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Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

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306 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS<br />

licans, it again became <strong>the</strong> capital <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nascent commonwealth, and<br />

so continued, for <strong>the</strong> most part, to be regarded until <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Revo<br />

lutionary war. In January, 1782, came <strong>the</strong> welcome news that General<br />

Anthony Wayne had at length arrived on <strong>Georgia</strong> soil. The finale <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> great martial drama was drawing rapidly to a close. With <strong>the</strong> over<br />

throw <strong>of</strong> Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19, 1781, had<br />

occurred a revolution in English sentiment, and <strong>the</strong> current <strong>of</strong> popular<br />

sympathy had begun to set strongly toward <strong>the</strong> patriots. When, in<br />

February, 1782, <strong>the</strong> British House <strong>of</strong> Commons resolved that'' <strong>the</strong> House<br />

will consider as enemies to <strong>the</strong> king and country all those who shall<br />

advise, or by any means attempt, <strong>the</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r prosecution <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fensive<br />

war for <strong>the</strong> purpose <strong>of</strong> reducing <strong>the</strong> revolted colonies to obedience by-<br />

force," it was clear that <strong>the</strong> reward for what had so valorously been<br />

undergone would soon be forthcoming.<br />

Contemporaneously with <strong>the</strong> passage <strong>of</strong> that resolution, General<br />

Wayne was aggressively engaged in his <strong>Georgia</strong> campaign. Victorious<br />

at every point, he was steadily pressing his advantage, and <strong>the</strong> capture<br />

<strong>of</strong> Savannah was expected shortly to be added to his triumphant oper<br />

ations. The enemy, however, prevented this humiliation by <strong>the</strong>ir sur<br />

render <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> town in July, 1782. Some weeks before, or on <strong>the</strong> 23d <strong>of</strong><br />

May, 1782, a communication from Sir Guy Carleton, at New York, was<br />

received ordering <strong>the</strong> evacuation, not only <strong>of</strong> Savannah, but <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

province; and so, <strong>Georgia</strong>'s Revolutionary period, properly speaking,<br />

terminates. On <strong>the</strong> 30th <strong>of</strong> November <strong>of</strong> that year a treaty <strong>of</strong> peace<br />

between Great Britain and <strong>the</strong> United States (adopted at Paris) was<br />

<strong>of</strong>ficially signed; and <strong>the</strong> struggle, which had lasted since <strong>the</strong> 19th <strong>of</strong><br />

April, 1775, was finished.<br />

Recapitulating, we find that one president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council <strong>of</strong> Safety,<br />

Hon. William Ewen; three presidents and commanders-in-chief, Hons.<br />

Archibald Bulloch, Jonathan Bryan, and Button Gwinnett; and ten<br />

governors, Hons. John A. Treutlen, John Houstoun, John Wereat, George<br />

Walton, Richard Howley, George Wells, Stephen Heard, Myrick Davies,<br />

Nathan Brownson, and John Martin, <strong>of</strong>ficiated, at different times during<br />

<strong>the</strong> Revolution, as chief magistrate '<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> little commonwealth. Condi-.<br />

tions, occasionally, were so peripatetic, that some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se worthies were<br />

able to serve for only a short period. They freely contributed <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

patriotic mead, however; and in <strong>the</strong> roster <strong>of</strong> executive heads <strong>the</strong>y should<br />

be mentioned. Richard Howley and Nathan Brownson are recalled as<br />

members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Continental Congress. Archibald Bulloch and John<br />

Houstoun should also be similarly referred to. George Walton will like<br />

wise be remembered as a signer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Declaration <strong>of</strong> Independence.<br />

Governor Martin filled <strong>the</strong> closing months <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Revolution with his<br />

administration. When he was installed, he saw <strong>the</strong> rainbow <strong>of</strong> peace in<br />

sight, which promised rest to his battle-scarred people, after all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

strenuous endeavors.<br />

Aside from Hons. Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, Rev. J. J.<br />

Zubly, Noble W. Jones, Lyman Hall, Button Gwinnett, and George<br />

Walton, eight o<strong>the</strong>rs, from <strong>Georgia</strong>, were, during <strong>the</strong> Revolution, com<br />

plimented with seats in <strong>the</strong> Continental Congress. They were as fol<br />

lows : Hons. Joseph Clay, William Few, Edward Telfair, Richard How-

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