief which the
nature of the case so Evidently requires
And now I am on this Subject, I must not omit to
Inform you that one Prine a most Notorious offender now
lies under sentance to be hanged on Wednesday the
Twenty first Instant and that there is a very great prob
ability of his making his Escape before that day unless
a Guard is kept at the prison, and that there is no monev
to defray the Expence of this without you should think
proper to provide for it Jas Wright Savannah the
Is' July 1773—
Ordered that the said Message with the papers do lie
on the Table to be perused by the Members of the House
Resolved that as it has been represented to this House
by his Excellency the Governor that Joseph Prine a most
notorious Villain is now confined in the common Goal
of Savannah under sentance of death and that there is
Great reason to apprehend he will attempt an Escape a
448 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Vote of Credit may pass this House for a sum not Ex
ceeding fifteen Pounds to be applied to the payment of a
Guard to assist the provost Marshal in preventing the
Escape of the said prine
Resolved that this House will take into consideration
on Thursday next his Excellencys Message respecting
the necessity of Building a Common Goal
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 2nd July 1773
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
into further Consideration the Bill to prevent Stealing of
Horses and neat Cattle and for the Effectual discovery
and punishment of such persons as shall unlawfully
Brand, Mark, Kill, or Drive the same and after some
time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and
Mr Clay from the Committee reported they had taken the
said Bill into further Consideration gone through the
same and made Several amendments thereto which they
had directed him to report to the House and he read the
report in his place and afterwards delivered the Bill with
the amendments in at the Table where the amendments
were again read and agreed to by the House
Resolved that the Title of the said Bill be "A Bill to
prevent Stealing of Horses and neat Cattle and unlaw
fully Branding Marking, Killing or driving the same
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed
JULY, 1773. 449
Ordered that the Clerk do write to John Jamieson
Esquire a Member of this House to acquaint him that the
House requires his immediate attendance
Mr Speaker informed the House that he would on Tues
day next offer for a third reading "a Bill for granting to
his Majesty a duty upon raw neat Hides exported from
this Province and for preventing the exportation of un
merchantable Tanned Leather
The members appointed to manage at the free confer
ence of both Houses upon the Subject Matter of the
amendments made by this House to the Engrossed Bill
Entitled an Act to Explain amend and reduce into one
Act of assembly the Several Laws now in being relating
to the holding Special Courts for the Trial of personal
actions wherein any Transient person or persons is or
are Plaintiff or Plaintiffs Defendant or Defendants re
ported that they had receded from the Second, fourth and
fifth amendments made by the House and adhered to the
first third and Last —
An Ordinance appointing the Honrble Grey Elliott
Esquire agent to Solicit the affairs of this Province in
Great Britain in case of the absence of Benjamin Frank
lin Esqr from Great Britain was read a second time
And then the House Adjourned until
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 5th July 1773
Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee appointed
to prepare and bring in a Bill to empower the Commis-
29 c r — vol 15
450 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
sioners therein named to put up to sale for the benefit
of the publick the Ferry over great Ogechee River for a
Term of Years and to Authorize the said Commissioners
to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry reported that they
had prepared the same which was received and read the
first time and Ordered to be read a Second time
The Bill to amend an Act Entitled an Act to oblige
Masters of Vessels Supercargoes and other Transient
persons importing Goods and Merchandize into this
Province to pay Tax for the Same and to oblige the
Treasurer and Collector of duties to give Security for
the due performance of their office and for Monies that
may be received by them by Virtue of this Act and other
Acts of this Province was read a second time and Or
dered to be committed
The House Accordingly resolved itself into a Commit
tee upon the said Bill and after Sometime spent therein
Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Thomas Young
from the Committee reported they had taken the said Bill
into consideration gone through the same and made
several amendments thereto which they had directed him
to report to the House and he read the report in his
place, and afterwards delivered the Bill with the amend
ments in at the Table where the amendments were again
read and agreed to by the House
Resolved that the Title of the said Bill be "a Bill to
amend and continue an Act Entitled an Act to oblige
Masters of Vessels Supercargoes and other Transient
persons Importing Goods and Merchandize into this
Province to pay Tax for the same and to oblige the
Treasurer and Collector of the Country Duties to give
Security for the due performance of their office and for
Monies that may be received by them by Virtue of this
or any other Act of this Province
JULY, 1773. 451
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 6th July 1773
The Engrossed Bill for Granting to his Majesty a duty
upon raw neat Hides Exported from this Province and
for preventing the Exportation of unmerchantable
Tanned Leather was read a third Time and some amend
ments were made thereto by the House
Resolved That the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Stirk do carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
The House took under consideration the amendments
made by the upper House to the Engrossed Bill for the
better ordering of the Militia and agreed to some and
disagreed to others
Ordered that Mr Stirk do carry the Bill to the upper
House and Acquaint them that this House have agreed to
some of the amendments made by the upper House to
the said Bill and disagreed to Others and that this House
desires they will appoint a Committee to Join a Com
mittee of this House in Conference on the Subject Mat
ter of the said amendments
Mr Speaker Informed the House that he wou'd on
Friday next offer for a third reading a Bill to prevent
452 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the Stealing of Horses and neat Cattle and unlawfully
branding marking or driving the same —
A Bill to empower the Commissioners therein named
to put up to sale for the benefit of the publick the Ferry
over Great Ogechee river for a Term of Years and to
authorize the said Commissioners to Inspect and regulate -
the said Ferry was read a second time and Ordered to
be committed
The House Accordingly resolved itself into a Com
mittee and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair and Mr Jamieson from- the Committee
reported they had taken the said Bill into consideration
gone through the same and made several amendments
thereto which they had directed him to report to tlie
House and he read the report in his place and afterwards
delivered the Bill with the amendments in at the Table
where the amendments were again read and agreed to
by the House
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 7"1 July 1773
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to em
power Commissioners of the General Loan Office to Issue
Bills of Credit for Sixty pounds in Lieu of that sum dis-
troyed by fire and that Mr Simpson, Mr Netherclift and
Mr Baker do prepare and bring in the same
JULY, 1773, 453
A Petition from Elizabeth Anderson Of the Town of
Savannah was presented to the House and read setting
forth that the Petitioner at tlie request of John Simp
son Esquire deceased late Acting Provost Marshal of this
Province did Supply the prisoners in the Goal of Savan
nah with Bread to the amount of Five pounds fifteen
Shillings and Six pence lawful Money of the Province
aforesaid as appears by an Attested Account herewith de
livered The petitioner further observes that several applica
tions were made to Mr Simpson in his life time for pay
ment of the petitioners account but all to no purpose and
the same hath never been paid and that the petitioner
hath been Informed the Provost Marshal Usually charges
the Legislature with whatever Provisions are furnished
for the prisoners in Goal, and in case he had Actually
paid the petitioners Account it wou'd have been by him
charged to and allowed by the publick that the petitioner
Would not have Troubled the House upon this Subject
were it not that the Petitioner Knows of no other Method
to recover payment of his Account which tho small is
more, as is Well known than she can afford to loose
Ordered the said petition do lie upon the Table to be
perused by the Members of the House
The Order of the day being read for taking the Esti
mate and publick Accounts under consideration the
House (pursuant to Order) resolved itself into a Com
mittee and after some time spent Therein Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee
reported that they had taken the said Estimate and Ac
counts under consideration and made some progress
therein and that he was directed by the Committee to
rhove" for leave' i6 Sit again
454 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That the Committee have leave to sit again.
Mr Speaker Informed the House that he wou'd on this
day Sin-night offer for a third reading a Bill to prevent
the Stealing of Horses and neat Cattle and unlawfully
Branding Marking Killing or driving the same
And also that he wou'd on Thursday the 15"1 Instant
offer for a third reading a Bill to amend and continue
an Act to oblige Masters of Vessels Supercargoes and
other Transient persons importing Goods and Merchan
dize into this Province to pay Tax for the same and to
oblige the Treasurer and Collector of Country duties to
give Security for the due performance of their office and
for monies that may be received by them by Virtue of
this or any other Act of this Province
Resolved that the Order of the day for the different
Commissioners and other persons therein mentioned to
lay their respective Accounts before this House be fur
ther Adjourned, over until the i6'h Instant and that the
Clerk do Acquaint them therewith
Resolved that the Order of the day for taking under
consideration his Excellency's Message respecting the
Necessity of Building a common Goal be adjourned
over until the 16th Instant
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 8th July 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
JULY, 1773. 455
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 9"1 July 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until Monday Morning 10 of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 12th July 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning 8 of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 13 July 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 14th July 1773
Motion being made that Edward Barnard Esquire a
Member of this House in Custody of the Messenger be
admitted he was Accordingly called in and made his ex
cuse Resolved that the said Excuse is not Satisfactory
Ordered that the said Edward Barnard Esquire be
discharged out of Custody of the Messenger upon paying
his Fees
456 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The Engrossed Bill to prevent the Stealing of Horses
and neat Cattle and unlawfully Branding, marking Kill
ing or driving the same was read a. third Time and an
Amendment was made thereto
Resolved That the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Henry Yonge do carry the Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence
Mr Speaker Informed the House that he wou'd on
Friday next offer for a third reading a Bill to empower
the Commissioners therein named to put up to sale for
the benefit of the publick the Ferry over Great "Gechee
river for a Term of Years and to authorize the said Com
missioners to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 15th July 1773
A Petition from John Francis Rainier with an affidavit
thereto annexed was presented to the House and read
setting forth that the petitioner had the Misfortune to
have his dwelling House and other Buildings burnt on
the first day of Last February and the most of his Effects
destroyed and that the petitioner had at that time by
him a Sum of Money toi the Amount of thirteen pounds
in Bills of Credit of this Province which was intirely con
sumed the petitioner therefore hopes that he may be re
lieved in the same Manner as in a, case of the like nature
now before the House and the petitioner will ever pray
JULY, 1773. 457
The Engrossed Bill to amend and continue an Act to
oblige Masters of Vessels Supercargoes and other Tran
sient persons importing Goods and Merchandize into this
Province to pay Tax for the same and to oblige the
Treasurer and Collector of Country duties to give se
curity for the due performance of their office and for
Monies that may be received by them by Virtue of this
or any other Act of this Province was read a third time
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Clay do carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee reported that
they had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under
Consideration and made some further progress therein
and that he was directed by the Committee to move for
leave to sit again
OrderEd that the Committee have leave to sit again.
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 16th July 1773
The Engrossed Bill to empower the Commissioners
therein named to put Up to Sale for the Benefit of the
publick the Ferry over Great Ogechee River for a Term
of Years and to Authorize the sa'id Commis'si-oner to In-
458 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
spect and regulate the said Ferry was read a third Time-
and some amendments were made thereto
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Barnard do Carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
Upper House of Assembly 14th July 1773
Mr Speaker
In Answer to the Message from your House desiring
a Conference with this House on the subject Matter of
the Amendments made to the Bill for the better Ordering
of the Militia do agree to the said Conference and have
appointed a Committee Accordingly to Join the Com
mittee of your House in the room adjoining the Council
Chamber immediately Committee The honorable James^
Edward Powell James Read and Henry Yonge Esquires.
Ordered that a Committee be appointed to Join a Com
mittee of the upper House in conference on the amend
ments made by the upper House to the said Bill and a
Committee was appointed accordingly Committed to Cap
tain Carter, Mr Le Conte Mr Andrew, Mr Baker, and Mr
Simpson Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed to Join a
Committee of the upper House in Conference on the
amendments made by the upper House to the Engrossed
Bill Entitled a Bill for the better Ordering of the
Malitia —
Reported that the Committee had Joined the Commit
tee of the upper House in conference and had taken the
matters recommended to them under consideration and
JULY, 1773. 459
were ready to report when the House please to receive
the same
Ordered that the report be received on Monday next
And then the House adjourned until
monday Morning nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 19th July 1773
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under Consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under Con
sideration and made some further progress therein and
that he was directed by the Committee to move for leave
to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
A petition from several of the Inhabitants of the Prov
ince was presented to the House and read setting forth
that they beg leave to Express their grateful approbation
of a Bill which has lately originated in and passed
through the Honorable House, that the like worthy prin
cipals to which they owe its present progress, ensure to
them its ultimate Success that the Inhumanity the In
justice the inefficacy of Criminal Laws, have, In almost
every Society been the Frequent Subject of complaint —
That they congratulate themselves, that in the House they
are likely to become the Subject of Inquiry and amend
ment that they thank their representatives for what they
have already done and they desire to consider it as an
earnest of their yet farther attention to a Matter almost
460 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
as Generally Neglected as it is important, but that amidst
these their hopes and congratulations they may be al
lowed likewise to pour forth their Sorrows, that a fellow
Creature a fellow Member of their Society groans, under
the heavy Sentance of that Grevious Law which you have
lately so publickly so Solemnly disapproved that he is
Snached away at the dawn of Mercy he is wrecked with
in Sight of the Harbour, that shoud Prine Suffer and
your Bill pass into a Law, he does not in the eye of reason,
for the Crime, but for the time of its commission that he
dies not for having Stolen a Mare, but for having Stolen
her in 1772 instead of 1773 that they hope they shall
not be Spectators of such a Scene that they intreat your
application to his Majestys representative in behalf of this
unhappy Man — That offices of Mercy are at all times
amiable but on this Occasion they must in you be pecu
liarly becoming That they feel their Intreaties more than
seconded by what you yourselves have so lately done —
That though their Petition is Signed but by a very
Trifling number of your Constituents they take upon them
to assert that it conveys the Sentiments of the Majority
for, to approve of the above mentioned Bill and to ap
prove of the requested application must with every con-
sistant person be one and the same feeling
In consequence of the above Petition a Motion was
made that an address be presented to his Excellency the
Governor humbly to request him to Extend his Mercy
to Joseph Prine now under Sentance of Death on such
conditions as shall appear most Eligible to his Excellency
— a debate arising thereon and the Question being put
it passed in the affirmative the Members for the Motion
were Docf Jones, Mr Simpson, Mr Zubly Mr Shruder,
Mr Bryan, Mr Netherclift, Docf Houstoun, Mr Powell,
Mr Law, Captain Carter and Mr Bourquin the Members
against the Motion were Mr Baker, Mr Brown, Mr Max-
JULY, 1773. 461
well, Mr Isaac Young, Mr Barnard, Mr Le Conte, Mr
Clary, Mr Millen, Mr Sallens and Mr Jamieson
Resolved that an Address be prepared accordingly and
that Mr Zubly, Mr Shruder and Docf Jones do prepare
and bring in the same they according withdrew and
being returned Mr Zubly reported they had prepared The
same which was received and read and some amendments
were made thereto by the House
Ordered that the said Address be Engrossed
The said Address being Ingrossed was read to the
House in the words following Viz'
To his Excellency Sir James Wright Baronet Cap
tain General Governor and Commander in Chief of
his Majesty's Province of Georgia Chancellor and
Vice Admiral of the same —
The Humble Address of the Commons House of
Assembly
May it please your Excellency ,
The commons House of Assembly having this day re
ceived a petition from a number of Gentlemen of the
Town of Savannah and some others in favour of Joseph
Prine a Convict now under Sentence of Death setting
forth some Circumstances in his behalf which render him
in their Opinion an object of Mercy, and intreating this
House to make application to your Excellency in his
favour and after having taken the said petition into our
Serious consideration and Maturely weighed the reasons
therein advanced being led to hope that as fie has already
Suffered Greatly by a Long Imprisonment attended by
many other though lawful yet severe and rigid hardships
and has probably been brought to a proper Sense of his
462 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
former Crimes and bad conduct by such Charitable and
religious Arguments and Doctrines as have from time to
time been frequently urged and communicated to him he
may (shou'd your Excellency think proper conditionally
to remit his Sentence) become a Good and useful Subject
to his Majesty we therefore beg leave humbly to recom
mend the said Joseph Prine as an object of compasion,
and Sollicit you to extend Mercy towards him in such way
as to your Excellency shall seem most Eligible
Ordered that Mr Speaker do Sign the said address and
that Mr Netherclift and Mr Zubly do wait on his Ex
cellency the Governor and present the same
And then the House Adjourned until
To morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 20th July 1773
Mr Netherclift from the Committee appointed to wait
on his Excellency the Governor with the address reported
that his Excellency was pleased to say that in cases of
life and death (where application was made to him) he
always consulted his Majesty's Council which he will now
do and that afterwards he will send an Answer to the
Address — •
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under Consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the
Chair and Mr Clary from the Committee reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under consid
eration and made some further progress therein and that
he was directed by the committee to move for leave to
sit again
JULY, 1773. 463
Ordered that the committee have leave to sit again
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
deputy Secretary the Clerk of the Council being absent
in Answer to the Address of Yesterday
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
It always gives me great pleasure to have it in my
power to comply with the request of the House of As
sembly and I have now the Satisfaction to Acquaint you
that on my laying your address in favour of Prine before
his Majesty's Council they are unanimously Inclined to
Mercy — wherefore I shall Order a Conditional Pardon
to be prepared for him Ja" Wright
Savannah 20th July 1773
Resolved that this House do take under Consideration
on Friday next whither the Expences of Government and
the demands against the publick from the 26th April 1771
to The 21s' April 1772 be allowed and provided for
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 218' July 1773
Mr Simpson from the Committee Appointed to prepare
. and bring in a Bill to empower the Commissioners of
the General Loan Office to Issue a Sum of Sixty pounds
to make good a loss by Fire reported they had prepared
the same which was received and read the first time and
> Ordered to be read a Second Time —
464 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The Order of the day being read the House accord
ingly took under consideration his Excellency's Message
respecting the Necessity of building a Common Goal, and
also the Memorial of the provost Marshal to his Ex
cellency the Governor and the Affidavits and protest
which were by his Excellency the Governor laid before
the House accordingly
A Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill to ap
point Commissioners to build a Common Goal in the
Town of Savannah and to Inspect the same when Built
and for raising a sum of Money to defray the Expence
of the same — and also to oblige the provost Marshal to
give Security for the due Execution of his office, and to
regulate the duties thereof, A debate arising thereon and
the Question Being put it passed in the Nagative — The
Members for the Motion were Docf Houstoun, Mr Neth
erclift, Mr Henry Yonge, Mr Shruder, Mr Jamieson, Mr
Simpson, Mr I Young Mr Stirk, Mr Millen, Mr Barnard,
and Mr Zubly The Members against the Motion were
Mr Brown Docf Jones, Captain Carter, Mr Brian, Mr
Law, Mr Andrew, Mr Treutlen, Mr Le Conte, Mr Bour
quin Mr Powell, Mr Clay, Mr Baker, and Mr Sallens
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol 48.)
Thursday 22d July 1773
The Bill to empower the Commissioners of the General
Loan office to Issue a sum of Sixty pounds to make Good
a Loss by Fire was read a Second time and Ordered to be
committee The House accordingly resolved itself into a Commit-
JULY, 1773. 465
tee and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Netherclift from the Committee re
ported they had taken the said Bill under consideration
and made some progress therein and that he was directed
by the committee to move for leave to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the Council
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
Yesterday afternoon I received Certain Information
that Two Cheroque Indians were murdered near Broad
River as they were returning home from the Congress
lately held at Augusta for the particulars of which I refer
you to the letters now sent and by which you will see
in what a base Manner these Murders were perpetrated
and being done on their return home from the congress
is a great agrivation of the crime I have therefore with
the advice of his Majesty's Council determined to Issue
a proclamation for the apprehending the offender or
offenders and as there is no Money in the Treasurers
Hands which I can appropriate in that way I must rec
ommend it to you to provide for this Necessary Service
Jas Wrighi
Savannah Council Chamber
22d July 1773—
The said Message and letters being taken under con
sideration Resolved Nem : Con that this House will provide the
sum of one Hundred pounds for the apprehending of the
30 c r— vol 15
466 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
offender or offenders Mentioned in his Excellencys Mes
sage Ordered that an Address be presented to his Excel
lency the Governor to Acquaint him therewith and that
Mr Clay and Mr Barnard do wait on his Excellency with
the said address
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to a Bill to prevent dam
ages arising from Dams or Banks and for preventing per
sons Stopping the Natural Course or Courses of Water
to the Injury of their (Neighbours with some amend
ments to which they desire the Concurrence of this House
and also to a Bill to empower Commissioners or Sur
veyors to lay out make and repair the roads already laid
out or may hereafter be Necessary and also to clear the
rivers and Creeks within their respective divisions with
amendments to which they likewise desire the Concur
rence of this House and also a Bill to amend an Act En
titled an Act to ascertain the Manner and form of elec-
ing Members to represent the Inhabitants of this Province
in the Commons House of Assembly to which they also
desire the Concurrence of this House
And then the House Adjourned until
To morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 23d July 1773
A petition from Several of the Inhabitants of Saint
Matthews Parish was presented to the House and read
JULY, 1773. 467
setting forth, That a publick Ferry over the river Sa
vannah from the plantation of Robert Hudson fourteen
Miles above the one at the place called the Two Sisters
would be very convenient for Travellors passing to and
from Carolina and that if the House shou'd think proper
to vest the same in the Said Robert Hudson he the said
Hudson will be at the Expence of making the road on
each side of the above Mentioned River whereby Trav
ellors may cross at almost any Season or time of the
Year and that the petitioners will ever pray &"
Ordered that the said petition do lie on the Table to
be perused by the Members of the House
The Order of the day for the House to take under
consideration on this day whither the Expenses of Gov
ernment and the demands against the publick from the
26th April 1771 to the 21st April 1772 be allowed and
provided for being read
A Motion was made that the House do resolve to
provide for the Expences of Government and the debts
due from the publick incurred between the 26th of April
1 771 and the 21s' of April 1772 and a debate arising
therein the Question being put it passed in the affirm
ative the Members for the Motion were, Mr Simpson, Mr
Law, Mr Henry Yonge, Mr Barnard, Mr I : Young, Mr
Netherclift, Mr Jamieson, Mr Stirk, Mr Treutlen, Docf
Houstoun, Sir P: Houstoun, Mr Millen, Mr Carter, and
Mr Shruder The Members against the Motion were M*
Brown, Mr Sallens Mr Clay, Mr Baker, Mr Le Conte,
Mr Zubly, Mr Andrew, Docf Jones, Mr Powell and M'
Bourquine Resolved That such commissioners and other per
sons as have already been Ordered to attend this House
with their respective accounts and have hitherto Neglected
468 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
to give such attendance be peremptorily required to at
tend on Tuesday next at Eleven "Clock
Ordered that the Clerk do acquaint them, therewith
And then the House adjourned, until
Monday Morning ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 26th July 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 27th July 1773
Ordered that the Clerk do write to Such Members as
have absented, themselves without leave of the House rr
have not made a proper Excuse and acquaint them th-it
the House requires their Immediate attendance
And then the House adjourned until
Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 28th July 1773
The House took under consideration the amendments
made by the upper House to the Bill to prevent damages
arising from dams or Banks and for preventing persons-
stopping the Natural Course or Courses of water to the
JULY, 1773. 469
Injury of their Neighbours and agreed to the same and
likewise the amendments made to the Bill to amend an
Act Entitled an Act to ascertain the manner and Form of
Electing Members to represent the Inhabitants of this
Province in the Commons House of Assembly and agreed
to some and disagreed to others.
And also the amendments made to the Bill to empower
Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out make and repair
the roads already laid out or that may hereafter be Neces
sary and also to clear the rivers and Creeks within their
respective divisions and agreed to Some and disagreed
to others
Ordered that Mr Henry Yonge do carry the Bill to
prevent damages arising from' dams or Banks and for
preventing persons Stopping the Natural Course or
Courses of Water to the Injury of their Neighbours to
the upper House and acquaint them that this House have
agreed to the amendments made to the same by their
House Ordered that Mr Henry Yonge do also carry to the
upper House the Bill to amend an Act Entitled an Act
to ascertain the Manner and form of Electing members
to represent the Inhabitants of this Province in the com
mons House of Assembly and the Bill to empower the
commissioners or Surveyors to lay out make and
repair the roads already laid out or that may hereafter
be Necessary and also to clear the rivers and Creeks
within their respective divisions and acquaint them that
this House have agreed to some of the amendments made
by their House to the said Bill and disagreed to others
and that this House desires they will appoint a Commit
tee to Join a Committee of this House in Conference on
the Subject matter of the amendments made to the said
Bills
470 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk Viz*
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to a Bill to prevent the
Stealing of Horses and neat Cattle and unlawfully brand
ing, Marking, Kiling or driving the same with some
amendments to which they desire the Concurrence of this
House Also to a Bill for granting to his Majesty a duty upon
raw neat Hides Exported from this Province and for pre
venting the Exportation of unmerchantable Tanned
Leather, with some amendments to which they desire the
Concurrence of this House — Also to a bill to amend and
continue an Act to oblige Masters of Vessels Supercar
goes and other Transient persons importing Goods and
Merchandize into this Province to pay Tax for the same
and to oblige the Treasurer and Collector of Country
duties to give security for the due performance Of their
office and for Monies that may be received by them by
Virtue of this or any other Act of this Province with
some amendments to which they desire the concurrence
of this House And also to a Bill to empower the Com
missioners therein named to put up to Sale for the benefit
of the publick the Ferry over Great oGechee River for
a Term of Years and to Authorize the said Commission
ers to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry with amend
ments to which they likewise desire the concurrence of
this House And then the House adjourned untill To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
JULY, 1773. 471
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 29th July 1773
Ordered that Mr Speaker do Issue his Warrant to take
into custody Sir Patrick Houstoun Baronet and Jonathan
Bryan Esquire Members of this House for absenting
themselves without leave of the House
The House took under consideration the amendments
made by the upper House to the Bill to empower the
Commissioners therein named to put up to Sale for the
benefit of the Publick the Ferry over great ogechee River
for a term of Years and to authorize the said Commission
ers to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry, and agreed to
some and disagreed to Others Also the amendments made
to the Bill to amend and continue an Act to oblige Masters
of Vessels Supercargoes and other Transient persons im
porting Goods and Merchandize into this province to pay
Tax for the same and to oblige the Treasurer and Col
lector of Country Duties, to give Security for the due
performance of their office and for Monies that may be
received by them by Virtue of this or any other Act of
this province and did agree to Some and disagree to
others Ordered that Mr Zubly do carry the said Bills to the
upper House and acquaint them that this House have
agreed to some of the amendments made by their House
to .the said Bills and disagreed to others and that this
House desire that they will appoint a Committee to Join
a Committee of this House in Conference on the Subject
Matter of the amendments made to the said Bills
The House likewise took under consideration the
Amendments made by the upper House to the Bill for
granting to his Majesty a duty upon raw neat Hides
472 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Exported from this province and for preventing the Ex
portation of unmerchantable Tanned leather and agreed
to the same —
Ordered that Mr Zubly do also carry the said Bill to
the upper House and Acquaint them that this House
have agreed to the amendments made to the same by
their House —
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk Viz'
Upper House of assembly 29th July 1773
Mr Speaker
In answer to your Message of this day desiring this
House will appoint a Committee to Join a Committee
of your House in conference on the Subject Matter of
the Amendments made by this House to the Bill to amend
an Act Entitled an Act to ascertain the Manner and form
of Electing Members to represent the Inhabitants of this
Province in the commons House of Assembly and also to
the Bill to empower the Commissioners or Surveyors to
lay out make and repair the roads already laid out or that
may hereafter be necessary and also to clear the rivers and
Creeks within their respective divisions do agree to the
said conference and have appointed a Committee accord
ingly to meet in the room adjoining the Council Cham
ber immediately
Committee The Honble James Edward Powell James
Read and James Hume Esquires
Ordered that a Committee be appointed to Join a Com
mittee of the upper House in conference on the amend
ments made by the upper House to the said Bills and a
Committee was appointed accordingly Committed to
JULY, 1773. 473
Mr Shruder, Mr Clay, Mr Barnard, Mr Le Conte and
Docf Jones —
Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill to enforce the payment of Arrears
of Taxes due in this Province from persons holding or
claiming to hold Lands by Virtue of and under grants
Signed by the Governor of South Carolina in the Year
of Our Lord 1773 reported they had prepared the same
which was received and read the first time and ordered
to be read a Second time
A Petition from Several of the Inhabitants of Queens
borough Township was presented to the House and read
Setting forth that the petitioners apprehend that a Teacher
of the Established Church is to be fixt in the lower part of
the Parish of Saint George which they imagine will be
oppressed to them as it will be the Means of increasing
their Taxes in Order to provide for his Support and Main
tenance they have already Subscribed for the Expence
of a Teacher to reside amongst them the Petitioners
therefore pray that the House will take the Matter into
their Serious Consideration and prevent such a Measure
from taking place either by dividing their parish or con
stituting the part they reside in into a Seperate district
and thereby enabling therm (without Subjecting them to
the inconveniences which they now daily meet with) to
have teachers and places of worship together with a Court
of Conscience amongst them1 and they will pray as in
duty Bound &°
Ordered that the said petition do lie upon the Table to
be perused, by the Members of the House
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
474 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the Chair and Mr Clay from the committee Reported
they had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under
consideration and made some further progress therein
and that he was directed by the committee to move for
leave to sit again
Ordered that the committee have leave to Sit again
Ordered that the Clerk do give notice that if such
persons as have not attested their Accounts (delivered in)
against the publick do not immediately call on the Clerk
of this House and attest the same no Notice will be taken
of them in the present Tax Bill
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 30th July 1773
Motion being made that Jonathan Bryan Esquire hav
ing some days since absented himself From this House
without leave and having Yesterday Morning in a Con
temptuous Manner departed from this Province without
asking leave or even making his Intentions known — be
Expelled this House — a debate arising thereon and the
Question being put it passed in the affirmative the Mem
bers for the Motion were Mr Law, Mr Millen, Mr Le
Conte, Mr Clay, Mr Netherclift, Mr Treutlen Mr Shruder,.
Mr Jamieson, Mr Maxwell Mr Simpson, Mr Bourquine,
Mr Henry Yonge and Mr Barnard, the Members against
the Motion were Docf Jones, Mr Carter, Mr Zubly, Mr
Powell Mr Andrew, and Mr Sallens
Ordered that an address be presented to his Excellen-
AUGUST, 1773. 475
cy the Governor requesting him to give directions for a
Writ to be Issued for the Town and district of Savannah
for the Electing of a Member in the room of Jonathan
Bryan Esquire who is Expelled the House and that MT
Simpson and Mr Barnard do wait on his Excellency with
the said Address
The Bill to enforce the payment of the Arrears of
Taxes due in this Province from persons holding or
claiming to hold Lands by Virtue of and under Grants
signed by the Governor of South Carolina in the year
of our Lord Seventeen Hundred and Sixty three was
read a Second time and Ordered to be committed
The House accordingly resolved itself into a Commit
tee and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Henry Yonge from the committee Re
ported they had taken the said Bill into consideration
and made some progress therein and that he was directed
by the committee to move for leave to sit again
Ordered that the committee have leave to sit again
And then the House adjourned until
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 2d August 1 773
Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed to wait on
his Excellency the Governor with an address to acquaint
his Excellency to give directions for a Writ to be Issued
for the Town and district of Savannah for Electing a
Member in the room of Jonathan Bryan Esqr who is.
Expelled the House reported that he with Mr Barnard
476 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
had (according to Order) waited on his Excellency the
Governor with the said address and that his Excellency
was pleased to say he would give Orders for that purpose
Immediately The Blouse resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
The Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under consid
eration and made some further progress therein and that
he was directed by the committee to move for leave to
sit again
Ordered that a Committee have leave to sit again
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
upper House of Assembly 2nd Aug' 1773
Mr Speaker
In answer to the Message from your house of this
day desiring this Blouse will appoint a Committee to Join
a Committee of your House on the subject matter of the
Amendments made by this House to the Bill to empower
the Commissioners therein named to put up to Sale for
the benefit of the publick the Ferry over great ogechee
River for a Term of years and to authorize the said
Commissioners to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry —
and also the amendments made to the Bill to amend and
continue an Act to oblige Masters of Vessels Supercargoes
and other Transient persons importing Goods and Mer
chandize into this province to pay Tax for the same and
to oblige the Treasurer and Collector of Country duties
to give Security for the True performance of their office
and for Monies that may be received by them by Virtue
Of this or any other Act of this Province do agree to the
AUGUST, 1773. 477
said conference and have appointed a Committee Accord
ingly to Join a Committee of your House on the Subject
Matter of the said amendments to meet in the room ad
joining the Council Chamber at Twelve "Clock tomor
row Committee the Honorable James McKay, James Ed
ward. Powell Hen7 Yonge and James Read Esquires
Ordered that a Committee be appointed to join a
Committee of the upper House in Conference on the
amendments made by the upper House to the said Bills
and a Committee was appointed accordingly Committed
to Mr Simpson, Mr Shruder, Mr Clay, Docf Jones Mr
Netherclift, Mr Henry Yonge and Mr Le Conte
Ordered that the Committee appointed to Examine
the Treasurers Accounts do make their report on or before
next Thursday Sen might
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 3rd August 1773 —
Nathaniel Hall Esquire Elected and returned for the
parish of Saint George proved himself duly Qualified to
serve as a representative according to the Terms pre
scribed in and by an Act of the General Assembly and
then Took the Oaths and made and Subscribed the Dec
laration and took and Subscribed the Oath of Abjuration
and then took his Seat
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after Sometime spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
478 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee reported
they had taken the Said Estimate and Accounts under
consideration and made some further progress therein
and that he was directed by the Committee to move for
leave to Sit again; Ordered that the Committee have
leave to Sit again
Ordered that Mr Jamieson, Mr Hall, and Mr Stirk
be added to the Committee appointed to Examine into
the Treasurers Accounts
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Ordinance appointing the Hon
orable Grey Elliott Esquire agent to Solicit the affairs
of this province in Great Britain in case of the absence
of Benjamin Franklin Esquire from Great Britain and
after Some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed the
Chair and Mr Netherclift from the Committee reported
that they had taken the said Ordinance into consideration
gone through the same and made some amendments
thereto which he read in his place and afterwards deliv
ered the Ordinance in at the Table where the same were
again read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that the said Ordinance with the amendments
be Engrossed
Mr Speaker informed, the House that he wou'd on
Friday next offer same for a third reading
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
AUGUST, 1773. 479
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 4th August 1773
The House being informed that Sir Patrick Houstoun
Baronet in Custody of the Messenger of this House was
attending at the door he was accordingly called in and
Ordered to be discharged upon paying his Fees
Mr Netherclift from the Committee appointed to Ex
amine into the Treasurers Accounts reported that they
had Examined the same and were ready to make their
report when the House please to receive the same He Ac
cordingly (with leave of the House) made his report
Ordered that the same be taken under Consideration
on Tuesday next
A petition from Several of the Inhabitants of the parish
of Christ Church was presented to the House and read
Setting forth that the petitioners are Informed that the
Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts per
suaded that the Inhabitants of this parish are of them
selves in Sufficient circumstances to make a proper and
becoming provision for a rector have lately withdrawn
from him their usual Stipend or Salery and the Subscri
bers being very desirous that a rector of Christ Church
Shou'd be Supported in a Manner becoming his rank and
Charecter Humbly request that the House will be pleased
to take the State of the Living into consideration and if
it shall appear to the House as it does to the petitioners
to be unequal to the Expences of a Famaly residing in the
Town of Savannah that the House will be pleased to
make such an Addition to it as will fully answer that pur
pose the petitioners therefore beg leave to Inform the
House that the rector of the parish of Christ Church is
often called upon duties that respect the province in Gen-
480 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
eral and have no relation to his parish in particular and
therefore hope that the House will be pleased to grant
some equivalent Sum for these Services and provide any
further Sum that may seem meet and in such a way as
may be least burthensome to the parish and the petitioner
will ever pray &c
Ordered that the said petition do lie on the Table to
be perused by the Members of the House
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under consid
eration and made some further progress therein and that
he was directed by the committee to move for Leave to
Sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk Viz*
Upper House of Assembly 4th Aug3' 1773
Mr Speaker
This House having taken into consideration the report
of the Committee of this House appointed to Join a Com
mittee of your House in conference on the subject matter
of the amendments made by this House to the Bill Enti
tled an Act to ascertain the Manner and form of Electing
members to represent the Inhabitants of this province in
the commons House of Assembly — Also a Bill to em
power commissioners or Surveyors to lay out make and
repair the roads already laid out or may hereafter Be
Necessary and also to clear the rivers and Creeks within
their respective Divisions — Also to the Bill to empower
AUGUST, 1773. . 481
the Commissioners therein named to put up to Sale for
the benefit of the publick the Ferry over great ogechee
River for a Term of Years and to Authorize the said
Commissioners to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry — <
And Also to the Bill to amend and Continue an Act to
oblige Masters of Vessels Supercargoes and other Tran
sient persons importing Goods and Merchandize into this
province to pay Tax for the same and to oblige the Treas
urer and Collector of Country duties to give security for
the due performance of their office and for Monies that
may be received by them by Virtue of this or any other
Act of this province do agree with their Committee in the
Alterations made in the said Several Amendments at the
conference and adhere to the amendments which their
Committee did Adhere to
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 5"1 August 1773
Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed to Join a
Committee of the upper House to confer on the Subject
Matter of the Amendments made by their House to the
Engrossed Bill to amend and continue an Act to oblige
Masters of Vessels Supercargoes and other Transient
Persons importing Goods and Merchandize into this prov
ince to pay Tax for the Same and to oblige the Treas
urer and Collector of Country duties to give Security for
the due performance of their office and for Monies that
may be received by them by Virtue of this or any other
Act of Assembly also on the Subject Matter of the amend
ments made to the Engrossed Bill to empower the Com
missioners therein named to put up to Sale for the benefit
31 e r— vol 15
482 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
of the publick the Ferry over Great ogechee River for a
Term of Years and to Authorize the said Commissioners
to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry reported that the
Committee had Joined a Committee of the upper House
in Conference and had taken the Matters recommended
to them under consideration and that the committee of
the upper House had receded from some of their amend
ments and Adhered to others which the Committee had
directed him to report to the House and he read the report
in his place and afterwards delivered it in at the Table
where it was again read
The House Accordingly took the same into considera
tion and Resolved that this House doth not agree in the
amendments made by the upper House to the Bill to
amend and continue an Act to oblige Masters of Vessels
Supercargoes and other Transient persons importing
Goods and Merchandize into this province to pay Tax for
the same and to oblige the Treasurer and Collector of
Country duties to give Security for the due performance
of their office and for Monies that may be received by
them by Virtue of this or any other Act of Assembly and
that this House doth agree to the alterations made by
their Committee of the said Conference in the amend
ments made by the upper House to the Bill to empower
the Commissioners therein named to put up to Sale for
the benefit of the publick the Ferry over great ogechee
river for a Term of Years and to Authorize the said Com
missioners to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry
Mr Shruder from the Committee appointed to Join a
Committee of the upper House in conference on the Sub
ject Matter of the amendments made by their House to
the Bill to Ascertain the Manner and form of Electing
Members to represent the Inhabitants of this province in
the commons House of Assembly, Also on the subject
Matter of amendments made to the Bill to empower
AUGUST, 1773. 483
Commissioners or Surveyors to lay out make and repair
the roads already laid out or may hereafter be Necessary
and also to clear the rivers and Creeks within their re
spective divisions also reported that the. Committee had
Joined a Committee of the upper House in Conference
and had taken the Matters recommended to them under
consideration and that the Committee of the upper House
had receded from some of their amendments and Ad
hered to others which the Committee had Directed him
to report to the House and he read the report in his place
and afterwards delivered it in at the Table where it was
again read
The House Accordingly took the same into Consider
ation and Resolved that this House doth not agree to the
second Amendment made by the upper House to the Bill
to ascertain the Manner and form of Electing Members
to represent the Inhabitants of this province in the Com
mons House of Assembly and therefore proceeded no
further upon the Other amendments and that this House
doth agree to the Alterations made by their Committee at
the said conference in the Amendments made by the up
per House to the Bill to empower commissioners or Sur
veyors to lay out make and repair the roads already laid
out or may hereafter be necessary and also to Clear the
rivers and Creeks within their respective divisions
Ordered that Mr Shruder do acquaint the upper House
that this House have agreed to the alterations made by
their Committee at the Conference made by their House
to the Bill to empower Commissioners or Surveyors To
lay out make and repair the roads already laid out or may
hereafter be Necessary and also to clear the rivers and
Creeks within their Respective divisions ; and also to the
Alterations made by their Committee at the conference in
the amendments made by their House to the Bill to em
power the Commissioners therein named to put up to sale
484 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
for the benefit of the publick the Ferry over great oge
chee River for a Term of Years and to authorize the Said
Commissioners to Inspect and regulate the said Ferry.
