of the United Colonies are permitted to trade to any part of the world except the dominions of the King of Great Britain; and in consequence of which, it will be necessary to fix on some mode of proceeding for the clearance of vessels, and other matters relative thereto; and perhaps you may think it further requisite to appoint proper officers to despatch this business, that the adventurers in trade may meet with as little obstruction as possible. And I would, at the same time, recommend to your consideration the exorbitant prices of goods and other necessaries of life in the town of Savannah, and in every part of the Province. This certainly requires some immediate regulations, as the poor must be greatly distressed by such alarming and unheard-of extortions.

With respect to Indian affairs, I hoped to have had the pleasure of assuring you, from the state of the proceedings of the Commissioners, that they were in every respect friendly and warmly attached to our interests, and that there was the greatest reason to expect a continuance of the same friendly disposition; but I have received some accounts since rather unfavourable. As this is of the highest consequence to the peace and welfare of the Colony, I would here suggest whether it would not be necessary to enter into some resolves, in order to prevent any future misunderstanding between them and our back settlers. And to this I think I may add, that the putting the Province in the best posture of defence would be an object very requisite at this juncture.

The Continental Congress having always been solicitous to promote the increase and improvement of useful knowledge, and with the highest satisfaction contemplating the rapid progress of the arts and sciences in America, have thought proper to recommend the encouraging the manufacture of saltpetre, sulphur, and gunpowder. The process is extremely easy, and I shall be glad to see any of the good people of this Province exerting themselves in the manufacture of these useful and necessary articles. If they once consider it is for the publick good, they will need no other inducement.

Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Congress:

Remember, in all your deliberations, you are engaged in a most arduous undertaking. Generations yet unborn may owe their freedom and happiness to your determinations, and may bestow blessings or execrations on your memory, in such manner as you discharge the trust reposed in you by your constituents. Thoughts like these will influence you to throw aside every prejudice, and to exert your utmost efforts to preserve unanimity, firmness, and impartiality, in all your proceedings

ARCHIBALD BULLOCK

Savannah, June 5, 1776.

To His Excellency ARCHIBALD BULLOCK, Esq., President and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of GEORGIA:

The Address of the Provincial Congress of said Province.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: We, the Representatives of the Province of Georgia, in Congress met, beg leave to return your Excellency our thanks for your speech delivered to us yesterday.

Animated, we hope, with the principles of virtuous citizens, and inspired with sentiments becoming the glorious cause we are engaged in, we behold with pleasure the elevation of men from among us, whose assiduity and unwearied endeavours have rendered them the objects of favour with their country; and we trust that while the several Executive departments of Government shall continue to be filled with such men, no murmurings or discontents will find admission among the good people of this Province.

Being truly sensible that to be a freeman under the British Constitution, for which our ancestors fought and bled, implies a right to examine with freedom, and to pass censure or applause upon, every act of Government, we have exercised the right of inspecting into the late measures pursued against these Colonies; and the more we deliberate upon them, the more firmly persuaded we are of their wicked and dangerous tendency, and that, as they are founded in iniquity, so they must end, if submitted to, in ruin and destruction to us and our posterity.

From these motives and considerations have we entered into the present laudable opposition, in which we are determined religiously to persist till law and justice shall rear their heads above tyranny and oppression; and your Excellency may be assured that, in every wise and necessary step towards the great end, you shall meet with our warmest concurrence and support.

While we shall continue actuated by the same feelings as led us to deny the usurped authority of Great Britain, we hope no man will entertain an idea so dishonourable to us as to suppose we can be influenced or biased by any motives but such as ought at all times to govern good men and free citizens; and, therefore, your Excellency may rest satisfied we shall, in all our deliberations and conduct, whether they respect those concerned for or against us, act with firmness, justice, and impartiality, so far as is consistent with the great cause in which we are all embarked.

We are truly concerned at that part of your Excellency’s speech wherein you tell us your last accounts from the Indian nations are less favourable than the former; but at the same time that we wish, by every means in our power, to avert so great a calamity as would be the consequence of a war with these uncivilized people, yet we are resolved never to submit peaceably to improper behaviour in them; and should they be prevailed upon by our inhuman enemies to join in a war against us, we trust that the God who has already manifested himself in our behalf will safely conduct us through all our afflictions.

Permit us to congratulate your Excellency and the Province on the several other appointments that have taken place under our late temporary Constitution. It must be a pleasing reflection to you, sir, that your business in the weighty concerns of State lies with men of such well-known ability, integrity, and zeal.

We shall take into our early consideration the several matters recommended to us by your Excellency, and proceed upon the same with all that despatch, temper, and firmness, which the nature of the subject demands.

Savannah, June 7, 1776.

To which his Excellency returned the following answer:

MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE CONGRESS: I return you all due thanks for this Address. I must flatter myself you are convinced I can have no separate interest from yours, and, therefore, need not be solicitous about the means employed, or with whom they may originate, for obtaining the inestimable blessings of happiness and freedom for my native country.

I have ever entertained the most honourable ideas of the warm and real friends to our glorious cause, knowing that they are influenced by no other motives but such as become good men and free citizens.

ARCHIBALD BULLOCK.

Savannah, June 7, 1776.

GENERAL LEE TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 27, 1776. Referred to the Board of War and Ordnance.]

SIR: You will perceive from the enclosed letters the necessity of reinforcing this Province and Georgia; the enemy will probably make it the seat of war. Two thousand men at least ought to be despatched from Pennsylvania and Maryland to replace the regiments I shall order from Virginia. Ten thousand weight of powder is arrived safe at Charlestown.

I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

CHARLES LEE.

To the Honourable John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress.

June 4, 1776-5 o’clock P. M.

DEAR SIR: I this moment received yours by Captain Mouat. I wish you and a powerful reinforcement were now here. For God’s sake lose, not a moment. There are fifty sail of vessels at anchor off the bar, within sight of the town, which will, I suppose, come in with to-morrow’s tide, if the wind is not unfavourable. Bring us all the forces you can collect, to cope with this armament, either from North-Carolina, Virginia, or any part of this Province you pass through. I send this express to you, and send on the roads, and at the several ferries, to facilitate your march.

In haste, yours sincerely,

J. RUTLEDGE.

To the Honourable Major-General Lee.