Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

266 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
some time been prominent in the Lower House; and Governor Wright,
in reporting to the London authorities, had complained of the obstrep
erous rebel. In 1768 he had been elected speaker; but when, in 1770, he
was re-elected, Governor "Wright refused to sanction the choice and
ordered another ballot.
However, instead of obeying the executive behest, the House passed
resolutions commending Dr. Jones for the courageous stand which he
had taken in support of the people against the Crown. Moreover, it
declared that the sentiment of approbation which was entertained for the
speaker could not be lessened by any slight which might be put upon
him in opposition to the unanimous voice of the Commons. The answer
of Governor Wright was an act dissolving the House.
Matters stood still for some time; and Governor Wright, taking ad
vantage of the lull, sailed for England, leaving a Georgian in charge of
the colony, James Habersham, who, to quote the language which he used
in writing to the Earl of Hillsboro, was no Liberty Boy. Mr. Haber
sham was president. of the King's Council; and, though he shared to
some extent the popular feeling, he felt constrained to act as an oath-
bound officer of the Crown. Again the Lower House met and twice
elected Dr. Jones, only to have its action vetoed by the lieutenant-
governor, who had received positive instructions from the king.
Thereupon, Dr. Jones stepped aside, and Archibald Bulloch was elected.
This was substituting a Roland for an Oliver; but the House having
receded, the election was approved. However, on looking over the min
utes, Mr. Habersham observed discourteous items and frictional irrita
tion followed which caused him to dissolve the House. At this stage
Governor Wright returned, decorated with baronial titles. But he found
that the cause of the king had not suffered from any lack of loyalty on
the part of James Habersham.
This faithful old servitor of the Crown came to Georgia to aid White-
field in the work of the Orphan Asylum at Bethesda, and in time suc
ceeded the great divine in control of the enterprise. Later he engaged
in business activities and established the first large commercial house in
Savannah. He died in 1775, leaving two sons, John and Joseph, both of
whom were among the boldest of the whigs. Dr. James Habersham,
whose name also appears in the Revolutionary lists, was another son.
Dr. Jones continued to be an active worker in the patriotic ranks,
despite the loss of the speaker's gavel and the parental admonitions of
an aggrieved sire. He was subsequently included among the bold whigs
whose names were attached to the calls for the first provincial meetings
in the interest of liberty, and he was also chosen on the first delegation
to represent Georgia in the Continental Congress, but, on account of the
illness of his father, who at the time was lying at the point of death, he
was detained at home. An uncompromising patriot, he possessed abili
ties which gave him an influence of unusual character and extent; and,
in view of the courageous stand which he took in the forefront of what
was undoubtedly at the start an unpopular movement in the youngest
of the royal colonies, he well deserved the poetic sobriquet which, reach
ing back to the earliest gray dawn of liberty in Georgia, describes him as
one of the morning stars.