And that Mr Shruder do likewise acquaint the upper
House that this House doth disagree to the amendments
made by their House to the Bill entitled an Act to ascer
tain the manner and form of Electing Members to repre
sent the Inhabitants of this province in the Commons
House of Assembly and doth also disagree to the amend
ments made by their House and therefore proceeded no
further upon the other amendments to the Bill to amend
and continue an Act to oblige Masters of Vessels, Super
cargoes and other Transient persons importing Goods
and Merchandize into this province to pay Tax for
the same, and to oblige the Treasurer and Collector of the
Country duties to give Security for the due performance
of their office and for Monies that may be received by
them By Virtue of this or any other act of this Province
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under Consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under consid
eration and made some further progress therein and that
he was directed by the Committee to move for leave to
sit again
Ordered that the Committee have Leave to sit again
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow morning Eight of the Clock
AUGUST, 1773. 485
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 6th August 1773
Ordered that the agent for this province be Instructed
by the Committee of Correspondence to make application
to Government in behalf of the Settlers on the Lands
claimed by the Assigns of Sir William Baker as being
within the Limits of a Certain Barony said to be in the
parish of Christ Church and supposed to be heretofore
run by Virtue of a Grant from the late Lords proprietors
of South Carolina and that he be further Instructed if
Necessary to beseech his most sacred Majesty that he will
be graciously pleased to direct an Equivalent In Lands or
such other recompense as may be Judged proper to be
given to the Claimants of the said Barony in Lieu thereof
as in his great wisdom he shall think fit and that the agent
be furnished, with every necessary direction and Docu
ment relating to the said Barony and the Settlers thereon
which may Tend to promote the Success of his applica
tion and petition
Mr Stirk from the Committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a Bill to regulate and ascertain the rates of
Wharfage of Shipping and Merchandize and Also to As
certain the rates of Storage in the Several ports of this
province and for the better regulation of Wharves and of
Shipping in the said ports and for ascertaining the duty
of an Harbour Master for the port of Savannah, reported,
that they had prepared the Same which was received and
read the first time and Ordered to be read a second time
The Order of the day for Reading a third time the Or
dinance appointing the Honorable Grey Elliott Esquire
Agent to Solicit the affairs of this province in Great Brit
ain in case of the absence of Benjamin Franklin Esquire
from Great Britain being Read the said Ordinance was
486 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Accordingly Read' a Third time and some Amendments
were made thereto by the House the Question being put
Whither the said Ordinance Shou'd pass it passed in the
affirmative the Members for the Question were Sir Pat
rick Houstoun, Mr Simpson, Mr Stirk, Mr Henry Yonge,
Mr Jamieson Mr Law, Mr Netherclift, Mr Shruder,
Mr Carter, Mr Barnard Mr Maxwell and Mr I.
Young the Members against the Question were Mr Brown,
Mr Sallens, Docf Jones, Mr Clay, Mr Hall, Mr Treutlen,
Mr Le Conte Mr Powell, Mr Zubly and Mr Bourquine
Ordered that Mr Netherclift do carry the same to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence
A petition from several Masters and Owners of Vessels
of the Town and Harbour of Savannah was presented to
the House and Read Setting forth that the petitioners are
of Opinion that the Laws and Regulations of this prov
ince which respect the Trade and Navigation of the said
Town and harbour of Savannah are Insufficient for the
purpose for which they were made as Several of the pe
titioners have already experienced by prosecutions under
a Law of the province for doing that which Many persons
had publickly done before, with impunity Whereby they
are Subjected to Costs and damages which they think a
very great hardship as they are not only Ignorant of any
prohibition but have many Recent precedents for their
Conduct and further they conceive that Laws which are of
such frequent use, and are of such importance, shou'd be
made as publick as possible and which if not soon Reme
died the petitioners apprehend will be very detrimental to
the Trade and Navigation of the province by discouraging
persons from abroad Trading thereto that the Petitioners
conceive nothing can contribute so much to the Welfare
of the province as the extension of its Trade and Com
merce and which they are persuaded cannot be Attained
without encouraging a defusive Trade from abroad, but,
AUGUST, 1773. 487
that while the Laws and Regulations are so exceedingly
difficult for the Information and protection of the per
sons and property of those concerned or who may be con
cerned in such Trade it cannot be Expected that any such
Extention can soon happen
That the petitioners believe it will not be difficult to have
such Methods printed Out as will Tend to the Remedying
the Grievance complained of and at the same time effec
tually promote the Commercial Interest of the province
When the House doth think fit to enquire into a Matter
of such importance as its Navigation Trade and Riches,
That the petitioners are convinced the Laws already made
for these purposes (though they conceive them to be de
ficient Have not been Generally enforced and put into exe
cution, Whereby they have not only proved ineffectual to
answer the ends proposed by them, but also, by such a Re
laxation in the executive department of Justice distruc-
tive to the Navigation of the Port, and of consequence to
the Trade and Commerce of the Province in consideration
therefore of the premisses and of the particular prejudices
hardships and Dangers which must too often inevitably
Attend the Petitioners and the Merchants and Traders,
Masters and Owners of Vessels who do or may Trade
from the province the petitioners therefore pray the House
to take the Laws already made for the Regulation of the
Trade and Navigation of the Province into their deliber
ate and Judicious consideration and to make such amend
ments to them as may be deemed fit and that the same
Shall afterwards be published in such publick Manner as
the House shall think proper for the Information of
Strangers and others and the petitioners will ever pray &c
Ordered that the said Petition do lie on the Table to
be perused by the Members
The House Resolved itself into a Committee to take
488 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee Reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under consid
eration and made some further progress therein and that
he was directed by the Committee to move for leave to sit
again Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to the Bill to ascertain
and Regulate publick officers fees, and also the Fees of
other persons herein after Mentioned with some amend
ments to which they desire the concurrence of this House
And then the House Adjourned until
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 9"1 Aug' 1773
The House took under consideration the amendments
made by the upper House to the Bill to Regulate and as
certain Publick officers fees and also the Fees of other
persons therein named and agreed to some and disagreed
to others
Ordered that Mr Henry Yonge do carry the Bill to the
upper House and Acquaint them that this House have
agreed to some of the amendments made by their House
to the said Bill and disagreed to others and that this House
desires they will appoint a Committee to Join a Commit-
AUGUST, 1773. 489
tee of this House in Conference on the Subject matter of
the amendments
Resolved that the Bill entitled an Act to Regulate and
ascertain the Rates of Wharfage of Shipping and Mer
chandize, and also to Ascertain the Rates of Storage in
the several ports of this province and for the better Regu
lation of Wharves and of shipping in the said ports and
for ascertaining the duty of an Harbour Master for the
port of Savannah be read a second Time on the Twenty
fifth day of November next
The House Resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee Reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under consider
ation and made some further progress therein and that
he was directed by the Committee to move for Leave to
sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday io'h Aug8' 1773
Ordered that the Clerk do write to Francis Brown Es
quire to Acquaint him that this House Requires his Imme
diate Attendance
The Order of the day for taking under Consideration
the Treasurer accounts being read The House Resolved
itself into a Committee to take the same under considera-
490 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
tion and after some time spent therein Mr Speaker Re
sumed the Chair and M1" Henry Yonge from the Commit
tee Reported that they had taken the said Accounts under
consideration and were Ready to make their report when
the House please to receive the same
Ordered that the Committee have leave to make their
Report, Mr Henry Yonge accordingly read the Report in
his place and afterwards delivered it in at the Table where
it was again read and is as followeth Viz'
Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that
upon the Examination of the Treasurer's Accounts laid
before the House by the Committee appointed to examine
the same that the said Accounts are Just and Regular as
to receipts and disbursements but that there has been a
great deficiency in the Collection of the General Tax for
several years past which they apprehend is owing to the
former Tax Acts being defective and the Neglect of the
several Collectors
Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that
there has been a deficiency in the Collection of the duty
Laid upon Seasoned Negroes from a defect in the Law
and the Neglect of the former officers of the out posts
Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that
there has been a Deficiency in the Collecting the duty upon
Goods &° Imported from the provinces North of South
Carolina from a defect in that Law and the Neglect of the
former officers of the out posts
Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that
there has been a deficiency in Collecting Monies from the
Impost upon Shipping in the out posts through the Neg
lect of the former officers
Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that
AUGUST, 1773. 491
there has been also a deficiency in the Collecting of the
duty for raising a Store of Gun powder for the defence
of the province through the Neglect of the former officers.
of the said out posts and that the Law for laying a Tax
upon Transient Trade is defective
The House Resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee Reported they
had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under consider
ation and made some further progress therein and that he
was directed by the Committee to move for leave to sit
again Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
And then the House Adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.^B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday n'h Aug' 1773
The House Resolved itself into, a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime Spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed
the Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee Reported that
they had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under
consideration and made some further progress therein and
that he was directed by the Committee to move for leave
to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
492 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to the Ordinance ap
pointing the Honorable Grey Elliott Esquire agent to
Solicit the affairs of this Province in Great Britain in case
of the absence of Benjamin Franklin Esquire from great
Britain with some amendments to which they desire the
Concurrence of this House
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 12th Aug8* 1773
The House met According to Adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 13th August 1773
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed until Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 16th August 1773
The House met according to Adjournment (aic) ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
AUGUST, 1773. 493
Tuesday 17th Aug3' 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 18th Aug8' 1773
A Memorial from James Mossman Esquire was pre
sented to the House and Read setting forth that the Me
morialist a Candidate at the Election holden on the 12th
and 13th Instant for a Member for the Town and district
of Savannah begs leave to observe to the Honorable
House that the several Voters at the said Election
for Samuel Farley Esquire the other Candidate were En
titled by his Majestys Grants to no more than five and
forty Acres of Land in the said district as your Memo
rialist has been informed and which the Memorialist ap
prehends to be Insufficient to entitle them to a Vote — the
Election Law Expressly declaring the Necessary Qualifi
cation To be a legal possession of Fifty Acres of Land —
When the Memorialist considers that the Interest and
Welfare of this province (in which he has a considerable
property) depending upon an Equal Representation he
cannot but be uneasy, when he sees men upon a presump
tion proceeding from a Grant of forty five Acres of Land
declaring themselves to be legally possessed of Fifty thc-
Memorialist (in Justice to himself and his Country) must
further observe that possession does not constitute a
Right That legality is Necessary for without possession
can only be a Temporary Claim a Claim Subject to the
will and pleasure of the Sovereign whose Gift and Grant
Alone can constitute a Right the Memorialist further begs
494 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
leave to observe that several of the Voters for Samuel
Farley Esquire as he has been Informed hold no other
Lands within the district of Savannah Save and except
Lands within a Certain Barony Claimed by Sir William
Baker of the City of London Knite which the Memorial
ist apprehends cannot entitle them to a Vote, their pos
session not being that legal One meant by the Election
Law, The Memorialist is the more convinced That it will
be the sence of the House as he finds by an Act of the Leg
islature of this province entitled an Act for Limitations
of Actions and for avoiding Suits in Law the Claim of the
said Sir William Baker is preserved which plainly shews
that it was the Sence of the whole Legilature at the time
of passing of that Act — That the possession of the sev
eral persons claiming Land within that Barony was not
Legal The Memorialist with the greatest defference fur
ther Mentions to the House that Several Freeholders of
this Parish wou'd have Voted for him had the district Line
been properly Ascertained and shoud those Gentlemens
Lands that offered their Votes in favour of the Memo
rialist prove to be within the district he Makes not the
least doubt but that the House will deem them Good and
add them to the list of Voters entered on the Poll
The Memorialist therefor Expects that Redress in this
particular case (a case of the Tenderest Nature) which
common Justice must admit of, and Equity Entitle him
to — and prays that the House will take the Poll under
consideration as that alone can determine the Legal Rep
resentative for the Town and district of Savannah and
that the Memorialist hopes that this House will not per
mit the said Samuel Farley Esqr to sit as a member until
the Matters above Represented are fully Enquired Into
The House having taken the said Memorial into consid
eration and it appearing to the House that a Scruteny
had been demanded and not made
AUGUST, 1773. 495
Resolved that the said Return is Imperfect
Ordered that the provost Marshal be directed to amend
the said Return by immediately causing a Scrutiny to be
made- and report to this House the name of such Candi
date as shall appear after such Scrutiny to have a Major
ity of Legal Votes
The House Resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed the
Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee Reported that
they had taken the said Estimate and Accounts under con
sideration and made some further progress therein and
that he was directed by the Committee to move for leave
to sit again
Ordered, That the Committee have leave to sit again
Ordered that Mr Speaker do Issue his Warrant to take
Francis Brown Esquire a Member of this House into the
Custody of the Messenger of the House for his absenting
himself Without leave of the House
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 19th August 1773
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
into consideration the Bill Entitled an Act to Enforce the
payment of the Arrears of Taxes due in this Province
from persons holding or Claiming to hold Lands by Vir
tue of and under Grants Signed by the Governor of
South Carolina in the Year of our Lord 1763 and after
Some time spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed the Chair
496 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
and Mr Henry Yonge from the Committee Reported that
they had taken the Said Bill into further Consideration
gone through the same, and made several amendments
thereto, which they had directed him to Report to the
House and he Read the Report in his place, and after
wards delivered the Bill with the amendments in at the
Table where the amendments were again Read and agreed
to by the House
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee appointed
to prepare and bring in a, Bill to Continue the
Several Laws therein Mentioned reported they had pre
pared the same which was Received and read the first.
Time and Ordered to be read a Second Time
The House took under consideration the amendments
made by the upper House to the Ordinance appointing the
Honorable Grey Elliott Esquire agent to Solicit the af
fairs of this province in Great Britain in case of the ab
sence of Benjamin Franklin Esquire from Great Britain
and agreed to the same
Ordered that Mr Shruder do acquaint the upper House
therewith The House Resolved itself into a Committee to take
under Consideration the Estimate and publick Accounts
and after sometime spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed the
Chair and Mr Clay from the Committee Reported that
they had taken the said Estimate and Accounts into fur
ther Consideration had gone through the same and come
to Several Resolutions which the Committee had directed
him to Report to the House and he Read the Report in his
place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Table
where it was again read and agreed to by the House
AUGUST, 1773. 497
Ordered that a Committee of Ways and Means be ap
pointed for Raising and Granting to his Majesty the sum
of £ (slc) for defraying the Expence of this Government
agreeable to the Report of the Accounts Allowed From
the 29th of September 1770 to the 29"1 September 1773
Committed to Mr Shruder Mr Le Conte, Mr Simpson, Mr
Netherclift, Mr Andrew, Mr Clay and docf Jones
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill for grant
ing- to his Majesty the sum of £ (sic) for the use and
Support of the province of Georgia for the Years, 1771-
1772 and 1773 to be raised at certain Rates and after
the Method therein Mentioned and for the more Effectual
collecting of Arrears and that Mr Shruder, Mr Le Conte,
Mr Simpson Mr Netherclift, Mr Andrew, Mr Clay, and
Docf Jones do prepare arid bring in the same
Mr Speaker Informed the House that he wou'd on
Tuesday Next offer for a third Reading the Bill to enforce
the payment of the Arrears of Taxes due in this prov
ince from persons holding or Claiming to hold Lands by
Virtue of and under Grants signed by the Governor of
South Carolina in the year of Our Lord 1763
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 20th August 1773
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed untill Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
S2 c r— vol 15
498 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 23rd Aug8' 1773
Ordered that the Clerk do write to Joseph Law Es
quire and Acquaint him that the House not deeming his
Excuse Sufficient Requires his Immediate Attendance
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 24th Aug8' 1773
Ordered that the Clerk do write to John Jamieson Es
quire, and Acquaint him that the House Requires his im
mediate Attendance
A Memorial of William Lyford Pilot for the Bar and
Port of Savannah was presented to the House and Read
Setting forth that the Memorialist hath for Many Years
last past Acted as Pilot for the said Bar and port and
flatters himself that he hath during such time given Sat
isfaction to the publick
That the Memorialist hath always been obliged in Or
der to carry on the said Business properly to keep a Con
siderable Sum of Money employed in Boats Negroes and
other Articles And wou'd not have found the Pilotage
equal to the Interest of his Money had it not been for the
bounty given by the House
That the Memorialist hath hitherto been allowed by the
province thirty Shillings for every Ship or Vessell (Coast
ers Excepted) which he Boarded at Sea and Brought into
port and though the sum provided hath frequently been
AUGUST, 1773. 499
Insufficient for the purpose, yet the Deficiency hath always
been made up in the Next Tax Bill That in the Year 1769
the sum of one Hundred pounds Sterling only being pro
vided for the purpose of his said bounty — The Memorial
ist threw in a Memorial to the subsequent House in the
Year 1770 and that House Resolved that they would pro
vide a Sum Sufficient to allow the Memorialist and others
the Pilots of this province after the Rate of Thirty Shil
lings for every ship or Vessel Boarded and brought in as
aforesaid and that the said sum of one Hundred pounds
should only go in aid of the same
That there being no House of Assembly or Sessions
since that time and there being no limitted time mentioned
in the said Resolution the Memorialist continued upon the
faith of the Said Resolution and depending upon the Jus
tice of any House that might thereafter be, to Act as a Pi
lot, and hath lately rendered to the House a true Account
of all such Vessels, as under the said Resolution he ap
prehended himself Entitled to the Bounty upon, but to his
great Surprize hath been Informed that the said Account
is much curtailed Nay a sum equal to half thereof struck
off That the Memorialist in the said Service of a pilot since
his coming into this Province hath met with Several very
heavy Lossess to the Amount of at least fifteen Hundred
pounds Sterling and hath never received any Compensa
tion or assistance from the publick for the same except
one Hundred pounds some time since Voted the Memo
rialist That the Memorialist humbly conceives himself as well
Entitled to the full amount of his Account as many others
in a Similar predicament whose Accounts have been al
lowed and as he Relies upon the Justice of the House he
500 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Humbly prays that the premisses being Enquired into, the
Matter of his Account may be reconsidered- and that such
Relief and assistance may be granted to him as the House
in their Wisdom and Justice shall seem meet
Ordered that the said Memorial do lie upon the Table
to be perused by the Members of the House
Resolved that the Order of the day for a third Reading
of the Bill Entitled an Act to enforce the payment of the
Arrears of Taxes due in this province from persons hold
ing or Claiming to hold Lands by Virtue of and under
Grants signed by the Governor of South Carolina in the
year of our Lord 1763 be adjourned over until Tomorrow
Morning And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 25th Aug8' 1773
Mr Shruder from the Committee appointed to consider
of Ways and Means for raising the sum of £ (8lc) for de
fraying the Expence of this Government for the Current
Year Reported they had considered the same and had
come to a Resolution which the Committee had directed'
him to Report to the House and he read the Report in.
his place and afterwards delivered it in at the Table where-
it was again read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill for
granting to his Majesty the sum of £ (8io) and for empow
ering the Commissioners therein Named to Stamp Im
print Sign and Issue paper Certificates to the Amount of
the said Sum of £ (slc) for the uses and purposes therein.
AUGUST, 1773. 501
Mentioned and that Mr Shruder and Mr Simpson do pre
pare and bring in the same
The Bill to enforce the payment of the Arrears of
Taxes due in this Province from persons holding or claim
ing to hold Lands by Virtue of and under Grants signed
by the Governor of South Carolina in the year of our
Lord 1763 was According to Order Read a third time
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Simpson do Carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence
The Bill for granting to his Majesty the sum of £ (sic)
for the use and Support of the province of Georgia for
the Year 1773 to be Raised at certain Rates and after
the Method therein Mentioned and for the more Effectual
collecting of Arrears was Read the first time and Or
dered to be read a second time
Mr Shruder from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in a Bill for Granting to his Majesty the sum
of £ (8ic) and for empowering the Commissioners therein
Named to Stamp Imprint Sign and Issue paper Certifi
cates to the amount of the said Sum of £ for the uses
and purposes therein Mentioned, Reported, they had pre
pared the same which was received and read the first time
and Ordered to be read a Second time
Ordered that leave be given to bring in a Bill to oblige
Masters of Vessels and other Transient persons Import
ing Goods and Merchandize to pay Tax for the same and
to compell the persons directed to receive the same to give
Security for the due performance of their office and for
Monies that may be received by them by Virtue of any
Act of this province and that Mr Henry Yonge and Mr
Clay do prepare and bring in the same
602 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
A Petition from a Number of Merchants and others
residing in and about the Town of Sunbury was presented
to the House and read Setting forth that the Town of
Sunbury is now become a place of considerable Trade and
is consequently Resorted to by a Number of Shipping
That great inconveniencies have hitherto arose and
very great losses frequently and lately been sustained for
want of a proper Beacon or Land Mark to direct Vessels
coming into the said port of Sunbury which losses have
already been extreamly prejuditial and may eventually
prove distructive to the Trade of the said port, if not
prevented by the timely interposition of the Legislature
That some of the petitioners have been at the Trouble
of precuring from South Carolina an exact plan and Es
timate of Expence of the Beacon lately Erected there and
find that Six Hundred pounds Sterling will be a sum
Sufficient, for this purpose after obtaining a fit spot of
Ground for the Erecting the same on That the Petitioners
apprehend the most proper Place is upon the Island of
Saint Catharines belonging to Button Gwinnett Esquire
who the petitioners conceive will have no objection to
selling to the publick so small a spot as will be required the
petitioners therefore pray the House will take the prem
isses into consideration and do therein as to the House
will seem meet
Ordered that the said petition do lie on the Table to
be perused by the Members of the House
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
Upper House of Assembly IIth of Aug8' 1773
Mr Speaker
In Answer to the Message from your House of this day
desiring this House will appoint a Committee to Join a
AUGUST, 1773. 503
Committee of your House in Conference on the Subject
Matter of the amendments made by this House to the Bill
Entitled an Act to Ascertain and Regulate public officers
ffees, and also the ffees of other persons therein Men
tioned, doth agree to the said conferrence and have ap
pointed a Committee Accordingly to Meet in the Room
adjoining the Council Chamber on Thursday 26th day of
this Instant August at Eleven oClock in the forenoon
Committee The Honorable James Edward Powell Antho
ny Stokes and James Hume Esquires
Ordered that a Committee be appointed to Join a Com
mittee of the uper House in Conferrence on the Subject
Matter of the amendments made by the House to the said
Bill and a Committee was appointed accordingly Commit
ted to Mr Henry Yonge, Mr Simpson, Docf Jones, Mr
Clay, and Mr Carter agreeable to an Order of the House
of the i8'h Instant the provost Marshal attended and
made the following Report Viz'
I Joseph Farley Returning officer do certify to the Hon
orable the Speaker and the Members of the Commons
House of Assembly That agreeable to an Order of the
said House I did proceed to hold a Scrutiny on the 23rd
of this Instant as demanded by James Mossman Esquire
one of the Candidates at an Election held for a Repre
sentative for the Town of Savannah on the 12th and 13th
of this Instant and that upon such Scrutiny I do find that
Samuel Farley Esquire has a Majority of undisputed
Votes Joseph Farley D. A. P. M.
Samuel Farley Esquire Elected and returned for the
Town and district of Savannah in the parish of Christ
Church proved himself duly Qualified to Serve as a Rep
resentative According to the Terms prescribed in and by
an Act of the General Assembly and then took the Oaths
504 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
and made and Subscribed the Oath of Abjuration and
then took his Seat And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Nine of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 26th August 1773
Mr Henry Yonge from the Committee appointed to
prepare and bring in a Bill to oblige Masters of Vessels
and other Transient Persons importing Goods and Mer
chandize to pay Tax for the same and to compel persons
directed to receive the same to give Security for the due
performance of their office and for Monies that may be
received by them by Virtue of any Act of this province
Reported they had prepared the same which was Received
and Read the first time and Ordered to be read a second
time The House Resolved itself into a Committee to take
into consideration a Bill for clearing of Savannah River
from the Town of Savannah upwards and for laying a
duty upon Boats Trading on and Rafts coming down the
same and after some time Spent therein Mr Speaker Re
sumed the Chair and Mr Henry Yonge from the Commit
tee Reported that they had taken the said Bill under con
sideration and made some further progress therein and
that he was directed by the Committee to move for leave
to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
And then the House Adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
AUGUST, 1773. 505
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 27th August 1773
The Bill for granting to his Majesty the sum of £ (8lc)
for the use and support of the province of Georgia for the
year 1 773 to be raised at certain Rates and after the Meth
od therein Mentioned and for the more effectual collect
ing of Arrears was Read a second time and Ordered to
be committed to a Committee of the whole House on
Tuesday Next Resolved that when the House do think
proper that letters wrote by order of the Blouse be Imme
diately Sent to any Member the Messenger shall be Al
lowed Mileage at the same Rate as for Warrants and that
leaving the same at the usual place of abode of such mem
ber shall be deemed a Sufficient Service
The Bill for granting to his Majesty the sum of £ (slc)
and for empowering the Commissioners therein Named
to Stamp imprint Sign and Issue paper Certificates to the
amount of the said Sum of £ (slc) for the uses and pur
poses therein Mentioned was read a second time and Or
dered to be committed to a Committee of the whole House
The House Accordingly Resolved itself into a Commit
tee to take under consideration the Said Bill and after
some time spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed the Chair
and Mr Shruder from the Committee Reported they had
taken the said Bill into consideration gone through the
same and made Several Amendments thereto which they
directed him to Report to the House and he Read the Re
port in his place and afterwards delivered the Bill with
the amendments in at the Table where the amendments
were again Read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed
506 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Speaker then Informed the House that he wou'd
on Monday next offer the said Bill for a third Reading
And then the House adjourned until Monday Morning
Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 30th Aug8' 1773
The Engrossed Bill for granting to his Majesty the
sum of four Thousand Two hundred and Ninety Nine
Pounds Eight Shillings and a penny Half penny and for
empowering the Commissioners therein Named to Stamp
Imprint Sign and Issue paper Certificates to the amount
of the said Sum for the uses and purposes therein Men
tioned was According to Order Read the third time
Resolved that the Bill do Pass
Ordered that Mr Shruder do Carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
The" Bill to oblige Masters of Vessels and other Tran
sient Persons Importing Goods and Merchandize to pay
Tax for the same and to compel the persons directed to
Receive the same to give Security for the due Perform
ance of their office and for Monies that may be Received
by them by Virtue of any Act of this Province was Read
a Second Time and Ordered to be Committed to a Com
mittee of the Whole House
The House accordingly Resolved itself into a Commit
tee to take into Consideration the said Bill and after some
time spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed the Chair and
Mr Henry Yonge from the Committee Reported they
had taken the said Bill into consideration gone through
the same and made Several amendments thereto and he
AUGUST, 1773. 507
read the Report in his place and afterwards delivered The
Bill with the amendments in at the Table where the
Amendments were again read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed Mr Speaker then Informed the House that he wou'd
on Wednesday next offer the said Bill for a third reading.
Ordered that Mr Farley be added to the Committee ap
pointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for raising a fund
to Support a Watch in the Town of Savannah
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 318' Aug8' 1773
Agreeable to the Order of the Order (8lc) of the day the
House resolved itself into a Committee to take into con
sideration the Bill for granting to his Majesty the Sum
of £ (sic) for the use and Support of the province of Geor
gia for the Year 1 773 to be raised at certain rates and af
ter the Method therein Mentioned and for the More ef
fectual collecting of Arrears and after Sometime spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Shruder
from the Committee reported that they had taken the
said Bill under consideration made some progress therein
and that he was directed by the Committee to move for
leave to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have Leave to sit again
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
508 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
Mr Speaker
The upper House have passed a Bill to explain and
amend an Act Entitled an Act for ascertaining the Quali
fication of Jurors and for Establishing the Method of
Ballotting and Summoning of Jurors in the province of
Georgia and to enable the General Court and Court of
Oyer and Terminer and General Goal delivery, to Issue
out Writs of Fieri Facias against the real and personal
Estates of defaulting Jurors and to oblige the prothona-
tory to give Notice in the publick Gazettee of the Names
of all Jurors fined for delinquency to which they desire
the Concurrence of this House
The said Bill being read the first time was ordered to be
read a Second time And then the House adjourned until To
morrow morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday Sepf Is' 1773
The Order of the day for the third reading of a Bill to
oblige Masters of Vessels and other Transient persons
importing Negroes or other Slaves Goods Wares and
Merchandize to pay Tax for the same and to compel the
persons directed to receive the same to give Security for
the due performance of their office and for Monies that
may Be received by them by Virtue of any Act of this
province being read — The said Bill was Accordingly
read and some amendments were made thereto
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Farley do carry the same to the up
per House and desire their concurrence thereto
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 509
Resolved that this House will provide towards the Es
tablishment of a Watch in the Town of Savannah in The
General Tax one half of the Expence arising for the same,
conditionally, that the said half shall not exceed the sum
of Two Hundred and Twenty five pounds
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
under consideration the Bill for granting to his Majesty
the sum of £ (slc) for the use and support of the province
of Georgia for the Year 1773 to be raised at certain rates
and after the Method therein Mentioned and for the more
effectual collecting of Arrears and after some time Spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Shruder
from the Committee reported they had taken the said
Bill into consideration made some progress therein and
that he was directed by the Committee to move for leave
to Sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 2a Septmr 1773
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take into
consideration the Bill for Granting to his Majesty the sum
of £ (slc) for the use and Support of the province of Geor
gia for the Year 1773 to be raised at certain rates and
after the Method therein mentioned and for the more Ef
fectual, collecting of Arrears, and after some time spent
therein , Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Shruder
from the Committee reported they had taken the said
Bill into consideration and made some further progress
510 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
therein and that he was directed by the Committee to
move for leave to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
Mr Clay from the Committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a Bill for raising a fund to Support a Watch in
the Town of Savannah reported they had prepared the
same which was received and read the first Time and Or
dered to be read a Second Time
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 3rd Sepf 1773
A Memorial from James Muter was presented to the
House and read in the Words following Viz'
Georgia To the Honorable William Young Esquire
Speaker and to the rest of the Members of the
Commons House of Assembly of the Province
aforesaid in General Assembly met
The Memorial of James Muter
Humbly Sheweth
That your Memorialist is sole owner and proprietor of
a plantation or piece of Land within the Village of High-
gate near the Town of Savannah where he usually cuts
Lumber for the Savannah Market that your Memorialist
for the More Easy Conveyance of his said Lumber to
Market has at a very considerable expence made a Road
through part of his own Land to fall into the publick
Road that leads from Acton to Town and has from time
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 511
to time at his own Expence kept the same in repair that
some time past Thomas Netherclift of Savannah Mer
chant who is Settling a Rice plantation adjoining your
Memorialist's Lands applied to the Commissioners of the
said road to lay out and Establish the aforementioned
road of your Memorialist as a private Road for him the
said Thomas Netherclift that your Memorialist upon re
ceiving a Written Notice from the said Commissioners
directing him to open the said road for the said Thomas
Netherclift applied to them and laid his case before them
who were unanimous in Opinion that a Committee of
them should go and lay out a private path for the said
Thomas Netherclift which they accordingly did soon
after having brought a Surveyor with them for that pur
pose which said Road Runs thro Part of your Memo
rialist's Land that your Memorialist has been Informed
that by a Clause of a Bill now before your House his road
Is Established as a private Road for the said Thomas
Netherclift notwithstanding what the Commissioners
have already done by which means the said Thomas Neth
erclift will have two private paths through your Memo
rialist's Land your Memorialist humbly begs leave to ob
serve that he has been always led to believe that agreeable
to the Spirit of the British Constitution no man can be
•deprived of his Freehold but by the Judgment of his
Peers unless he commits some breach of the Law to for
feit it and that the Legislature itself cannot deprive him
of his property without giving him an equivalent for it
that in Great Britain the parliament never takes away
the property to make publick Roads for other publick
.uses without giving the Individual a pecuniary considera
tion for it and that it is never done even then, unless for
the benefit of the Community in General and upon this
principal that the Good of a Single individual ought to
yield to that of the publick, your Memorialist begs leave
to observe that in the present case he will be deprived of
512 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
his Freehold against his consent without having done
any Act to forfeit it and Will not have any Equivalent
for it and that too, not for the Good of the publick in Gen
eral but to serve the purpose or Caprice of a Single Indi
vidual who your Memorialist is Informed has given out
that he will spend a Thousand pounds rather than not
have the said Road established your Memorialist begs
leave to observe that notwithstanding he deemed it a hard
case for the Commissioners to take away part of his
Lands as before is set forth yet he Acquiesced because the
Law of the province seemed to give them an Authority
so to do and he was unwilling to do any Act that had the
appearance of flying in the face of the laws of his Country
but should the present Law pass as it stands he will think
his case peculiarly hard your Memorialist therefore under
the particular Circumstances above set forth prays that
he may be heard at the Bar of the House either by him
self or Councel against the said Clause of the Act and
that the House will render him Such other relief as in
their wisdom shall seem meet
And your Memorialist as in duty bound
will ever pray (Signed) James MuTER
Resolved Nem Con that the said Memorial of James
Muter is a most Insolent and daring attack on the dignity
and privileges of this House calculated to reflect on the
representatives of the people and to Insinuate that they
have been biased in their Legislative Capacity by the most
detestible principals of Injustice and partiality
Ordered that the said Memorial be immediately burned
in the Square before the door of this House, also,
Ordered that Mr Speaker do Issue his Warrant to take
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 51&
the said James Muter immediately, into the Custody of"
the Messenger of this House
Ordered that the Clerk do write to John Baker Esquire
and Acquaint him that the House requires his immediate
attendance The House resolved itself into a Committee to take into
consideration the Bill for Granting to his Majesty the
sum of £(slc) for the use and support of the province of
Georgia for the Year 1773 to be raised at certain rates
and after the Method therein Mentioned and for the more
Effectual collecting of Arrears and after sometime Spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Shruder
from the Committee reported they had taken the said Bill
into consideration gone through the same and made Sev
eral amendments thereto and he read the report in his
place and afterwards delivered' the Bill with the Amend
ments in at the Table. where the amendments were again
read and agreed to by the' House "
Resolved that the Title of the said Bill be a Bill for
granting to his Majesty the sum of five thousand one
Hundred and Seventy one pounds fifteen Shillings and
Ten pence half penny for the use and Support of the^ Gov
ernment of Georgia for the Year 1773 to be raised at
Certain rates and after the Method therein mentioned
and for the more effectual collecting of Arrears
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed Mr Speaker then Informed the House that he would on
Tuesday next offer the said Bill for a third reading
Motion being made that a bounty of thirty Shillings
on each Vessel for the encouragement of Pilots in this
provinee on boarding each Vessel over the Bar of Tybee
33 cr— yi.l 15
514 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
be continued a debate arising thereon and it passed in the
Nagative Resolved that Francis Brown Esquire a Member of
this House be Expelled for Contemptuously absenting
himself from his duty in the House
Ordered that an Address be presented to his Excel
lency the Governor requesting him to give directions for a
Writ to be Issued for the Parish of Saint Patrick for the
Electing of a Member in the room of .Francis Brown Es
quire who is Expelled the House and that Sir Patrick
Houstoun and Mr Le Conte do wait on his Excellency
with the said Address And then the House adjourned until
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 6th Sepf 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until tomorrow Morning Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia., Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 7th Sepf 1773
The Bill for granting to his Majesty the Sum of five
thousand one Hundred and Seventy one pounds fifteen
Shillings and Ten pence half penny for the use and Sup
port of the Government of Georgia for the Year 1773 to
be raised at Certain rates and after the Method therein
mentioned and for the more effectual collecting of Ar-
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 515
rears was agreeable to Order read a third time and Some
amendments were made thereto
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Jamieson do Carry the same to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
Sir Patrick Houstoun from the Committee appointed
to wait on his Excellency the Governor with an Address
requesting him to give directions for a Writ to be Issued
for the Electing of a Member for the parish of Saint Pat
rick in the room of Francis Brown Esquire who is Ex
pelled the House reported that he with Mr Le Conte had
agreeable to Order waited on the Governor with the said
Address and that his Excellency was pleased to say he
would give Orders for that purpose
The House being Informed that Edward Barnard Es
quire one of the representatives for the Town of Augusta
and parish of Saint Paul cannot properly any longer re
main a Member of this House
Resolved that the seat of the said Edward Barnard
Esquire be deemed Vacant
Ordered that an Address be presented to his Excel
lency the Governor requesting that he will be pleased to
Order a Writ to be Issued for Electing a Member to serve
in the Commons House of Assembly for the Town of
Augusta and parish of Saint paul in the room of Edward
Barnard Esquire whose seat is deemed Vacant and that
Mr Thomas Young and Mr Hall do wait on his Excel
lency with the said Address
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
516 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to a Bill Entitled an Act
to Enforce the payment of Arrears of Taxes due in this
province from persons holding or Claiming to hold Lands
by Virtue of and under Grants Signed by the Governor
of South Carolina in the Year of our Lord 1763
A Petition from James Muter was presented to the
House and read in the words following Viz'
To the Honorable the Speaker and the rest of the
Members of the Commons House of Assembly of
the province of Georgia
The petition of James Muter
Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioner is in Custody of the Messenger of
your Honorable House for. some Expressions which he
may have made use of in a Memorial lately presented to
the House .
