many intestine dangers from the great number of negroes that are now among us, who amount at least to twenty-two thousand persons, and are three to one of all your Majesty's white subjects in this province. Insurrections against us have been often attempted, and would at any time prove very fatal if the French should instigate them, by artfully giving them an expectation of freedom. In such a situation we most humbly crave leave to acquaint your Majesty, that even the present ordinary expenses necessary for the care and support of this your Majesty's province and government, cannot be provided for by your Majesty's subjects of this province, without your Majesty's gracious pleasure to continue those laws for establishing the negroes and other duties for seven years, and for appropriating the same, which now lie before your Majesty for your royal assent and approbation; and the further expenses that will be requisite for the erecting some forts and establishing garrisons in the several necessary places, so as to form a barrier for the security of this your Majesty's province, we most humbly submit to your Majesty. Your Majesty's subjects of this province, with fullness of zeal, duty and affection to your most gracious and sacred Majesty, are so highly sensible of the great importance of this province to the French, that we must conceive it more than probable, if a war should happen, they will use all endeavors to bring this country under their subjection; they would be thereby enabled to support their sugar islands with all sorts of provisions and lumber by an easy navigation, which, to our great advantage, is not so practicable from the present French colonies, besides the facility of gaining then to their interest most of the Indian trade on the northern continent; they might then easily unite the Canadees and Choctaws with the many other nations of Indians which are now in their interest. And the several ports and harbors of Carolina and Georgia which now enable your Majesty to be absolute master of the passage through the gulf of Florida, and to impede at your pleasure the transportation home of the Spanish treasure, would then prove so many convenient harbors for your Majesty's enemies, by their privateers or ships of war to annoy a great part of the British trade to America, as well as that which is carried on through the gulf from Jamaica; besides the loss which Great Britain must feel in so considerable a part of its navigation, as well as the exports of masts, pitch, tar and turpentine, which, without any dependence on the northern parts of Europe, are from hence plentifully supplied for the use of the British shipping. This is the present state and condition of your Majesty's province of South Carolina, utterly incapable of finding funds sufficient for the defence of this wide frontier, and so destitute of white men, that even money itself cannot here raise a sufficient body of them. With all humility we therefore beg leave to lay ourselves at the feet of your Majesty, humbly imploring your Majesty's most gracious care in the extremities we should be reduced to on the breaking out of a war; and that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to extend your protection to us, as your Majesty, in your great wisdom, shall think proper. ROBERT JOHNSON. In the council chamber of South Carolina, 9th April, 1734. THO. BROUGHTON, President. No. 5. Thomas Pearce, aged forty years and upwards, of the Dover man of war, mariner, having been at Georgia in America, on board the Peter and James, Captain George Dymond, in the year one thousand seven hundred and thirtyfive; and, from that ship, on board the Hawk sloop, stationed at Georgia, until the beginning of the year one thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine; and having sounded every inlet from the sea, all along the coast of Georgia, from Jekyll sound to Tybee sound, maketh oath and saith, that the said coast four leagues from the land, is all even ground, not less than seven or eight fathom water, and any ship keeping in that depth of water may steer along the same with the greatest safety, and anchor if they have occasion. That on the bar at Jekyll there is at least thirteen feet and a half, at low water, and at high spring tides twenty-four feet; and on the bar at Tybee there is at least sixteen feet and a half at low water, and at high water spring tides twenty-five feet and a half; and the difference between the spring and neap tides is generally between three and four feet. And this deponent farther saith, that he is well assured, and would undertake, by sounding with a boat, even at neap tides, to carry in forty gun ships over either of the said bars; and saith, that he hath seen in the sound at St. Simon's, from Jekyll bar, ten sail of ships at one time, and that ten or twelve forty gun ships may safely ride there; but behind Jekyll island there is water and room enough for shipping for ten miles up; and that the sound at Tybee is large enough to hold with safety seven or eight forty gun ships. And this deponent farther saith, that ships in Jekyll sound may in twenty-four hours, from the bar, run out into the gulf-stream of Florida, through which stream the Spanish galleons (when not passing the windward passage,) always come. THOMAS PEARCE. No. 6. To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. The humble Memorial of the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America. Humbly showeth, That they being entrusted by your Majesty with the care of the colony of Georgia, which was formerly part of your Majesty's province of South Carolina, and your Majesty's colony of Georgia being very much exposed to the power of the Spaniards, and become an object of their envy, by having valuable ports upon the homeward passage from the Spanish West Indies, and the Spaniards having increased their forces in the neighborhood thereof, the trustees, in consequence of the great trust reposed in them by your Majesty, find themselves obliged, humbly to lay before your Majesty, their inability sufficiently to protect your Majesty's subjects settled in Georgia, under the encouragement of your Majesty's charter, against this late increase of forces, and there fore become humble suppliants to your Majesty, on the behalf of your subjects settled in the province of Georgia, that your Majesty would be pleased to take their preservation into your royal consideration, that, by a necessary supply of forces, the province may be protected against the great dangers that seem immediately to threaten it. All which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty's great wisdom. Signed by order of the trustees, this 10th day of August, 1737. BENJ. MARTYN, Secretary. APPENDIX. ACCOUNT OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. THE necessity of some historical institution had long been felt by literary men, but no regular effort had ever been made for its establishment. The splendid Autographical Collection of I. K. Tefft, Esq. together with the many valuable documents in his possession pertaining to the colonial and revolutionary history of Georgia, suggested the importance of such a society, and it was immediately determined by Mr. Tefft, and William B. Stevens to proceed without delay in its formation. This measure was first decided on towards the close of April, 1839, and at the suggestion of Mr. Tefft, the latter endeavored to prepare the way and awaken attention to the subject by two articles on this topic which appeared in the Savannah Georgian of May following. These individuals were now joined by a third, Richard D. Arnold, M. D., and after many conferences as to the best method of procedure they resolved to address the following Circular to a few gentlemen whom they thought would be interested in their design. "Savannah, May 22, 1839. "DEAR SIR,-You are respectfully requested to attend a meeting to be held at the Savannah Library Society's Room, on Friday evening next, at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of devising measures to organize a Georgia Historical Society. As an efficient beginning is of the utmost importance, you are earnestly desired to be present if compatible with your engage. ments. An answer addressed to either of the undersigned would oblige, yours, &c. I. K. Tefft, R. D. Arnold, Wm. B. Stevens." This Circular was sent to fifty-one individuals, and in evidence of the cooperation of those invited, it may be stated, that forty-nine replies were received, all highly commending the effort and promising a cordial sup port. A meeting was held at the place appointed and was organized by calling Judge C. S. Henry to the chair, and electing I. K. Tefft, Secretary. The Chairman briefly explained the object of assembling, after which Judge James M. Wayne offered the following resolution, which was unanimously passed. "Resolved, That we will associate ourselves for the purpose of forming an Historical Society, the primary object of which shall be to collect and diffuse information in relation to the history of Georgia and of Ameri can History generally." On further motion of the same, it was proposed, that if any one had prepared a constitution, it should be submitted without |