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286 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
22d of February, 1777, President Bullock received an additional mark
of the public confidence, in his being requested '' to take upon himself
the whole executive powers of government." Not long did he survive
the bestowal of those dictatorial honors; death coming suddenly within
a few days to end the useful life of this beloved patriot. Button Gwin-
nett was, on the 4th of March, chosen to succeed him in the office of
president. When, in the following May, he was an aspirant for the same
position, he suffered a mortifying defeat at the hands of his fearless
competitor, John Adam Treutlen—the first freely elected chief magis
trate of the commonwealth. But grievous as was the former's disap
pointment, it was destined to be of short duration, as a week later he
fell in a duel with his malignant enemy, Gen. Lachlan Mclntosh. Thus
died the brilliant and impulsive Button Gwinnett, one of the historic
signers of the immortal Declaration of Independence, of whom much
more might have been expected.
The year 1778 was fraught with gloom for the Georgia Sons of Lib
erty. For besides being, possibly, the darkest period in the American
Revolution, the infant republic was fairly swarming with and overrun
by the British soldiery. Late in November of that year, Colonel Fuser,
with his vessels conveying some 500 troops, battering cannon, light ar
tillery and mortars, anchored off Colonel's Island. Debarkation having
been effected, the hostile array commenced its march against undaunted
Sunbury. Contemporaneously with the land movement, the armed ships
sailed up the Midway River, and took position in front of Fort Morris
and opposite the town. WHth the exception of that fort, which was held
by Col. John Mclntosh and 300 continentals, militia, and citizens, Sun-
bury was unprotected. His dispositions being perfected, Fuser made de
mand for the immediate surrender of the work, his communication soon
evoking the following characteristic response:
"Fort Morris, November 25, 1778.
"We acknowledge we are not ignorant that your army is in motion
to reduce this State. We believe it entirely chimerical that Colonel
Prevost is at the Meeting House; but should it be so, we are in no degree
apprehensive of danger from a junction of his army with yours. We
have no property compared with the object we contend for which, we
value a rush, and would rather perish in a vigorous defense, than accept
of your proposals. We, Sir, are fighting the battles of America, and,
therefore, disdain to remain neutral till its fate is determined. As to
surrendering the fort, receive this laconic reply: Come And Take It.
"I have the honor to be, Sir,
"Your most obedient servant,
"JOHN MclNTOSH,
"Colonel of Continental Troops."
Instead of accepting this manly invitation, Fuser soon afterwards
raised the siege and retired. Subsequently, Sunbury fell into the hands
of Gen. Augustine Prevost. The bold and patriotic answer of Colonel
Mclntosh, however, is worthy of perpetual preservation.
Late in December, 1778, the vessels conveying Lieut.-Col. Archibald
Campbell's expeditionary force, specially designed for the capture of
the capital of Georgia, made its appearance in the Savannah River. The