That your Petitioner is Sorry any Act or Expression
of his shou'd have given offence to the ..House as it is a.
thing he never had in Intention
Your petitioner therefore prays he may be heard at the
Barr of your Honorable House upon the Occasion
James Muter
Savannah 7th Septem' 1773
The petitioner was Accordingly called in and at the-
Barr of the House declared that he had no Intention in
his Memorial to Insult, or reflect upon the House and het
was extreamly Sorry anything set forth therein should
have given the House the least offence
Resolved that the said Excuse is Satisfactory
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 517
Ordered that the petitioner be discharged upon paying
his Fees — t And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning. Eight of the Clock
(From B. P- R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 8th Sepf 1773
Mr Thomas Young from the Committee appointed to
wait, on his. Excellency vthe Governor with an Address
requesting him to give directions for a Writ to be Issued
for the Electing- of a Member- to serve in the Commons
; House of Assembly for the Town of Augusta And Parish
of Saint Pafil inpthe room of Edward Barnard Esquire
whose. seat is deemed Vacant reported that he with Mr
Hall had : agreeable to Order waited on- the Governor
with the -said Address and that his Excellency was
pleased to say he wou'd Accordingly give Orders for that
purpose The House resolved itself into a Committee to take In
to consideration the Bill to empower the Commissioners
of the General Loan office to Issue a sum of Sixty pounds
to make Good a Loss by fire and after some time spent
therein "Mr Speaker- resumed the Chair and Mr Shruder
from the Committee reported that they had taken the said
Bill into consideration made some further progress There
in and that he was directed by the Committee to move for
Leave to sit again
, i.t-U'*.'ii-. Opt' Up • i - -:¦*¦! P '(¦ ¦¦ ¦¦¦'-'¦ '.-¦'-'-• "'->
Ordered that the Committee have leave to Sit again
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
518 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
M' Speaker
The upper House have agreed to a Bill for Granting to
his Majesty the sum of Four thousand Two Hundred and
Ninety Nine pounds and for Empowering the Commis
sioners therein Named to Stamp Imprint sign and Issue
paper Certificates to the amount of the said Sum for the
uses and purposes therein Mentioned
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 9th Sepf 1773
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
into consideration the Bill to empower the Commissioners
of the General Loan office to Issue a sum of Sixty pounds
to make Good a Loss by fire and after Sometime Spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Shruder
from the Committee reported they had taken the said
Bill into consideration gone through the same and made
Several amendments thereto and he read the report in his
Place and afterwards delivered the Bill with the amend
ments in at the Table where the amendments were again
read and agreed to by the House
Resolved that the Title of the said Bill be a Bill to em
power the Commissioners of the General Loan to Stamp
reimprint Sign and Issue paper Bills of Credit to the
amount of Five Hundred and Twenty pounds Sterling
being in Lieu of that sum received by them as Interest
Money unappropriated (the Bills of which are obliterated
and decayed) by Virtue of an Act Entitled an Act for the
Stamping Imprinting Issuing and Making Current the
Sum of Seven thousand four Hundred and Ten pounds
SEPTEMBER, 1773. &19
in paper Bills of Credit and for applying and Sinking the
same and for appropriating the said sum of Five Hun
dred and Twenty pounds in aid of the General Tax for
the Service of the Year 1773 and also for other purposes
therein Mentioned
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed Mr Speaker then Informed the House that he wou'd
offer the same for a third reading Tomorrow Morning
A Bill for raising a fund to support a watch in the
Town of Savannah was read a second time and Ordered
to be committed to a Committee of the whole House
The House Accordingly resolved itself into a Com
mittee upon the said Bill and after some time Spent there
in Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr Hall from the
Committee reported they had taken the said Bill into con
sideration made some progress therein and that he was
directed by the Committee to move for leave to sit again ;
Ordered that the Committee have leave to Sit again
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Friday 10th Septer 1773
The Order of the day for the third reading of a Bill to
empower the Commissioners of the General Loan to
Stamp reimprint Sign and Issue paper Bills of Credit to
the amount of Five Hundred and Twenty pounds Ster
ling being in lieu of that sum received by them as Interest
Money unappropriated (the Bills of which are obliterated
520 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
and decayed) by Virtue of an Act entitled an Act for
Stamping, imprinting Issuing and making current the
sum of Seven thousand four Hundred and Ten pounds in
paper Bills of Credit and for Applying and Sinking the
same and for appropriating the said sum of five Hundred
and Twenty pounds in aid of the General Tax for the
service of the Year 1 773 and also for other purposes there
in Mentioned being read
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that MF Shruder do carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
Resolved that this Blouse will provide in the next Gen
eral Tax Bill a sum not exceeding Forty pounds to enable
the Commissioners of the General Loan to provide a Clerk
and for the Incidental expences of their office (imprint
ing Bills Included) from the 29th of September 1773 to
the 29th September 1774
Resolved that a Committee of this House be appointed
to Join a Committee of the upper House to burn and de
stroy such torn and obliterated and defaced Bills as are
now in the office of the Commissioners of the General
Loan pursuant to the directions contained in an Act En
titled an Act for Stamping, imprinting, Issuing, and Mak
ing Current the sum of Seven thousand four Hundred
and Ten pounds in paper Bills of Credit and for applying
and Sinking the same
Ordered that Mr Hall do carry the same to the upper
House and Acquaint them therewith
Ordered that Mr Hall, Mr Clay, Mr Simpson, Mr
-Thomas Young, Dqcf Jones, Mr Shruder, and Mr Farley
:,be a Committee for that purpose
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 521
Resolved that a Comittee be appointed To receive and
destroy the Several Certificates in the hands of the Treas
urer for which he has credit with the publick in his Ac
counts allowed by this House
Ordered that Mr Hall, Mr Clay, Mr Simpson, Docf
Jones, Mr Shruder, Mr Thomas Young and Mr Farley be
a Committee for that purpose
Mr Speaker laid before the House two letters that he
had received from the Speaker of the House of Burgesses
of Verginia and also of the House of deputies of Rhode
Island Inclosing resolutions of their respective Houses,
and also the Copy of an Act to prevent Counterfeiting the
paper Currency of other Colonies which said resolutions
being severally Read and were unanimously approved of
and are as follows Viz' Verginia March 19th 177J,
Sir I have received the commands of the House of Bur
gesses of this Colony to transmit to you a Copy of the re
solves entered into by them on the Twelfth Instant which
they hope will prove of General utility if the other Colo
nies shall think fit to adopt them they have so fully ex
plained their reasons for forming these resolves that I
need not say anything on that point and shall only beg you
will lay them before your Assembly as early as possible
and request them to appoint some of their Body to com
municate from time to time with the Corresponding Com
mittee of Verginia I am with great Respect your
most Obedient Ser.
Payton Randolph
522 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Williamsburgh Verginia April 6th 1773
Sir
This Colony having of late years sustained the greates
Injury by having their paper Currency forged, and it hav
ing been represented to Our General Assembly at their
last Sessions that the supposed principal Auther of this
Mischief is an Inhabitant of North Carolina, they Judged
it Necessary as well to prevent such dangerous practices
in future as to shew their regard for the other Colonies
to pass an Act to prevent counterfeiting the paper Cur
rency of Other Colonies, our Governor will Transmit
Copies of this Act to the different Governors on the Con
tinent with a request that they would be pleased to rec
ommend it to their Several Assemblies to Enact Laws of
the same Import respecting Verginia we have it in Com
mand to furnish the Speakers of the different assemblies
with the like Copies and to request the favour of their
Countenance and assistance in Accomplishing our wishes
upon so important an Occasion we therefore take the lib
erty of Inclosing you a Copy of the Act, We have the
Honor to be Very respectfully — Sir
Your most Obd' Serv's
Payton Randolph
R: C, Nichols
Dudley Diggs
The Resolves of the House of Burgesses of Verginia
Viz'
Friday the 12th March 13th Geo : 31* 1773
Upon a Motion made
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House upon the state of the Colony
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 523:
Mr Speaker left the Chair
Mr Bland took the Char of the Committee
Mr Speaker resumed the Chair
Mr Bland reported from the Committee that they had*
directed him to make the following report to the House:
Viz' Whereas the minds of his Majestys faithful Subjects-.
in this Colony have been much disturbed by Various ru
mours and reports of proceedings tending to deprive them:
of their antient Legal and constitutional Rights
And Whereas the affairs of this Colony are frequently-
connected with those of Great Britain as well as of the
Neighbouring Colonies which renders a Communication
of Sentiments, Necessary, in Order therefore to remove
their uneasyness and to Quiet the Minds of the people as
well as for the other Good purposes above mentioned.
Be it Resolved that a Standing Committee of Corre
spondence and enquiry be appointed to consist of Eleven
persons, to Wit, The Honorable Payton Randolph Es
quire, Robert Carter Nichols, Richard Bland, Richard.
Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Pendleton, Pat
rick Henry, Dudley Diggs, Dabney Carr, Archibald Carjr
and Thomas Jefferson Esquires, any Six of Whom to be
a committee whose business it shall be to obtain the most
early and authentick intelligence of all such Acts and reso
lutions of the British parliament or proceedings of Ad
ministration as may relate to or effect the British Colo
nies in America and to keep up and maintain a Corre
spondence and Communication with our Sister Colonies-
respecting these Important Considerations and the result
of such their proceedings, from time to time to lay be
fore the House
524 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Resolved that it be an instruction to the said Commit
tee that they do without delay inform themselves particu
larly of the principals and authority on which was Con
stituted a Court of Inquiry said to have been lately held
in Rhode. Island with powers to Transport persons Ac
cused of offences committed in America to places beyond
the Seas to be tried
The said resolutions being Severally read a Second
time, were upon the Question Severally put thereupon
agreed to by the House Nem : Con :
Resolved that the Speaker of this House do Transmit
to the Speaker of the different Assemblies of the British
Colonies on this Continent Copies of the said Resolutions
and desire. that they will lay them before their respective
Assemblies and request them to appoint some person or
persons of their respective Body's to Communicate from
time to time with the said Committee
By the House of Burgesses of the Colony of Verginia
Extracted from the Journals
G. Wythe, C. H. B.
Newport May 15'" 1773
Sir Having received a Letter from the Speaker of the
Plouse of Burgesses of Verginia Inclosing the resolutions
of that patriotic and Illustrious Assembly of the Twelfth
of March last and also a Letter from the Committee of
Correspondence and inquiry by them appointed I took the
Earliest oppertunity of laying them before the House of
Deputies of this Colony who Immediately entered into
the consideration of them, and persuaded that nothing
less than a firm and close union of the Colonies in the
Most Spirited prudent, and consistant Measures can de-
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 525
feat the designs of those who are aiming to deprive them
of their inestimable Rights and privileges passed Nemine
Contradicente the resolutions of which I have the honor
to Inclose you a Copy I must request the favour of you
to lay them before your House of representatives as soon
as possible I am with great Respect
Your Most Obd' Ser'
Metcale Bowler
May 7"1 1773 In the House of deputies
Resolved that a standing Committee of Correspond
ence and Inquiry be Appointed to consist of Seven per
sons, to wit, The Honorable Stephen Hopkins Esquire
Metcalf Bowler Moses Brown, John Cole, William Brad
ford/ Henry Ward, and Henry Merchant Esquires any
four of whorn to be a Committee whose business it shall
be to obtain the Most early and Authentick Intelligence
of all such Acts and resolutions of the British parliament
or proceeding of Administration as may relate to or effect
the British Colonies in America and to keep up and main
tain a'Correspondance and Communication with our Sis
ter Colonies respecting these Important considerations
and the result of such their proceedings from time to time
to lay before this House Voted pr Order
J. Lyndon, Clerk
May 7th 1773 in the House of Deputies
Whereas this House hath appointed a Committee of
Correspondence with Cortimittee's of the other Colonies
in North America respecting the rights and privileges of
¦'526 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
the Colonies &c it is therefore Resolved by this House
that his Honor the Governor be requested to deliver the
Committee a Copy of his Commission as one of the Judges
of the Court of Enquiry constituted from home, and said
to be held in this Colony and of all such other papers
which were laid Before said Court as may be consistant
with his Honor as Governor of this Colony
Voted W Josias Lyndon Clerk
May 7th 1773 In the House of deputies
Resolved that the speaker of this House be requested
i:o write to the Speaker of the House of Burgesses in Ver
ginia and to all other Speakers of Assembly in North
America Informing them of the proceeding of this House
.relating to the preservation of the rights of the Colonies
Voted W Order J. Lyndon Clerk
The afore written is a True Copy of three Votes of the
House of deputies or lower House of Assembly of the
•Colony of Rhode Island Jos"1 Lyndon Clerk
Resolved Nem Con that Mr Speaker and any five of
the Committee of Correspondence be a Committee to en
quire for and obtain the Earliest Intillegence of the many
Important Matters contained in the said Several resolu
tions and that they likewise do from time to time corre
spond with the respective Committees that now are or
may be appointed by the Houses of representatives on
this Continent —
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 527
Resolved Nem Con that the Thanks of this House be
Transmitted to the Honorable the Speaker and Members
of the House of Burgesses of Verginia and also to the
Honorable the speaker and Members of the House of
deputies of Rhode Island for communicating their In
tentions firmly to Support the rights and Privileges of his
Majesty's faithful and loyal Subjects in America and also
to the Honorable Payton Randolph Esquire Robert Car
ter Nichols and Duley Diggs Esquires for Transmitting
to this House a Copy of the above mentioned Act
Ordered that leave be giving to bring in a Bill to pre
vent Counterfeiting the paper Money of other his Maj
esty's Colonies or provinces in America and that Mr
Shruder, Docf Jones, and Mr Thomas Young be a Com
mittee to prepare and bring in the same
Mr Shruder from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in the said Bill reported that they had prepared
the same which was received and read the first time and
Ordered to be read a second time
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take
into a consideration the Bill for raising a Fund to sup
port a Watch in the Town of Savannah and after some
time spent (8lo) Mr Speaker resumed the Chair and Mr
Hall from the Committee reported they had taken the said
Bill into Consideration made some further progress there
in and that he was directed by the Committee to move for
leave to sit again
Ordered that the Committee have leave to sit again
And then the House adjourned untill
Tomorrow Morning Eight "Clock
628 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Saturday IIth Sepf 1773
The Bill to prevent counterfeiting the paper Money of
his Majesty's Colonies or provinces in America was read
a second Time and Ordered to be Engrossed
The House resolved itself into a Committee to take into
consideration the Bill to Continue the Several Laws there
in Mentioned and after some time spent therein Mr
Speaker Resumed the Chair and Sir Patrick Houstoun
from the Committee Reported they had taken the said
Bill into Consideration gone through the same and made
several amendments thereto and he read the report .in his
place and afterwards delivered the Bill with the amend
ments in at the Table where the amendments were again
read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed Mr Speaker then Informed the House that he. wou'd on
Tuesday next offer the same for a third reading
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to the Bill to oblige Mas
ters of Vessels and other Transient Persons importing
Goods and Merchandize to pay Tax for the same and to
compell the persons directed to receive the same to give
Security for the due performance of their office and for
Monies that may be received by them by Virtue of any
Act of this Province —
And then the House adjourned until
Monday Morning Ten of the Clock
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 529
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Monday 13th Sepf 1773
The House met according to Adjournment and ad
journed until Tomorrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 14th Septem1 1773
The Bill to prevent Counterfeiting the paper Money
of other his Majestys Colonies or provinces in America
was read a third time
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Docf Houstoun do carry the said Bill to
the upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto
The Order of the day for the third Reading of the Bill
to continue the several Laws therein mentioned being
Read The said Bill was Accordingly Read and an Amend
ment was made thereto
Resolved that the Bill to pass
Ordered that Docf Houstoun do also carry the said
Bill to the upper House and desire their Concurrence
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to the Bill for granting
to his Majesty the sum of five thousand one Hundred and
34 c 1— vo! 15
530 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Seventy one Pounds fifteen Shillings and Ten pence half
penny for the use and Support of the Government of
Georgia for the year 1773 to be raised at certain Rates
and after the Method therein mentioned and for the more
effectual collecting of arrears
Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed to prepare
and bring in an Ordinance to appoint a Comptroller of the
Country duties for the port of Savannah Reported they
had prepared the same which was received and Read the
first time and Ordered to be Read a Second Time
The House Resolved itself into a Committee to take
into consideration the Bill for raising a fund to Support a
Watch in the Town of Savannah and after some time
Spent therein Mr Speaker Resumed the Chair and Mr Hall
from the Committee Reported they had taken the said
Bill into Consideration gone through the same and made
several Amendments thereto and he Read the Report in
his place and afterwards delivered the Bill with the amend
ments in at the Table where the amendments were again
read and agreed to by the House
Ordered that the Bill with the amendments be En
grossed Mr Speaker then Informed the House that he would
offer the said Bill for a third reading Tomorrow morn
ing And then the House adjourned until
Wednesday Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol, 48.)
Wednesday 15th Sepf 1773
The Order of the day for the third reading of the Bill
for Raising a fund to Support a Watch in the Town of
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 531
Savannah being Read the said Bill was According read
and some amendments were made thereto
Resolved that the Bill do pass
Ordered that Mr Farley do carry the said Bill to the
upper House and desire their Concurrence
Ordered that the Accounts laid before this House by
the Treasurer and the Other publick officers be Inserted
in the Journals of the House Immediately after the pro
ceeding of the present Sessions
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to a Bill to continue the
Several Laws therein Mentioned with amendments and
have also agreed to a Bill to empower the Commissioners
of the General Loan to Stamp reimprint sign and Issue
Paper Bills of Credit to the Amount of five Hundred and
Twenty pounds Sterling being in Lieu of that sum re
ceived by them as Interest Money unappropriated (the
Bills of which are obliterated and decayed) by Virtue
of an Act Intitled an Act for Stamping imprinting
issuing and making Current the Sum of Seven Thou
sand four Hundred and Ten Pounds in paper Bills of
Credit and for applying and Sinking the Same and for
appropriating the said Sum of Five hundred and Twenty
pounds in Aid of the General Tax for the service of the
year 1773 and also for other purposes therein mentioned
The House Immediately took into consideration the
amendments made by the upper House to the Bill to
contihue the Several Laws therein Mentioned and agreed
to the same
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk
532 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Speaker
The upper House have agreed to a Bill to prevent
Counterfeiting the paper Money of other his Majesty's
Colonies or provinces in America with amendments
The House upon taking the said amendments into con
sideration agreed to the same
¦iS>i
And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning Eight of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Thursday 16th Sepf 1773
Mr Henry Yonge from the Committee appointed to Join
a Committee of the upper House in Conferrence upon the
Subject Matter of the amendments made by their House
to the Bill Entitled an Act to Ascertain and Regulate
publick officers fees and also the Fees of other Persons
therein after Mentioned Reported they had agreed to the
Same A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the House Viz*
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I do hereby adjourn the commons House of Assembly
until Tuesday the Twenty Eighth day of this Instant
September then to meet for the dispatch of business and
it is Accordingly Adjourned to the Twenty Eighth Instant
Given under my Hand at Savannah this Sixteenth
clay of September 1773 Jab Wright
To the Honorable the Speaker and |
Members of the Commons House \
of Assembly. j
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 533
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Tuesday 28th of September 1773
A Message from the upper House by their Clerk Viz4
upper House of Assembly 11th Sepf 1773
Mr Speaker
In answer to the Message from your House of this
day desiring this House will appoint a Committee to Join
a Committee of your House to burn and destroy such torn
obliterated and defaced Bills as are now in the office of
the Commissioners of the General Loan do agree to the
same and have appointed a Committee Accordingly
Committee The Honorable Lewis Johnson and James
Hume Esquires And then the House adjourned until To
morrow Morning 10 of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 48.)
Wednesday 29"1 Sepf 1773
Ordered that a Committee be appointed to form a plan
of a Sufficient common Goal and to enquire of Workmen
what will be the Expence of executing the Same and have
their Report ready to make to this House on its next
Meeting for further Consideration and the same was com
mitted to Mr Shruder, Mr Netherclift,. Mr Hall, Docf
Jones, and Mr Clay
Motion being made that a Committee be appointed to
form a plan of a Sufficient Fort and to Enquire of Work
men what will be the Expence of executing the same, and
531 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
have their Report Ready to make to the House on its
next meeting for further consideration a debate arising
thereon and the Question being put it passed in the Naga-
tive — The Members for the Question were Mr Shruder,
Mr Jamieson, Mr Hall, Mr Henry Yonge, Mr Clay and
Mr Netherclift Those against the Question were Mr Simp
son, Mr Law, Mr Stirk, Mr Farley, Docf Jones, Mr Pow
ell, Mr Carter, Mr Le Conte, Mr Treutlen, Mr Millen, Mr
Bourquine, Mr Isaac Young, and Mr Maxwell
Mr Hall from the Committee appointed to Receive and
destroy the several certificates in the Hands of the Treas
urer and for which he has Credit in his Accounts allowed
by this House Reported that the Committee had (agreea
ble to Order) burnt and destroyed the sum of £1483.. in
part of £1572 which has been provided for and that
the remaining Balance of £89 — Fortification Certificates
was Issued through Mistake in Lieu of other Monies.
and which the Treasurer assured your Committee
he would call in as soon as Possible and lay before your
Committee in Order also to be burnt and destroyed
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Clerk of the Council Viz'
Mr Speaker
His Excellency the Governor Requires the Attendance
of this House in the Council Chamber immediately, Ac
cordingly Mr Speaker with the House went to Attend his
Excellency and his Excellency was pleased to give his
Assent to the following Bills
The Bill to prevent Mischiefs Arising from the prac
tice of Hunting or Killing Deer by fire Light in the Night
Time- Also to a Bill for the better Ordering of the Militia
SEPTEMBER, 1773. ,535
Also to a Bill to empower Commissioners or Surveyors
to lay out make and Repair the Roads already laid out or
May hereafter be Necessary and also to Clear the Rivers
and Creeks within their respective divisions
Also to a Bill to prevent damages Arising from dams
or Banks and for preventing persons from Stopping the
Natural Course or Courses of Water to the Injury of their
Neighbours Also to a Bill to empower the Commissioners therein
named to lease to the thirty first of December next and
then to put up for Sale for the benefit of the publick the
Ferry over Great oGechee River for a Term of Years
and to Authorize the said Commissioners to Inspect and
Regulate the said Ferry
Also to a Bill to prevent the Stealing of Horses and
Neat Cattle and unlawfully branding Marking, Killing,
or driving the same
Also to a Bill for the Settling and ascertaining the Fees
to be taken by the several publick officers and persons
herein after named
Also to a Bill to enforce the payment of arrears of
Taxes due in this province from persons holding or Claim
ing to hold Lands by Virtue of and under Grants signed
by the Governor of South Carolina in the year of our
Lord 1763
Also to a Bill for Granting to his Majesty a duty upon
Raw neat Hides Exported from this province and for
^preventing the Exportation of unmerchantable Tanned
Leather Also a Bill to empower the Commissioners of the Gen
eral Loan to Stamp, imprint, Sign and Issue paper Bills
5,36 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
of Credit to the Amount of Five Hundred and Twenty
pounds Sterling being in lieu of that sum raised by them
as Interest Money unappropriated (the Bills of which are
obliterated and decayed) by Virtue of an Act entitled an
Act for Stamping imprinting Issuing and making Current
the sum of Seven thousand four Hundred and Ten
pounds in paper Bills of Credit and for applying and sink
ing the same and for appropriating the Said sum of five
Hundred and Twenty pounds in Aid of the General Tax
for the Service of the Year 1773 and also to reprint sign
and Issue the further sum of Seventy- three Pounds for
other purposes therein Mentioned,
Also to a Bill to oblige Masters of Vessels and other
Transient persons importing Negroes and other Slaves,
Goods, Wares, and Merchandize to pay Tax for the
same and to Compel the persons directed to receive the
Same to give Security for the due performance of their
office and for Monies that may be Received by them by
Virtue of any Act of this Province
Also to a Bill for Granting to his Majesty the sum of
four Thousand Two hundred and Ninety Nine pounds
and for empowering the Commissioners therein Named
to Stamp, Imprint, Sign and Issue paper Certificates to
the amount of the said Sum for the uses and purposes
therein Mentioned
Also to a Bill to prevent Counterfeitting the paper
Money of Other his Majesty Colonies or provinces in
America Also to a Bill to continue the Several Laws therein
Mentioned : and for Vesting several Ferries in the persons
mentioned in an Act entitled an Act for Establishing Sev
eral ferries in this province in the persons therein Men
tioned
SEPTEMBER, 1773. 537
Also to a Bill for Granting to his Majesty the sum of
five thousand one Hundred and Seventy one pounds fif
teen Shillings and Ten pence halfpenny for the use and
Support of the Government of Georgia for the Year one
thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy three To be raised
at certain Rates and after the Method therein Mentioned
and for the More Effectual Collecting of Arrears
And also to an Ordinance appointing the Honorable
Grey Elliott Esquire Agent to Solicit the Affairs of this
province in Great Britain in case of the Absence of Ben
jamin Franklin Esquire from Great Britain
Of the Ordinance for Reappointing Benjamin Franklin
Esquire Agent to Solicit the affairs of this province in
Great Britain — His Excellency was pleased to say he
shoud consider
His Excellency then made the following Speech to both
Houses in General Assembly met Viz'
[For transcript of speech see Minutes of Upper House 29
Sep. 1773]
Savannah in Georgia Council Chamber
The 29"1 of September 1773
After which his Excellency was pleased to porogue the
General Assembly to Tuesday the Eighteenth of January
next then to Meet for the dispatch of Business —
Examined & Compared with the Original Journals
Rich4 Cun^ Crooke Clk—
538 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(FromB. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 215.)
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly.
I have communicated to you every Information that I
have received relative to the Murders lately committed by
the Creek Indians on several of His Majesty's Subjects
in this Province, and as things now appear circumstanced
I have thought it proper that the Militia be drafted and do
such Duty as may be most conducive to the protection and
Safety of the Inhabitants. Also that Stockade Forts be
erected where they may seem necessary and most usefull
and have setled a plan of defence to be observed 'till we
know with Certainty what has happened in the Indian
Nation and whether the Traders are cut off or not, and
how far the Nation in general are concerned in this Mat
ter. And for which Purpose I have sent a Talk or Mes
sage to them, a Copy of which you will now receive, and
also the Heads of the Plan for the protection of the Settle
ments. And as the building of Forts must be attended
with an Expence probably more than the People them
selves can well bear, and as I think the Militia who are
on actual Service ought to have some Allowance towards
their Support or to defray their Expences. I must desire
you will consider of these Matters and let me know wheth
er you think proper to make any Provision for the same,
and what, And Expresses being now very necessary and
frequent, some Provision shoud be made to defray that
Expence. Also for a Supply of Bullets to be sent to the
different Parts of the Province, Gun Powder there is suf
ficient for the present in the Magazine. And as you are
fully acquainted with every Circumstance that has hither
to happened and with the Measures which in the present:
hurry and posture of Affairs I purpose to- take I desire
that if any thing further occurs to you you will communi
cate your Sentiments to me, and if Things grow more
JANUARY, 1774. 539
serious I doubt not but you will act with a becoming Spirit
and, to the utmost Abilities of the Province, Exert and
contribute towards Chastising the Perfidy, intolerable In
solence and unprovoked Barbarities committed by those
worst of Savages, the Creek Indians. And as the Act giv
ing Power to restrain the Exportation of Corn is expired,
may it not from the Consideration of the present Situa
tion of Affairs be expedient to renew that Power.
Ja: Wright Sav 28 JanJ 1774 — Copy
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
To His Excellency Sir James Wright Baronet, Cap
tain General, Governor and Commander in Chief of
His Majestys Province of Georgia, Chancellor and
Vice Admiral of the same.
The Humble Address of the Commons House of
Assembly.
May it please your Excellency
We His Majesty's dutiful! and loyal Subjects the Com
mons of Georgia in General Assembly met return your
Excellency our very cordial Thanks for the regard you
have manifested in laying before us the several Informa
tions you have received respecting the unprovoked Mur
ders committed on many of His Majestys Subjects lately
residing on the Frontier of this Province by some of those
horrid Savages the Creek Indians.
We intirely approve of your prudent and necessary
Precaution in drawing out and drafting the Militia for the
general Defence, and think with Your Excellency it is in
dispensably necessary to be informed, as soon as possibly
may be of the real Intentions of the Creek Nation, and
540 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE.
how far they may presume to support and vindicate the
late barbarous Transactions of their perfidious Country
men, and we still hope that the report and Apprehension
of their having massacred the Traders residing amongst
them are premature.
We agree with Your Excellency in the Propriety of
immediately erecting at proper Places Stockade Forts,
. and apprehend the building of them to be the Duty of the
People of the respective Parishes or Districts where they
may be wanted, but we will afford them such reasonable
Assistance therein as, added to their own Assiduity may
enable them to complete the same.
We will chearfully make such Provision, as has been
heretofore allowed to such part of the Militia as may be
on actual Service, and will also provide a Fund for the
Payment of Expresses and such other immediate Exi
gencies as may be absolutely necessary, fully persuaded
of your Oeconomy in the judicious distribution thereof
We must repeat to Your Excellency our Thanks for
that watchful Attention and Care which has been so con-
spicious in your Conduct upon this Occasion, and we will
not fail from time to time to communicate and submit to
you any Manoeuvres which ma)' appear to us likely to re
dound to the general Good
Altho we cannot but hear of the Treachery and Cruelty
of these Wretches with Concern, yet, it is with Concern
justly tempered with that noble resentment which must
ever inspire His Majesty's faithfull American Subjects
when their Lives and Prosperity, or the sacred Rights of
their beloved Sovereign are invaded by any Power what
ever, and we assure your Excellency that we will on all
Occasions act against these merciless Enemies to Society
JANUARY, 1774. 541
with that undaunted Resolution and Fortitude which will
ever distinguish the true Sons of Freedom and Subjects
of a British King
We have only to add that we will deliberate on the ne
cessity and expediency of giving a temporary Power to
prevent occasionally, the Exportation of Provisions
By Order of the House
(sign'd) William Young Speaker
Commons House of Assembly
28th January 1774
Mr Speaker & Gentlemen of the Commons House of As
sembly.
I return you my best Thanks for this Address, and it
makes me very happy to see that you concur with me in
Opinion with respect to the Measures which I have
thought most advisable to take in the present State of Af
fairs relative to the Indians. And you may depend upon
it, I shall not cease to give the utmost Attention towards
preserving the Peace and Safety of this Province, and shall
communicate to you every Information and Occurrence.
And it gives me very great Satisfaction to find your
House so spiritedly determined to do Justice to, and sup
port the just Rights of our most Gracious Sovereign,
also that the Lives and Property of His faithful Subjects
here, and in which you will ever find me most heartily
disposed to co-operate with you
(sign'd) James Wright
Savannah the 28th |
January 1774 ]
542 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W I., Vol. 235.)
To the King's most Excellent Majesty.
The Humble Address of the Commons House of As
sembly of your Majesty's Province of Georgia.
Most gracious Sovereign
Permit your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects
the Commons of Georgia in General Assembly met to re
turn your Majesty our most grateful and humble thanks
for that addition of Territory lately ceded to your Majesty
by the Creek and Cherokee Indians and annexed as a
Frontier to this Province.
The great extent of this acquisition, the richness of the
Soil, the Salubrity of the Air and situation, the consid
erable number of Settlers it cannot fail to procure, and the
evident advantages which must result from the addition
of so formidable a Frontier, are all objects which re
spectively and unitedly contribute to raise in us the most
ardent desire to see it happily peopled, and cultivated.
After the most solemn Cession of these Lands to your
Majesty by the Indians, your faithful Subjects could have
no apprehension that any persons desirous to settle them,
under your Majesty's powerful and sacred protection,
would be wantonly, and unprovokedly, attacked and Mur
dered by that inhuman and perfidious people, in open vio
lation of the most solemn treaties, and in daring and in
solent defiance of your Majesty's sacred Right, and Dig
nity. Far as such Treachery must have been frOm our expec
tations, we have notwithstanding, lately experienced
many very lamentable proofs of the baseness of these
Barbarians, and have too much reason to fear the fre-
MARCH, 1774. 543
quent repetitions of such unspeakable, and even refined,
acts of Cruelty as must in the highest degree alarm, and
terrify, your Majesty's faithful Subjects, as well as en
danger their Lives and property, unless effectually pre
vented by the speedy interposition of your Majesty's Arms
in our favor.
Although your Majesty's Province of Georgia is at
present in a florishing and desirable state of prosperity,
although every year brings with it a very considerable
augmentation of Wealth and success, we are yet very far
from being able to Act against so numerous and danger
ous an Enemy as the Indians without your Majesty's gra
cious support, in these critical and alarming Circum
stances, therefore, allow us humbly to look up to, and
solicit your Majesty for such protection and Assistance
as in your wisdom you may think sufficient to chastize the
perfidy and insolence of these dangerous Enemies to your
Majesty's Government of Georgia, on our parts, we crave
leave to assure your Majesty that, we will chearfully, and
resolutely contribute every means in the power of this in
fant Colony to further and promote such Operations as
jour Majesty may graciously be pleased to direct for our
Security and Welfare.
By order of the House Will™ Young Speaker
•8th March 1774
544 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
GEORGIA To his Excell7 Sir James Wright Baronet Captain
General Governor and Commander in Chief of his
Majestys Province of Georgia, Chancellor and Vice
Admiral of the same
The address of the Commons House of Assembly — •
May it please your Excellency — ¦
We his Majesty's dutiful and loyal Subjects the Com
mons of Georgia in General Assembly met, are truely
sorry to observe from the information you have from
time to time laid before us, that a war with the Creek
Indians appears inevitable —
Circumstanced as this Province is at Present, We have
thought it expedient to Address our most Gracious Sov
ereign to send a military force to protect us against the
outrages of our faithless Neighbours — And have there
fore to request that your Excellency will be pleased to
cause the said Address to be laid before his Majesty by
the earliest Oppertunity — And should our most gracious
Sovereign think fit to grant our request, your Excel
lency may rely on our making such provision for the
Troops which may be sent to our assistance as has been
usual upon the like occasions
From the long experience we have had of your Ex
cellency's unwearied attention to promote the general
good of this Province, we can have no doubt but you
will use your utmost influence to obtain such force as
you may think sufficient to establish peace and security
amongst us, but as it \xi\\ be some months before our
f-.
