Letter, 1816 Apr. 12, Fairfield, near St. Marys, [Georgia to] David B. Mitchell, Governor of Georgia, Milledgeville, [Georgia] / Maj[or] Gen[era]l John Floyd

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Fairfield / Near St Marys/
April 12th 1816
His Excellency Governor Mitchell
Sir
It would have been agreeable to me, to have been enabled at this time, to have closed my statement of the manner in which the three Hundred Dollars of Public money remaining in my hands have been applied: But the want of form, of Several small accounts, which have been rendered, has made the delay of their adjustment consequent on the correction which they require.
In addition to the payment of the accompt [account] of Mr E Floyd against the State [illegible text] I have paid one other in favor of Mr James Moore, of Sixty nine Dollars 60/100. Duplicates of which are herewith forwarded.
In Order to be prepared to render if called on, an account of the arms, and Munitions of war issued to the Militia of the first Brigade on State account during the war, and my absence from its


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local Command. I did solicit from your predecessor, a Copy of the number of Stand, and Quantity of Ammunition, so issued, At the Same time that I required by Brigade Orders a report from the Several Lieut [Lieutenant] Colonels on the Subject which orders had been partially Complied with before advantage could be taken of the changes in Command; Nor did I better succeed in the sought information from the late Governor; The object of which, was to be enabled to compare such Statement with the reports to be rendered, the better to mark, and hold accountable officers by whose neglect the public may have sustained injury in the loss of its Arms?
I have only to remark to your Excellency that I have reason to believe that the Arms, now in possession of the third Regt. [Regiment] will fall short of the number issued, and that those on hand, will, for the want of provision to meet the Expense of preserving them, soon become unfit for service, and a dead loss to the State; -- I beg to call your Excellencys attention particularly to this Subject, Believing that you will not hesitate to give prompt instructions, calculated to guard the public interest by the adoption of measures necessary for the preservation of its scanty means of


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defence [defense] (in the Article of Arms)
A Gentleman late from Amelia, informs me, That, the Post Master of St Marys had addressed a letter to the Commandant of that place, The object of which was to signify Genl. [General] Clarks willingness to undertake the subjugation of the Blacks who it is reported have openly declared their Independence and are Embodied near the Capes of E [East] Florida since they were routed from their Settlements in the Alachaway -- I am promised a Copy of this letter, when I shall be able to Communicate more particularly to you, its Substance and import.
The refuge which fugitive Slaves from this State, and more particularly from its Southern borders have from time, to time, found [deleted text: among ] [added text: in ] the Indians Country in E [East] Florida, have long since been Viewed by the Owners of that Species of property, as a Serious, and growing Evil, And hath now become of such magnitude, as to demand the adoption, of decisive, and energetic measures Sanctioned by [deleted text: Competent ] [added text: such ] authority as shall be deemed Competent to Check the encouragement of principles pregnant with incalculable Consequences -- The seeds of


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Emancipation are already sown, and are taking strong hold in a Situation so well Calculated to encourage its growth, and it would seem has not been idle in spreading its delusive, and facinating [fascinating] influence beyond its anarchial limits. -- Since the restoration of peace, many of the most active, and intelligent male slaves, have fled from their Owners, and Joined these Outlaws, and the facility with which escapes are capable of being made, gives such encouragement to the practice as to render its frequency alarming; During the last week three fellows have gone over from the neighborhood of the Great St Tilla, and if I am rightly informed Mrs. Gibbons has not a fellow left on her plantation
Your Excellency will readily perceive the necessity of the adoption of measures, Calculated to destroy the Existence of Examples fraught with so much mischief both in a political, and individual point of view Especially when it is considered that this Banditti are composed of Materials capable of becoming a formidable Engine in the hands of an Open or disguised


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foreign Enemy from their intimate acquaintance with the local Situation of our Country, without interruption they will accumulate Strength, Jeopardize the tranquility of our frontier, destroy the value of Lands, and their species of property, and thereby deprive the State of a considerable Revenue to be derived from their quiet possession.
If a remedy Cannot be found in the concurrent Authority of the Executives of the adjoining Territories, I trust it will be sought from higher authority on our part.
Viewing your Excellency as the Guardian of the interests, and prosperity of the Citizens of a State Confided to your protection. I feel persuaded that you will pursue such measures, as will be best calculated to realize public Expectation, and individual Security.

I have the honor to be with high regards Your Excellencys Obt Sert [Obedient Servant]
[Signed] Jno [John] Floyd



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The State of Georgia To Mr James M [edge of document: oore ]



1815 Feby [February] 13th To 1 Beef weighing 405 lbs a [at] 4 Cents $16,,20

27th To 1 Beef weighing 373 lbs a Do Do [at Ditto Ditto] 14,,92

March 1st To 1 Beef weighing 293 lbs a Do Do [at Ditto Ditto] 11,,72

18th To 1 Beef weighing 374 lbs a Do Do [at Ditto Ditto] 14,,96

22d To 1 Beef weighing 295 lbs a Do Do [at Ditto Ditto] 11,,80
$69,,60


E [Errors] Excepted
[Signed] James [edge of document: Moore ]





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Letter from Maj Genl. [Major General] John Floyd dated
12.th April 1816.

Answer written [document damaged]
May 1816



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His Excellency David B. Mitchell Governor of Georgia Milledgeville
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