mon cause. Georgia was represented as being surrounded by Indians under British control, who could quickly exterminate all opposition to the measures of the government.

It is not amiss to give a brief sketch of the law which was entitled, an act for the impartial administration of justice, in the cases of persons questioned for any acts done by them in the execution of the law, or for the suppression of riots and tumults in the province of Massachusetts. In the preamble, which shows the intention and scope of the law; it sets forth-that in the disordered state of that province, it was of the utmost importance to the general welfare thereof, and the re-establishment of lawful authority, that neither the magistrates acting in support of the laws, nor any of his majesty's subjects, aiding and assisting them therein, in the suppression of riots and tumults raised in opposition to the execution of the laws and statutes of the realm-should be discouraged from the proper discharge of their duty by an apprehension, that in case of their being questioned for any act done therein, they might be liable to be brought to trial for the same before persons who did not acknowledge the validity of the laws in the execution thereof, nor of the authority of the magistrates, in support of whom such acts had been done.

Agreeably to the declared intention of this law, it was enacted, that if any bills of indictment should be found against any person for murder,

or other capital offences, in the province of Massachusetts, and it should appear by information given upon oath to the governor, or lieutenant-governor, that the fact was committed by the person indicted, while he was either in the execution of his duty as a magistrate, in suppressing riots, or in support of the laws of revenue; or that he was acting in his duty as an officer of the reve nue; or acting under the direction and order of any magistrate for the suppression of riots, or for the carrying into effect the laws of the revenue; or aiding and assisting in any of the purposes aforesaid: and if it should appear to the satisfaction of the said governor, or lieutenant-governor, that an indifferent trial could not be had within the province; in that case it should be lawful that the indictment should be tried in some other of the colonies, or in Great-Britain. The plain inference to be drawn from this law was, that the king's officers and other servants were secured from pun. ishment, while those who adhered to the American cause, had every thing to dread from its operation.

According to the notice which has been here. tofore mentioned, a number of respectable freeholders and inhabitants met at the Watch-house, in Savannah, on the 27th of July.

John Glenn, Esquire, was chosen chairman. Sundry letters and resolutions, received from the committees of correspondence, at Boston, Philadelphia, Annapolis, Williamsburgh, North-Caro

lina and Charleston, were presented and read. A motion was made, that a committee be appointed to draw up resolutions to be entered into by the inhabitants of this province, nearly similar to those of the nothern provinces. A debate arose thereon, and the motion was carried by a large majority. It was resolved, that, the following gentlemen should constitute that committee, viz. John Glenn, John Smith, Joseph Clay, John Houstoun, Noble Wimberly Jones, Lyman Hall, William Young, Edward Telfair, Samuel Farley, George Walton, Joseph Habersham, Jonathan Bryan, Jonathan Cockran, George M'Intosh, Sutton Bankes, William Gibbons, Benjamin Andrew, John Winn, John Stirk, Archibald Bulloch, James Screven, David Zubly, Henry Davis Bourquin, Elisha Butler, William Baker, Parmenus Way, John Baker, John Mann, John Benefield, John Stacy and John Morel. Several gentlemen objected to resolutions being immediately entered into, as the inhabitants of the distant parishes might not have had sufficient notice of their objects. It was therefore resolved, that the meeting be adjourned until the 10th of August; andth at the chairman should in the mean time, write to the different parishes and districts upon the subject, that it was expected they would send deputies to join the committee at that time; and that the number of deputies be proportioned to the representatives usually sent to the general assembly, It was also resolved, that the resolutions

agreed upon and entered into at the next meeting, by a majority of the said committee then met, should be deemed the sense of the inhabitants of this province.

When these proceedings were made public through the medium of the press, they excited alarm. The governor called a meeting of the king's council, to consult with them what was best to be done. The proceedings of the persons who constituted the meeting, were read, and a motion made to expel the honorable Jonathan Bryan from his membership in the council, be cause his name appeared among the members of the committee. Mr. Bryan with patriotic indignation, informed them in a style peculiar to himself for its candour and energy, that he would "save them the trouble," and handed his resignation to the governor.

Finding that lenient means would not avail, the governor determined to appeal to the law, and the force of his party. For this purpose, he issued the following proclamation :

"GEORGIA.

"By his excellency, Sir James Wright, baronet, captain general, governor and commander in chief of his majesty's province of Georgia, chancellor, vice-admiral and ordinary of the same. "A PROCLAMATION.

"Whereas, I have received information, that on Wednesday the 27th day of July last past, a number of persons, in consequence of a printed

bill or summons, issued and dispersed throughout the province, by certain, persons unknown; did unlawfully assemble together at the Watch-house in the town of Savannah, under colour or pretence of consulting together for the redress of public grievances, or imaginary grievances; and that the persons so assembled for the purposes aforesaid, or some of them, are from and by their own authority, by a certain other hand bill issued and dispers. ed throughout the province, and other methods, endeavouring to prevail on his majesty's liege subjects to have another meeting on Wednesday the 10th instant, similar to the former, and for the purposes aforesaid; which summonses and meetings must tend to raise fears and jealousies in the minds of his majesty's good subjects. And whereas an opinion prevails and has been industriously propagated, that summonses and meetings of this nature are constitutional and legal; in order therefore that his majesty's liege subjects may not be misled and imposed upon by artful and designing men; I do, by and with the advice of his majesty's honorable council, issue this my proclamation, notifying that all such summonses and calls by private persons, and all assembling and meetings of the people, which may tend to raise fears and jealousies in the minds of his majesty's subjects, under pretence of consulting together for redress of public grievances, or imaginary grievances; are unconstitutional, illegal and punishable by law. And I do hereby require all his majesty's