MARCH, 1774. !';"¦ 545
situation can be known at home we Cannot but wish that
in the meantime you would apply to the Commander in
Chief of his Majesty's Forces in America for some im
mediate assistance in order to strike a terror into the
minds of the Indians,- and prevent them from Commit
ting further Acts of Cruelty on his Majesty's good Sub
jects By order of the House Will™ Young Speaker
Commons House of Assembly
the 9th March 1774
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly — -
Your address to our most Gracious Sovereign on the
Present Posture of Affairs in this Province, you msy
depend I Shall Transmit to The Earl of Dartmouth by
the first Opportunity, and request his Lordship to lay it
before His Majesty — and I Will Support the Same to
the Utmost of my Power — and Will also Write to Major
General Haldimand agreeable to your desire.
Ja: Wright 9th March 1774
(From B. P R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
In the Commons House of Assembly the io'h day of
March 1774
Report of the Committee appointed to take into Con
sideration the several matters contain'd in the Lieut' Gov-
85 c r— vol 15
546 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
ernors Speech at the Opening of the Session on the Ist
Instant, And His Honors Message to this House of
the 4th Ins' with the papers accompanying the same, as
agreed to by the House. —
That they have seriously consider'd the matters com
mitted to them, carefully examined every paper laid be
fore them, and procured every further intelligence they
could from His Majesty's Superintendant of Indians Af
fairs, and think it by no means necessary at Present, that
this Province should take any part in the Dispute be
tween the Province of Georgia & the Creek Indians,
especially, as when the Governor is now fully inform'd
of the Grounds of the present Disturbances between
them, of the Course the Creek Nation shall take in Con
sequence thereof, and of the Support the Southern Prov
inces shall receive from His Majesty's forces, said to be
kept up for the Security and defence of his American
Subjects; His Honor may make such requisition as he
thinks proper, And this House will always pay that
respect thereto, which is due from Loyal & affectionate
¦Subjects —
For the protection of our own Frontiers, the Commit
tee recommend, in Complyance with His Honors requisi
tion, That a Bill be immediately brought in for raising
and Supporting Three Companies of Rangers each Con
sisting of Seventy five Men (non Commission'd Officers
included) under the Command of a Major Commandant
(who shall have no Company) One Captain, One first
and one Second Lieutenant, two Sergeants, two Cor
porals and one Drummer to each Company, to be Subject
to the same Discipline and the like regulations as His
Majestys Troops are Subject unto, And that the said
Rangers be Station'd in the most fit and Proper places
?on the Frontier to prevent Incurtiohs of the Indians, to
MAY, 1780. 547
quiet the apprehensions of the Inhabitants and thereby
prevent their quitting their Settlements —
(First four Pages missing. Part of p'h May, 1780.
B. of T., Vol 30.)
present him; accordingly they withdrew, and being re
turned, reported that His Excellency was pleased to say
immediately. Mr Robertson and Mr Jones were appointed a Com
mittee to attend his Excellency with the Speaker Elect,
and present him for His Excellency's approbation, who
was pleased to approve of him.
And then Mr Speaker informed the House, he had de
sired his Excellency would be pleased to grant, that this
House of Assembly may have freedom of Speech, as by
Right and Custoin they used fo have, and all their just
Privileges and Liberties allowed them; and tfiat in any
thing he should deliver in the name of the House, if he
committed any Mistake, it may not be imputed to the
House, but that he nfight resort again to them for Decla
ration of their true intent and meaning; And that as
often as his Majesty's Service, or the good of the Prov
ince, shall require, he might by direction of the House,
have free Access to his Excellency. To which his Excel
lency was pleased to reply, that he wou'd grant them
every Right and Privilege they could justly claim, or
that they used to have ; that was in his Power to grant ;
and that whatever should be delivered in the name of
the House, if any Mistake was in it, he should have free
Liberty to resort again tb the House, and correct and
amend such Mistake; And that the Speaker should have
free Access to his Person whenever the Public Business
called for it; And that his Excellency would give him,
548 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
where the Good of the Province required it, every assis
tance and Advice in his Power — Mr Speaker further re
ported, that his Excellency was pleased to make an Affec
tionate Speech to both Houses of Assembly, of which, to
prevent mistakes, he had obtained a Copy, and read the
same to the House in the Words following.
Honorable Gentlemen,
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly: —
Our meeting in General Assembly under the Authority
and Protection of our most Gracious Sovereign, after
an Interruption of five Years, gives me the greatest
Pleasure, and I most sincerely congratulate You there
upon — Peace, Happiness True Liberty and the enjoy
ment of Property were long banished from this Land;
and what did the Rulers of the People introduce instead
thereof; War, Imprisonments, Proscriptions, Oppres
sions, Attainders and Confiscations. Such was the fate
of your Friends and Relations, and for no other reason
than that they endeavoured to discharge the Duty with
Integrity, and to support the Good People of this Prov
ince, in Peace and the Enjoyment of their Rights, their
Lyberties and Properties, and to oppose that Rebellion,
Tyranny, and Oppression, which were promoted here
Pricipally, by a few Individuals of little or no property,,
but whose Pride and Ambition prompted them to mis
lead and hurry the People into Rebellion, without any
Cause whatever, but merely to aggrandize themselves,
and that from Obscurity and Want, they might become
Men of Power, Leaders and Governors, and accumulate
Fortunes to themselves by Rapine from the General.
Wreck of the Property of Honest men —
During the late Wicked Usurpation, the Inhabitants
of this Country experienced the most cruel Tyranny*
MAY, 1780. 549
Their Commerce was annihilated. The Oppressed Peo
ple wanted many of the Common Necessaries of Life, and
their Arbitrary Leaders loaded the Country with a Debt,
amounting to more than all the Property in the Province
was worth, and the Interest thereupon to much more
than our whole annual Income, in the time of our great
est Prosperity. Add to which the Yearly Expences of
their Government.
What a Melancholy Prospect did this exhibit, espe
cially when contrasted with that Peace and Affluence,
which the Inhabitants in General enjoyed here, before the
Rebellion broke out.
But, Gentlemen, I shall not dwell any longer on this
gloomy Subject, and thanks be to God, the Scene is
changed, His Majesty having been graciously pleased to
rescue this Province, and his good Subjects here, from
the cruel Tyranny and Oppression, which they were la
bouring under, and from the Jaws of Ruin and Destruc
tion. I trust we shall now very soon enjoy the Blessings of
Peace and True Liberty, under just Laws, and his Maj
esty's Protection. The Advantages of Trade and Com
merce with the Mother Country are well known. The
Inhabitants will have a ready Market and Sale for their
Produce of every kind. They will be plentifully supplied
with the Necessaries and Comforts of Life. They will
have Money of Real and not merely nominal Value:
And they will soon again become a Happy People.
The Point of Taxing America is wholly given up by
the King and Parliament, and only a Power reserved to
impose such Duties, as may be expedient for the regula
tion of Commerce (which Power even the warmest Zeal
ots for America never denied to Parliament) and the
550 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Nett Produce of those duties, are in every instance to
be applied to the use of the Province.
I am happy in having it in my Power to declare to
you, that His Majesty, in order to ease his Loyal Sub
jects here, graciously intends to remit all Arrears of Quit
Rents; and generously proposes, that all those which
may become due hereafter, shall be appropriated to the
Use of the Province. Also that all Fines and Forfeit
ures, which shall happen, arise or become due to his
Majesty, shall likewise be applied in the same Manner.
These Concessions being Matters of special Grace and
Favor of the Crown, deserve our warmest acknowledge
ments. I apprehend it is intended in Convenient Time to Re
vise the Laws of Trade, and I have no kind of doubt,
that all such Indulgences will be granted to America, as
may not be inconsistent with the General Good of the
whole Empire.
Therefore, Gentlemen, when you reflect, that we have
been rescued from Ruin and Destruction by his Majesty's
Arms. That from a scene of anarchy and Confusion,
we are now under the Protection of Great Britain,
and restored to the Enjoyment of True Liberty and our
Prosperity ; the inestimable advantages arising from Law
and regular Government ; the Emoluments of Trade and
Commerce; and many other Benefits, which naturally
result from our Connection with the Mother Country,
and from the Reestablishment of Civil Government in
this Province, and the Generous Concessions of the King
and Parliament; it will Evidently appear, that Great
Britain never meant to oppress or injure the Colonies,
but that they should return to the mild, just and benign
Government they formerly enjoyed.
MAY, 1780. .551
The Consideration of these things, Gentlemen, must
warm our Hearts and inspire us with the utmost Grati
tude and Affection. And I doubt not but you will take
such Steps, & pursue such measures in your Legislative
Capacities, as will evince to Great Britain the True and
Unfeigned Loyalty of His Majesty's faithfull Subjects
in the Province of Georgia, and will shew Your abhor
rence of Treason and Rebellion, and secure to Yourselves
and Your Posterity the Blessings of Peace, and the en
joyment of True Liberty.
Many Things will occur to You as necessary to be
done for the better settling the internal Police ; & giving
the Inhabitants some Aid and Relief with respect to the
Destruction and Loss of their Title Deeds ; and other
Sufferings by the Rebellion. But here I must observe
to You, that our Safety & Quiet have of late been much
interrupted by a Set of the most profligate Plunderers
that ever existed, and who have murdered several of the
Inhabitants in Cold Blood, also some Negroes, & who
have Committed Great Devastation, and carried off a
great Number of Negroes. I have written to Sir Henry
Clinton on this Subject, and flatter myself he will give
us every Assistance in his Power, but as the Prevention
of these Mischiefs in future is a Matter of the Greatest
Consequence to the Province, I therefore recommend it
as an Object worthy of your Attention.
In all or any of these matters, I shall be very ready to
concur with You, and Give my best Assistance.
Gentlemen, I trust I need not recommend to You
Unanimity and Dispatch; Points essentially necessary
at all times; and especially at present; And when the
Season of the Year is improper for a long Session, And
therefore I doubt not but you will only go upon such
552 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
things as are most Material, and defer the rest till a more
Convenient Opportunity. James Wright
Savannah in Georgia, Council Chamber.
Resolved, nem. con. That an humble Address of
Thanks, be presented to his Excellency the Governor for
his Speech delivered to both Houses, at the Opening of
the present Sessions. That we do with sincerity assure
his Excellency That our present meeting after so long an
Interruption, affords us the most heartfelt pleasure, and
that we join his Excellency In Congratulations on this
happy Event.
When we reflect on the many difficulties, which have
been arbitrarily and wontonly imposed upon the In
habitants of this Province, in consequence of the date
cruel and unprovoked Rebellion, that we are impressed
with Sentiments of Gratitude which we cannot suffi
ciently express to our most Gracious Sovereign, for his
good intentions to restore us to his most ample Protec
tion ; at the same time we cannot but lament, that those
good intentions have been impeded, contrary to our rea
sonable expectations.
That we receive with gratefull thanks the information
of his Majesty's gracious designs to remit the arrears of
Quit Rents, and to appropriate what may hereafter be
come due, together with other emoluments of the Crown,
to the Use of this Province, and doubt not but they will
be carried into full effect, from which many advantages
must accrue to this Country.
The King and Parliament of Great Britain, having by
Law relinquished the Claim of Taxation over America,
ought to remove every discontent and doubt of the most
MAY, 1780. 553
bigotted Zealots for American Independency, and estab
lish confidence in the Breast of every Individual —
That we flatter ourselves his Excellency's Application
to Sir Henry Clinton for assistance will meet with Suc
cess, which together with our own exertions will have
the desired effect of putting a speedy stop to the Incur
sions of those lawless Banditti, who have made such
frequent depredations, on the Inhabitants of this Coun
try, and afford future Security to every part of this Prov
ince; That being once established we have no doubt but
our Trade and Commerce will encrease, and that we shall
enjoy the Blessings of true Liberty and Good Govern
ment. The wicked and diabolical designs of the Leaders of
Sedition and Rebellion are so notorious, that it is un
necessary for us to enlarge on the Subject at present.
That we chearfully join with his Excellency in turning
from the dismal Prospect, and look forward to better
times — -
That his Excellency may rest assured we will to the
utmost of our Power and Abilities, discharge the trust
reposed in us, and by our Conduct evince to the World
our Loyalty and Attachment to the British Constitution
and Government — That we shall lose no time in taking
under consideration the most material Concerns of Prov
ince; and from the long experience this Country has
had of his Excellency's unwearied endeavours, to pro
mote its true Interest, We are convinced we shall receive
Your hearty Concurrence and Support —
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw up
an Address, to be presented to his Excellency, upon the
said Resolution, and a Committee was appointed accord
ingly.
554 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That his Excellency's Speech be referred to
the said Committee.
Ordered That a Committee of Privileges and Elec
tions be appointed, and a Committee was appointed ac
cordingly, and they are to meet as often as there is oc
casion, and they are to take into consideration all such
Matters, as shall or may come in Question, touching Re
turns, Elections and Privileges, and to proceed upon
double Returns in the first place and to report their pro
ceedings, with their Opinions thereupon to the House,.
from time to time ; And all Persons who will Question
any Returns, are to do it within fourteen days next, and.
so within fourteen Days next after any new Return shall
be brought in, And the Committee are to have power to-
send for Persons, Papers, & Records for their Informa
tion; And all Members who are returned for two or
more places, are to make their Election by this day week,.
for which of the Places they will serve, provided there
be no Question upon the Return for that place ; and if
any thing shall come in Question, touching the Return,.
Election or matter of Privilege, of any Member, he is-
to withdraw during the time the Matter is in Debate;
And that all Members returned upon double returns, do
withdraw till their Returns are determined.
Ordered that a Committee be appointed to wait on
the Reverend Mr Brown to attend to divine Service on
Sunday next, and a Committee was appointed accord
ingly. Ordered That a Committee of Grievances be ap
pointed, and a Committee was appointed accordingly;
and they are to sit as often as necessary, and they are to
have power to send for Persons Papers and Records for
their Information.
MAY, 1780. 555
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to draw up
Rules for the House, and a Committee was appointed
accordingly. The House adjourned till tomorrow
Morning Eleven OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday May io'h 1780.
Mr Zubly from the Committee appointed yesterday to
draw up an Address, to be presented, to his Excellency
the Governor, Reported, that the Committee had drawn
up an Address accordingly, which they had directed him
to report to the House, and he read the same in his Place
and afterwards delivered it in at the Table, where the
same was again read, and ordered to be committed to a
Committee of the whole House.
The House resolved itself into a Committee accord
ingly, and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair and Mr Zubly reported from the Com
mittee, that they had taken the said Address into Con
sideration, and made several Amendments thereto, and
he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered
the Address with the Amendments in at the Table, where
the Amendments were again read, other Amendments
made, and the whole agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Address with the Amendments be
Engrossed The said Address being Engrossed was read to the
House in the words following Viz'
o56 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
To his Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, Cap
tain General, Governor and Commander in Chief in
and over his Majesty's Province of Georgia, Chan
cellor and Vice Admiral of the same.
The Address of the Commons House of Assembly.
May it please Your Excellency.
We his Majesty's Dutifull and Loyal Subjects, the
Commons House of Assembly, in General Assembly met,
return Your Excellency our warmest thanks for your
affectionate Speech, at the Opening of the present Ses
sion. We do with Sincerity assure Your Excellency that
our present meeting, after so long an Interruption affords
us the most heartfelt pleasure, and we do join Your Ex
cellency in Congratulations on this happy event.
When we reflect on the many difficulties, that have
been arbitrarily and wantonly imposed upon the Inhabi
tants of this Province, in consequence of the late cruel
and unprovoked Rebellion, We are impressed with Senti
ments of Gratitude, which we cannot sufficiently express
to our most Gracious Sovereign, for his good intentions,
to restore us to his most ample Protection; at the same
time, we cannot but lament, that those good Intentions
have been impeded contrary to our reasonable Expecta
tions. We receive with gratefull thanks, the information of
his Majesty's gracious Designs to remit the Arrears of
Quit Rents, and to appropriate what may hereafter be
come due, together with other emoluments of the Crown,
to the Use of this Province ; and doubt not but they will
be carried into full effect, from which many advantages
must accrue to this Country.
The King and Parliament of Great Britain having by
MAY, 1780. 557
Law relinquished the Claim of Taxation over America,
ought to remove every discontent and doubt of the most
bigotted Zealots for American Independency; and es
tablish Confidence in the Breast of every Individual.
We flatter ourselves that your Excellency's Applica
tion to Sir Henry Clinton for assistance, will meet with
Success; which together with our own exertions, will
have the desired effect, of putting a speedy stop to the
Incursions of those lawless Banditti, who have made
such frequent depredations on the Inhabitants of this
Country, and afford future security to every part of this
Province ; That being once established, we have no doubt
but -our Trade and Commerce will encrease, and that we
shall enjoy the Blessings of true Liberty and Good Gov
ernment. The wicked and diabolical designs of the Leaders of
Sedition and Rebellion are so notorious that it is unneces
sary for us to enlarge on the Subject at present, we chear
fully join with your Excellency in turning from the dis
mal prospect, and look forward to better times.
Your Excellency may rest assured we will to the ut
most of our Power and Abilities, discharge the trust re
posed in us, and by our conduct evince to the world our
Loyalty and Attachment to the British Constitution and
Government —
We shall lose no time in taking under Consideration
the most material Concerns of the Province, and from the
long experience this Country has had of your Excellency's
unwearied endeavours to promote its true Interest, we
are convinced we shall receive your hearty concurrence
and support.
Ordered That Mr Speaker do sign the said Address.
658 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Resolved that the said Address be presented to his
Excellency the Governor by the whole House.
Ordered That Mr Hall and Mr Zubly do wait on his
Excellency the Governor, to know when he will be pleased
to receive the said Address.
Mr Hall from the Committee appointed to wait on his
Excellency the Governor, to know when he would be
pleased to receive the Address of the House, Reported,
that his Excellency the Governor returned for answer,
that he would give Notice to the House tomorrow fore
noon. Resolved That this House will attend Mr Speaker
to Divine Service on Sunday next.
Ordered That Mr Hall and Mr Zubly do wait on the
Reva Mr Brown and acquaint him therewith.
Mr Hall reported to the House that pursuant to an Or
der of Yesterday, himself and Mr Zubly had waited on
the Revd Mr Brown, and acquainted him that Mr Speaker
and the House would attend divine service on Sunday
next, to which Mr Brown answered, he would prepare
a Suitable discourse on that Occasion.
Resolved That James Edgar be Messenger of this
House. Then the House adjourned till to-mor-
morrow Morning ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday May 11th 1780.
Mr Speaker witH the whole House, went to attend his
MAY, 1780. 559
Excellency the Governor, to present the Address of this
House, and being returned Mr Speaker reported that he,
with the whole House, had attended his Excellency,
and presented their Address, to which his Excellency
was pleased to give the following Answer.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly.
It gives me great pleasure to receive this very Loyal
and dutifull Address, and to find You so warmly im
pressed with Gratitude and Affection for our Gracious
Sovereign. And I join You in Opinion that every dis
content and doubt ought to be totally removed; and
most sincerely wish, that Pure Harmony and Confidence
may soon be restored between the Mother Country and
America. I have the Satisfaction to acquaint You that Sir Henry
Clinton has been pleased to approve of my Application
and Request ; and I doubt not but a Stop will be put to the
depredations of those Lawless Plunderers, who now
infest us.
I thank you for the kind Mention you make of my
past Endeavours to promote the Interest of this Province,
and you may rely on my Support, and that I will coop
erate with you in every Measure, which may tend to
secure to the People, True Liberty and their just Rights,
& which may conduce to the Peace and happiness of this
Province. JAmes Wright
Ordered That the Clerk do furnish the Printer with
a Copy of the Address of this House to his Excellency
the Governor, together with his Excellency the Gover
nor's Answer thereto, and that the Printer do publish
•the same in the next Gazette.
560 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
William Ross Esqr elected and returned for the Parish
of S' Mary (pursuant to order of Yesterday) attended
the House, & in person declined taking his Seat as a
Member of this House, he not having the necessary
Qualification for that purpose.
Resolved That the said excuse be satisfactory.
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency the Governor, desiring he will be
pleased to give Orders for issuing Writs of Election for
the Parish of S' Mary, in the Room of William Ross
Esqr who has declined taking his Seat as a Member of
this House.
Ordered That an Address be prepared and present
ed to his Excellency the Governor, desiring he will be
pleased to give Orders for issuing Writs of Election for
the Parish of S' Paul, S' David, S' Matthews and S'
Mary's, none being returned.
Mr Hall and Mr Cowper the Committee to prepare the
Address. The said Address being prepared was read and agreed
to by the House.
Ordered that Mr Hall and Mr Cowper do wait on his
Excellency and present the said address, and accordingly
they withdrew, & being returned reported, they had
waited on his Excellency, and presented the said Address,
and he was pleased to return for Answer, that he would
give directions, for issuing the said Writs.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor, by the
Master in Chancery.
MAY, 1780. ' 561
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly
The Permit herewith sent you, was brought to me to
sign this Morning, and it appearing the Vessel is to
take on board one thousand Bushels of Rough Rice at
Ogechee, I must recommend it to your Consideration
whether as Matters are circumstanced just now, some
steps should not be immediately taken to prevent the ex
portation of Indian Corn, Rice & oat. James Wright.
The House having taken the same under consideration,
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill, to prohibit
for a certain time the exportation of Indian Corn, Rice,
rough, Clean, or in any other state, Peace or any other
vegitable production of this Province, or that may come
or be brought within the Limits of the same.
Ordered That Mr Simpson, Mr Hall, Mr Robertson,
Mr Jones and Mr Mossman do prepare and bring in the
same. Ordered That Mr Simpson and Mr Zubly, do wait
on the Governor, and acquaint him the Governor <8lc) has
received and taken into Consideration his Excellency's
Message, and have ordered a Bill to be prepared to pro
hibit the Exportation of Indian Corn, Rice and other
Provisions for a limited time.
Mr Simpson and Mr Zubly waited on his Excellency
accordingly, and being returned, Reported, they had
waited on his Excellency, and informed him, that the
House had taken under consideration his Excellency's
Message to prevent the exportation of Provisions, and
had ordered a Bill to be prq>ared and brought in for that
purpose. 36 c 1 —vol 15
562. JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Mr Simpson, Mr Hall, Mr Robertson, Mr Jones and
Mr Mossman were appointed a Committee to prepare and
bring in a Bill to prevent the exportation of Indian Corn,
Rice and other Provisions.
Mr Simpson from the Committee appointed to bring
in a Bill to prevent for a certain time the exportation of
Provisions, reported that they had prepared the same,
which they had directed him to report to the House,
which was received and read the first time.
Motion was made that the said Bill be now read the
second time, which was agreed to and read accordingly.
Motion was made that the Bill be immediately Com
mitted, and a debate arising thereon, Resolved, that this
House will form itself into a Committee of the whole
House to take the same under consideration tomorrow.
Mr Hall reported that the Committee of Grievances,
are ready to make their report, when the House will be
pleased to receive it.
Ordered That the report be received, which was
done accordingly.
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill for as
certaining the Qualification of Jurors, and establishing
the method of ballotting and summoning of Jurors in the
Province of Georgia, and for repealing an Act, entitled
an Act for ascertaining the Qualifications of Jurors, and
for establishing the method of balloting and summoning
of Jurors, in the Province of Georgia, the Act explaining
the same, and another act amending the same Act.
Ordered That Mr Robertson, Mr Simpson, Mr Zubly,
Mr Panton and Mr Cowper be the said Committee.
Motion was made for leave to prepare and bring in a
MAY, 1780. 563
Bill for the better and more effectual Regulation of the
Militia of this Province.
Ordered that Mr Wylly, Mr Jones, Mr Butler, Mr
Hall and Mr Yonge, be a Committee for that purpose.
Motion was made that this House do present a hum
ble, dutifull and Loyal Address to our most Gracious
Sovereign, expressing our grateful Thanks of his Good
ness for having placed us under his Paternal Protection,
and for establishing Civil Government in this Province,
and other favours conferred upon us ; and that a Commit
tee be appointed for that purpose.
Ordered That Mr Zubly, Mr Wylly, Mr Douglass,
Mr Mossman and Mr Panton be the Committee for that
purpose. Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill, to oblige
Persons coming into Savannah from any parts of this
Province, which do not acknowledge their Allegiance to
the King, and from the Provinces in Actual Rebellion, to
register their names, and to set forth upon Oath, their
Business, in the Secretary's Office of this Province, and
to Comply with the other Regulations to be contained in
the said Bill. And then the House adjourned till to
morrow morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday May 12th 1780.
The Order of the day for committing fhe Bill entitled
an Act to prohibit for a certain time, the Exportation
of Indian Corn, Rice, and other Provisions, the Growth
564 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
and Produce of this Province, therein mentioned, being
read, the House took the same into consideration, and
after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed the
Chair, and Mr Simpson from the Committee of the whole
House, reported, that they had taken the same into Con
sideration, and made several amendments thereto, which
he was directed to report, when the House would be
pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the said Report be now made, which
was done accordingly, and agreed to by the House.
Resolved That the Title of the said Bill be an Act
to prohibit for a certain time the exportation of Indian
Corn, Rice and other Provisions, the Growth and Pro
duce of this Province therein mentioned.
Ordered That the said Bill, with the amendments
be engrossed.
The said Bill being engrossed, Motion was made that
it be now read a third time, and it was read accordingly.
Resolved that the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Simpson do carry the same to the
Upper House, and desire their concurrence thereto.
Resolved That the following be the standing Rules
" f this House.
[For transcript of these Rules see Journal of Commons
louse 27 Nov. 1764 with the following differences: —
For Rule V read : —
/ That the Speaker and ten Members make a Quo-
MAY, 1780. 565
rum to act, as if all the Members were present, and to
proceed to all Business.
after Rule XXV read :— J
XXVI That every Member who makes a Motion,
shall commit the Substance thereof to writings, and de
liver the same to the Speaker.
XXVII That when the Question hath been entirely
put by the Speaker, no Member is to speak to the Ques
tion, before Voting.
XXVIII That no Member speak more than twice in
the House to any Bill at any one time reading, or to
any other proposition, or motion, without leave of the
House. XXIX That no order or Resolution shall be entered
by the Clerk, till the Speaker first obtain the assent of the
House. XXX That the Minutes be first entered in a Book,
and' the Minutes of the day be read before an Adjourn
ment be made, and the Minutes of the preceeding day
shall be read before any Business be gone upon; and
the Minutes of the week being entered fair in another
book, shall be read every Monday Morning, before any
other Business be introduced.
XXXI That if any Member of the House, shall go
off the Province, without leave of the House, if sitting,
•or without acquainting the Speaker of his so doing, in
case the House be not sitting ; or having had leave to go
•off the Province shall not return within the time limited
for such leave; he may be expelled, or incur such other
Censure as the House shall think proper.
566 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
XXXII That when the House shall adjourn, or go
with an Address, or on other occurrences, no person shall
rise or go out, until M1' Speaker do arise and go before,
and then the Members to follow in Order, and that no
person shall walk about, or interrupt the House, while in
Debate. XXXIII That there shall be the following fees al
lowed to the Clerk of this House; Viz' for drawing
every Petition not exceeding one Copy Sheet, of ninety
words, five Shillings, and for every Copy Sheet after
wards, one Shilling, but no petition to exceed Twenty
Shillings ; for reading a Petition, three Shillings, for
passing any private Bill, Six Shillings and six pence..
for entering the Laws in a Book, five pence per Copy
Sheet : Engrossing the Laws, five pence per Copy Sheet ;
entering every paper in the Journals, that is to say Peti
tions and Memorials, five pence per Copy Sheet, letters.
by order of the House to Members or any other person,.
three Shillings. For a Warrant, twenty one Shillings.
For the fair Copy of the Journals with Marginal notes,
for the use of the House ; and duplicates of the Journals
with Marginal Notes to send to England, six pence per
Copy Sheet.
XXXIV That the following fees shall be allowed to
the Messenger of this House, Viz' on reading every pe
tition one Shilling and Six pence, for every letter sent
out by the order of the House, three Shillings — for
every Mile he shall travel, to execute the Speakers War
rant, six pence per Mile, to be computed from the House-
to the place, where the same shall be served, against
whom such Warrant shall be issued, & paid by the De
linquent. Ordered That Mr Cowper have leave of absence till
this day fortnight.
MAY, 1780. '567
Ordered That Mr Yonge have leave of absence till
tuesday next.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare
a House for the reception of the Members of the Com
mons House of Assembly, and to report what sum will
be requisite for that purpose.
Ordered That Mr Jones and Mr Zubly be the Com
mittee for that purpose.
Ordered that the Bill, entitled an Act to prohibit for
a certain time, the exportation of Indian Corn, Rice and
other Provisions, the growth and Produce of this Prov
ince therein mentioned, be now read the third time.
The Bill was accordingly read and ordered to pass.
Ordered That Mr Simpson do carry the same to the
Upper House, and desire their concurrence thereto.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery. Upper House May 12th 17S0.
Resolved That this House will address his Majesty,
returning him our most Dutifnll thanks for rescuing this
Province from the Tyranny and Oppression of the
Rebels; for Re-establishing Civil Government here; and
for his most Gracious Intentions to apply, in ease of this
Province, several Branches of the undoubted Revenues
of the Crown.
Ordered That a Message be sent to the Commons
House of Assembly, by the Master in Chancery, acquaint
ing them with the said Resolution, by delivering them a
Copy thereof; and desire their Concurrence therein; and
568 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
that they will appoint a Committee of this House to pre
pare the Address accordingly.
The House adjourned till tomorrow
Morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday May 13th 1780
House met according to adjournment and adjourned
till Monday Morning ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W . I., Vol. 235.)
Monday May 15th 1780
Mr Zubly from the Committee appointed to enquire
into the state of the Rooms formerly used by the Council
and Assembly, or any other place to serve for the purpose
of holding the present General Assembly, reports that
the repairing the former Assembly Room, will cost by
£ s d
an Estimate delivered them 20.. o.. o
The Repairs of the former Council Cham
ber £16.. o.. -
They also further report that either of the above Rooms
may be entered into in a week's time. They also further
report that they examined the Court Room, and find it
in a very dirty and ruinous Situation, and that it will re
quire a Month before it can be used and the Expence
will amount to £200 or £300.
The House having taken under consideration a Mes-
MAY, 1780. ' 569
sage from the Upper House of the 12th Instant desiring
this Plouse to join them in preparing an Address to his
Majesty, Resolved that Mr Zubly, Mr Wylly, Mr Douglass, Mr
Mossman, and Mr Panton, the Committee appointed to
prepare and draw up an Address to his Majesty on the
11th Instant by this House, be the Committee to join
the Committee of the Upper House, for that purpose;
and it is further Resolved that a Message be sent to the
Upper House, acquainting them therewith.
Ordered That the following Message be sent to the
Upper House. Commons House of Assembly 15th May 1780
Honble Gentlemen,
This House having taken under consideration your
Message of the 12th Instant, have Resolved that the Com
mittee appointed by this House on the n'h Instant to
draw up and prepare an Address to his Majesty, be a
Committee to join your Committee for that purpose, and
are directed to meet at such time and place, as may be
agreed upon.
Ordered That Mr Zubly do carry the above Mes
sage to the Upper House.
Resolved that the thanks of this House be returned
the Revd Mr Brown for his excellent Sermon of Yester
day, and that a Gratuity of Ten Guineas be presented
him for the same.
The following Gentlemen Viz' Alexander Wright,
Rofiert Baillie, Tho8 Goldsmith, Simon Munro and James
Spalding Esq™ having been returned to serve as Mem-
570 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
bers of the Commons House of Assembly, and not hav
ing attended.
Ordered that the Clerk do write them that the House
requires their immediate attendance.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday May 16th 1780.
Simon Munro Esqr elected and returned for the Parish
of S' John, prov'd himself duly qualified to serve as one
of the Members, and then took the Oaths, & made and
subscribed the declaration, & took & subscribed the Oath
of Abjuration.
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery. Upper House of Assembly May 15"1 1780
Mr Speaker,
In Answer to your Message of this day, that Your
House hath taken under consideration the Resolution
and order of this Blouse of the 12"1 Ins' and hath Re
solved thereon, that the Committee appointed by your
House to draw up and prepare an Address to his Majesty,.
be a Committee to join a Committee of this House, for
that purpose.
Ordered That Mr Stokes, Mr Hume, Mr Jollie and
Major Wright be a Committee to join the Committee of
your House, in preparing an Address to his Majesty,
MAY, 1780. 571
and if agreable to your Committee, will meet at the Room,
where the Upper House at present sits.
Motion was made that the amendments to a Bill, en
titled, an Act to prohibit for a certain time the Exporta
tion of Indian Corn, Rice and other Provisions, the
Growth and Produce of this Province be taken under
consideration tomorrow Morning.
The Emergency of the times requiring the most punct
ual attendance of the Members of this House — - Re
solved That a fine of 3d per minute be imposed on every
Member, and such other Censure as the House judge fit,
who shall neglect attending his Duty (or sending such
excuse as shall be approved by the House) at the time
appointed by adjournment; and that such fines be punct
ually required and collected by a Treasurer to be appoint
ed for that purpose; and that Mr Hall be Treasurer for
collecting: the same.
*&
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday May 17th 1780.
Resolved That the order of the day be adjourned
till tomorrow morning.
Ordered That Mr Munro and Mr Patterson be added
to the Committee appointed to join the Committee of the
Upper House to draw up an Address to his Majesty.
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill, entitled,
an Act for the regulation of Auctions, laying a Duty on
Goods, Wares and Merchandize sold at Auction, and for
572 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
empowering his Excellency the Governor to license Auc
tioneers. Ordered That Mr Hall, Mr Simpson and Mr Panton
be the Committee for that purpose.
The House adjourned, till tomorrow
morning ten of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday May 18th 1780.
The House took into consideration the Amendments
made by the Upper House to the Engrossed Bill, entitled
an Act to prohibit for a certain time the exportation of
Indian Corn, Rice & other vegetable provisions, the
growth and production of this Province therein men
tioned, and agreed to some of the Amendments, and dis
agreed to others.
Ordered that Mr Robertson do carry the Bill to the
Upper House and acquaint them, that this House have
agreed to some of the Amendments made by the Upper
House to the said Bill and disagreed to others; and that
this House desires a Conference on the subject matter
of the said amendments.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery. Upper House of Assembly May 18'1' 1780.
Mr- Speaker,
In Answer to your Message, this House doth agree
to the Conference you desire, in the room adjoining the
Council Chamber at six OClock, this Evening, upon the
Amendments made by this House to a Bill, entitled an
MAY,. 1780. 573
Act to prohibit for a certain time, the exportation of
Indian Corn, Rice and other Provisions, the Growth and
Produce of this Province therein mentioned, — The Com
mittee are Mr Hume and Mr Jollie.
Ordered that Mr Robertson, Mr Simpson and Mr Hall
be the Committee to meet the Committee of the Upper
House in Conference.
The Committee appointed to join a Committee of the
Upper House in preparing Congratulatory and loyal Ad
dress to his Majesty, reported they had prepared the
same; which was read to the House.
Ordered That the said Address be taken under con
sideration on Tuesday next.
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill, entitled
an Act to explain, amend and reduce into one Act of
Assembly, the several Laws now in being, relative to
the regulating of the Town of Savannah, and for ascer
taining the Common thereunto belonging.
Ordered That Mr Hall, Mr Robertson and Mr Doug
lass be the Committee for that purpose.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row Morning, Ten OClock.
(From. B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday May 19th 1780.
Mr Robertson from the Committee appointed to bring
in a Bill, entitled an Act for ascertaining the Qualifica
tion of Jurors, and for establishing the method of bal
loting and summoning of Jurors in the Province of
574 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Georgia, and for repealing the several Laws of this
Province, herein mentioned, regarding the form, method
of regulating, balloting and summoning of Jurors in this
Province, Reported that the Committee were ready to
make their report, when the House would be pleased to
receive it.
Ordered That the Report be now made, which was
done accordingly.
Then the said Bill was read the first time, and ordered
to be read a second time.
The House adjourned till tomorrow
morning ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday May 20th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment, and then
adjourned till Monday Morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday May 22d 1780
House met according to adjournment, and adjourned
till tomorrow Morning ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday May 23d 1780
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill, entitled
an Act for the relief of such of his Majesty's loyal Sub-
MAY, 1780. 575
jects, as are Inhabitants of the Province of Georgia, or
have any Property or Intercourse here.
Ordered That Mr Robertson, Mr Jones & Mr Moss
man be the Committee for that purpose.
Resolved That the Order of the day be adjourned
over till tomorrow morning.
