Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

,108 GEORGIA AND GEOEGIANS
from whence, with a few cannon, they can scour the River, otherwise it is surrounded
by Pine-barrens, and Woods, and there is a E'out by Land to Savannah and Fort
Argyle, which is statedly reconnoitred by a Troop of Highland Bangers who do duty
here. The Company and Troop, armed in the Highland manner make an extreme
good appearance under arms. The whole Settlement may be said to be a brave and
industrious People; but were more numerous, planted more, and raised more cattle
before the Invasion, with which they drove a good trade to the Southward; but
things seem daily mending with them. They are forced to keep a very good Guard
in this Place, it lies so open to the Insults of the French and Spanish Indians, who
once or twice had shewn Straglers some very bloody Tricks."
"Altamaha," according to Col. Absalom II. Chappell, is derived from the Spanish
expression "alta-mia," signifying a deep earthen plate or dish. The name may have
been suggested by the character of the lower end of the river, perhaps the only part
•which the Spaniards saw before the christening and which looked to them like a
dish kept full to the brim by tidal impulses from the sea rather than by hidden
sources of supply from an unknown interior. Oliver Goldsmith's famous picture of
the region where the "Wild Altama" murmured to the woe of the settlers was
probably drawn from some exaggerated account.
J