ter this British act was read in the legislature of Carolina, an order was issued to seize a Jamaica vessel, laden with sugar, and in preparation to sail for London; the proceeds of which, were appropriated to the public service.

Governor Tonyn, of East-Florida, had previ. ously commissioned privateers, to cruise on the coast of the southern provinces, to plunder the property of the inhabitants, and the adventures of merchants lying in the harbours.

The loyalists, who had fled from the Carolinas and Georgia, found a secure retreat in East-Florida and the southern settlers in Georgia, had been frequently disturbed by the predatory incursions of these banditti, who bore the appellation of Florida Rangers. The more effectually to excite terror in the inhabitants, they had constantly small parties of Indians in their train. Property which was moveable, conflagration and murder, were the principal objects of their enterprise. They had no attachment for king, country, or any thing at variance with pillage and interest. Germyn Wright, the brother of governor Wright, constructed a fort on St. Mary's river, which became a general rendezvous and deposite, for the unworthy servants of a more unworthy cause and master. The destruction of this receptacle, became an object of great consequence.

For the desirable purpose of routing this nest of villains, captain John Baker collected about seventy mounted volunteer militia, and marched

to St. Mary's, observing the greatest secrecy in his operations, with a hope of surprising and de molishing the fort. This party approached un, discovered within a short distance of the fortress, taking advantage of a thick wood for conceal. ment until dark, believing that the night would be the most favourable time for a surprise. Baker had been informed that a body of Indians had encamped in the vicinity of the fort, and that the combined forces of the enemy would greatly out number him therefore, his hope of success, depended upon surprise, and a rapid retreat after the fort was destroyed, Unfortunately he was discovered by a negro, who gave notice of his number and approach. An alarm of three can, non was fired from the fort, and was answered by the schooner St. John, of eight guns, which lay two miles further down the river. A firing of musquetry commenced, but without effect. Captain Baker concluded, that a reinforcement would be sent from the schooner to the garrison; and, in order to cut off the communication, ordered a party to a landing below the fort; from whence, three armed boats were soon descried: the party concealed themselves until the boats came near the shore, when they opened their fire: several of the crew, of the boat in front, were killed and wounded: they called for quarter, which was granted to them; and they came to the shore and surrendered. Among the prisoners were captain Barkup, of the navy; and lieutenant Bucher, of

the army. The other boats escaped under cover of the night. From one of the prisoners, who was wounded, information was received that a large body of Indians were encamped on the opposite side of the river, not far distant from the fort. When Baker received this intelligence, it was early in the night; he retreated eight or nine miles and encamped. Daniel and James M'Girth, who were privates in Baker's command, were both on guard; they devised the plan, and executed it, of stealing the horses belonging to the party, and deserted with the greater part of them to the enemy. For this act of treachery, and expertness in stealing, Daniel M'Girth was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Florida Rangers, commanded by colonel Thomas Brown; and he improved, afterward, in the art by which he had gained promotion. James M'Girth, whose talents were less conspicuous, was rewarded by a commission of captain in the same corps. Chagrin ed, and disappointed, by the failure of the enterprise and loss of his horses, by the treachery of part of his command, so unexpectedly practised upon him, Baker returned to Georgia.

When the attack was made on Savannah, the legislature thought it advisable to adjourn to Augusta, where they could progress with some temporary arrangements, for civil and military government. They had no constitutional plan of government for their guide: they could only enter into resolutions, to encourage resistance to the

British government, and carry on a communication with congress and the constituted authorities of the other colonies. The legislature convened at Augusta, on the 8th day of March, and appointed John Wereat, speaker of the assembly, The defects in the system of managing public affairs, were soon demonstrated. The judiciary system was running into confusion: although the criminal laws were still in force, they were virtually invalid, by the want of proper officers to execute them: so, also, were the other laws of the province. It was necessary to form some regular plan of government; and to appoint offi. cers to fill the different departments, to put the laws into execution. When these subjects were brought before the house of assembly for discussion, many of the members were opposed to acting on them; alledging that they had no authority to do so, from their constituents: they agreed, however, to submit the subject, for the consideration of the people; and in the mean time the president and provincial council, were vested with power to exercise the executive functions. They also agreed to the appointment of such officers as were necessary in the judiciary department : John Glenn was appointed chiel justice, and William Stephens attorney general.

CHAPTER IV.

CAPTAIN William Freeman had been ap. pointed by the republican government of South Carolina, to meet some of the Cherokee chiefs and head men at Seneca, on the frontier, and near the line of separation between the two states. His instructions were to communicate the friendly disposition of the white people toward the Indians; to draw the assurances of friendship from them, if possible, and to use every argument to dissuade them from taking an active part in the war, between the United States and Great-Britain. Though he obtained these promises, he felt assured that Cameron's influence would prevail over the Indians in the adoption of any measure, which the interest of the royal government might induce him to recommend.

When Cameron was first appointed agent for the Cherokee tribe of Indians, by the British government, he had opened two extensive farms on the frontier of Carolina, near Savannah river, one of which he named Lochaber, and the other Diamond Hill on these farms he had placed a number of negroes, and a number of horses and cattle; from the produce of which, he promised himself an independent fortune in a few years. To secure his influence among the Indians, regardless of what he owed to propriety, or the