The Bill, entitled an Act for ascertaining the Qualifi
cation of Jurors, and for establishing the Method of
balloting and summoning of Jurors in the Province of
Georgia, and for repealing the several Laws of the Prov
ince herein after mentioned, regarding the form Method
of regulating, balloting and summoning of Jurors in this
Province, was read the second time, and ordered to be
committed. Mr Robertson from the Committee appointed to pre
pare & bring in a Bill for the relief of such of his Maj
esty's loyal Subjects, as are Inhabitants of the Province
of Georgia, or have any Property or Intercourse here,
reported that they had prepared & were reeady to deliver
the same to the House, when the House would be pleased
to receive it.
Ordered that the report he now made, which was done
accordingly, & then the said Bill was read the first time,
and ordered to be read a second time.
Mr Hall from the Committee appointed to bring in a
Bill, entitled an Act for the regulation of Auctions, lay
ing a Duty on Goods Wares and Merchandize sold at
Auction, and for empowering the Governor or Com
mander in Chief for the time being to licence Auctioneers,
reported they had prepared the same, and were ready to
make their report, when the House would be pleased to
receive the same.
576 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That the report be now made, which was
done accordingly, and then the said Bill was read the
first time, and ordered to be read the second time.
Mr Hall from the Committee appointed to prepare and
bring in a Bill intitled an Act to explain, amend and re
duce into one Act of Assembly the several Laws now
in being, relative to the regulating the Town of Savan
nah, and for ascertaining the Common thereunto be
longing, reported, that they had prepared the said Bill,
and were ready to make their report, when the House
would be pleased to receive it.
Ordered That the report be now made, which was
done accordingly, and then the said Bill was read a
first time, and ordered to be read a second time.
Motion was made that an Address be presented to the
Governor, recommending a speedy Stop to be put to the
admission of Flags of Truce into this Town.
'&-
Ordered that Mr Zubly, Mr Simpson and Mr Hall be
the Committee for that purpose.
The order of the day for taking into Consideration
the Address to his Majesty, being read, Resolved that
tlie said Address be taken into Consideration tomorrow
morning. Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & IV. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday May 24th 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act for the relief of such of his
Majesty's loyal Subjects, as are Inhabitants of the Prov-
MAY, 1780. 577
ince of Georgia, or have any Property or Intercourse
here, was read the second time and ordered to be com
mitted. f
The Bill entitled an Act to explain, amend and reduce
into one Act of Assembly the several Laws now in being
relative to the regulating the Town of Savannah, and
for ascertaining the Common thereunto belonging, was
read the second time, and ordered to be committed.
Tho8 Goldsmith Esq1 elected and returned for the Par
ish of S' Philip, attended and declined taking his Seat.
A Message from the Upper Blouse, by the Master in
Chancery. That the Upper House had passed a Bill, entitled an
Act to explain, amend and make more effectual an Act
passed the 9"1 day of June 1761 entitled an act for sub
jecting and making liable to attachment the Estate real
and personal of absent debtors, in the Custody or Power
of any Person or Persons within this Province, and de
sired the Concurrence of this House therein.
The Bill entitled an Act for the regulation of Auctions,
laying a Duty on Goods, Wares and Merchandise sold at
Auction, & for empowering the Governor or Commander
in Chief for the time being to license Auctioneers was
read the second time and ordered to be committed.
Mr Zubly from the Committee appointed to' prepare an
Address to his Excellency the Governor, recommending
a Speedy Stop to the admission of Flags of Truce into-
this Town, reported they had prepared the same, and
were ready to make their report, when the House would
be pleased to receive it.
Ordered That the report be now made, which was
done accordingly and agreed to by the House.
37 0 r— vol 15
578 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered . .That Mr Hall and Mr Zubly do wait on the
Governor with the same.
Motion was made to address his Excellency the Gover
nor, to issue a Writ for the election of one Member for
the Parish of S' Philip, in the room of Thomas Gold
smith Esqr who has declined taking his Seat.
Ordered That Mr Hall and Mr Zubly do wait on
his Excellency the Governor with the said Address.
They accordingly withdrew with the said Address,
and being returned Mr Hall reported that he with M'
Zubly had according to order waited on his Excellency,
who was pleased to answer that he would give orders
for a Writ immediately; and that he would recommend
the Matter of Flags of Truce to the Commander in Chief,
and did not doubt but it would be carried into execution.
The order of the day being read, The House resolved
itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take under
consideration the Address of both Houses to his Majesty,
and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr Zubly from the Committee reported
that they had taken the same under consideration, made
several amendments thereto, and were ready to report,
when the House would be pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made, and Mr
Zubly read the same with the amendments in his place,
and afterwards delivered it in at the Table, where they
were again read & agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the said Address be Engrossed.
Ordered That the Address to his Majesty with the
MAY, 1780. 579
Amendments be carried to the Committee of the Upper
House. Then the House, adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. &W. L, Vol, 235.)
Thursday May 25th 1780.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under Consideration the Bill, enT
titled an Act for the relief of such of his Majesty's loyal
Subjects, as are Inhabitants of the Province of Georgia,
or have any Property or Intercourse therein, and after
some time spent therein, MT Speaker resumed the Chair
and :MX: Robertson from the Committee reported that the
House had taken under consideration the said Bill, and
made several amendments thereto,' which he was ready
to report, when the House would be pleased to receive it.
ORDERED: That the said report be-,now» made, which
was done accordingly, the Bill read with its amendments,
and agreed to by the House.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under consideration a Bill entitled
an Act to explain amend and reduce into one Act of As
sembly the several Laws now in being relative to the
regulating the Town of Savannah, artd for ascertaining
the Common thereunto belonging, and after some time
spent therein, M' Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr
Hall from the Committee reported that they had taken
the said. Bill into Consideration, made several amend-r
ments thereto, which he was ready to report, when the
House would be pleased to receive it.
580 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered that the report be now made, which was
done accordingly, the Bill read with its amendments, and
agreed to by the House.
Resolved That the Title of the said Bill be a Bilk
entitled an Act to explain, amend, and reduce into one
Act the several Laws now in being, relative to the regu
lating the Town and Common of Savannah, and for
other purposes therein mentioned.
Ordered That the said Bill be Engrossed.
Resolved That Mr Munro have leave of absence for
a fortnight. Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday May 26th 1780.
The Bill, entitled an Act for the relief of such of his
Majesty's loyal Subjects, as are Inhabitants of the Prov
ince of Georgia, or have any Property or Intercourse
therein, was read the third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Robertson do carry the same to
the Upper House, and desire their Concurrence thereto.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under Consideration a Bill, en
titled an Act for the regulation of Auctions, laying a
Duty on Goods, Wares and Merchandize sold at Auction,,
and for empowering the Governor or Commander in
Chief for the time being to licence Auctioneers, and after
MAY, 1780. 581
some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed the Chair,
and Mr Hall from the Committee reported, they had
taken under consideration the said Bill, made several
amendments thereto, which he was ready to report, when
the House would be pleased to receive it.
Ordered That the report be now made, which was
done accordingly, the Bill read with its amendments, and
agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the said Bill be Engrossed.
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery desiring the Concurrence of this House to a
Bill, entitled an Act to attaint of high Treason the sev
eral Bersons, herein after named, who are either absent
from this Province, or in that part of it, which is still
in Rebellion against his Majesty, and to vest their real
and personal Estates in his Majesty his Heirs and Suc
cessors in manner herein after mentioned, subject to the
Lawfull Debts and Claims thereupon.
Ordered That the Clerk do read the said Bill, and
the said Bill was read accordingly.
Motion was made that the said Bill be read a second
time on Thursday next, that the same lie on the Table
in the mean time for the Perusal of Members, and that
all absent Members be required to attend their Duty in
this House, and not depart from the same, while the said
Bill is depending.
The Committee appointed to join a Committee of the
Upper House, reported that the Upper House had agreed
to the amendments made by this House in the Address to
his Majesty and proposed an Addition, to which they de
sired the Concurrence of this House, and the Addition
was accordingly agreed to.
662 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday May 27th 1780
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till Monday morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol, 235.)
Monday May 29th 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act to explain amend and reduce
into one Act the several Laws, now in being relative to
the regulating the Town and Common of Savannah, and
for other purposes therein mentioned, was read the third
¦time. Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Hall do carry the same to the
Upper House, & desire their Concurrence thereto.
The Bill entitled an Act for the regulation of Auctions,
laying a Duty on Goods, Wares and Merchandise sold
at Auctions, and for empowering the Governor or Com
mander in Chief for the time being to licence Auc
tioneers, was read the third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Hall do carry the same to the
Upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
MAY, 1780. 583
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday May 30th 1780.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under consideration a Bill entitled
an Act for ascertaining the Qualification of Jurors and
for Establishing the Method of balloting and summon
ing of Jurors in the Province of Georgia, and for re
pealing the several Laws of this Province herein after
mentioned, regarding the form, method of regulating,
balloting and summoning of Jurors in this Province,
and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr Robertson from the Committee report
ed that they had gone through the said Bill, and made
.several Amendments thereto, which he was ready to re
port, when the House would be pleased to receive the
same. Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Robertson in his place read the same, and
afterwards delivered it in at the Table, where the same
being again read with the Amendments was agreed to by
the House.
Ordered That the said Bill with the Amendments
be Engrossed.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery, that the Bill, entitled an Act for the relief of
such of his Majesty's Loyal Subjects, as are Inhabitants
of the Province of Georgia, or have any Property or
Intercourse here, had passed in the Upper House without
any Amendment. Then the House adjourned till Tomor
row Morning Ten OClock.
584 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday May 31st 1780.
The House being informed that several persons, Ene
mies to His Majesty's Person & Government, & who
have long been active in the American Rebellion, & who
have neglected to avail themselves hitherto of the Benefit
of the several proclamations issued, offering terms of
Pardon & Forgiveness mean now to come in and propose
terms for themselves and others, induced, not from a
Conviction of their Crimes, but from an Apprehension
of danger to themselves, from the late Successes of his
Majesty's Arms, as this House is led to believe, There
fore Resolved that it is the Opinion of this House, that
not any of such persons, should be admitted to any par
don, nor ought they or any of them be suffered to come
into Savannah, or within twenty five Miles thereof, until
such time as the Bill now depending in this House,
relative to such Offenders, and every other Bill, that
may be brought in, this present Session, regarding them,
be determined upon — and that a Copy of this Resolution
he immediately laid before his Excellency the Governor.
Ordered That Mr Simpson and Mr Hall do wait on
his Excellency with the same.
Mr Simpson and Mr Hall waited on his Excellency
accordingly, and being returned, Mr Simpson reported,
that pursuant to the order of the House, they had waited
on the Governor with the said resolution, & that his
Excellency was pleased to say, that he would lay the
same before the Council tomorrow morning:.
'&•
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House, to take under consideration an Engrossed
Bill from the Upper House, entitled an Act to explain,
JUNE, 1780. 585
amend & make more effectual an Act passed the 9"1 day
of June 1 76 1, entitled an Act for subjecting & making
liable to attachment the Estate real and personal of ab
sent Debtors in the Custody or Power of any Person or
Persons within this Province; & after some time spent
therein Mr Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr Robert
son from the Committee reported, that they had taken
the said Bill under consideration, & made several amend
ments thereto, which he was ready to report, when the
House would be pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Robertson read the said Bill with its Amend
ments, and delivered it in at the Table, where the same
was again read, and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Amendments to the said Bill be
Engrossed. Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday June Is' 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act for ascertaining the Qualifi
cations of Jurors, & for establishing the method of bal
loting and summoning of Jurors in the Province of Geor
gia, and for repealing the several Laws of this Province
herein after mentioned, regarding the former Method
of regulating, balloting and summoning of Jurors in this
Province, was read the third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
586 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That Mr Robertson do carry the same to
the Upper House, and desire their Concurrence thereto.
The Order of the day being read, the Engrossed Bill
from the Upper House entitled an Act to attaint of high
Treason the several Persons herein after named, who are-
either absent from this Province, or in that part of it,
which is still in Rebellion against his Majesty, and to-
vest their real and personal Estates in his Majesty, his
Heirs and Successors, in manner herein after mentioned,
subject to the Lawfull Debts and Claims thereupon, was
read the second time and ordered to be committed to
morrow. Motion was made that Application be immediately
made to the Upper House for such Evidence, as they
may be possessed of against the several Persons named in
the Engrossed Bill sent down from them.
Ordered That Mr Robertson and Mr Simpson do
wait on the Upper House for that purpose.
They accordingly withdrew, and being returned, Mr
Robertson reported, that pursuant to Order, he with
Mr Simpson had waited on the Upper House, Who
had furnished them with sundry Affidavits respect
ing the Persons named in the Engrossed Bill of at
tainder sent by them to this House, and he delivered
them in at the Table, where they were received and read,
and ordered to lie upon the Table for the perusal of the
Members. Motion was made that a Committee be appointed to
inspect such Laws and Ordinances that are expired or
near expiring, or may require Amendment or continua
tion & report the same.
JUNE, 1780. 587
Ordered That Mr Zubly, Mr Simpson and Mr Jones
be a Committee for that purpose.
The Engrossed Bill from the Upper House entitled
an Act to explain, amend and make more effectual an
Act passed the 9th day of June 1761 entitled an Act for
subjecting and making liable to Attachment the Estate
real and personal of Absent Debtors, in the Custody or
Power of any Person or Persons within this Province,
was read the third time, and passed with the Amend
ments. Ordered That Mr Robertson carry the same to the
Upper House.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery — ¦ That the Bill entitled an Act for the regu
lation of Auctions laying a Duty on Goods, Wares and
Merchandise sold at Auctions, and for empowering the
Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being to
licence Auctioneers, had passed in the Upper House,
with some Amendments, to which they desire the Concur
rence of this House — and also to a Bill with Amend
ments, entitled an Act to explain amend and reduce into
one Act, the several Laws now in being, relative to the
regulating the Town and Common of Savannah, and for
other purposes therein mentioned.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday June 2d 1780.
Motion was made that the Amendments of the Upper
House to the Engrossed Bill, entitled an Act to explain,
588 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
amend & reduce into one Act the several Laws now in
being relative to the regulating the Town and Common
of Savannah, and for other purposes therein mentioned ;
be taken under consideration, which was done according
ly and the amendments agreed to by the House.
Motion was made that the amendments of the Upper
House to the Engrossed Bill, entitled an Act for the
regulation of Auctions, laying a Duty on Goods, Wares
and Merchandise sold at Auctions, and for empowering
the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being
to licence Auctioneers, be taken under consideration,
which was done accordingly, and the amendments agreed
to by the House.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House, to take under consideration the Engrossed
Bill from the Upper House, entitled an Act to attaint
of high Treason, the several persons herein after men
tioned, who are either absent from this Province, or in
that part of it which is still in Rebellion against his Maj
esty, and to vest their real and personal Estates in his
Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, in manner herein af
ter mentioned, subject to the lawfull debts and claims
thereupon and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair, and Mr Hall from the Committee of
the whole House, reported, that they had taken, the said
Bill under consideration, made some progress therein
and that he was directed to move for leave to sitt again.
Ordered That leave be granted them' to sit again.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Nine OClock.
JUNE, 1780. 589
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday June 3d 1780.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under further consideration the En
grossed Bill, from the Upper House, entitled an Act to at
taint of high Treason, the several persons herein after
mentioned, who are either absent from this Province, or
in that part of it, which is still in Rebellion against his
Majesty and to vest their real and personal Estates in
his Majesty his Heirs and Successors in manner herein
after mentioned, subject to the lawful debts and Claims
thereupon ; and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair, and Mr Hall from the Committee
of the whole House, reported that they had taken the
said Bill under consideration, and made several amend
ments thereto which he was directed to report, when the
House would be pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Hall read the same with the amendments
and delivered it in at the Table, where the same being
read by the Clerk was agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the Amendments be Engrossed.
Then the House adjourned till Monday
morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday June 5th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till tomorrow Morning ten OClock.
690 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
, Tuesday June 6th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment, and ad-
- journed till tomorrow Morning ten OClock.
(FromB. P. R. O.—A, & W.I., Vol. 235.)
. .. Wednesday June 8V* 1780
A Petition from Philip Dell, with his name subscribed
thereto,, was presented to the House and read, setting
forth that he had in May 1779 leased the Ferry, on Great
Ogechee River at the Rate of eighty one pounds a Year,
but from the late Invasion, and the frequent Incursions
of the Rebels lie was in a great Measure deprived of the
Benefit of his lease, and otherwise greatly injured in his
Property, therefore prays the House to take his Case
into Consideration, and grant such relief, as to the House
shall seem meet.
Ordered That the said Petition do lie on the Table
for the perusal of the Members.
A Memorial from Lachlan M'Gillivray, with his name
subscribed thereto, was presented to the House, setting
forth that being informed George Galphin Esqr is to be
attainted of high Treason, he begs leave to represent
him as a man universally esteemed by all that knew him,
and who has most faithfully served his King and Coun
try, under the British Government, and that at the Com
mencement of the Rebellion, he declared he would never
take any part therein, further than to prevent the Mercer
less Savages from, murdering the helpless- Women and
Children; which he happily effected^ he. therefore hopes
JUNE, 1780. 591
this, House will, be pleased to extend their Mercy and
forgiveness to him.
Ordered that the said Memorial do lie on the Table
for the perusal of the Members.
Motion was- made 'for leave to bring in a Bill entitled
^in Act for the relief of such of his Majesty's loyal Sub
jects, as have any real'and personal property in the Prov
ince of Georgia, and whose Title deeds, Evidences, Vouch
ers and Writings have been either lost, destroyed or car
ried off, during the late Rebellion in the said Province.
Ordered That Mr Robertson, Mr Zubly and Mr Fox
be the Committee for that purpose.
Mr Robertson from the Committee appointed to bring
in a Bill, entitled an Act for the relief of such of his
Majesty's loyal Subjects, as have any real or personal
property in the Province of Georgia, and whose Title
Deeds, Evidences, Vouchers and Writings have been
either lost, destroyed, or carried off during the late Re
bellion in the said Province, reported that they had pre
pared the same, and were ready to make their report,
when the Blouse would please to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Robertson read the same, and delivered it
In at the Table, where it was read the first time, and or
dered to be read a second time.
A Memorial from George Houstoun with his name
subscribed thereto was presented to the House and read,
setting forth, that having heard a Bill is now depending
in this House for attainting and banishing from this
Province, some of the late Inhabitants, amongst which
mumber is John Houstoun; he begs leave to produce some
592 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Evidences, on behalf of the said John Houstoun, touching
his late conduct in this Province, which was, granted him;
several Gentlemen were called in & examined accord
ingly. Ordered That the said Memorial do lie on the Table,
for the perusal of the Members.
Mr Robertson reported that some Gentlemen of the
Upper, House had furnished him with two Copies of
Affidavits, which he delivered, in at the Table, where they
were read, and ordered to lie on the Table for the perusal
of the Members.
Resolved That in case of any division of the House,
on the engrossed Bill of Attainder . from the Upper
House, on the third reading thereof, the names of every
Member for and against every Question, that may arise
thereon, shall be taken down and inserted by the Clerk,
in the Minutes of this House, & published if thought
proper by the House. •
Motion being made that the name of John Glenn, late
of the same, Rebel Chief Justice, be inserted in the said
Bill, & a Debate arising thereon, the House divided and
it passed in the negative.
For the Motion Against the Motion
Mr Simpson
Mr Mossman
Mr Robertson
Mr Butler
Mr Hall
Mr Fox
Mr Zubly
Mr Panton
Mr Irvin
Mr Jones
and Mr'Henderson
Mr Patterson
and Mr Douglass
Motion being made that the name of Joseph Clay, late
of the same Rebel Pay Master, be struck out of the Bill,
JUNE, 1780. 593
& a debate arising thereon, the House divided, and it
passed in the negative.
For the Motion
Against the Mot!
Mr Mossman
Mr Robertson
Mr Fox
Mr Simpson
Mr Hall
Mr Panton
Mr Douglass
Mr Butler
Mr Irvin
Mr Jones
and Mr Patterson.
Mr Henderson
and Mr Zubly.
The Engrossed Bill from the Upper House, entitled
an Act to attaint of high Treason the several persons
herein after named, who are either absent from this
Province, or in that part of it which is still in Rebellion
against his Majesty, and to vest their real and personal
Estates in his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors in man
ner herein after mentioned, subject to the lawful Debts
and Claims thereupon, was read the third time, with the
Amendments. Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Simpson do carry the same with
the amendments to the Upper House, & desire their
concurrence thereto. Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 235.)
Thursday June 8th. 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act for the relief of such of his
Majesty's loyal Subjects, as have any real or personal
38 c r— vol 15
594 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Property in the Province of Georgia, & whose Title
Deeds, Bonds, Notes, and Writings have been either
lost destroyed or carried off during the late Rebellion
in the said Province, was read the second time, and or
dered to be Committed.
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill entitled
an Act to disqualify and render incapable, the several
Persons, herein after named, of holding or exercising
any Office of Trust, Honor or Profit, in the Province of
Georgia for a certain time, and for other purposes there
in mentioned.
Ordered That Mr Robertson, Mr Simpson and M1
Panton be the Committee for that purpose.
Mr Robertson from the Committee appointed to bring
in a Bill entitled an Act to disqualify and render incapa
ble the several persons herein after named, of holding
or exercising any Office of Trust, Honor or Profit in the
Province of Georgia for a certain time and for other
purposes therein mentioned, reported that they had pre
pared the same and were ready to make their report when
the House would be pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Robertson read the same and delivered it in
at the Table, where it was read the first time and ordered
to be read a second time.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under consideration a Bill, entitled
an Act for the relief of such of his Majesty's loyal Sub
jects, as have any real or personal property in the Prov
ince of Georgia, and whose Title Deeds, Evidences,
Vouchers or Writings have been either lost, destroyed
or carried off during the late Rebellion in the said Prov-
JUNE, 1780. 595
ince, and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker re
sumed the Chair, and Mr Robertson from the Committee
reported, that they had taken the said Bill under con
sideration, made several amendments thereto, which he
was directed to report, when the House would be pleased
to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Robertson read the same with the Amend
ments, and delivered it in at the Table, where the same
being again read, was agreed to by the House.
Ordered that the said Bill with the Amendments be
Engrosser). Resolved That the Title of the said Bill be a Bil1
entitled an Act for the relief of such of his Majesty's
loyal Subjects as have any real or personal property in
the Province of Georgia, & whose Title Deeds, Bonds,
Notes, Specialties and other Evidences, Vouchers and
writings have been either lost, destroyed or carried off
during the Time herein after mentioned.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery. Upper House of Assembly 8th June 1780.
Mr Speaker,
This House desires a present Conference with your
House, in the room adjoining the Council Chamber, on
the Amendments made by your House to the Bill, en
titled an Act to attaint of high Treason, the several
persons herein after named, who are either absent from
this Province, or in that part of it, which is still in Re
bellion against his Majesty, and to vest their real and
personal Estates in his Majesty his Heirs, and Successors
596 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
in manner herein after mentioned, subject to lawful
Debts and Claims thereupon; and they have appointed
Mr Stokes & Mr Johnston to manage the Conference.
They likewise desire this House to return the Certifi
cates sent down by the Upper House, with such others
as they may have been furnished with.
Ordered That the following Answer be sent thereto.
Commons House of Assembly June 8th 1780.
Honble Gentlemen,
In Answer to your Message this House doth agree
to the , Conference you desire in the room adjoining the
Council Chamber, immediately upon the Amendments
made to the Bill, entitled an Act to attaint of high Trea
son the several persons herein after named, who are
either absent from this Province, or in that part of it,
which is still in Rebellion against his Majesty, and to
vest their real & personates <8lc) in his Majesty, his Heirs
and Successors in manner herein after mentioned, sub
ject to the lawful Debts and Claims thereupon; and the
Committee are Mr Robertson, Mr Mossman, Dr Irvin,
Mr Douglass and Mr Jones.
Ordered That Mr Hall do carry the above to the
Upper House.
The Committee waited on the Upper House according
ly, & being returned, Mr Robertson reported that they
had waited on the Upper House, with the Amend
ments made to the Bill entitled an Act to attaint of high
Treason the several persons herein after named, who
are either absent from this Province, or in that part of it,
which is still in Rebellion against his Majesty, and to vest
their real and personal Estates in his Majesty, his Heirs
JUNE, 1780. 597 -:*f
& Successors, in manner herein after mentioned, sub
ject to the lawful Debts and Claims thereupon, that they
had agreed to some of them, disagreed to others, and had
made some further amendments, to which they desire the
Concurrence of this House.
Ordered That the amendments to the said Bill, be
taken under consideration on Monday next, and that all
the Members do attend punctually.
A Bill entitled an Act for limitation of Actions, and
for avoiding Suits of Law & to repeal the Law hereto
fore passed, relative thereto, and for other purposes here
in after mentioned, was read the first time, and ordered
to he read a second time.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Eight OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday (sI=) Friday June 9th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till tomorrow morning Eight OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday June io*h 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act for the relief of such of his
Majesty's loyal Subjects, as have any real or personal
property, in the Province of Georgia, and whose Title
Deeds, Bonds, Notes, Specialties, and other Evidences,
Vouchers and Writings have been either lost, destroyed,
598 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
or carried off during the time herein after mentioned,
was read the third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Hall do carry the same to the Up
per House, and desire their Concurrence thereto.
The Bill entitled an Act to disqualify & render inca
pable the several persons herein after named of holding
or exercising any Office of Trust, Honor or Profit, in
the Province of Georgia for a certain time, and for other
purposes therein mentioned, was read the second time
and ordered to be Committed.
The Bill entitled an Act for Limitation of Actions,
and for avoiding Suits of Law and to repeal the Law
heretofore passed relative thereto, and for other purposes
herein after mentioned, was read the second time, and
Ordered to be Committed.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under consideration a Bill entitled
an Act to disqualify & render incapable the several per
sons hereinafter named, of holding or exercising any
Office of Trust, Honor or Profit, in the Province of
Georgia for a certain time, and for other purposes there
in mentioned, & after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair, and Mr Robertson from the Com
mittee reported that they had taken the said Bill under
consideration, and made several amendments thereto,
which he was directed to report, when the House would
be pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Robertson read the same and delivered it in
JUNE, 1780. 599
at the Table where it was again read and agreed to by
the House.
Ordered That the Bill with the amendments be en
grossed. Then the House adjourned till Monday
morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday June 12th 1780.
Mr Speaker laid before the House a letter he had re
ceived from Grey Elliott Esqr which was read by the
Clerk in the words following.
Honorable Gentlemen,
In the Letter which I had the Plonor to write you
some time ago relating to the Arrear due to me from this
Province, I did not presume to offer my Service to the
Public of Georgia as their Agent, as I thought it might
appear improper; Give me leave now to do it, and to
assure you that I shall, if you think proper to chuse me,
neglect nothing in my Power to Convince You and them,
how much I have the Welfare and Prosperity of the
Province at heart,
I am very respectfully Honble Gentlemen,
Your most Obedient Humble Servant Grey Elliott
London Sepr 13th 1779.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under consideration the Bill enti-
600 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
tied an Act for Limitation of Actions and for avoiding
Suits of Law, and to repeal the Law heretofore passed
relative thereto, and for other purposes therein men
tioned, and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resum'd the Chair, and Mr Jones from the Committee
reported that they had taken the said Bill under con
sideration, made several amendments thereto & were
ready to make their report, when the House would be
pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Jones read the same with the Amendments,
and delivered it in at the Table, where it was again read,
and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the said Bill be Engrossed.
&*
The Order of the day being read for taking under
consideration the Subject Matter of the Conference upon
the Engrossed Bill from the Upper House, entitled an
Act to attaint of high Treason the several persons herein
after named who are either absent from this Province,
or in that part of it which is still in Rebellion against his
Majesty, and to vest their real and personal Estates in
his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, in manner herein
after mentioned, subject to the lawfull debts and Claims
thereupon. Resolved That the House adhere to their
amendments heretofore made.
Ordered That the following Message be sent to the
Upper House.
Honble Gentlemen,
This House is desirous to renew the Conference, with
respect to the subject matter of the amendments made to
your Engrossed Bill, entitled an Act to attaint of high
JUNE, 1780. 601
Treason the several persons herein after named, who are
either absent from this Province or in that part of it,
which is still in Rebellion against his Majesty, and to
vest their real and personal Estates in his Majesty his
Heirs and Successors in manner herein after mentioned,
subject to the lawfull debts and Claims thereupon.
A Bill entitled an Act to disqualify and render inca
pable the several persons herein after named, who hold
ing or exercising any Office of Trust, Honor or Profit,
in the Province of Georgia, for a certain time, and for
other purposes therein mentioned, was read the third
time. Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Zubly do carry the same to the
Upper House & desire their concurrence thereto.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery Upper House of Assembly 12th June 1780.
Mr Speaker,
In Answer to your Message this House doth agree to
the Conference you desire in the room adjoining the
Council Chamber immediately, upon the amendments to
the Bill, entitled an Act to attaint of high Treason the
several persons, herein after named, who are either ab
sent from this Province or in that part of it which is still
in Rebellion against his Majesty, & to vest their real and
personal Estates in his Majesty, his Heirs and Suc
cessors in manner herein after mentioned, subject to the
lawfull Debts and Claims thereupon.
Mr Speaker laid before the House another letter he
602 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
had received from Gray Elliott Esqr which was read to
the House in the words following.
Honb!e Gentlemen,
It is with the most unfeigned satisfaction that I con
gratulate you upon a restoration of that Harmony which
the misfortunes of the times have so long and so un
happily interrupted; may it ever remain undisturbed.
Most of you Gentlemen know that I acted as agent for
Georgia, under the appointment of 1773 for two Years.
and I flatter myself it appeared by my letters to the Com
mittee of correspondence, that no one could more dili
gently, dispassionately & impartially discharge that Trust,.
than I did.
As I am sensible of the present situation of the Prov
ince, I should be unwilling to make any Application to
the Legislature, that may be attended with an expence,
b,ut having been in some degree affected by the General
Calamity I am really under the necessity of reminding
You, that I never received any Salary for the time I
acted: in my Ordinance the Salary was fixed at £100
tho' Dr Franklin was by the last appointment allowed
£150 — I have enclosed an Account of my disbursements-
It is usual for the p\gents to charge io8 per Day, every
time they attend at the Secretary's of State's Office, or
any other public Business, but I have charged what I
really disbursed — I must beg you will be pleased to settle
that Account and Salary with Mr Tattnall. I shall be
happy of any Opportunity of convincing You how much
I interest myself in the Wellfare of Georgia, and am very
respectfully, Honble Gentlemen,
Your most Obent Humble Servant Grey Elliott
Plantation Office, Whitehall
July 12th 1779.
Honble the Council and Assembly of Georgia.
JUNE, 1780. 603
Motion was made that an Address be presented to his
Excellency requesting that he would be pleased to ad
journ this House untill Monday the twenty sixth Ins';
which was accordingly prepared in the words following.
May it please your Excellency
The Commons House of Assembly humbly requests
your Excellency will he pleased to adjourn this House
untill Monday the 26th Ins' as several of the Members are
obliged to attend the Court of Sessions, which commences
tomorrow. Ordered That Mr Hall and Mr Jones do wait on
his Excellency with the above, who accordingly with
drew, and being returned, reported that they had re
ceived an Answer in the Words following.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly I do hereby adjourn the Commons Blouse of Assem
bly, untill Monday the 26th day of this Instant June;
then to meet for the dispatch of business, and it is ac
cordingly adjourned to the 26th day of this Instant.
Given under my hand at Savannah this 12th day of
June 1780.
James Wright.
To the Honble the Speaker and Members of the Commons
House of Assembly.
€04 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday June 26th 1780.
The Bills entitled an Act for Limitation of Actions
and for avoiding Suits at Law, and to repeal the Law
heretofore passed relative thereto, and for other pur
poses herein after mentioned, was read the third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Jones do carry the same to the
Upper House, and desire their concurrence thereto.
A Memorial of the Reva James Brown Officiating
Minister for the Parish of Christ Church was presented
to the House and read, setting forth, That the Memo
rialist having left the Province of Virginia, at the break
ing out of the present disturbances thereby lost his Prop
erty, and prospects of preferment ; after continuing above
four Years in England, he was appointed Missionary for
the Parish of S* George's, in the said Province of Geor
gia, by the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in
foreign parts, and in consequence thereof embarked for
this Province, and arrived here on the 29th of March
last. That on the Memorialist's arrival, he was informed
by his Excellency, Sir James Wright, that it would be im
possible for him to repair immediately to the Parish of
S' George, it being then in the power of the Rebels; and
being informed there was no Minister of the Church of
England in this Place, the Memorialist proposed toi his
Excellency to do the Duty here, while he staid, of which
proposal his Excellency approved, and in Consequence
the Memorialist has ever since his arrival officiated as
Minister of the said Parish of Christ Church, and that
JUNE, 1780. 605
not only in performing public Service regularly in Church
every Sunday; but also in attending funerals, Baptizing
Children, and doing every other part of Clerical duty.
That the Memorialist not being entitled to the tem
poralities of the living of the said Parish of Christ
Church, has no regular Income nor Support, except a
few occasional Surplice fees, and the Memorialist's de-
pendance for a living is on his Profession.
The Memorialist therefore requests, that this Honble
House will be pleased to take his case into Consideration,
and vote such a provision or allowance for his Support,
as to them shall seem proper, and equal to the occasion
for the time he has officiated, and may continue to offi
ciate as Minister in the said Parish of Christ Church.
The House taking into consideration the said Memo
rial. Resolved That this House is of opinion that the said
James Brown, should receive from the Public of this
Province, for the Services already by him performed, and
for his continuance in the Duties of his Profession in the
Parish of Christ Church, the Monthly allowance of Ten
Guineas, and that this House will provide for the same,
Also further Resolved that his Excellency the Governor
be requested to advance such Monies from time to time
on the Credit of this House, out of any Monies that may
be in the Treasury of this Province.
Message from his Excellency by the Master in Chan
cery. Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly.I must recommend to your consideration the State of
606 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
our Paper Currency, particularly that issued under the
Authority of the Loan Act, which has been confirmed by
his Majesty.
The Sum originally issued was £7410. Sterling, a
great deal of which, I presume is lost and destroyed; and
what still remains in the possession of the Inhabitants,
is in a great measure useless to them, and the Public;
because many people on account of its having lost its
currency, scruple to receive it. I trust therefore that
you will deliberate on this Matter, and come to such
Resolution thereon, as may give proper relief to the
possessors of those Bills in such way as you may see fit.
James Wright — Savannah 26th June, 1780.
Resolved That the above Message be taken under
consideration on Wednesday next.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday June 27th 1780.
The Clerk of the Crown attended with the Present
ments of the Grand Jury for June Sessions 1780, which
were presented and read by the Clerk.
Ordered That the same do lie on the Table for the
perusal of the Members.
Mr Zubly from the Committee appointed to inspect the
Laws, & report such as are expired or near expiring, or
should be continued, or amended, Reported as their Opin
ion.
JUNE, 1780. 607
That an Act passed 12th of March 1774 to regulate the
Wharves and Shipping in the several ports of this Prov
ince, and ascertaining the rates of Wharfage of Shipping
and Storage, and also the Duty of an Harbour Master
for the Port of Savannah, & to authorize the said Har
bour Master to put in force an Act, entitled an Act to
amend an Act to prevent persons throwing ballast or
Rubbish, or falling Trees into the Rivers and Navigable
Creeks, within this Province, and for keeping Clear the
Channels of the same, which was to be, and continue in
force for three Years, and from thence to the end of
the next Session of the General Assembly and no longer,
will expire with this Session.
An Act passed 12th March 1774 to empower certain
Commissioners appointed to regulate the hire of Porters
and labour of Slaves in the town of Savannah, which
was to continue in force for two years, & from thence to
the end of the next Session of the General Assembly,
and no longer, will expire with this Session, & ought to
be continued.
An Act passed 12th of March 1774 to oblige the Plan
ters of Indigo, after steeping the Weed to bury or de
stroy it, within a limited time, which was to continue in
force for two Years, and from thence to the end of the
next Sessions of the General Assembly, and no longer,
will expire with this Session, and ought to be continued.
An Act passed 12th March 1774 to ascertain the Boun
dary Line between the Two Courts of Conscience, in the
Parish of S' George, which was to continue in force for
two Years, will expire with this Session, and ought to
be continued.
An Act passed 29th September 1773 for the settling
and ascertaining the fees to be taken by the several Pub-
608 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
lie Officers, and Persons herein after named, will expire
with this Session, and ought to be continued.
An Act passed 29"1 September 1773 to prevent the
stealing of horses and neat Cattle, and unlawfully brand
ing, marking, killing or driving the same, will expire
with this Session, and ought to be continued.
An Act passed 29th September 1773 for granting to
his Majesty a Duty upon raw neat Hides, exported from
this Province and for preventing the Exportation of un
merchantable Tan Leather will expire with this Session,
and ought to be continued.
An Act passed 29"1 September 1773 to empower Com
missioners or Surveyors to lay out, make and repair the
Roads already laid out, or that may hereafter be neces
sary, and also to clear the Rivers and Creeks within their
respective divisions, will expire with this Session & ought
to be continued.
An Act passed 29th September 1773 for the better or
dering the Militia, will expire with this Session, and
ought to be continued.
