Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 249
quences. There assembled in Savannah at this time a large crowd
ostensibly to witness the maneuvers but most of these visitors proved to
be Sons of Liberty, who paraded the streets, with a great noise, denounc
ing the Stamp Act; Threats were even made of violence to Governor
Wright. Some of the English statesmen were burned in effigy and most
intense excitement prevailed.
To explain this iniquitous Stamp Act, it levied upon the colonies
a tax to be collected by the sale of stamped paper, the use of which was
made essential to the validity of certain transactions. Legal documents,
such as deeds, contracts, notes, bonds, marriage licenses and other writ
ten agreements, were null and void unless written on stamped paper
furnished by the English Government. Tracts and pamphlets could
not be sold unless printed on stamped paper. It was an indirect form
of taxation but it affected directly every interest in the colonies; and
from Massachusetts to Georgia there was an undivided sentiment of
opposition. Some of the most loyal friends of the crown resented the
obnoxious tax as unwarranted, arbitrary and unjust.
November 1, 1765, was the time set for the Stamp Act to become
effective but it was not until December 5 that his majesty's ship, the
Speedwell, arrived at Savannah, with supplies of the stamped paper on
board. It required a guard of forty men to protect the dock hands while
engaged in transferring this paper from the vessel to the king's store
house : such was the feeling of local resentment; and there were rumors
afloat that a seizure of the stamped paper was contemplated by an
organized band of patriots. The paper remained unmolested and un
opened in the king's store until January 3, 1766, when Mr. Agnus, an
Englishman, arrived at Savannah to begin its distribution. On arrival
he was secretly landed in a scout boat, carrying an officer and a party
of men to protect him and was hurried to the governor's house, where
he' took the oath of office; but here he remained a prisoner for two weeks,
not daring to expose himself on the streets of Savannah. Until the situa
tion should become less acute, he was then taken into the country, to
escape violence at the hands of an infuriated mob. Excitement ran
high. Threatening letters poured in upon Governor Wright and even so
good a man as James Habersham, president of the king's council, was
waylaid one night and forced to seek protection in the governor's house,
around which a guard was posted.
Matters reached a climax toward the end of January, when Gov
ernor Wright, hearing that a band of 600 men had been organized,
to break into the king's store, caused the stamped paper to be
conveyed to Fort George, on Cockspur Island, where its safety was less
endangered. On February 2, the Speedwell having returned to Savan
nah, the stamped, paper was put on board this vessel. At night, in
Savannah, a riotous scene was enacted. Indignation at sight of the
ship which had brought the stamped paper to Georgia caught fire and
burst into flame. Governor Wright, pictured in effigy as holding one of
the obnoxious sheets in his hand, was held up to derision, after which
this caricature of the governor was bxirned.
Three weeks later the Stamp Act was repealed; but Parliament in
rescinding this measure did not relinquish its right to tax the colonies.
Consequently the evil day was only postponed.