geance of the savages: by the interposition of his brother, all differences were compromised. Thomas Bosomworth at length having returned to rational reflection, apparently repented of his folly, and solicited the pardon of the council and the people he addressed a letter to the president acquainting him that he was deeply sensible of his duty as a subject, and of the respect he owed to the civil authority, and could no longer justify the conduct of his wife, but hoped that her present remorse and past services to the province, would entirely blot out the remembrance of her unguarded expressions and rash design: he appealed to the letters of general Oglethorpe, for her former irreproachable conduct and steady friendship to the settlement, and hoped her good behaviour for the future, would reinstate her in the public favor, and atone for her past offences: for his own part, he acknowledged her title to be groundless, and promised to relinquish all claim to the lands of the province. The colonists forgave him and promised to forget what had passed; public tranquillity was re-established, queen Mary's idle claims were temporarily relinquished, and the royal family left the city about the first of August. In the course of this year seven or eight vessels laden with Georgia produce, sailed from Savannah; among this number was a ship of four hundred tons burthen, freighted by Harris and Habersham. Colonel William Stephens, who had long been a public servant, and for many years president of the council, resigned his appointment on the 21st of July, and retired to his farm in the country: he represented to the trustees, that the infirmities of age, had produced an imbecility of mind, which had rendered him incapable of doing justice to the arduous functions of his office. Henry Parker vice-president, succeeded him, and was accordingly commissioned on the 8th of April, 1751. James Habersham was appointed secretary of the province, and Noble Jones a member of the council: these appointments were accompanied with the pleasing intelligence of a full and ample release from all the restrictions respecting the titles of land, which it was hoped would not fail to produce industry among the people: a colonial assembly was authorised consisting of sixteen members, proportioned to the population of the different parishes or districts: writs of election were issued, and the members were required to convene at Savannnah, on the 15th of January, 1751. The assembly met on the day appointed, which was signified to the vice-president and council; they were invited to an audience at the council chamber, when the objects of their meeting were suggested to them, observing the valuable purposes they might effect, if they should act with magnanimity and prudence. Francis Harris was chosen speaker, and the vice-president was requested to form a special court the next day, for the purpose of having the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration administered to the members: Noble Jones and Pickering Robinson, were appointed a committee by the council, and directed to make a general enquiry into, and report the state of the colony to the assembly. The court met and administered the necessary oaths to this committee, and the members of the assembly : the next day the speaker presented an address to the vice president and council. "Assembly Roomt, 25th January 1751. Sir We the deputies of the several districts in general assembly met, desire to return you our sincere thanks for your speech to us, and we assure you we shall endeavor with all concord and unanimity to go through the business appointed for us to do; and we also beg leave to embrace this opportunity of heartily congratulating you on your being appointed vice-president of the province, which we look upon as no more than a just reward for your long and faithful services in it; and we have no doubt but the same steadiness, justice, and candor, which have formerly guided you in the execution of other offices, will direct and govern you in this. FRANCIS HARRIS, Speaker. Henry Parker, Esquire, Vice-Presi dent of the Colony of Georgia." The Vice-President returned the following answer: "Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly, I heartily thank you for your kind and flattering address, and will always make it my study and endeavor to promote any thing which may tend to the service and advantage of the colony. HENRY PARKER, Vice-President of the Colony of Georgia.' The following gentlemen constituted the first general assembly in Georgia. Savannah District-Francis Harris, Speaker; John Milledge, William Francis, William Rus sel. Augusta District-George Catogan, David Douglass. Ebenezer District-Christian Reidlesperger, Theobald Keiffer. Abercorn & Goshen Districts-William Ewen. Little Ogeeche District-Joseph Summers. Midway District-Audley Maxwell. Darien District-John Mackintosh, B. The assembly laid before the president and assistants, the following articles which they thought might be redressed by them, to which the an. swers of the vice-president and council are annexed. 1st. The want of a proper pilot-boat. Answ. Shall be represented to the trustees. 2nd. The want of leave to erect a building under the Bluff, for the convenience of boats' crews, negroes, &c. The building to be erected by subscription. Answ.-A place will be laid out. 3rd. The want of standard weights, scales, and measures. Answ.-Applied for by the board to the trustees, and may be expected. 4th.-Want of a survey of the river. Answ. To be done as soon as a proper person can be found. 5th. The want of an order to prevent masters of vessels from heaving ballast, &c. into the river. Answ. An order to be published. 6th. The want of a commissioner for regula ting pilots and pilotage. Answ. A person to be appointed. 7th. The want of an inspector and sworn packer, to inspect the produce of the colony. Answ. To be appointed. 8th. Want of a clerk of the market. Answ. To be appointed. 9th. The want of regulations for the guard. Answ. To be remedied. |