An Act passed 29th September 1773 to oblige Masters
of Vessels & other transient persons, importing Negroes
or other Slaves, Goods Wares and Merchandise, to pay
Tax for the same, and to compel the persons directed to
receive the same, to give Security for the due perform
ance of their Office ; and for the Monies that may be re
ceived by them by Virtue of any Act of this Province;
will expire with this Session, and ought to be continued.
An Act passed 29th September 1773 to prevent Mis
chiefs arising from the Practice of Hunting or killing
Deer by fire Light, in the night time, will expire with
this Session
JUNE, 1780. 609
An Act passed 29th September 1773 to prevent Dam
ages arising from Dams or Banks, and for preventing
persons from stopping the natural Course or Courses of
Water to the Injury of their Neighbours, will expire
with this Session, and ought to be continued.
An Act passed 29th September 1773 to empower Com
missioners therein named to lease to the 3 Is' of December
next, and then to put up to Sale for the Benefit of the
Public, the Ferry over Great Ogechee River for a term
of Years, and to authorise the said Commissioners to in
spect and regulate the said Ferry ; ought to be continued.
An Act passed 29"1 September 1773 to Continue the
several therein mentioned; and for vesting several Fer
ries in this Province in the Persons therein mentioned
will expire with this Session and ought to be continued.
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill to con
tinue the several Laws therein mentioned.
Ordered That Mr Zubly, Mr Jones and Mr Simpson
be the Committee for that purpose.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row Morning Eleven of the Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 235.)
Wednesday June 28th 1780.
The Prothonotary, pursuant to order of Court, at
tended with several Papers, which were read by the Clerk ;
The Titles of which are as follow.
A Rule of his Majesty's General Court made on Monday,
the 27th day of March 1780.
89 c r — vol 15
610 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
A Rule of the General Court made 17th March 1780.
A Rule of Court made 17th March 1780.
Ordered That the above Papers do lie on the Table
for the perusal of the Members.
George Baillie Esqr being returned a Representative
for the Parish of S' Mathew, and not attending,
Ordered That the Clerk do write him, acquainting
him therewith, and desiring his immediate attendance.
Resolved That the Order of the day be adjourned
over till Monday next.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Eleven OClock
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday June 29th 1780.
George Baillie Esqr elected and returned as a Repre
sentative for the Barish of S' Mathew, in the room of
Basil Cowper Esqr who had taken his seat for the Dis
trict of Vernonburgh in the Parish of Christ Church,
proved himself duly qualified, agreable to the Act of the
General Assembly, and then took the Oaths, made & sub
scribed the declaration, and took and subscribed the Oath
of Abjuration, & afterwards took his seat as a Member of
this House.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
•Chancery. That the Bill entitled an Act to disqualify and render
incapable the several persons herein after named of hold-
II
JUNE, 1780. ' 6ll
ing or exercising any Office of Trust, Honor or Profit,
in the Province of Georgia, for a certain time, and for
other purposes therein mentioned, had passed in the Up
per House, with some Amendments, to which they desire
the Concurrence of this House.
Resolved nem. con. that this House doth agree to the
Amendments made by the Upper House to the said Bill.
Mr Zubly from the Committee appointed to bring in a
Bill to continue the several Laws therein mentioned, re
ported, that they had prepared the same, and were ready
to make their report, when the House would be pleased
to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Zubly read the same in his place, and deliv
ered it in at the Table, where it was read the first time and
ordered to be read the second time.
Ordered That Mr Zubly, Mr Jones and Mr Hall be
the Committee of this House to join the Committee of
the Upper House, to examine the Engrossed Bills.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Eleven OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday June 30th 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act to continue the several Laws
therein mention'd was read the second time.
Ordered That the said Bill be Engrossed.
612 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery.
That the Bill entitled an Act for the relief of such of
his Majesty's loyal subjects, as have any real or personal
Property in the Province of Georgia, and whose Title
Deeds, Bonds, Notes, Specialties & other Evidences,,
Vouchers and Writings have been either lost, destroyed
or carried off, during the time herein after mentioned,
had passed in the Upper House with some amendments,,
to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.
Ordered That the following Message be sent to the
Upper House. Commons House of Assembly June 30th 1780.
Honorable Gentlemen,
This House having taken under consideration the
Amendments made by your House, to the Bill, entitled
an Act for the relief of such of his Majesty's loyal Sub
jects, as have any real or personal Property in the Prov
ince of Georgia, and whose Title Deeds, Bonds, Notes,
Specialties, and other Evidences, Vouchers and Writings
have been either lost destroyed or carried off during the
time herein after mentioned, have agreed to some of
them and disagreed to others, and have appointed a Com
mittee to meet a Committee of your House, at such time-
and place, as you may please to appoint.
The Committee are Mr Robertson, Mr Jones and Mr
Baillie. Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Nine OClock.
JULY, 1780. 613
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday July i8' 1780.
A Bill entitled an Act to continue the several Laws
therein mentioned, was read a third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Simpson do carry the same to the
Upper House, and desire their concurrence thereto.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery. Upper House of Assembly 30th June 1780.
Mr Speaker,
In Answer to your Message, this House doth agree to
the Conference you desire, in the room adjoining the
Council Chamber, on Monday next, at Eleven OClock,
forenoon, upon the Amendments made by this House to
the Bill, entituled an Act for the relief of such of his
Majesty's loyal Subjects, as have any real or personal
property in the Province of Georgia, and whose Title
Deeds, Bonds, Notes, Specialties, and other Evidences,
Vouchers and Writings, have been either lost, destroyed
or carried off, during the time herein after mentioned.
The Committee are Mr Stokes and Mr Jollie.
Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery. That the Upper House had agreed to some of the
Amendments made by this House to the Bill, entituled an
Act to explain amend and make more effectual an Act
passed the 9th day of June 1761, entituled an Act for sub-
614 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
jecting and making liable to Attachment the Estate real
and personal of absent Debtors in the Custody or Power
of any person or persons within this Province.
Message from his Excellency by the Master in Chan
cery That the Governor desires the attendance of this
House, in the Council Chamber immediately.
The House attended accordingly, when his Excellency
was pleased to assent to a Bill entitled an Act to dis
qualify and render incapable the several persons herein
after named of holding or exercising any Office of Trust,
Honor or Profit, in the Province of Georgia for a cer
tain time, and for other purposes therein mentioned and
likewise to a Bill, entitled an Act for the relief of such of
his Majesty's loyal Subjects, as are Inhabitants of the
Province of Georgia, or have any Property or Inter
course therein.
Ordered That a Committee be appointed to inspect
and enquire into the Number of Houses in the Town and
Environs of Savannah, and to make their report thereon.
Ordered That Mr Baillie, Mr Douglass and Mr Yonge
be the Committee for that purpose,
Then the House adjourned till Monday
morning Eleven OClock.
(FromB. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday July 3d 1780.
Mr Robertson from the Committee appointed to confer
with a Committee of the Upper House, on the Amend-
JULY, 1780. 615
ments by them made to a Bill entituled an Act for the re
lief of such of his Majesty's loyal Subjec(s, as have any
real or personal property, and whose Title Deeds, Bonds,
Notes, Specialties, and other Evidences, Vouchers and
Writings, have been either lost, destroyed or carried off,
during the time herein after mentioned — Reported That
they had accordingly met and confered on the subject
Matter of the said Amendments, and had agreed thereto;
which report was also agreed to by the House.
The House took under consideration the disagreement
of the Upper House to the Amendments made by this
House to their engrossed Bill, entituled an Act to explain,
amend and make more effectual an Act passed the 9"1 day
of June 1 76 1, entituled an Act for subjecting and making
liable to attachment the Estate real and personal of ab
sent Debtors, in the Custody or Power of any person or
persons within this Province, and adhered to one of their
amendments. Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning ten OClock
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday July 4th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and then
adjourned till tomorrow morning Eleven OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday July 5"1 1780.
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery.
616 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
That the Bill entitled an Act for Limitation of Ac
tions, and for avoiding Suits at Law and to repeal the
Law heretofore passed relative thereto, and for other
purposes herein after mentioned, had passed in the Up
per House, with some Amendments, to which they de
sire the Concurrence of this House, And that the Bill, en
tituled an Act to continue the several Laws therein men
tioned, had also passed in the Upper House with some
Amendments, to which they also desire the Concurrence
of this House.
The House took under consideration the Amendments
made by the Upper House to the said Bills, and agreed
to the same.
Ordered That Mr Hall do acquaint the Upper House
that this House doth agreed with their House in the said
Amendments. The House agreable to the Order of the day, having
taken under consideration his Excellency's Message of
the 26 June last, Resolved That a Committee be appoint
ed to give Notice to the Possessors of all the Money pass
ed and confirmed by an Act of the General Assembly, en
titled an Act for stamping, Imprinting, Issuing and mak
ing Current the Sum of Seven thousand, four hundred
and ten Pounds, in Paper Bills of Credit, and for applying
the same, to render to them, or either of them, on Oath,
a State or Account of the several Sums of which they
are possessed, and that the Committee report their pro
ceedings at the next meeting of the House, in Order
that such Measures may be pursued, as by the General
Assembly, may be thought most expedient.
Ordered That Mr Zubly, Mr Jones, Mr Baillie, Mr
Patterson & Mr Douglas be the said Committee
JULY, 1780. 617
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery Upper House 5th July 1780.
Mr Speaker
This House have appointed a Committee to join a
Committee of your House to examine the several Bills
passed Both Houses, previous to the Governor's Assent.
The Committee are Mr Hume Mr Jollie. '
Ordered That Mr Zubly, Mr Jones, & Mr Hall be the
Committee of this House to join the Committee of the
Upper House to examine the Engrossed Bills for the
Governor's Assent.
Resolved That this House will provide for all Sums
disbursed out of the Treasury, or other Publick Funds
for all Accompts passed or to be passed by this House.
Resolved That the Sum of Fifty Pounds be allowed
to the Clerk of this House, as full Compensation for
compleating the Business of the present Session.
Resolved That the Sum of Fifteen Pounds each be
allowed to the Messenger and Door-Keeper for their At
tendance during the present Sessions.
And then the House adjourned till to
morrow morning; Ten of the Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday July 6th 1780
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till tomorrow morning Ten O Clock.
618 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday July 7th 1780
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till tomorrow morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 235.)
Saturday July 8th 1780
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till Monday Morning at Ten OClock
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday July io'b 1780
Isaac Baillou Esqr Elected and returned a Representa
tive for the District of Great Ogechee and Parish of St
Philip, in the room of Tho8 Goldsmith Esqr who had
declined taking his Seat, proved himself duly qualifyed
agreable to the Act of the General Assembly, took the
Oaths, made and subscribed the Declaration, and took
and Subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, and afterwards
took his Seat as a Member of this House.
Ordered That an Address be presented to his Ex
cellency the Governor, desiring he will be pleased to give
Orders for issuing new Writs of Election for three Mem
bers to represent the Parish of S' Pauls, in the room of
James Grierson, Andrew Mc Lean, and Joseph Maddox,
who have declined taking their Seats : and also a new
Writ for one Member for the Parish of S' David, and a
new Writ for one Member for the Parish of S' Mary's ;
JULY, 1780. 619
it appearing by the returns of the Provost Marshall, that
no proper person could be procured to hold said Election,
within the time prescribed by Law.
The said Address being prepared, was read and agreed
to by the House and is as follows
To his Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, Cap
tain General and Governor in Chief in and over his
Majesty's Province of Georgia, Chancellor and Vice
Admiral of the same.
The Address of the Commons House of Assembly.
May it please your Excellency.
The House requests your Excellency will be pleased
to order new Writs of Election to be issued for three
Members to represent the Parish of S' Paul ; in the room
of James Grierson, Andrew McLean, and Joseph Maddox,
who have declined taking their Seats, also a new Writ
for one Member for the Parish of S' David, and one
Member for the Parish of S' Mary's, it appearing by
the Return of the Provost Marshal, that no proper person
could be procured to hold said Elections within the time
prescribed by Law.
Ordered That Mr Speaker do sign the said Address.
Ordered That Mr Hall and Mr Baillie do wait on
his Excellency, and present the said Address; and ac
cordingly they withdrew, and being returned, reported,.
that they had waited on his Excellency therewith, and
he was pleased to return for answer that he would give
directions for issuing the said Writs immediately.
Resolved That the House will provide the Sum of
one hundred & fifty Pounds to be paid to the Commis-
620 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
sioners for regulating the Pilotage of the Bar of Tybee,
and the River of Savannah, to be applied by them for
the purchase of a proper and sufficient Boat for the Use
of a Pilot, for the said Bar and River, and to be repaid
by them when they shall be entitled to pass Certificates
to the said Pilot for the Amount of the said one hundred
and fifty Pounds, out of a Bounty allowed by an Act of
the General Assembly, for the Encouragement of Pilots,
who shall board and take Charge of Vessels bound to
Savannah on the outside of Tybee Bar
Resolved That during the Recess of this House, the
Speaker shall have full power to apply to the Governor
for such Writs as may be necessary for the Election of
Members to serve in General Assembly, in the room of
any Member or Members, who may die, or depart the
province with intention not to return.
Resolved That the two following Acts passed this
present Session, Entitled an Act for the relief of such
of his Majesty's loyal Subjects, as have any real or per
sonal property in the Province of Georgia, and whose
Title Deeds, Bonds, Notes, Specialties and other Evi
dences, Vouchers and Writings have been either lost, de
stroyed, or carried off during the time herein after men
tioned. — • And an Act Entitled an Act for the relief of
such of his Majesty's loyal Subjects, as are Inhabitants
of the Province of Georgia, or have any property, or in
tercourse therein — Be inserted in the Publick Gazette of
this Province for three Weeks Successively; And that
all the Acts Generally that have passed both Houses, this
present Session, and received the Governor's Assent, be
likewise printed ; and that two hundred Copies be struck
off; for the Use of his Excellency the Governor, the
Members of the Upper House, and Commons House of
Assembly, the Justices of the Peace, and other Public
JULY, 1780. 621
Officers, having occasion for the said Acts; And that
this House will provide at their next meeting a Sum,
sufficient to defray the Expence thereof, and Ordered
That John Irvine and James Mossman Esqrs do superin
tend the Press on the above Occasion.
Mr Douglass from the Committee appointed to inspect
and enquire into the number of Houses in the Town and
Environs of Savannah, Reported That they had finished
their Inquiry, and were ready to make their report, when
the House would be pleased to receive the same.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Douglass made the report in his Place, and
delivered An at the Table, where it was read by the
Clerk and is as follows. —
Your Committee on the strictest examination find, that
in the Town and Environs of Savannah, there are two
hundred and forty one Houses, containing Seven hundred
and nine Rooms.
That the number of white Inhabitants within the said
Town and Suburbs amount to seven hundred and forty
two (exclusive of Officers and Soldiers) That the
names of the Proprietors of the several Houses, and the
number of Rooms in each, as also by whom rented or
occupied, together with the Number of White Persons in
each House, are particularly, specified in a Return thereof,
now delivered by Your Committee.
Ordered That the return of the said Committee do
lie on the Table, for the perusal of the Members of the
House. Message from his Excellency by the Master in Chan-
622 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
eery. That the Governor desires the Attendance of this
House in the Council Chamber immediately.
A ccordingly Mr Speaker with the whole House, attend
ed his Excellency in the Council Chamber ; where he was
pleased to give his Assent to the following Bills Viz'
An Act to explain, amend and reduce into one Act
of Assembly the several Laws now in being relative to
the ascertaining the Qualifications of Jurors, and for es
tablishing the Method of balloting and Summoning of
Jurors in the Province of Georgia
An Act To explain, amend, and reduce into one Act the
several Laws now in being relative to the regulating the
Town and Commons of Savannah, and for other purposes
therein mention'd.
An Act for the Limitation of Actions, and for avoiding
Suits at Law and to repeal an Act heretofore made for
that purpose, and for other purposes herein after men
tioned. An Act for the regulation of Auctions, laying a duty
on Goods, Wares and Merchandise sold at Auction, and
for empowering the Governor or Commander in Chief
for the time being to license Auctioneers.
An Act to continue the several Laws therein men
tioned. An Act for the relief of such of his Majesty's Loyal
Subjects, as have any real or personal property in the
Province of Georgia, and whose Title Deeds, Bonds,
Notes, Specialties and other Evidences, Vouchers and
Writings, have been either lost, destroyed or Carried off,
during the time herein after mentioned.
JULY, 1780. 623
And to an Act to explain, amend and make more effect
ual an Act passed the ninth day of June, one thousand,
Sen Hundred and Sixty one, entitled an Act for sub
jecting and making liable to Attachment the Estate real
and personal of absent Debtors, in the Custody or Power
of any Person or persons within this Province.
After which his Excellency was pleased to make the
following Speech to both Houses.
Honble Gentlemen,
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly I return you my best thanks for the Attention You
have given to the Publick Concerns, by framing & pass
ing several very Salutary Bills, which fully shew your
Zeal for his Majesty's Service) and the Support of Peace,
Government, and Good Order, and to which I have very
chearfully given my Assent.
I most heartily congratulate You on the reduction of
South Carolina to his Majesty's Obedience, and the re
turn of the Inhabitants to their Allegiance not only vol
untarily, but in all appearance with an Unfeigned Sincer
ity, and which has already had an exceeding good effect
in the back parts of this Province.
And it gives me the greatest Satisfaction to acquaint
to acquaint (slc) You, that the People who reside there,
and who have hitherto continued in Arms, have in Gen
eral, submitted to his Majesty's Authority; and that I
have received several Petitions from the Inhabitants in
different Districts, to be restored to his Majesty's Peace
and Protection, and I am informed others are preparing.
I must recommend it to you, Gentlemen, that you exert
624 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
to the Utmost of your Power in the Support of Govern
ment, to promote and encourage Industry in your re
spective Neighborhoods ; and to check and bring to pun
ishment, all Plunderers and disorderly and disloyal Peo
ple ; and I doubt not but by a vigilant Exertion — Peace
and good Order will soon be established amongst us.
James Wright Savannah in
Georgia, Council Chamber 10th July 1780.
After which his Excellency was pleased to prorogue
both Houses to Wednesday the Ist day of November
next.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday September 25th 1780
The House met pursuant to his Excellency's Proclama
tion of the twenty first, and adjourned till tomorrow
morning Ten O Clock
(From B. P. R. 0.—A..& W. I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday September 26th 1780
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till tomorrow morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday September 27th 1780
Ordered That Mr Yonge and Mr Zubly do wait on
SEPTEMBER, 1780. 625
his Excellency the Governor, and acquaint him that the
House is ready to proceed to business ; who accordingly
withdrew, and being returned Mr Zubly reported that
they had waited on his Excellency according to ordef,
and delivered their Message.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor —
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly. I am extremely sorry to find myself under the necessity
of calling you together again so soon, but the Exegency
of the Times requires it.
The late daring Attack on the English Troops at Au
gusta by a 'Number of Rebels from South Carolina, joined
by others in the Cedar Lands, in which they have failed,
shews clearly that the Spirit and Flame of Rebellion is not
over, and that Vigorous measures are still necessary, to
crush the Rebellion in the back parts of this Province,
and that, it is also proper we should be prepared against
any wicked Attempts, which may be made here, or at
Augusta hereafter.
'£>'-
And as some other Fortifications and Works are nec
essary to be raised and made, and as it has heretofore
been found very difficult to collect (Voluntarily) a Suf
ficient Number of Negroes for that purpose, I must
therefore recommend it to You to frame a Short Law, to
compel all Persons within such a distance of this Town
and Augusta, as you may judge convenient, forthwith
to give in an Account of all their Male Slaves from Six
teen Years of Age to Sixty; and that they shall be ob
liged, when called upon . by Proclamation or otherwise,
to send immediately such a Proportion of their Negroes,
as may be deemed necessary, with proper Tools, and for
40 c r — vol 16
626 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
such time as the said Works may be found- to require
their Labor, and to send an Overseer for every fifteen
Negroes and a Driver for every Ten.
And you will consider whether all the Inhabitants in
the Town should not be obliged to give in an Account
of, and to send such Male Slaves, as they have in Town,
within the Ages aforesaid, or pay for the same; and
whether such Male Inhabitants in the Town, who have
no hands liable to work as aforesaid should not be com
pelled to work themselves, or serve as Overseers.
And Whereas Horses, Carts or Teams may be wanted
for removing or carrying Materials for the said Works —
I must therefore submit it to your Consideration, whether
ample Powers should not be vested somewhere to impress
Horses, Carts and Oxen for that purpose, or whether
a certain Number of Blorses should be purchased for the
Use of the Public.
And whereas during the time of the Siege of this Town
by the French and Rebels, it was found that the Militia
Law was defective, and that Several Persons liable and
able to bear Arms, declined and found means to avoid the
same, and that the Powers and Penalties given and de
clared by that Law, were inadequate to the Offences com
mitted, I must therefore recommend it to you to revise
the same, and to give such Additional Powers both as
to fine and imprisonment, or Corporal Punishment, as
.may seem expedient.
And as by the said Law there are some directions and
Powers given relative to embodying Negroes at partic
ular times, and to a certain amount, it is therefore sub
mitted whether further powers should not be given at
this Juncture, for a limited time.
James Wiight Savannah 27"1 Sepr 1780.
SEPTEMBER, 1780. 627
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill entitled
an Act for the Preservation and Defence of his Majesty's
Government in the Province of Georgia, to amend an Act
for the better ordering the Militia, and for other pur
poses herein after mentioned.
Ordered That Mr Robertson, Mr Yonge, Mr Jones,
Mp Douglass and Dr Irvine be the Committee to prepare
and bring in the same.
Then the House adjourned till tomor
row morning Ten O Clock
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday Sep' 28* 1780.
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till tomorrow morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday Sep' 39* 1780.
MB Robertson from the Committee appointed to pre
pare and bring in a Bill entituled an Act for the preserva
tion and defence of his Majesty's Government, in the
Province of Georgia, to amend an Act for the better or
dering the Militia, and for other purposes herein after
mentioned Reported That they had prepared the same,
and were ready to make their report when the House
would be pleased to receive it.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then M* Robertson made the report in his place, and
628 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
afterwards delivered the Bill .in at the Table, where it
was read the first time, and ordered, to be read a second
time. A Letter from Simon Munro Esqr was presented to
the House, and read, setting forth, that when he left his
home, his Stay was only intended (some of his Family
being sick, for two or three days, his not having then any
intimation of the Assembly meeting, untill he reached
Ogeechee, and that from the Situation he left his Family
in, he hopes this House will consider real Excuses, and.
permit his return home.
That at the time he undertook the Trust reposed in
him, it was from the Exigency of the Times, at the Com
mencement of Civil Government in this Province, at a
time when the whole of the Parishes were not represented,
and that no Consideration but a Wish to support a Gov
ernment, the Constitution of which he ever gloryed in,
would occasion his sacrifysing his private Interest to the
Public Good — The Tenor of his Conduct under the late
Usurpation, having sufficiently proved him, from the
many disagreeable Scenes he encountered — That, as the
Prospect is now more agreable, and the Inconveniency
remov'd by Gentlemen, who may be appointed Members,
far better calculated to serve their Country, and remove
the first Obstacle, he begs leave to resign his Seat — That,
his request being granted, will lay him under the greatest
Obligation. The House taking the said letter under Consideration,
it was Unanimously Resolved That Leave be granted
Simon Munro Esqr to resign his Seat.
Resolved That this House will not esteem itself
Chargeable tp make Provision for any other Part of the
Sum of £7410 formerly issued and made current by an
SEPTEMBER, 1780. 629
Act of this Province, confirmed by his Majesty, than such
as may be reported on Oath to the Committee of this
House, in pursuance of a Resolution made the 26th of
June last, and may have been by the said Committee or
one of them- examined, inspected and an Account taken
on or before the first day of November next, and that
this Resolution be published in the Gazette.
The House adjourned till Tomorrow
morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday Sep1" 30th 1780.
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill intitled
an Act for further amending an Act for regulating the
Pilotage of Vessels, into the several Ports of this Prov
ince. Ordered That Mr Jones, Mr Douglass and Mr Baillie
be the Committee to prepare and bring in the same.
The Bill intitled an Act for the Preservation and De
fence of his Majesty's Government in the Province of
Georgia to amend an Act entitled an Act for the better
ordering the Militia, and for other purposes herein after
mention'd was read a second time and ordered to be Com
mitted. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under Consideration the said Bill,
and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker resumed
the Chair, and Mr Robertson from the Committee of the
whole House. Reported that they had taken the said Bill
under Consideration, made several Amendments thereto,
630 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
which he was directed to report, when the House would
be pleased to receive the same
Ordered That the Report be now made.
Then Mr Robertson read the same in his Place, and
delivered it in at the Table, where it was again read and
agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the said Bill with its Amendments be
Engrossed —
Mr Jones from the Committee appointed to prepare
& bring in a Bill entitled an Act for further amending
an Act for regulating the Pilotage of Vessels into the
several Ports of this Province, reported That they had
prepared the same and were ready to make their Report,
when the House would be pleased to receive it.
Ordered That the Report be now made.
Then Mr Jones read the same in his Place, and after
wards delivered it in at the Table, where it was read the
first time and ordered to be read a second time.
Then the House adjourned till Monday
Morning- Ten O Clock
(From B. P R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Monday October 2a 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act for the Preservation and de
fence of his Majesty's Government in the Province of
Georgia to amend an Act for the better ordering the
OCTOBER, 1780. 631
Militia and for other purposes herein after mentioned was
read the third time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Zubly do carry the same to the
Upper House, and desire their Concurrence thereto.
The Bill entitled an Act for further amending an Act
for regulating the Pilotage of Vessels into the several
Ports of this Province, was read a second time and order
ed to be Committed.
Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency requesting he will be pleased to Order
a new Writ of Election to be issued for one member, to
represent the Parish of S' John, in the Room of Simon
Munro Escf who has the unanimous Permission of the
House to resign his Seat : the Situation of his private
Concerns rendering his Attendance in the House very
inconvenient, and almost impracticable.
The said Address being prepared Ordered That Mr
Jones and Mr Zubly do wait on his Excellency with the
above, who accordingly withdrew and being return'd
Reported They had waited on his Excellency who was
pleased to return for Answer that he would order a new
Writ to be issued immediately.
The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under Consideration a Bill entitled
an Act for further amending an Act for regulating the
Pilotage of Vessels into the several Ports of this Prov
ince — and after some time spent therein, Mr Speaker
resumed the Chair and Mr Jones from the Committee of
the whole House, Reported that they had taken the said
Bill under Consideration, made several Amendments
632 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
thereto, which he was directed to report, when the House
would be pleased to receive it.
Ordered That the report be now made.
Then Mr Jones read the same in his place and after
wards delivered it in at the Table, where it was again
read and agreed to by the House.
Ordered That the said Bill with its Amendments be
Engrossed. The House adjourned till Tomorrow
morning Ten O Clock.
(FromB. P. R. O.—A. & W I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday October 3d 1780.
The Bill entitled an Act for further amending an Act
for regulating the Pilotage of Vessels into the several
Ports of this Province, was read a third Time.
Resolved That the said Bill do pass.
Ordered That Mr Baillie do carry the same to. the
Upper House and desire their Concurrence thereto.
A Message from his Excellency by the Master in Chan
cery Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly. I send you the Depositions of Richard Gregory and
Isaac Jordan relative to the Murder of Soloman Sykes
a Constable in the Execution of his Office, also' a letter
from Roger Kelsall Esqr to the Attorney General on that
OCTOBER, 1780. 633
Subject, and the Chief Justices Warrant against the said
Parties and others Justice to the Community requires an
extraordinary Exertions to bring the Murderers to con
dign Punishment, and I mean to issue a Proclamation
for that purpose, and must recommend it to You to en
able me to offer a Reward suitable to the Occasion. I
shall lay this Matter also before the Council as an Upper
House, and doubt not but they will concur with You in
providing a Proper Reward.
Savannah 3d of October 1780.
James Wright.
Ordered That the Clerk do read the said Letter and
depositions, which was done accordingly.
The House taking the said Message under Considera
tion Resolved That the House will provide one hundred
Pounds as a Reward for the Apprehension and Convic
tion of the said James Irvine and Charles Woodward for
the Murder of Solomon Sykes : that is to say Fifty Pounds
for the Apprehension and delivery of both of them to
the Common Goal in Savannah, and in case one of them
only be apprehended ; then Twenty five Pounds to the
Person or Persons who shall apprehend such one — And
the further Sum of Fifty Pounds to those who may ap
prehend the said Offenders to be paid on their Convic
tion of the said Offence, and one half that Sum if only
one should be convicted.
Ordered That a Message be prepared and sent his
Excellency, acquainting him with the said Resolution,
and that Mr Simpson and Mr Fox do wait on his Ex
cellency with the same.
Then the House adjourned till Tomor
row morning Ten O Clock.
634 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday October 4"1 1780.
The House met according to adjournment, and ad
journed till tomorrow morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday October 5"1 1780
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Tomorrow Morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday October 6th 1780.
Resolved That the House will provide for all Sums
disbursed by his Excellency for the Undermentioned pur
poses, and for all other Sums, which have been or may
be requested to be advanced by the House.
Ordered That the "following Message be sent to his
Excellency the Governor.
To his Excellency Sir James Wright Baronet, Cap
tain General and Governor in Chief in and over his
Majesty's Province of Georgia, Chancellor and Vice
Admiral of the same.
The Address of the Commons House of Assembly.
May it please your Excellency
This House having taken into Consideration the Ex-
OCTOBER, 1780. 635
igencies of the Province, and finding many things neces
sary for the Defence and Support thereof, are under
the necessity of Applying to your Excellency for the
present to advance such Sums, as may be wanted, out of
the Treasury or other Funds for the following purposes.
For contingent Expences £54 .. 7 .. 6
For Sixteen Carriage Guns &
cast £154.. 8.. 6
Blocks for D° 5 .. 11 .. -
For five hundred and thirty eight
Pounds Gun Powder at I4d . 31 .. 7 .. 8
191 .. 7 .. 2
And this House have Resolved that they will provide
for all Sums disbursed by your Excellency for the above
purposes, and for all other Sums, which have been or
may be requested to be advanced by this House.
Opdered That Mr Hall and Mr Douglass do wait on
his Excellency with the above Message, who accordingly
withdrew, and being returned Mr Hall Reported That he
with Mr Douglass had waited on his Excellency the Gov
ernor, who was pleased to say that he would comply
with the Request of the House.
The House adjourned till Tomorrow
morning; Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 235:)
Saturday October 7"1 1780.
Message by Mr Montagut Clerk of the Upper House
<636 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
of Assembly pro tempore, the Master in Chancery being
sick. That the Bill entitled an Act for further amending an
Act for the regulating the Pilotage of Vessels into the
several Ports of this Province, and for other purposes
herein after mentioned, had passed in the Upper House
with some Amendments, to which they desire the Con
currence of your House; and also to some Amendments
to a Bill entitled an Act for the Preservation and Defence
of his Majesty's Government in the Province of Geor
gia, to amend an Act entitled an Act for the better order
ing the Militia and for other purposes therein mentioned.
The Blouse taking under Consideration the Amend
ments of the Upper House to our Engrossed Bill entitled
an Act for further amending an Act for Regulating the
Pilotage of Vessels into the several Ports of this Prov
ince, and for other purposes herein after mentioned; and
agreed to some of them, and disagreed to others.
Ordered That Mr Douglas do wait on the Upper
House and acquaint them therewith, who accordingly
withdrew and being returned Reported That the Upper
House had agreed to our Amendments.
Resolved That the Sum of Thirty Pounds be paid
the Printer James Johnston, on his Account against the
Public. Ordered That an Address be prepared and presented
to his Excellency, requesting he will be pleased to ad
journ the Commons House of Assembly untill Tuesday
the 17th October, as several of the Members are obliged
to attend the General Court, which commences on Tues
day the io'h Instant.
OCTOBER, 1780. 637
The said Address being prepared Ordered That Mr
Zubly and Mr Douglass do wait on his Excellency with
the same, who accordingly withdrew and being returned
delivered the following Answer.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly
I do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assembly
untill Tuesday the 17th Day of this Instant, then to meet
for the Dispatch of Business, and the said House is ac
cordingly adjourned hereby till the 17th Day of this Ins'
James Wright.
October 7. 1780.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Tuesday Oct1" 17th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad-
journ'd till Tomorrow Morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday October 18th 1780.
ORDERED That an Address be presented to his Excel
lency the Governor requesting he will be pleased to order
Writs of Election to be issued for two Representatives
for the Parish of S' Andrew, in the Room of Robert
Baillie and James Spalding Esqrs and one Writ for a
Representative for the Parish of S' Patrick, in the room
of Robert Porteus Esqr those Gentlemen having neg
lected taking their Seats.
The said Address being prepared Ordered That M1
638 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Hall and Mr Mossman do wait on his Excellency with
the same, who accordingly withdrew and being returned
Reported That they had waited on his Excellency ac
cording to Order, who was pleased to return for An
swer that he wou'd give Orders for new Writs tp be is
sued immediately.
The Clerk of the Crown (pursuant to Order of Court)
attended with the Presentments of the Grand Jury, which
were read by the Clerk, and ordered to lie on the Table,
for the Perusal of the Members.
Motion was made for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal
an Act entitled an Act for the regulation of Auctions
laying a Duty on Goods, Wares and Merchandize sold at
Auctions and for empowering the Governor or Com
mander in Chief for the time being to licence Auctioneers,
and a Debate arising thereon, the House divided and it
was carried in the Negative.
The House adjourned till Tomorrow
Morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 335.)
Thursday Oct* 19* 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Tomorrow Morning Ten O Clock.
. ¦ — — — - — — — - — -- — — — - ¦ -¦¦»
. — _ . , — . ¦ — ¦ - ¦«
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. L, Vol 233.)
Friday Oct' 20" 1780.
The House met according to adjournment *nd ad-
journ'd till Tomorrow Morning Ten O Clock.
OCTOBER, 1780. 639
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday Octor 21st 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Monday Morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. &¦ W. I., Vol. 233.)
Monday Ocf 23d 1780.
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery That the Upper House had passed a Bill entitled an
Act for the Amendment of an Act for the better regulat
ing Taverns, Punch Houses and Retailers of Spirituous
Liquors to which they desire the Concurrence of this
House. The said Bill was read the first time, and ordered to
be read a second time.
Resolved nem. con. That the Speakers Warrant be
issued against Alexander Wylly and Joseph Fox Esq™
Members of this House for contempt thereof by non at
tendance and otherwise.
The House was informed That George Baillie Esq"
in Custody of the Messenger for absenting himself from
the Service of the House, tho' required to give his At
tendance by order of the House) attended at the Door,
upon motion being made
Ordered That the said George Baillie Esq' be called
in, and he was accordingly called in, and at the Bar of
the House made an Excuse and then withdrew.
640 JOURNAL OP COMMONS HOUSE
Ordered That Mr Baillie be again called in, and
reprimanded by Mr Speaker at the Bar of the House, &
he was accordingly called in and reprimanded by Mr
Speaker. Ordered That Mr Baillie be discharged out of the
Custody of the Messenger upon Payment of Fees.
The House adjourned till Tomorrow
Morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 233.)
Tuesday October 24th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Tomorrow Morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday October 25th 1780.
The House was informed That Joseph Fox Esqr (in
Custody of the Messenger for absenting himself from the
Service of the House, though required to give his At
tendance by Order of the House) attended at the Door,
upon motion being made.
Ordered That the said Joseph Fox be called in and
he was accordingly called in, and at the Bar of the House
made an Excuse and then withdrew.
Ordered That Joseph Fox be again called in and
reprimanded by Mr Speaker at the Bar of the House;
and he was accordingly called in and reprimanded by
Mr Speaker. , ' ¦ ; j ' ; ! • j I 1 1 .V! ;.
OCTOBER, 1780. 641
Ordered That Mr Fox be discharged out of he Cus
tody of the Messenger upon payment of Fees.
The Engrossed Bill from the Upper House, Entitled
an Act for the Amendment of an Act for the better regu
lating Taverns, Punch Houses and Retailers of Spiritu
ous Liquors, was read a second time and ordered to be
Committed. The House took into Consideration the Amendments
of the Upper House to our Bill entitled an Act for the
rrtstrvation and Defence of his Majesty's Government
111 the Province of Georgia to amend an Act entitled an
rict ior the better Ordering the Militia and for other
purposes therein mentioned and agreed to some of the
riinendments and disagreed to others.
Then the House adjourned till Tomor
row Morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 233.)
Thursday October 26"1 1780.
Ordered That the following Message be sent to the
Upper House. Commons House of Assembly
Honorable Gentlemen
This House having taken under Consideration the
Amendments made by your House to the Bill entitled an
Act for the Preservation and Defence of his Majesty's
Government in the Province of Georgia, to amend an
Act entitled an Act for the better ordering the Militia
and for other purposes herein after mentioned, have
11 e r— vol 15
642 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
agreed to some of them, and disagreed to Others, and
have appointed a Committee to meet a Committee of
your House at such Time and Place as You may please
to appoint. — The Committee are Mr Robertson and Mr
Cowper. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole House to take under Consideration the Engrossed
Bill of the Upper House, entitled an Act for the Amend
ment of an Act for the better regulating Taverns, Punch
Plouses, and Retailers of Spirituous Liquors, and made
several Amendments thereto.
