Letter [with enclosures], 1788 Mar. 28, Savannah, [Georgia to] George Handley, Governor of Georgia / General James Jackson

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Savannah,
Marc [March], 28th, 1788.
Sir,
I have received the order of Government, under cover from Mr Meriwether for the Detaching House to Cover the Frontiers and to prevent the driving of Cattle, untill [until] the stationing the State Troops in this district, only . If I may humbly lay my opinion before the Honble [Honorable] the Executive, unless measures are adopted to mount a proportion of the Regulars, the Militia or Volunteer Horse must be continued to act between the Stations to be appointed. Impressed with this idea I had done my utmost, by promises of a bounty from the State to Captain Cone, who is, and for sometime past has been my dependance on the Western frontier of this district, to act in that capacity -- his zeal, and his active forwardness demand the attention of his Country -- it is policy to keep his company in service, and to encourage them as far as the Executive can to stand their ground. Mr Sheriff Lane, who is now with me from that County, declares,


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if Cone moves, so great is the opinion of him in most parts of the County, there will not be [added text: a ] settler left to Savannah River -- He says, Cone is undetermined, and his Men disheartened by the long delay of the State troops. I shall, as I often have, with him & others strenuously endeavour to prevent their breaking -- inclosed [enclosed] is the letter, I wrote him in answer to his application to me for the bounty -- Captain Lewis to the Southward is equally valuable & deserving attention. his Corps have however, a very capital inducement, to what [unclear text: Cones ] have; but it is the interest of the publick [public] to supply them with rations, exclusive of the pay they receive from the County: as it is a private subscription instead of the Classes, the publick [public] ought not notice it. Five brave Men of that Regiment, on the 6th instant crossed the Alatamaha & in a most Gallant manner charged and drove a considerable distance, near three times their number of the Savages, until they gained a [unclear text: bay ] but were compelled to retire after a severe skirmish, with the loss of one


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Horse killed, another wounded and two of the Men wounded, one in the hand & the other slightly in the neck. they came however leisurely off, after killing as they declare two Indians who were dragged off in their presence. I have given them my publick [public] thanks, as I always conceive it just & polite to do, to raise the drooping [unclear text: spirits ] of the Men, particularly in our truly supine situation. Mr [unclear text: Connell ] who has the honor of delivering this, being about departing and my having other subjects to touch on, obliges me to request your Honor to refer to the paper of the 20th, where Col Maxwells line to me is inserted -- I was forming a plan as to Lewis's and Cones Corps in this manner. -- a station at Beards bluff and Bennets Fort, with the main body of the State Troops; and a detachment at Cones to protect that settlement, while Cone scouted the Country from Bennets to the lower line of Burke, and Lewis traversed the Country continually from Beards Bluff to Bennets. If I meet the approbation of Council in supporting those two Corps& I pronounce them necessary, and that they ought to be encouraged, being the most compeleat [complete]


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Woodsmen in those parts, and then [document edge] have been chiefly drove from their Habitations by the Enemy & therefore feel more revenge; I hope I shall [document edge] receive the commands of the Executive in that respect. The order with the mode of stationing the State troops as far as the burnt fort; I am af [document damaged] altho [although] Glynn & Camden equally with the others demand, nay a greater, protection, is too far for support in case of emergency & the chance is of their being cut off, unless, so large a body could be spared; as to [document damaged] an intermediate post between [document damaged] and Beards bluff. A Letter not officially wrote, an extract of which from Captain William McIntosh to his Brothers is inclosed, has been just received. Liberty County is in the utmost consternation, & if Barnet [document damaged] safe from his present dilemma, I can assure Council, Glynn will not have a settler. The Indians [added text: lately ] killed two Men near Tomkins and a Girl carried off. Where dear Governor [document damaged: are ] the troops, why, permit me to ask,


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do they not march. What a loss of revenue, for the whole fine Country to the south of Ogeeche to break up. -- it is impossible to argue, it is impossible to make them believe they are not deceived; and they are much more unwilling & dispirited than before they had flattered themselves with assistance -- What is become of that republican virtue! what of that Zeal and ardor, Georgians felt & were remarked for. I am at a loss to judge: but we are degenerated beyond conception. Mr Saunders who has so long supported himself is I am told gone to remove from among us. numbers no doubt will follow his example.
I wish the intelligence received by Council was sent either to our [unclear text: printer ] or myself, that it might be certain: as reports fly daily, some of which without foundation, are inserted to the manifest dispiriting of the Frontier
As one instance of the degeneracy of our people I am told near twenty are carousing their month out in Sunbury Goal [Jail], rather than pay a necessary duty to their Country,


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their families and themselves. Martial law in its utmost extent, would be better than our present situation.
I have again issued order for the fines; but I believe the greater part are yet in executions. as soon as I procure the returns they shall be sent to Government.
Let me beg you to write me a letter informing the time the troops may be expected merely to shew [show] the people.

