Letter, Lake Randolph, Governor George R. Gilmer / J. Hamilton Couper regarding completion of the line

[001]

Lake Randolph 16 August 1831
Sir,
The running out and making of the Boundary Line
between Georgia and Florida has this day been finished: and
the objects for which the commission was appointed having been
executed, the party has been broken up.
Mr Thomas takes charge of such articles of the outfit as have not
been otherwise disposed of, and will deliver them at Milledgville,
as no sale can be made of them on the sea board, at this season of
the year, without a sacrifice.
The personal communications of Majr Crawford, Mr Camak and
Mr Thomas rendering any notices, by me, of the proceedings of the
expedition unnecessary, I deem it proper at this time only to call
the attention of your Excellency to the extraordinary fatigue, experience
and risk which Mr Thomas has encountered in running the line:
and to convey my personal testimony of the unwearied zeal, diligence,
Skill and accuracy with which he has executed the work entrusted to him
The weather has, since the commencement of the line been most
unfavourable; - first from excesive rain and then from intense heat -
the country of the west character for such operations, being much
covered with pends, swamps and bogs:
and the season a very
sickly one, as has been proved by its effects on the party, every individual


[002]

of which, with the exception of myself, has in some way or other been
indisposed - many of them seriously ill.
It was originally our intention to have surveyed the South Branch
of the S Mary's River, on the return of the Party to this point; but
as it is not absolutely required by the objects of the expedition, and as
the season is now unhappy and the men worn down with fatigued
and sickness, it has been deemed necessary to omit it.
A report of our proceedings, with plans of the surveys and
notes of the scientific observations will be prepared and submitted
to your Excellency at as early a period as possible
With high respect,
I have the honor to be
Your Excellency's obdt serv
J Hamilton Couper
His Excellency George R Gilmer


[003]

His Excellency George R Gilmer
Milledgeville
Mr Thomas


[004]

J. Hamilton Couper
16th August 1837.
Completion of line