The said Bill was read a Third time, and passed with
the Amendments.
Ordered That Mr Robertson do wait on the Upper
House and acquaint them that this House hath taken un
der Consideration the said Bill and made several Amend
ments thereto, to which they desire the Concurrence of
their House.
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery. Upper House of Assembly 26 Octor 1780.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly. In Answer to Your Message of this Morning this
House hath appointed the Honble Lewis Johnston, Josiah
Tattnall and Martin Jollie Esqrs a Committee to meet
the Committee of your House on the Subject Matter of
the Amendments to the Act for amending the Act for the
better ordering the Militia and for other purposes herein
after mentioned ; and the Committee of the Upper House
OCTOBER, 1780. 643
is now ready to meet your Committee in the Room ad
joining the Council Chamber.
Mr Robertson from the Committee appointed to con
fer with the Committee of the Upper House, on the
Amendments by them made to the Bill entitled an Act
for the Preservation and Defence of his Majesty's Gov
ernment in the Province of Georgia, to amend an Act
entitled an Act for the better ordering the Militia and for
other purposes herein after mentioned — Reported That
they had met and conferred on the subject matter of
the said Amendments and had agreed thereto; which
report was also agreed to by the House.
A Message from the Upper House by the Master in
Chancery Upper House of Assembly 26th Octr 1780.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly
This House having taken under Consideration the
Amendents made by your House to the Bill entitled an
Act to amend an Act for the better regulating Taverns
Punch Houses, and Retailers of Spirituous Liquors, have
agreed to part and disagreed to other part, and have ap
pointed a Committee to meet a Committee of your House
at the Room adjoining the Council Chamber, at the Time
you may please to appoint
The Committee are Mr Johnston and Mr Jollie
Ordered That the following Messap^ be sent to the
Upper House.
644 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Commons House- of Assembly —
Honorable Gentlemen
In Answer to your Message this House doth agree to
the Conference you desire in the room adjoining the
Council Chamber on the amendments made by this
House to the Bill entituled an Act to amend an Act for
the better regulating Taverns, Punch Houses and Re
tailers of Spirituous Liquors, and have appointed a Com
mittee to meet the Committee of your House immedi
ately. The Committee are Mr Robertson and Mr Cowper.
Mr Robertson from the Committee appointed to con
fer with the Committee of the Upper House on, the amend
ments made by this House to the Bill entitled an Act to
amend an Act for the better regulating Taverns, Punch
Houses and Retailers of Spirituous Liquors, Reported
That they had met and conferred on the subject Matter
of the said Amendments; and had agreed thereto'.; which
Report was also agreed to by the House.
Ordered That Mr Zubly and Mr Jones be a Commit
tee to join a Committee of the Upper House to examine
the Engrossed Bills.
'h1
The House adjourned till Tomorrow
morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & IV. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday Octo1 27"1 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Tomorrow Morning Ten O Clock.
OCTOBER, 1780. 645
i'
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Saturday Octor 28. 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Monday morning Ten O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 235.)
Monday Octor 3o'b 1780
Resolved That Richard Davis, the Clerk of the Com
mittee appointed to inspect and enquire into the Number
of Houses in the Town an Environs of Savannah, be
allow'd the Sum of Five Guineas for such his Attend
ance. A Memorial from Divers of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Savannah was presented to the House and read
setting forth.
That the Memorialists entirely confiding in the Wis
dom and Patriotism of their Representatives the present
members of this Honorable House; and fully convinced
that our Grievances will on all Occasions become an
Object of their immediate and particular Attention, beg
leave to address them on this Occasion.
That we apprehend the Act of Assembly lately passed
for laying a Tax on all Goods sold at Vendue and for
licencing Auctioneers, has not answered the End pro
posed. That the same manifestly tends to the discouragement
of Trade and Prejudice of the Country, by deterring of
Adventurers from coming amongst us, with the Neces-
646 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
saries of Life, and carrying off the Produce of the Prov
ince in Payment.
That we are of Opinion That at a Time when a new
Channel of Trade has been lately opened with our neigh
bouring Colony, where every Restraint on Commerce is
avoided, every Encouragement given, and no Duties, and
moderate Port Charges demanded. That in place of
passing such Acts; Every Method should be adopted to
preserve and support as much Trade amongst us as pos
sible. That the present Trade of Georgia is so small, and the
Necessity for prosecuting Measures for its Increase and
Encouragement, appears to us so great; That We sin
cerely wish all Taxes and every other Restraint upon the
same may at least be laid aside for the present.
They therefore pray this Honorable House will take
these evils into Consideration, repeal the said Act and
grant such other Relief, as may appear to them most ex
pedient and effectual for the Good of their Country, and
benefit of their Constituents.
Ordered That the said Memorial do lie on the Table
for the Perusal of the Members.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery.
That the Governor desires the Attendance of the
House in the Council Chamber immediately.
The House attended accordingly, when his Excellency
was pleased to assent to a Bill entitled an Act for further
amending an Act for regulating the Pilotage of Vessels
into the several Ports of this Province, and also to — A
NOVEMBER, 1780. 647
Bill entitled an Act for further amending an Act for
the better regulating the Militia and for other purposes
herein after mentioned.
After which his Excellency was pleased to send the
following Message.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
AssemblyI do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assembly
untill Wednesday the fifteenth Day of November next ;
then to meet for the Dispatch of Business; and the said
House is hereby adjourned accordingly, untill the fif
teenth Day of November next.
James Wright.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 233.)
Wednesday November 15th 1780.
James Herriott Esqr elected and returned a Represen
tative for the Parish of Saint David, proved himself duly
qualifyed to serve agreable to an Act of the General As
sembly, took the Oaths, made and subscribed the Declara
tion and took and subscribed the Oath of abjuration,
and afterwards took his Seat as a Member of this House.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly I think it necessary to acquaint you that I have receiv'd
certain Information that one M'Kay, a notorious Rebel,
648 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
with a Party of Rebel Plunderers on Horse Back, who
some time ago committed several Robberies on the high
Ways to Augusta, and on Boats going up the River;
and. who went over into Carolina, is again returned into
this Province, and robbing and plundering as before;
and also that there are several Plundering Parties in
South Carolina, who it is probable will come into this
Province; and as the Peace and Safety of the Inhabi
tants may in some measure depend on these Parties of
Robbers being speedily routed and brought to Justice.
I must therefore recommend this Matter to your serious
Consideration, and to determine whether it may not be
expedient to raise a Troop of Thirty Horsemen, to go
in Pursuit of the said McKay, and other plundering
Parties who may come into this Province, and also to
offer a suitable reward, in order to encourage Persons
to exert and use their utmost Diligence to apprehend and
take the said M'Kay and his Party ; which if you ap
prove of, I shall issue a Proclamation offering the said
Reward — I have also laid this Matter before the Coun-
'Of
cil, as an Upper House, who will concur with You in
the^ Measures above proposed, if you approve of them
James Wright Savannah 15th Nov1" 1780
Resolved That this House will provide a Sum not
exceeding Five Hundred Pounds Sterling to be paid the
Person or Persons apprehending or killing one James
M'Kay, late of S' George's Parish, Yeoman, said to be
a notorious Thief and Plunderer, or any of his Associates,
or any other Party or Parties concerned in plundering
the Inhabitants of this Province the said Sum of Money
or any part thereof, to be distributed and disposed of by
the Governor and Council in such Proportions and in
such manner as they may see fit.
Ordered That a Message be prepared and sent his
NOVEMBER, 1780. 649
Excellency the Governor acquainting him with the said
Resolution, and a Message was prepared and sent ac
cordingly. A Message from his Excellency the Governor.
That his Excellency desires the Attendance ot this
House in the Council Chamber immediately.
The House attended accordingly when his Excellency
was pleased to give his Assent to a Bill entitled an Act
to amend an Act for the better regulating Taverns,
Punch Houses and Retailers of spirituous Liquors.
Resolved That this House will provide, for the Pay
ment of a House &ccet. belonging to Adam Keller, said
to be necessary to be pulled down and removed for the
Conveniency of carrying on the Publick Works of this
Province, such a Sum as may be agreed on between the
Party_ and his Excellency the Governor.
A Message from his Excellency the. Governor by the
Master in Chancery.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
Assembly. I do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assembly
untill Wednesday the Seventeenth Day of January next;
then to meet for the Dispatch of Business ; and it is ac
cordingly adjourned to Wednesday the Seventeenth of
January next.
Given under my Bland at Savannah 15th Day of Nov'
1780.
James Wright.
650 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 233.)
Monday December 11th 1780.
The House met pursuant to His Excellencys Procla
mation and adjourned till tomorrow morning Eleven
O Clock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 233.)
Tuesday Dec1" 12th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Tomorrow morning Eleven OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Wednesday Decr 13th 1780.
Lachlan M'Gillivray Esqr elected and returned a Rep
resentative for the Parish of S' Mary, proved himself
duly qualified to serve agreeable to an Act of the General
Assembly, took the Oaths, made and subscribed the
Declaration, and took and Subscribed the Oath of Ab
juration, and afterwards took his Seat as a Member of
this House.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons House of
AssemblyWhen I last adjourned You, I was hopeful that there-
would not be any Occasion to Call you together againi
DECEMBER, 1780. 651
before the time to which you were adjourned; but on
the Application of several Members of your House, and
the Merchants and Traders in General, I have thought
it expedient to require your Attendance, and must recom
mend to your serious Consideration the present defence
less State of the Province; Particularly the Inlets and
Sea Islands; several Depredations having been lately
committed on the Settlements contiguous thereto; and I
shall be very happy to have it in my Power to concur
with You in any measure which you may judge necessa
ry for the safety and Welfare of the Province. James Wright
Motion was made for leave to address his Excellency
the Governor, requesting he will be pleased to order a
Writ of Election to be issued for a Representative for
Ebenezer in the Parish of S' Mathew, in the Room, of
Alexander Wright Esqr who has declined taking his Seat.
The same being prepared Ordered That Mr M'Gilliv-
ray and Mr Baillie do wait on his Excellency with the
same, who was pleased to return for Answer that He
would order one to be issued immediately.
Motion was made that a Committee be appointed to
take into Consideration his Excellency's Message of this.
Day, and to make their Report to the House.
Ordered That Mr Jones, Mr Baillie, Mr Douglass,
Mr Herriott and Mr Zubly be the said Committee.
Then the House adjourned till Tomor
row morning Ten OClock.
•652 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Thursday Decr 14th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Tomorrow morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 235.)
Friday Decr 15th 1780.
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Tomorrow morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 235.)
Saturday December 16th 1780
The House met according to adjournment and ad
journed till Monday Morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol 233.)
Monday December 18th 1780
Owen Owens Esqr elected and returned a Representa
tive for the Parish of S' Andrew, proved himself dulv
qualified agreeable to an Act of the General Assembly
in such case made and provided, and after taking the
necessary Oaths took his Seat accordingly.
Mr Jones from the Committee appointed to take under
DECEMBER, 1780. 653
Consideration his Excellency's Message, Reported That
they had taken the same under Consideration, and were
ready to make their Report, when the House would be
pleased to recieve it.
The Committee appointed to take the Message from
his Excellency the Governor to- this House on Wednesday
last into Consideration clo make the following Report
That the Defenceless State of the Coast and Inlets of .
this Province for the want of some armed Boat or Vessel
for the Protection of the Trade thereof, requires some
immediate and effectual Assistance.
We therefore give it as our Opinion that to accomplish
such a necessary Measure; One or more Gailies or Boats
should be immediately built somewhat as nearly as possi
ble of the same dimension, construction and force as
those of the Enemy now infesting the Coast of said
Province distressing the Trade and plundering the In
habitants on the Sea Islands thereof ; That the said Boat
or Galley should be from seventy five to eighty feet keel,
and proportionable width, to row from, fifteen to Twenty
Oars of a Side, to carry a Six Pounder in the Bow with
four two Pounders, twelve Swivels and twenty Mus-
quets, and ammunition answerable, to be manned with
fifty white men and Ten Refugee Negroes, whose Mas
ters are now in Actual Rebellion: the Boat or Galley to
be built with Cedar or live Oak and pitch pine; and to
draw as small a draught of water as possible; The Ex
pences of which will amount with building out fitt
provisions, and pay for one Month to about seven hun
dred pounds
The Committee also delivered in the following Com
putation.
654 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
Boat fitted with Oars, Spars and two lug
ger sails £i 50.. o.. -
Captain three commission'd Officers £40
per Month Forty Seamen Eighty
pounds 200.. -..
Ten Negroes at 40 per Month, provis
ions for 60 men 18 pr day 155.. -..
One Six Pounder with Carriage &ccet.. 10.. -..
Two 2 Pounders at £4 — 12 Swivels at
£3 44- -¦¦
20 Stand of Arms at 30/ each, and flints
40/ 32-
1 coo lb Gun Powder at 2/ Ball, Shot
&ccet 150.. -..
The first out fit 741..
Motion was made that a Committee of ways and means
may be appointed to enquire into what funds there are in
the Province for the Support of Government, and that
they have power to send for Persons, Papers and Records.
Ordered That Mr Baillie, Mr Douglass, Mr Mossman
Mr M'Gillivray and Mr Owens be the said Committee.
The House adjourned till tomorrow
Morning Ten OClock.
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 233.)
Tuesday December 19th 1780.
Peter Dean Esqr elected and returned a Representative
for the Parish of S' Andrew, proved himself duly quali
fied to serve agreable to an Act of the General Assembly,
DECEMBER, 1780. 655
in such case made and provided; and after taking the
Necessary Oaths took his Seat accordingly.
A Letter from Joseph Fox Esqr was presented to the
House and read, setting forth That he had made applica
tion some time ago for leave to resign his Seat, which
was not then granted on Account of the House not being
sufficiently full; since which there have been several
Members elected; That he now begs leave to renew his
request, as he is just moving up the Country within a few
Miles of Augusta, that it will be extremely inconvenient
as well as injurious to his private Interest, to be obliged
to continue in the House, hopes the Honorable House
upon taking the reasons he gave into Consideration, will
grant his Petition — That he should have attended per
sonally to make his Application, but is too unwell to come
to Town.
The House taking the said Letter into Consideration,
it was unanimously Resolved That Leave be granted
Joseph Fox Esqr to resign his Seat.
Motion was made That an Address be presented to his
Excellency the Governor, requesting he will be pleased
to order a Writ of Election to be issued for a Representa
tive for the Parish of S' John, in the Room of Joseph
Fox Esqr who has the unanimous permission of the
House to resign his Seat.
Motion was made that an Address be presented His
B,xcellency the Governor, requesting he will be pleased
to issue a Proclamation, Offering a Reward of one hun
dred Pounds for apprehending and convicting the Person
or Persons concerned in setting fire to his Excellency's
Barn, on the Night of the fourteenth Instant, and that
:this House will provide for the same.
656 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
The said Addresses being prepared — Ordered That Mr
Jones and Mr M'Gillivray, do wait on his Excellency
with the same — ¦ they accordingly withdrew and being re
turned Mr Jones Reported That they had, according to
order, waited on his Excellency, who was pleased to say
that he wou'd comply with the request of the House.
A Message from his Excellency the Governor by the
Master in Chancery.
Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Commons Blouse of
Assembly.I do hereby adjourn the Commons House of Assembly
untill Monday the fifteenth Day of January next, then to
meet for the Dispatch of Business ; and it is accordingly
adjourned to Monday the fifteenth Day of January next.
Given under my Hand at Savannah this Nineteenth
Day of December 1781. James Wright
To the Honorable the Speaker and Members of the Com
mons House of Assembly.
I do hereby certify that the above is a true Copy from
the Original Journals of the Commons House of As
sembly. John, M, Tattnall, Clerk.
FEBRUARY, 1782. 657
(FromB.P.'R.O:)
To His Excellency Sir James Wright Baronet Cap
tain General and Governor in Chief in and over his
Majesties Province of Georgia Chancellor and Vice
Admiral of the same
The Address of the Commons House of Assembly
May it please Your Excellency
We His Majesties dutiful and loyal subjects, the Com
mons House of Assembly, in General Assembly met, im
pressed .with the most lively sence of duty and affection
towards His Majesties Person and Government, — con
sider it as our indispensible duty to lay before your Ex
cellency, the Present unhappy and deplorable state of our
Constituents in every Part of this once flourishing prov
ince Since the loss of the Post at Augusta, the Rebels have
been continually committing depredations and Murders
upon His Majesties loyal subjects — All the Outposts be
ing withdrawn, every part of the Province is laid open and
exposed, to the wanton ravages of the Enemy, who are
permitted to rove at large in our settlements, and have
within these few days past, cruelly put to death many of
our Constituents, for no other cause than their loyalty
and attachment to Government — Altho we have every
reason to believe, the force of the Rebels in this province,
has not hitherto, nor does it at present, exceed 400 Men,
and not more than half of them Continental Cavalry
It is with concern, We see our Town Militia obliged
to do Garrison duty, when the regular troops are wholly
in Savannah
The season for planting is now at hand, and at a time
42 c r— vol 15
658 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
when the Husbandman should be tilling his ground, and
planting his crop, His Majesties subjects have no place
of security, outside the lines of Savannah — Their Negroes
which were formerly a considerable part of their Riches,
being confined to the Town, are become a heavy and al
most insupportable burthen to them
Many respectable inhabitants are reduced to indigence
and poverty, for want of sufficient protection and sup
port to enable them to live at home, and cultivate their
farms in security
The Rebels are daily consuming and driving off Cattle
and other live stock — And notwithstanding the provident
steps your Excellency has taken to provide for the poor
and distressed Refugees, We have just reason to appre
hend, That unless some speedy and effectual measures are
adopted for regaining and protecting the Country some
distance round the Capital (which from the situation of
our Rivers, We should hope may be accomplished at very
little hazard) Unless Sir. This is speedily done, We have
every reason to dread, That Defection, Emigration and
Famine will ensue
This Sir, is a meloncholy, and we are sorry to add, a
true picture of the present situation of this Country — The
Blood of our Constituents, calls loudly for satisfaction,
And we trust there are none amongst us, but will chear
fully co-operate with the Military, in the duties of the
Field, in support of the British Constitution
We receive with peculiar pleasure, the Account your
Excellency has been pleased to communicate to us, of His
Majesties Gracious approbation of our Conduct, and As
surances of Protection and support — And altho we have
the fullest confidence in the benevolent intentions of our
Sovereign — We cannot but express our ardent wishes, to
FEBRUARY, 1782. 659
see them more fully carried into execution — From the
long experience We have had of your Excellencys un
wearied attention to, and regard for this Province, and
his Majesties good subjects in it, We are fully Persuaded,
That, you will do every thing in your power to alleviate
our present unhappy situation And your Excellency may
at all times command, and rely on the best services of this
House, both in their Legislative and private capacities to
forward and promote his Majesties service to the utmost
of their power
The present season of the year, is so critical, that We
cannot but be peculiarly anxious on behalf of ourselves
and Constituents, to know of your Excellency, what pro
tection or security we may depend on in future, before it
be too late to plant our Crops or move elsewhere, for
without the cultivation of our Lands, This valuable Prov
ince, which might have been, and still may be made, ex
ceedingly beneficial to His Majesties dominions, will
greatly suffer for want of provisions and effectual sup
port, and consequently must sink into inevitable ruin .1
By Order the House
Samuel Farley Speaker -J
Commons House of Assembly
23d Febr7 1782 Copy
Mr Speaker & Gent1 of the Commons House of Assembly
Your Address Certainly Contains every Just Repre
sentation of the Wretched Situation of Affairs in this
Province & I See, & Feel With you, the Necessity of
Some Immediate Steps being taken, or Otherwise the
Truly distressing & Alarming Consequences, which you
Mention, must Inevitably Ensue. These things I have
660 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
long been Aware of, & made every application I could, for
Assistance, but hitherto in Vain, And Alas ! I have not the
Means of Relief in my Power. But you may rest as
sured, I Shall Consult his Majesty's Council, & do my
Utmost to Promote your Wishes.
Signed Ja : Wright — Sav 23 Feb : 1782.
(From Manuscript in the Royal Institution of Great
Britain.)
To His Excellency Sir Guy Carleton Knight of the
Bath, Commander in Chief of His Majestys Forces
in North America &c &° &c
The Address of the Commons House of Assembly
of Georgia
May it Please your Excellency
We His Majestys Dutiful and Loyal subjects, The
Commons House of Assembly, in General Assembly met,
Beg leave to Congratulate Your Excellency on Your safe
Arrival at New York, and on Your Appointment to. the
Command of His Majestys Forces in America ; at a Time
when everything has the Appearance of an Approaching
Peace with the Revolted Provinces; an Event which we
Most ardently wish to see Accomplished, upon Terms
Consistent with the Honor, Safety and Prosperity of the
British Empire.
We, on behalf of Ourselves and Our Constituents, beg
leave to lay before Your Excellency a brief state of our
Situation; and to entreat Your Excellency's attention to
the future Happiness of His Majestys good subjects in
this Province.
From a very early Period, we have taken Arms in de-
MAY, 1782. 661
fence of Our Happy Constitution, and shewn an un
shaken Loyalty to the best of Kings ; for which we have
been Persecuted by oUr Enemies, deprived of our Posses
sions, and some Hundreds have been most Cruelly Mur
dered for no other cause, than their attachment to the
British Government; the Garrisons and Out Posts (which
used to give Protection to the Country) being either sub
dued, or withdrawn, great Numbers of very Respectable
Inhabitants and others, have quitted their most Valuable
Possessions, and are now doing Duty within our Lines,
living on the common Rations of the Soldiers and under
going every species of Hardship ; rather than swerve from
their Loyalty ; — their Estates are Confiscated by the Reb
els, and are now Advertized for Sale
It is for a People Sir! who come under those Descrip
tions (borne down, and almost Ruined by the Ravages of
War) We have to intreat your earnest attention, in Peace
or War.. And we trust at this Important Period, that the
Property and Interests, of His Majestys faithful Subjects
will not be neglected, nor our Peculiar sufferings and
Loyalty forgot
We entertain the most flattering Prospects from Your
Excellencys Appointment; And sincerely wish to see a
Reconciliation take Place between America, and the
Mother Country, upon Terms that are just, Liberal, and
Generous. By Order of the House
Sam1 Farley, Speaker
Commons House of Assembly
31** May 1782.
662 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From Manuscript) in the Royal Institution of Great
Britain.)
To His Excellency The Honble Alexander Leslie Esq
Lieut. General of His Majesty's Forces & Com
manding in the Southern District of America.
The Address of His Excellency Sir James Wright
Bart Captain General & Governor in Chief of His
Majesty's Province of Georgia, and of The Up
per & Commons House of Assembly of the sd
Province — ¦
May it Please Your Excellency
We His Majestys Most Dutiful & Loyal Subjects, feel
Ourselves at a loss for Language to express the Astonish
ment We experience, at the Intelligence that has been re
ceived, of an Intention to withdraw His Majestys Troops
from this Province, and East Florida
We can with the greatest Confidence assert that a great
er proportion of the Inhabitants of Georgia have attached
themselves to the Royal Cause, Than in any other British
Colony in America, And that Numbers of them have
been inhumanly murdered, and others of them stript of
their property, and driven within the Lines of Savannah
on Account of their Zeal for the British Government. — At
a period when Admiral Rodney has gloriously triumph'd
over the French Fleet — when The Town of Savannah has
been put into a good posture of Defence at an immense ex-
pence to the Inhabitants ; — When the Enemy is inconsider
able in Number, and must, necessarily Suffer by Sickness,
at the unhealthy Post which they now. Occupy — At Such
a Time, We little expected that the Town of Savannah
would have been evacuated, to the Utter Ruin of Many
Loyalists who have Suffer'd the greatest Hardships in
JUNE, 1782. 663
defending it, and are likely to be reduced to the Melan
choly Alternative, either of leaving the Province, in a
destitute Condition, to pine under Want in a Strange
Country or else stay behind & fall into the hands of their
inexorable enemies.
We apprehend that when Orders were given to evacuate
this place — the News of Admiral Rodney's Victory had
not been received, and should the Troops be now with
drawn when the Situation of Great Britain is so Much al
tered for the better — Administration will probably La
ment the fatal Effects of so distressing a Measure.
Upon the whole, We Cannot but hope & flatter Our
selves, That upon this representation Your Excellency,
will Order the Garrison of S' Augustine to be removed to
Savannah, by which means this Place will be effectually
Secured from risques. And We further beg leave to Ob
serve, that the possession of this Province, will be pro
ductive of the utmost benefit to the Garrison of Charles
Town, New York & the West India Islands, if only pro
tected till the Crops can be gathered in, There being now
growing within a few Miles of the Lines, Rice Sufficient
to produce upwards of Ten thousand Barrells & forty to
fifty Thousand Bushells of Corn besides vast Quantities of
Pease & potatoes; and Considerable Supplies of Lumber
& Naval Stores, can be procured for the Use of His Majes
ty's Navy & the West India Islands.
By Order of the Upper House
John Grahame
President
Ja: Wright. By Order of The Commons House of
Assembly Sam1 Farley Speaker
Savannah )
June 16: 1782 j
664 JOURNAL OF COMMONS HOUSE
(From B. P. R. O.—A. & W. I., Vol. 233.)
To His Excellency The Honorable Alexander Leslie
Esquire Lieutenant General of His Majesty's Forces,
& commanding in the Southern District of America.
The Address of the Upper and Commons House of
Assembly of the Province of Georgia in General
Assembly met.
May it please Your Excellency
We his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects the
Upper and Commons House of Assembly in General As
sembly met, feel
[Continues the same, word for word, as 53/114 as far as
the words : "distressing a measure." The last para
graph is as follows : — ]
But should the Evacuation of this Province unfortu
nately take Place we .flatter ourselves you will at all
Events keep Possession of East Florida, as an Asylum
for the Loyalists until they can make an Application to
his Excellency General Carleton to continue the Garrison
there; for should East Florida also be evacuated the Loy
alists will have no place whither they may transport a
large Number of Negroes, and the People who may move
from- hence to that Province, added to the Garrison al
ready there, will be sufficient to defend S' Augustine
against a numerous Enemy as none but Vessels of an
easy Draught of Water can enter that Harbour — We
would also observe, that there are several Nations of
JUNE, 1782. 665
Indians in the Neighbourhood of East Florida who might
be made very usefull in the Defence of that Province
but if it is given up the Indians will of Consequence Join
the Enemy.
Savannah \
1 6th June 1782J
By Order of the Upper House
John Grahame President
By Order of the Commons House
of Assembly Sam1 Farley, Speaker
INDEX.
Acounts against the public considered, 273, 276, 299.
Accounts, public, ordered to be delivered to the clerk, 330; must be attested,
474-
Accounts of Treasurer and other public officers to be inserted in Journal of the
House, 531.
Anderson, Elizabeth, petition of, 453.
Andrew, Benjamin, qualifies as member of House, 303, 320, 336.
Appropriation for putting up dial in Johnson's Square, 246.
B
Baillie, George, declines taking seat as member of House, 327, 364; required
to attend House, 610; qualifies as member of House, 610; attends House
and makes excuse for absence, 639; reprimanded at bar of House, 640;
discharged upon payment of fees, 640.
Baillou, Isaac, qualifies as member of House, 618.
Baker, John, qualifies as member of House, 336; required to attend House
immediately, 513.
Barnard, Edward, required to attend House, 281 ; seat to be deemed vacant if
he does not attend House, 298; qualifies as member of House, 303, 320,
336; warrant to be issued for, for non-attendance, 362; warrant issued for
arrest of, 366 ; warrant .withdrawn, 366 ; excuse of for non-attendance not
satisfactory, 427, 455 ; ordered to attend House, 428 ; warrant ordered for
arrest of, 445; seat of in House deemed vacant, 515.
Barnard, Mr., granted leave of absence, 74.
Bastard children, parishes relieved of charge of, 297.
Bill, the Indian, read first time, 42; considered, 51; read third time and re
jected, 69.
Bill for ordering and governing slaves, etc., read first time, 49; read third
time and passed, 63.
Bill to regulate and ascertain the rates of wharfage, etc., read first time, 52 ;
read third time and passed with amendments, 93.
Bill to amend an Act for encouraging the cultivation of hemp, flax and wheat,
etc., read first time, 65 ; title altered, 73 ; read third time and passed, 74.
Bill to prevent the stealing of horses and neat cattle, etc., read first time, 67;
report on, 88; title altered, 89. (667)
668 INDEX.
Bill for raising a certain number of watchmen for the town of Savannah, etc.,
read first time, 75 ; title altered, 83 ; read third time and passed, 95.
Bill to oblige male white persons to carry fire arms to places of public wor
ship, etc., read first time, 101 ; read third time and passed, 121.
Bill to amend the election law, read first time, 105 ; read third time and
passed, 120.
Bill to amend Act regulating the town of Savannah, etc., read first time, 105.
Bill to alien and convey part of the common of Savannah, etc., read first time,
115; read third time and passed, 151.
Bill to amend jury Act, read first time, 121; read third time and passed, 130.
Bill to prohibit the exportation of Indian corn, read first time, 126; read third
time and passed, 132.
Bill for imposing duty on negroes and other merchandize, etc., read first time,
141; amended, 157; passed, 158.
Bill to continue the several laws therein mentioned, read first time, 131 ; read
third time and passed, 150.
Bill, the tax, read first time, 155 ; read third time and passed, 175.
Bill, a road, read first time, 164; title altered, 166; read third time, amended
and passed, 167.
Bill to amend Act regulating the town of Savannah and for granting a burial
ground to the Jews, read first time, 165 ; read third time and passed, 172.
Bill to amend an Act to prevent the bringing into and spreading of conta
gious diseases, etc., read first time, 172 ; read third time and passed, 174.
Bill appointing inspectors of tobacco, etc., read first time, 176; title altered,
180; read third time and passed, 183.
Bill to explain and amend an Act for dividing the Province into parishes, etc.,
read first time, 178.
Bill to assess the inhabitants of Savannah, etc., for the support of a town
watch, read first time, 186; read third time and passed, 191.
Bill to prevent stealing of horses and other cattle, etc., read first time, 210;
read third time and passed, 221.
Bill for the more easy and speedy recovery of losses or damages sustained by
negligence of owners of vessels employed in carrying rice, etc., read first
time, 217 ; read third time and passed, 221.
Bill to prevent persons hunting with fire in the night, read first time, 227;
title altered, 230.
Bill prescribing the method for proving book debts, etc., read first time, 229.
Bill for clearing the Savannah river between Augusta and Savannah, etc.,
read first time, 231.
Bill to empower commissioners or surveyors to lay out roads, etc., 231; read
third time and passed, 251.
Bill for the better ordering the militia, read first time, 231 ; read third time
and passed, 246.
Bill for the relief of parishes from such charges as may arise from bastard
children, read first time, 252; read third time and passed, 257.
Bill for the establishment of several ferries, etc., read first time, 252; read third
time and passed, 258.
INDEX. 66»
Bill to empower commissioners to cancel contracts with John Mullryne for
building a new light house, etc., read first time, 262 ; amended, 272.
Bill for laying duty on negroes, rum, etc., read first time, 263; title altered,
280; read third time and lost, 287.
Bill for regulating the proceedings of the general court, read first time, 263 ;
read third time and passed, 275.
Bill to ascertain and regulate public officers' fees, etc., read first time,- 279;
third time and passed, 299.
Bill to amend Act for raising a certain number of watchmen in Savannah, etc.,
read first time, 294; amended, 297.
Bill for the preservation of deer and to prevent hunting and killing of deer by
night, etc., read first time, 355 ; read third time and passed, 370.
Bill to declare an Act of Parliament for the protection of justices of the peace
of force in this province, etc., read first time, 363.
Bill for the better ordering the militia, read first time, 363 ; read third time
and passed, 399.
Bill to regulate fees of public officers, etc., read first time, 368 ; third time and.
passed, 419.
Bill to ascertain the manner of electing members of the Commons House of
Assembly, read first time, 404 ; read third time, amended and passed, 442.
Bill to amend the several laws for holding special courts, etc., read first time,
418; read third time and passed, 433.
Bill to prevent damages arising from dams or banks, etc., read first time, 431 ;
read third time and passed, 441.
Bill to amend an Act to direct executors and administrators, etc., read first
time, 431.
Bill for imposing a duty on raw meat hides, etc., read first time, 434 ; read third.
time, amended and passed, 451.
Bill for the relief of debtors who may be confined in jail, etc., read first time,
434; title altered, 436.
Bill to prevent the stealing of horses and neat cattle, etc., read first time, 435 ;
read third time, amended, passed, 456.
Bill for clearing the Savannah river, etc., read first time, 435.
Bill to amend an Act to oblige masters of vessels to pay tax, etc., read first.
time, 440; title altered, 450; read third time and passed, 457.
Bill to empower commissioners or surveyors to lay out and repair roads, etc.,.
to be prepared, 356; read third time, amended and passed, 440.
Bill to empower commissioners to put up for sale the ferry over Great Oge
chee river, etc., read first time, 450; read third time and passed with
amendments, 457.
Bill to enforce the payment of arrears of taxes, etc., read first time, 473 ; read
third time and passed, 501.
Bill to regulate and ascertain the rates of wharfage, etc., read first time, 485.
Bill to continue the several laws, etc., read first time, 496; read third time,
amended and passed, 529.
Bill, the tax, read first time, 501; read third time, amended and passed, 515.
Bill for issuing paper certificates, etc., read first time, 501 ; read third time
and passed, 506.
670 INDEX.
Bill to oblige masters of vessels to pay tax, etc., read first time, 504; read third
time,, amended and passed, 508.
Bill to explain and amend an Act for ascertaining the qualifications of jurors,
etc., read first time, 508.
Bill for raising a fund to support a watch in Savannah, read first time, 510;
amended and passed, 530.
Bill to empower commissioners of the general loan to issue paper bills of
credit, etc., read first time, 463 ; read third time and passed, 520.
Bill to prevent counterfeiting paper money, etc., read first time, 527; read
third time and passed, 529.
Bill to prohibit the exportation of Indian corn, rice, etc., read first time, 562;
amended, 564; read third time and passed, 567.
Bill for ascertaining the qualifications of jurors, etc., read first time, 574;
read third time and passed, 585.
Bill for the relief of his Majesty's loyal subjects, etc., read first time, 575;
read third time and passed, 580.
Bill for the regulation of auctions, etc., read first time, 575 ; read third time
and passed, 582.
Bill to explain, amend and reduce into one Act the several laws relative to
regulating the town of Savannah, read first time, 576 ; read third time and
passed, 582.
Bill to attaint of high treason several persons hereinafter named, etc., read
first time, 581 ; read third time and passed, 593.
Bill to explain an Act for subjecting and making liable to attachment the es
tates of absent debtors, read first time, 585 ; read third time and passed,
587.
Bill for the relief of his Majesty's subjects having property in Georgia, etc.,
read first time, 591 ; amendments agreed to, 594 ; read third time and
passed, 597.'
Bill to disqualify certain persons therein named, etc., read first time, 594;
amended, 598; read third time and passed, 601.
Bill for the limitation of actions, etc., read first time, 597; amended, 600; read
third time and passed, 604.
Bill to continue several laws therein mentioned, read first time, 611; read
third time and passed, 613.
Bill for the preservation and defense of his Majesty's government in Geor
gia, etc., read first time, 627; read third time and passed, 630.
Bill for further amending an Act for regulating pilotage of vessels, etc., read
first time, 630; read third time and passed, 632.
Bill to amend Act regulating taverns, etc., read first time, 639; read third
time and passed with amendments, 642.
Bourquin, Henry, required to attend the House, 22; declines taking seat as
member of House, 23 ; qualifies as member of House, 320, 336.
Box, Philip, qualifies as member of House, 6, 303.
Brown, Francis, qualifies as member of House, 336; required to attend House,
489 ; to be taken into custody for absence without leave, 495 ; expelled for
continued absence from House, 514.
INDEX. 871
Brown, Rev. Mr., to prepare suitable discourse to the House, 558 ; address of
thanks to for excellent sermon, and gratuity presented to for same, 569.
Brown, Rev. Mr. James, memorial of asking compensation for services, 604.
Bryan, Jonathan, takes seat as member of House, 228; required to attend
House, 265 ; to be taken into custody for absence without leave, 282 ; ex
cuse of admitted, 284; commissioned to administer oaths to members of
House, 301, 316, 325 ; qualifies as member of House, 304, 320, 335 ; must
attend House or warrant to be issued for, 364; .warrant issued for, 471;
expelled from House for non-attendance, 474.
Bulloch, Archibald, appointed to administer oaths to members of the House,
3 ; qualifies as member of House, 6, 303, 321, 335 ; commissioned to ad
minister oaths to members of the House, 301, 316, 335 ; elected Speaker,
305 ; approved as Speaker by the Governor, 306 ; elected Speaker, 323 ; de
clines taking seat in the House, 353.
Burton, Thomas, petition of for establishment of a ferry, 357.
Capers, Richard, petition of, 420.
Captain of watch to report to the House number of men employed, 250; pre
sents account, 253.