I have the honor to [document damaged: be ] yr Honors most obed [document damaged: sert ] [your Honor's most obedient servant]
[Signed] Jas [James] Jackson Brig Genl [Brigadier General] 1st District
In consequence of a representation to me by Mr Lane, Collector of Effingham, of the horrid situation of that County, in particular, should he attend to the orders of the Receiver Genl [General], to deliver [illegible text] of the tax to any but the Commissary Genl [General] or his Deputies, when Mr Seagrove from the returns of Mr Stubblefield, will not recognize [illegible text], nor any Commissary for this District; has induced me to give


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private orders to Lane, a copy of which I inclose [enclose] -- let me bear the censure of any Country, rather than my Country shall suffer from the neglect of any [deleted text: [illegible text] ] I am content. I have that within me which justifies my conduct & makes me know what I have done is just. I pray your Honor I may hear on that head. I have only to declare I am as careful of the publick [public] as of my private interest.
[Signed] JJ [James Jackson]



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Letter
General Jackson

28 March 1788
Order taken
1April Publick [Public]
His Honor George Handley esqr [esquire] Governor of the State of Georgia
[unclear text: favd [favored] ] by- Mr Connell
Military



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[
1788] Extract of a letter from Capt [Captain] Wm. McIntosh to Col. J. McIntosh dated St Cloud near the Alatamaha
25 Marc [March] 1788


"I meant to have seen you in Savannah but I am prevented by some accounts just received from Glynn County Barnet is shut up in his little Fort and attacked by the Indians. From four to five hundred [unclear text: guns ] were heard there about three nights ago. The fate of the besieged we have not yet learnt [learned] . The Savages have also crossd [crossed] the Alatamaha & taken off a Woman & two children -- on this side -- every person here is on the move. The fears of the people seem more awakened than I ever saw them. Clarke & myself are collecting a few Men which we mean to march immediately to the Alatamaha & make that the boundary by preventing their crossing with impunity. But unless we get assistance shortly this Country [illegible text] be unavoidably lost & the unfortunate Inhabitants fall a prey to the barbarity of the Savages"




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28th Marc [March] 1788.
Mr Collector Lane,
Sir,
The situation of Effingham County, exposed and almost defenceless [defenseless], supported only by the exertions of a few individuals and a small draft from the County; agreeable to orders, from his Honor the Governor, of the
15 Feby [February] last, and the [word omitted] last, for the protection thereof, the State troops not being arrived, requires, that the formal rule, given you by the receiver General should be dispensed with, so far as relates to the delivering the articles necessary for the support of the Stations,


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to the Commissary Genl [General] or his Deputies [added text: only ] when, either from neglect or some other fault, there is no recognized Deputy in the whole district. I therefore rather than the poor Inhabitants of Effingham County shall break up & leave a Country dear to them, & rather than the State shall be deprived of their services, do hereby bind myself, to be answerable for your conduct so far as relates to delivering rations to those ordered & necessary for the defence of that part -- at the same time, knowing the only support we have to expect,


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is, from the specific tax. I must insist on the utmost frugality in delivery, minding, that only a pound & a half of Beef, or a pound of pork, with a pound of Bread or Quart of rice, or Corn in proportion, is to be delivered [unclear text: foodmen ] : with four quarts of Corn for ten Horsemen [added text: each ] Daily. Should my Country injure me so much, as to disa [document edge] this, I must bear it in patien [document edge] & my family must suffer for my Zeal: but I will have the consolation, that I did it with the best intention & for no sinister or deceitful view.

Yrs [Yours] [illegible text]
[Signed] Jas [James] Jackson B Gen [Brigadier General]



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Savannah
March 6th, 1788
Dear Sir
Altho [Although] I cannot expressly promise you your request in raising men on the Bounty mentioned -- yet I will venture so far as to engage That the Legislature on taking into consideration your exertions & those of a few Settlers who have been constantly with you will on producing this engagement & the necessity there is still for your being Active either give you & your men the militia Bounty or an Equivalent for it
By order of his honor the governor one half of the State troops may be daily expected at your fort. A Station will probably be fixed Some where in your Neighbourhood [Neighborhood] or at your fort, on My Seeing & Consulting with Colo. [Colonel] Armstrong, in The Mean time you will endeavour [endeavor] to act in Conjunction with them & advise with the Commanding officer on any emergency; you will herewith receive an order for twelve weight of lead which I must as with the powder request your utmost care of

I am Sir, Your Obt Servt [obedient servant]
[Signed] J [James] Jackson
Capt [Captain] Cone