to without success, the colonies associated in opposition to the introduction of all British manufactures, subject to taxation by the laws of England. The points of taxation were again yielded, with the exception of three-pence sterling per pound upon tea. This increased the confidence of the colonists and encouraged further opposition. They alledged that they had given, and would continue to give, aid to his majesty when constitutionally required; but an assemblage of American patriots insisted that their essential liberty and happiness, required that they should be taxed, only, by representatives of their own choice; and that they, being consumers of British manufactures, paid by the purchase of them all the taxes which that government had a right to impose.

Luxury had made but little progress among the people of this quarter of the globe, and the extermination of every seed of its baleful influence, was an object of primary consideration in a new settled country, under existing circumstances. The exercise of a moderate portion of freedom and the free use of those rights to which they considered themselves constitutionally entitled as British subjects, with the necessaries of life produced by industry, appears to have amounted to the summit of their wishes.

The resolutions of the American Congress, had rendered the tax upon tea a barren branch of revenue, until a scheme was adopted by the East

India Company, for the exportation of a large quantity of that article, to be disposed of on their own account, in the American ports. This measure produced that kind of commotion, from one end of the continent of America to the other, which the contrivers of the plan might have foreseen. These and many other similar designs, which have been noticed by almost every American historian, created a jealousy and hatred against Great-Britain.

For the purpose of uniting in some general plan of operations in this critical state of affairs, with the other provinces in America, a meeting was called in Savannah. But the powerful arm of the royal government in the hands of a man of Sir James Wright's sagacity and talents, at the head of an influential train of civil officers, prohibited an open expression of the public sentiment. Many of the most wealthy inhabitants, foresaw, that their pecuniary ruin would be the inevitable consequence of participating with the other colonies, in resistance to the aggressions of the crown. Another class composed of the dissipated and idle, who had little or nothing to risk, perceived their advantage in adhering to the royal government. A wide field for pillage would be opened, and the strong hold of St. Augustine in East Florida, would furnish a safe and secure retreat for themselves, and a deposit for their booty, in the event of a revolution.

In the year 1770, an inhabitant of South-Carolina, by the name of Schoval or Schovil; active, barbarous and of bad character; was commissioned as colonel of militia, by Lord Grenville, the governor of that province. The banditti who became the followers of such a leader, were denominated Schovilites; and in the first years of the revolution, this term of reproach was indiscriminately given to the adherents of the royal government, in the southern provinces. But in the progress of things they received the more appropriate denomination of Tories; which means loyalists, admirers of taxation to support sumptuously an host of placemen and pensioners. By the Britishand the friends of royalty, the American republicans, were denominated rebels.

The royal insurgents before mentioned, under the pretence of quelling the rebellion, had committed many outrageous depredations, and render. ed themselves so obnoxious to a great majority of the people, that many of them were compelled to flee their country, and take refuge in East-Florida, and among the different tribes of Indians. These banditti, and others of the same description who fled from Georgia, were well calculated to scourge the province and awaken the greatest anxieties for the safety of their helpless families, in case the militia should take an active part against them. Georgia was charged in the first instance by the other colonies, with being tardy and indecisive; but the charge of inactivity vanishes, when

the sword and hatchet are held over the heads of the actors to compel them to lie still.

Sir James Wright, governor of Georgia, in conjunction with John Stuart, superintendant of Indian affairs in the southern department, called a convention of the Cherokees and Creeks at Augusta, on the 1st of June, where they voluntarily ceeded to Great-Britain, a large tract of their territories, which these tribes requested might be accepted as a compensation for debts, due by them to the traders, which they were otherwise unable to pay. Governor Wright was not vested with authority to accept this cession of land by the powers of his executive appointment in Georgia; but, foreseeing the advantages to the province, and the influence which would be given to the king's government, by the control of the funds which would arise from the sale of those lands, he had previously applied to the ministry for leave to make the treaty; and out of the proceeds of sales, to pay George Galphin and others, the large demands which they had for goods against the different tribes of Indians. By haying the control of these funds, Wright had the power, and exercised it, of paying the loyal subjects the full amount of their demands; and of withholding payment, from such as he deemed favorably disposed toward the American cause.

* Look at the top of each page for the year, when the month only is mentioned.

The same partiality was evidenced in the dis position of the lands. Galphin and many others who opposed the measures of the British government, never received any compensation, though their demands were to a very large amount, and the justice of their claims indisputable.

For the policy practised by Wright in changing the direction of this fund into a measure for the support of his government, and for other polit ical measures which he adopted, the order of knighthood is said to have been conferred upon him. He was a man of considerable talents, great industry, very avaricious and devoted to the measures of his king.

The tract of country included in this transfer, north-west of Little river, and the head waters of Ogechee, was fertile and healthy, and consequently soon invited a number of settlers from the other provinces. Governor Wright digested a plan of settlement and appointed colonel Bartlet, Messrs. Young, Holland and Maddox, commissioners; and vested them with powers to dispose of tracts of land to such persons as should apply—allowing two hundred acres to the head of each family, and fifty acres to each of its members brought into the province-comprehending wives, children and negroes-and paying five pounds sterling for entrance money, for every hundred acres. When this sum was paid, a warrant was granted, upon which the survey was made. The commissioners were authorised to value each tract, agreeably to

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