Carter, Thomas, qualifies as member of the House, 320, 349.
Carleton, Sir Guy, address to from the Commons House, 660.
Christ Church, parish of, petition of inhabitants concerning salary of rector,
479-
Clay, Joseph, qualifies as member of House, 382.
Clerk of Council inform House that the Governor will receive them in the
council chamber to-morrow, 304.
Clerk of the House, fees of, 14; ordered to furnish printer copy of Journals,
119, 312; to write to absent members requiring their attendance, 205, 210,
344, 468, 570; to furnish printer with copy of the address of the House to
the President, 349; to furnish printer with address of the House to the
Governor, 559 ; compensation provided for, 617.
Clerk of naval office to make report, 419.
Cochran, Jonathan, qualifies as member of House, 320.
Cockspur Island, fort on, 239.
Committee of correspondence, resolutions of committee concerning instruc
tions to agent referred to, 194; clerk of, ordered to lay proceedings of the
committee of correspondence before the House, 259; minutes of ordered
to be laid before the House, 362 ; to instruct agents concerning lands, 485 ;
standing committee of correspondence appointed, 523.
Committee on privileges and elections appointed, 11; report, 12; complaint of
member of House referred to, 154.
Committee on grievances appointed, 12.
Committee appointed to inspect site for new light house, 69; resolutions of,
yy ; resolutions considered, 89 ; House resolutions on, 90.
Committee appointed to see a line run on the bluff of Savannah, 76.
Committee appointed to apply sum voted for people of Ireland, 81.
672 INDEX.
Committee appointed to request Governor to adjourn the House, 82.
Committee appointed to inspect laws and ordinances near expiring, to make
report, 90; report, 101.
Committee appointed to examine amount expended in repairs and buildings at
Fort George, 90.
Committee of conference on negro bill appointed, 97; report, 99.
Committee on road bill, petition concerning land referred to, 109.
Committee of conference on watch bill appointed, 113; report, 168.
Committee appointed to inspect journals of the upper House, 113; report, 117.
Committee appointed to examine state of Governor's house, 116; report, 128.
Committee appointed to prepare address to Governor concerning non-repre
sentation of four southern parishes, 119; report, 120.
Committee of conference on flax bill asked, 132; report, 136.
Committee of conference on wharfage bill, report of, 147.
Committee on ways and means appointed, 170; report, 171.
Committee of conference on amendments to road bill appointed, 187 ; report,
187.
Committee appointed to prepare address in answer to Governor's message, 188.
Committee appointed to draw up instructions for agent, 191 ; report, 193.
Committee appointed to inspect Wm. Harding's machine for pounding rice,
I9S-
Committee appointed to join Council committee in preparing address to the
Governor, 196.
Committee appointed to prepare address to the Governor, 202 ; report, 202.
Committee appointed to examine laws and ordinances near expiring, 211; re
port, 222.
Committee appointed to select site for fort at mouth of Savannah river, 225.
Committee appointed to select place for terries on Savannah river, 229.
Committee to examine accounts, 245.
Committee on ways and means appointed, 258.
Committee appointed to examine condition of filature in Savannah, 259.
Committee of conference on amendments to militia bill appointed, 260; re
port, 261.
Committee appointed to request Governor to adjourn the House, 260; report
260.
Committee appointed to examine proceedings of the courts of justice and
inquire into the state of public offices, etc., 280; report, 295.
Committee on accounts, report of agreed to, 299.
Committee appointed to notify Governor of election of 'Noble Wimberly Jones
as Speaker, 305.
Committee appointed to notify Governor of the election of Archibald Bulloch
as Speaker, 305.
Committee on privileges and elections appointed, 309.
Committee on rules appointed, 310.
Committee on grievances appointed, 310.
Committee on privileges and elections appointed, 325.
Committee appointed to prepare address to the President, report of, 328.
INDEX. 673
Committee appointed to answer address of the President, 331 ; report, 332.
Committee on privileges and elections appointed, 342; report on petition of
Samuel Farley, 352.
Committee to examine Treasurer's accounts, 353 ; report, 479, 490.
Commmitee appointed to examine accounts of commissioners of loans, 354.
Committee appointed to inspect light house, 358; report, 370.
Committee appointed to receive Sir James Wright on arrival from England,
384; report, 389.
Committee of conference on deer bill, report of, 400,- 418.
Committee to inquire what laws are near expiring, report of, 405.
Committee of conference on militia bill, report of, 458.
Committee on ways and means appointed, 497 ; report, 500.
Committee of conference on bill for regulating fees of public officers appointed,
503;. report, 532.
Committee appointed to join Council committee to burn defaced bills, 520.
Committee appointed to receive and destroy certificates in the hands of the
Treasurer, 521 ; report, 534.
Committee of correspondence, a standing committee appointed, 523.
Committee appointed to form plan of the common jail, 533.
Committee appointed to consider Lieutenant-Governor's speech and the Gov-
vernor's mmessage, report, 546.
Committee appointed to present Speaker to the Governor, 547.
Committee on privileges and elections appointed, 554.
Committee on grievances, appointed, 554; report, 562.
Committee appointed to draw up rules for the House, 555.
Committee appointed to prepare address to the King, 563 ; report, 573.
Committee appointed to prepare House for the reception of members of the
Common House, 567; report, 568.
Committee appointed to inspect laws near expiring, 586; report, 606.
Committee appointed to examine engrossed bills, 617.
Committee to ascertain the number of houses in Savannah, report of, 621.
Committee reports on defenseless condition of coast and inlets, 653.
Commissioners of the light house submit report, 67 ; ordered to attend com
mittee appointed for building new light house, 70; ordered to attend the
House, 89; answers of approved, 90.
Commissioners of town and common of Savannah attend the House, 75.
Commissioners for building a courthouse attend the House, 91.
Commissioners of the spring near Savannah ordered to lay their proceedings
before the House, 101; ordered to lay accounts before the House, 119; re
port of unsatisfactory, 404.
Commissioners for settling a township on Ogechee river to lay accounts be
fore the House, in; accounts submitted, 117.
Commissioners of Roads, memorial of, 142 ; ordered to lay accounts before the
House, 255.
Commissioners for rebuilding Christ Church to lay accounts before the House,
384.
Commissioners for regulating market in Savannah to lay accounts before the
House, 404.
43 e r— vol 15
674 INDEX.
Commissioners empowered to sell ferry over Ogechee river to lay accounts;
before the House, 405.
Commissioners of the General Loan, salary provided for clerk for, 520.
Council, the, message from agreeing to several bills, 91, 136, 172, 189, 531, 577,
587; message from agreeing to conference on amendments to negro bill,
97; negro bill returned to, 112; message from concerning negro bill, 115;
message from agreeing to watch bill .with amendments, 111; agrees to
conference on same and appoints committees, 113; message from, 131,
132, 150, 228, 410, 438; leave granted to, to inspect Journals of the House
of Assembly, 132 ; agrees to conference on flax bill, 133 ; agrees to bill
requiring male white inhabitants to carry arms to places of public wor
ship, with amendments, 136 ; agrees to ordinance appointing James Kitch
en Collector and Comptroller for Sunbury, 136; agrees to several bills
with amendments, 140; agrees to amendments to wharfage bill, 146;
agrees to amendments to slave bill, 134; agrees to bill to continue several
laws, without amendments, 156; agrees to ordinance appointing Andrew
Elton Wells, Harbour Master, without amendments, 159; agrees to ordi
nance for appointing packers and inspectors, with amendments, 159; passes
bill amending an Act dividing the province into parishes, 178 ; agrees to
road bill, with amendments, 181 ; agrees to bill to amend Act for ascer
taining manner of electing members of Commons House, without amend
ments, 181 ; agrees to House amendments to bill for preventing spread
ing of contagious diseases, 181 ; agrees to conference on amendments to
road bill, 187; request for correspondence between Benjamin Franklin,
Agent, and the public to be laid before, 188; agrees to tax bill, .without
amendments, 189; agrees to ordinance appointing Benjamin Franklin,
Agent, with amendments, 189; agrees to bill to assess inhabitants of Sa
vannah for support of the town watch, without amendments, 191 ; re
quested to join House committee in preparing address to the Governor
concerning bill for electing members for the Commons House, 195 ; ap
points committee, 196; agrees to address prepared, 196; message from
that they have passed ordinance appointing James Read a Commissioner
in the General Loan Office, 256; agrees to militia bill, with amendments,
258 ; agrees to conference on amendments to militia bill, 260 ; agrees to
ordinance reappointing Benjamin Franklin, Agent, with amendments, 260;
agrees to road bill, with amendments, 289 ; agrees to conference on amend
ments to road bill, 297 ; agrees to ferry bill, with amendments, 290 ; agrees
to ordinance appointing Benjamin Franklin, Agent, with amendments, 378 ;
agrees to bill for the protection of deer, with amendments, 378 ; agrees to
conference on deer bill, 397; agrees to conference on militia bill, 458;
agrees to bill for preventing damages arising from dams or banks, with
amendments, 466; agrees to bill to prevent stealing horses, etc., with
amendments, 470 ; agrees to bill imposing duty on raw hides, with amend
ments, 470; agrees to bill requiring masters of vessels to pay tax, .with
amendments, 470 ; agrees to ferry bill, with amendments, 470 ; agrees to
conference on ferry bill, 476 ; agrees to conference report on same, 481 ;
asks committee of conference on election bill, 472 ; agrees to conference
report on election bill, 480; agrees to conference on bill to tax masters of
INDEX. 675
vessels, 476 ; agrees to conference report on bill to tax masters of vessels,
481 ; agrees to conference report on road bill, 480 ; agrees to bill to regu
late fees of public officers, with amendments, 488; agrees to conference
on same, 503; agrees to ordinance appointing Grey Elliott, Agent in
Great Britain, with amendments, 492; agrees to bill for enforcing pay
ment of arrears of taxes, 516; agrees to bill for issuing paper certificates,
518; agrees to bill to oblige masters of vessels to pay taxes, 528; agrees
to tax bill, 529; agrees to bill for continuing several laws, with amend
ments, 531 ; agrees to bill for preventing counterfeiting paper money, with
amendments, 532 ; agrees to request of House to appoint committee to de
stroy defaced bills, 533 ; message from concerning address to the King,
567; agrees to conference on bill prohibiting the exportation of pro
visions, 572 ; message from that they have passed bill for the relief of
His Majesty's loyal subjects, 583; asks conference on bill of attainder,
S9S ; agrees to conference on bill of attainder, 601 ; passes disqualifying
act, with amendments, 610; agrees to bill for the relief of certain loyal
subjects, with amendments, 612; agrees to conference on same, 613;
agrees to amendments to bill to make subject to attachment property of
absent debtors, 613; passes bill for the limitation of actions, with amend
ments, 616 ; passes bill to continue in force certain laws, with amend
ments, 616; passes bill for the preservation and defense of His Majesty's
government in Georgia, with amendments, 636; passes pilotage bill, with
amendments, 636 ; agrees to conference on militia bill, 642 ; asks confer
ence on tavern bill, 643.
County Comptroller to lay accounts before the House, 425.
Cowper, Mr., granted leave of absence, 566.
Creek Indians, address of House concerning murder by, 539.
Crooke, Richard Cunningham, tied in election, 13 ; takes oath as member of
House, 67; qualifies as member of House, 303.
D
Davis, Richard, paid for services in enumerating houses in Savannah, 645.
Da.wney, John, petition of, 235 ; salary increased, 248.
Dean, Peter, qualifies as member of the House, 654.
Dell, Philip, petition from concerning ferry, 590.
Dunlap, Joseph, petition of, 252.
Dunn, Robert, petition of concerning ferry, 392.
Ebenezer, petition of inhabitants of, 131 ; petition considered, 139.
Edgar, James, to be messenger of the House, 558.
Elbert, Samuel, member of House, 6.
Ellliott, Grey, letter from, 599; letter from asking payment of salary, 602.
Ellis, Thomas, not a legal voter, 359.
.Ewen, William, member of House, 6; qualifies as member of House, 303, 320.
676 INft'EX.
Farley, Samuel, qualifies as member of House, 6, 304, 320; petition of con
testing seat of Henry Yonge, 343 ; committee on privileges and elections
reports on petition of, 352; addresses House in support of his contest,
357 ; memorial concerning irregular election of, 493 ; proves himself quali
fied to serve as Representative and takes oaths, 503.
Flags of truce, Governor requested to stop admission of, 576.
Flax seed, appropriation to buy, 134.
Fox, Joseph, warrant for, for contempt, 639; reprimanded by Speaker, 640;
ordered discharged upon payment of fees, 641 ; leave granted to, to re
sign seat in the House, 655.
Franklin, Benjamin, letter to, 25; letters from, 26; letter from read before
House, 108.
Frink, Rev. Mr., address of thanks to from House for sermon, 227.
G
Galphin, George, and Lachlan McGillivray, vote of thanks to refused, 439;
memorial of Lachlan McGillivray in behalf of, 590.
General Assembly, acts of to be published, 620.
Glen, John, qualifies as member of -House, 7.
Goldsmith, Thomas, declines taking seat as member of House, 577.
Governor, the, approves Noble Wimberly Jones as Speaker, 8; speech of to
the House, 9; address of thanks to for speech, 9, 307, 390; address to,
16, 203, 283, 313, 394, 444, 461, 539, 556; answer to address of the House,
19, 49, 198, 20S, 397, 463; message from, 34, 40, 62, 127, 138, 211, 215, 389,
399, 444, 541, S48. 625 ; address to concerning non-representation of four
Southern Parishes, 47 ; further address to concerning want of repre
sentatives for four Southern Parishes, 119; address read, 123; address to
concerning treaties with Indians, 60; adjourns the House, 82, 182, 261,
388, 426, 532, 603, 637, 647, 649, 656; message from with resolution of the
Council, 86; to be considered, 114; requires attendance of House in
Council Chamber and assents to several bills, 193, 534, 622, 646; pro
rogues House, 198, 537, 624; requested to issue writs of election, 199,.
202, 291, 309, 474, 514, 515, 560, 578, 618, 631, 637, 651, 655; message from
enclosing estimates, 216; message from advising House that future mes
sages will be sent by the Clerk of Council, 268 ; disapproves choice of
Noble Wimberly Jones as Speaker, 305 ; approves Archibald Bulloch as
Speaker, 306; address of to both Houses of Assembly, 390; requested to
adjourn General Assembly, 420; address to, urging importance of secur
ing further cession of lands by the Indians, 425 ; reply to same, 426 ; mes
sage from with memorial of Lewis Johnson, etc., 446 ; message from con
cerning murder of Indians, 465 ; message from concerning murders by-
Creek Indians, 538; address to from House in reply to same, 539; ad
dress from in reply to address of Commons House, 545 ; message from
concerning exportation of rice, 561 ; requested to adjourn the House, 603;
INDEX. 677
approves disqualifying act, 614; approves act, for the relief of loyal sub
jects, 614; speech of to the House, 623; message from concerning murder
of Solomon Sykes, 632 ; message from concerning James M'Kay, notori
ous rebel, 647 ; agrees to bill to amend Act for better regulating taverns,
etc., 649; message from concerning defenseless state of the province, 650;
requested to offer reward for persons setting fire to His Excellency's barn,
655 ; address to, from the House, on unhappy condition of the people,
657; reply to same, 659; address of the Governor and both Houses of
Assembly to Hon. Alexander Leslie, Lt. General, 662.
Governor's House, repairs on ordered to be made, 129.
Grand Jury, presentments of laid before the House, 57, 96, 210, 354, 433, 606,
638.
Great Ogechee, contested election in, 35.
Gwinnett, Button, ordered into custody of messenger, 22 ; excused for ab
sence, 43 ; takes oaths as member of House, 43 ; required to attend House
immediately, 251; to be takeruinto custody for absence without leave, 298.
H
Habersham, James, Jr., qualifies as member of House, 303.
Habersham, James ; see Presidents.
Hall, Nathaniel, qualifies as member of House, 320, 477.
Harding, William, petition of, 149; £100 provided for, 156; machine con
structed by, to be inspected, 195.
Herriott, James, qualifies as member of the House, 647.
House of Assembly, adjourned by Clerk, 4; speech to, 9; adopts rules, 13;
presentments of Grand Jury laid before, 57, 96, 210, 354, 433, 606, 638;
adjourned by the Governor, 82, 261, 388, 426, S32, 603, 637; considers
Council amendments to negro bill and asks conference on same, 97 ; disa
grees to Council amendments to negro bill, 100; agrees to join Council
in conference on same, 115; whole House joins Council in conference on
negro bill, 118; agrees, under protest, to amendments to negro bill, 152;
report of Speaker of the House respecting House attending Mr. White-
field, 99; considers petition of trustees for a meeting house in Savannah,
100; considers Council amendments to watch bill and requests Council to
appoint a committee of conference on same, 112; disagrees to council
amendments to flax bill, 132; concurs in council amendments to bill re
quiring male white persons to carry arms to places of public worship, 136 ;
asks committee of conference on wharfage bill, 140; member of House
complains of being served with a writ, 154; agrees to amendments to
slave bill conditionally, 155 ; agrees to council amendments to ordinance
appointing packers and inspectors, 159; resolves itself into committee of
the whole on address of Council to the Governor, 160 ; resolution there
on, 160; resolves itself into committee of the whole on accounts against
the public, 160; sundry papers laid before, 167; resolution thereon, 167;
agrees to report of conference committee on watch bill, 168; resolves it
self into committee of the whole to consider bill for granting a burial
ground to the Jews, 169; considers estimate of necessary charges of gov-
678 INDEX.
eminent, 169 ; considers tax bill, 171 ; considers memorial of Mr. Lyford,
Pilot, 177; provides £30 additional for Medway pilots, 178; adjourned
by Governor on account of indisposition of Speaker, 182 ; further ad
journed, 183; considers Council amendments to road bill, 186; agrees to
Council amendments to ordinance appointing Benjamin Franklin, Agent,
190; required to attend Governor in Council Chamber, 193, 200, 307, 315;
with Speaker attends Governor in Council Chamber, 198, 390, 534; pro
rogued by the Governor, 198, 537, 624; meets according to prorogation,
19S, 262 ; address to the Governor read before, 203 ; message to from the
Governor, 206; Journal of to be printed .weekly in the Gazette, 119, 210,
312; to defray expenses of putting Christ Church in mourning in conse
quence of the death of Whitefield, 220; agrees to report ot committee on
bill to enquire what laws are near expiring, 223 ; petition of Hugh F.oss
read to, 257; asks conference on amendments to militia bill, 259; resolves
itself into committee of whole on negro bill, 265, 267; memorial of mer
chants of Savannah presented to, 268 ; provides sum for the relief of
Irish settlers, 272 ; message from the Governor with memorial of Cor
nelius McCarty, 276; members of, who do not attend to be proceeded
against, 289; Speaker of, authorized to request Governor to issue writs
of election in case of vacancy, 289; agrees to Council amendments to
ferry bill, 290; fifth rule of House to be altered, 293; desires committee
of conference on road bill, 294; Speaker of House to issue warrants for
arrest of absent members, 298; dissolved by the Governor, 300; elects
Noble Wimberly Jones, Speaker, 305 ; elects Archibald Bulloch, Speaker,
305; protests against action of Governor in rejecting Noble Wimberly
Jones as Speaker, 312; attends Governor in Council Chamber and is dis
solved, 315 ; proceeds to second election of Speaker, when Noble Wim
berly Jones is again elected, 322; presents Archibald Bulloch to President
as Speaker, 323 ; address to by the President, 324 ; thanks of House to.
President for address, 324; minutes of the House to be published in the
Gazette, 325, 345; adopts rules, 326, 564; to attend divine service on
Sunday, 326; minutes of, objected to by the President, 330; dissolved by
the President, 334; attends President in Council Chamber, 340; resolves
to attend the Speaker to church on Sunday, 342; adjourned by the Presi
dent, 353 ; demands against the public to be laid before, 363 ; asks com
mittee of conference on bill for the protection of deer, 405 ; agrees to re
port of conference committee on same, 418; refuses to declare seat of
William Jones vacant, 430; declares seat vacant, 445; agrees to free con
ference on bill to explain and amend certain laws, 444 ; message to, from
the Governor, concerning public jail, 446; asks conference on militia bill,
451; considers message of Governor concerning building jail, 464; reso
lution of providing for expenses of government, 467; agrees to some of
the Council amendments to bill preventing damages from dams and banks,
468; agrees to some amendments to road bill, 469; asks conference on
amendments to road bill, 469 ; agrees to amendments to election bill, 469 ;
asks conference on ferry bill and bill to compel masters of vessels to pay
tax, 471 ; agrees to amendments to bill imposing duty on raw hides, 472 ;
disagrees to amendments to bill to compel masters of vessels to pay tax,
INDEX. 679
482; agrees to alterations of Council committee on ferry bill, 483; disa
grees to some Council amendments to election bill, 482; agrees to altera
tions made in road bill, 483 ; asks conference on bill for regulating fees
of public officers, 488; agrees to Council amendments to ordinance ap
pointing Grey Elliott, Agent, 496; provides sum towards the establish
ment of a watch in the town of Savannah, 509; considers memorial of
James Muter insolent, and orders same burned, 512; letters from Vir
ginia and Rhode Island laid before, 521 ; agrees to Council amendments
to bill to continue several laws, 531 ; agrees to Council amendments to
bill to prevent counterfeiting paper money, 532 ; address to from the Gov
ernor concerning murders by Creek Indians, 538; reply to same, 539;
address of thanks to the King for additional territory, 542 ; resolutions of
concerning address to be prepared for the Governor, 552; to attend
divine service, 558 ; address to from the Governor, 559 ; agrees to appoint
committee of conference to prepare address to the King, 569 ; members of
to be fined for neglect of duty, 571 ; requests conference on bill prohibit
ing exportation of provisions, 572 ; considers amendments to treason bill,
589 ; agrees to conference on same, 596 ; adheres to its amendments to
same, 600; agrees to amendments to disqualifying bill, 611 ; requests con
ference on amendments to bill for the relief of certain loyal subjects, 612;
adheres to its amendments to bill amending act subjecting to attachment
property of absent debtors, 615 ; agrees to amendments to bill for the
limitation of actions, 616 ; agrees to amendments to bill to continue in
force certain laws, 616; considers Governor's message of 26th June, 616;
Speaker of, to apply for writs of election during recess, 620; offers re
ward for murderers of Solomon S}'kes, 633 ; sends message to the Gov
ernor, 634; agrees to some Council amendments to militia bill, 641; asks
conference on same, 641 ; report on agreed to, 643 ; amends tavern bill,
642 ; agrees to conference on same, 643 ; conference report on agreed to,
644; provides sum for persons capturing or killing James M'Kay, noto
rious rebel, 648; allows Joseph Fox to resign seat in House, 655; ad
dress of, to Sir Grey Carleton, 660.
House of Deputies of Rhode Island, letter from laid before the House, 521 ;
thanks of the House to, 527.
House of Burgesses of Virginia, resolution of, 31 ; letter from laid before
the House, 521, 522; thanks of the House of Assembly to, 527.
Houstoun, George, memorial of in behalf of John Houstoun, 591.
Houstoun, James, qualifies as member of House, 336.
Houstoun, Sir Patrick, takes oaths as member of House, 21, 336; declines
taking seat as member of House, 308; required to attend the House, 433;
warrant to be issued for arrest of, for absence, 471.
Inglis, Alexander, qualifies as member of Hbuse, 320.
Ireland, petition of passengers from presented and read, 70; petition consid
ered, 73 ; resolution of House on petition, 74 ; committee appointed to ap-
680 INDEX.
ply sum voted to by the House, 81 ; petition from the inhabitants of lands
granted for Irish settlers, 108; petition of persons from Ireland for as
sistance, 271 ; sum provided for, 271.
J
Jamieson, John, qualifies as member of House, 336 ; House requires attend
ance of, 449, 498.
Jones, Noble Wimberly, appointed to administer oaths to members of the
House, 3, 301, 316, 355 ; qualifies as member of the House, 6, 303, 320, 335 ;
elected Speaker of the House, 7; approved as Speaker, 8; elected Speaker
of House, 305 ; disapproved by Governor as Speaker, 305 ; resolution of
thanks to proposed, 311; adopted, 312; elected Speaker of House, 320;
disapproved by President, 321 ; again elected Speaker of House and dis
approved by President, 322 ; elected Speaker of House, 322 ; declines to
accept Speakership, 323; elected Speaker of House, 337; thanks House
and resigns office, 338.
Jones, Samuel, takes oaths as member of House, 249.
Jones, William, qualifies as member of House, 336; House declines to declare
seat of, vacant, 430; seat declared vacant by House, 445.
Journal of House to be printed weekly in the Gazette, 119, 210, 312.
K
Keller, Adam, to be paid for house torn down, 649.
Kennedy, Hugh, petition of concerning ferry, 379, 401, 443.
King, the, address to be presented to by the House, 563.
Kirkwood, Robert and others, petition of, 262.
Lands granted by the Governor of South Carolina south of the Alatamaha
made subject to sale for tax, 434.
Law, Joseph, declines taking seat in House, 344; reasons assigned for declin
ing seat insufficient, 344; required to attend House, 344; qualifies as mem
ber of House, 349; excuse deemed insufficient, 498; required to attend
House immediately, 498.
Le Conte, William, qualifies as member of House, 7, 320, 336.
Lee, John, appointed assistant messenger, 311.
Lee, Thomas, appointed messenger, 311.
Leslie, Alexander, Lt.-General, address to, 662, 664.
Light-house, money appropriated to repair, 249.
Lowten, Rev. Mr., resolution of thanks to for suitable discourse, 346.
Lyford, William, pilot, memorial of, 176, 498.
INDEX. 681
M
Mackintosh, George, qualifies as member of House, 327.
Mackintosh, Lachlan, required to attend House immediately, 281.
Master in Chancery, message from, 605.
Maxwell, Audley, qualifies as member of House, 320, 336.
McCarty, Cornelius, memorial of presented to the House, 276.
McGillivray, Lachlan, motion that thanks of House be given to, lost, 439;
memorial from in behalf of George Galphin, 590; qualifies as member of
House, 650.
Mcintosh, Lachlan, petition of concerning road, 395.
Messenger of the House allowed mileage, 505.
Milledge, John, appointed to administer oaths to members of House, 3 ; quali
fies as member of House, 6 ; required to attend his duties in Assembly,
298.
Millen, Stephen, qualifies as member of House, 303, 320, 337.
M'Kay, James, notorious rebel, etc., message from Governor concerning, 647 ;
reward for persons apprehending or killing, 648.
Moodie, Thomas, Deputy Secretary, memorial of, 184; refuses to answer
committee under oath, 295; ordered to jail for contempt, 296.
Moore, William, conduct of reported to House, 233 ; reprimanded by Speaker,
237-
Morel, John, qualifies as member of House, 6; taken into custody for ab
sence without leave, 282 ; excuse admitted, 285.
Morgan, Thomas, petition of concerning ferry, 373.
Mossman, James, memorial of concerning irregular election of Samuel Far
ley, 493-
Motion that committee be appointed to examine Governor's house, defeated,
381 ; to insert John Glen's name in bill of attainder defeated, 592 ; to
strike name of Joseph Clay from bill of attainder, defeated, 592.
Mullryne, John, qualifies as member of House, 7; memorial of asking issue
of bills of credit in lieu of those burned, 380.
Munro, Simon, qualifies as member of House, 570; letter from, 628.
Munro, Mr., granted leave of absence, 580.
Muter, James, memorial of concerning road, 510; memorial considered in
solent and ordered burned, 512; warrant to be issued for, 513 ; apologizes
and requests to be heard by House, 516; excuse deemed satisfactory, 516;
ordered discharged, 517. N
Netherclift, Thomas, qualifies as member of House, 336.
O
Oates, John, ordered before House for insulting Mr. Treutlen, 400 ; at bar of
House, 401 ; apologizes, and is reprimanded by Speaker, 401.
682 INDEX.
Odingsell, Charles, tied in election, 13; qualifies as member of House, 36.
Oldis, William, not a legal voter, 359.
Order to Speaker to purchase mace for House, 127.
Ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Franklin Provincial Agent in Great"
Britain, read first time, 76; read third time and passed, 81.
Ordinance appointing Grey Elliott Agent in Great Britain, read first time, 92;
read third time and lost, 108.
Ordinance appointing inspectors of hemp, flax, etc., read first time, 107; read
third time and passed, 122.
Ordinance for appointing inspectors and packers, read first time, 135; read
third time and passed, 145.
Ordinance appointing James Kitchen Collector and Comptroller, read first
time, 135 ; read third time and passed, 135.
Ordinance for appointing Andrew Elton Wells, Harbour Master, read first
time, 139; read third time and passed, 142.
Ordinance for reappointing Benjamin Franklin Agent in Great Britain, read'
first time, 183 ; read third time and passed, 187.
Ordinance reappointing Benjamin Franklin Agent in Great Britain, read first
time, 229; read third time and passed, 251.
Ordinance for appointing James Read a Commissioner in the General Loan
Office, read first time, 286 ; read third time and passed, 290.
Ordinance reappointing Benjamin Franklin, Agent in Great Britain, read first
time, 368 ; read third time and passed, 370.
Ordinance appointing Grey Elliott Agent in Great Britain in case of absence
of Benjamin Franklin, read first time, 419; read third time, amended and
passed, 485.
Ordinance for appointing Comptroller of Country Duties for Savannah, read
first time, 530.
Owens, Owen, qualifies as member of House, 652.
Petition from frontier settlers, 109.
Petition from inhabitants near the northwest road concerning roads, 143.
Petition of Jews concerning burial ground, 145.
Petition of several persons concerning ferry, 241.
Petition of the Granadier Company praying to be incorporated, etc., 374.
Petition of sundry citizens concerning criminal laws, 459.
Pilot boat to be purchased, 620.
Powell, Josiah, qualifies as member of House, 303, 336.
President, His Honor the, message from, 319, 336; disapproves of election of
Noble Wimberly Jones as Speaker, 321 ; second election of Noble Wim
berly Jones as Speaker disapproved by, 322 ; approves election of Archi
bald Bulloch as Speaker, 323 ; address of to the House, 324 ; requested
to order writs of election, 327, 344, 354, 361, 364; demands' Journal of the
House, 328 ; address to from the House, 329, 332, 347 ; message from ob
jecting to minutes of the House, 335; requires presence of the House in
the Council Chamber, 334, 339; dissolves the House, 334; speech to both
INDEX. 683
Houses, 340 ; address of thanks to be presented to, 341 ; answer of, to
address of the House, 348; requested to adjourn House until after the
holidays, 352; adjourns House, 353; requested to enforce quarantine
laws, 360; message from, 361, 385, 386; requested to employ guard to
prevent escape of Joseph Prine, 387.
Preston, Henry, Returning Officer, warrant issued for, 37 ; petition of, 38 ; to
be reprimanded by Speaker, 39 ; apologizes to House, 42 ; discharged
from custody of messenger, 45.
Prine, Joseph, notorious villain, to be guarded to prevent escape, 387; £15
provided for the payment of a guard to prevent escape of, 448 ; Governor
requested to extend mercy to, 460 ; offers conditional pardon to, 463.
Provost Marshal, asked to amend election returns, 495 ; report of, 503.
Q
Queensborough, petition of inhabitants of for assistance, 288; petition of in
habitants against placing of a teacher of the Established Church, 473.
Quorum, Speaker and twelve members to constitute a, 293 ; Speaker and eight
een members to constitute a, 340.
Rae, John, qualifies as member of House, 7, 304; to be taken into custody for
absence without leave, 282; excuse of admitted, 282.
Rainier, John Francis, petition of for relief, 456.
Reddock, Colin, qualifies as member of House, 7, 303.
Resolutions concerning non-representation of four Southern Parishes, 46.
Resolution for purchasing a mace, etc., 75.
Resolution that yeas and nays be recorded, 345 ; on bill of attainder, 592.
Reward offered for murderers of Indians, 465 ; for persons firing His Excel
lency's barn, 655.
Ross, Hugh, petition of read before the House, 257, 365.
Ross, Thomas, petition of, 365.
Ross, William, declines taking seat as member of House, 560.
Rules adopted by the House, 13, 564 ; motion to alter fifth rule, 289 ; fifth rule
altered, 293.
Rules of last House adopted with few changes, 326.
Rules of court laid before the House, 609.
Sallens, Peter, qualifies as member of the House, 320, 404.
Savannah, petition from trustees of meeting house in, 95 ; petition considered
by the House, 100; petition of inhabitants of/concerning exportation of
corn, 125; petition from inhabitants against granting a burial ground to
the Jews, 151; petition from the inhabitants asking House to comply with
request of Jews for a burial ground, 153 ; memorial of merchants of, pre-
«84 INDEX.
sented to the House, 268; petition from masters and owners of vessels
of the town of, 486; certain rebels prohibited from entering, 584; me
morial from inhabitants against act for laying tax on all goods sold at
vendue, 645.
Savery, Samuel, memorial of asking extra compensation for running Indian
line, 162, 402.
Shruder, Thomas, qualifies as member of House, 320, 336.
Simpson, John, takes oaths as member of the House, 18, 336.
Southern Parishes, four, complain of non-representation, 43, 47; address to
Governor concerning, 119, 123; message from Governor concerning, 127.
Small-pox on board vessel from Philadelphia, 360.
Spalding, John, qualifies as member of the House, 320.
Speaker of the House, report of respecting the House attending Mr. White-
field, 99; ordered to purchase mace, 127; House adjourned on account of
indisposition of, 182; attends Governor in the Council Chamber with the
House, 198, 390, 534 ; authorized to request Governor to issue .writs of
election in case of vacancy, 289; to issue warrant for arrest of absent
members, 298; to apply for writs of election during recess, 620.
St. Andrew's Parish, petition of inhabitants of, 80, 92, 94; petition of inhabi
tants of concerning road, 366, 376.
Stevens, John, qualifies as member of the House, 7, 320.
St. George's Parish, petition of inhabitants of concerning ferry, 391.
Stirk, John, qualifies as member of the House, 320, 336.
St. John's Parish, petition from inahbitants of, 79; petition of inhabitants
concerning road, 375.
St. Matthew's Parish, petition of inhabitants concerning ferry, 379, 466; peti
tion of inhabitants of concerning public roads, 382.
St. Paul's Parish, petition of inhabitants of that the laws be compiled and
printed, 421 ; petition of inhabitants of for new road, 429.
St. Peter's Parish in South Carolina, petition of inhabitants of concerning
establishment of ferry, etc., 212.
St. Philip's Parish, petition of inhabitants of, 161.
St. Philip, St. John, St. Andrew, parishes of, petition of inhabitants of con
cerning establishment of ferry, etc., 158; considered by the House, 162.
Sunbury, petition of inhabitants of for beacon to direct vessels, 502.
Sykes, Solomon, message from Governor concerning murder of, 632; reward
offered for murderer of, 633. T
Thomas, John, declines taking seat as member of House, 327.
Tondee, Peter and others, petition of, 252 ; petition of for extra compensation
for building court-house, 377.
Treasurer submits report of assessments for the support of a watch in Sa
vannah, 221 ; acounts of considered by committee, 490.
Treasurer and Collector to lay accounts before the House, 138.
Treutlen, John Adam, qualifies as member of the House, 303, 356; insulted by
John Oates, 400.
Two Sisters a proper place for a ferry, 237.
INDEX. 685
Virginia, letter from Speaker of House of, 30.
W
Walton, John, member of House, ordered into custody of messenger, 22 ; de
clines taking his seat as member of the House, 44.
Watson, Charles, memorial of, 174.
Wells, Andrew Elton, petition of for increase of salary, 238.
Whitefield, Rev. George, death of announced, 219.
Whitefield, Mr., House accepts invitation of, to visit Orphan House, 99.
Wright, James ; see Governor.
Wright, Jermyn, declines to qualify as member of the House, 308.
Wrightsboro, petition of inhabitants of, 125.
Writs of election to issue, 199, 202, 291, 309, 327, 344, 354, 361, 364, 445, 474,
514, SIS, 56o, 578, 618, 631, 637, 651, 655.
Writs of election with indenture delivered to Clerk of the House, 301.
Wylly, Alexander, warrant for, for contempt, 639.
Wylly, Richard, qualifies as member of the House, 303.
Wylly, William, qualifies as member of the House, 304.
Yonge, Henry, qualifies as member of the House, 336; seat of contested by
Samuel Farley, 343 ; petition concerning referred to committee on privi
leges and elections, 344; speaks to House in reply to Farley, 358.
Young, Isaac, qualifies as member of the House, 310, 358; .warrant for arrest
of for non-attendance, 355 ; appears at bar of House and is discharged,
358.
Young, Thomas, declines taking seat as member of House, 244; qualifies as
member of House, 336.
Young, William, appointed to administer oaths to members of House, 3, 301,
316, 335; qualifies as member of the House, 6, 21, 303, 320, 335; elected
Speaker, 338.
Young, Mr., granted leave of absence, 567.
Younge, Henry, Jr., qualifies as member of House, 391.
Zubly, David, qualifies as member of House, 320, 335.
Zubley, John Joachim, Clerk, memorial of, 115; petition of, 178; petition
considered by the House, 180; petition of, 274.
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