Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-30
COLONIAL HISTORY.
PROM THE COLUMBIA q. o. BAssER.

Interesting Docunent-Ifoposed Union Of South
Carolina and Georgia
The following letter from VIM HENRY DRAyroS ESQ., to
Humphrey Wells ESQ., gives the history of the proposal
by South Carolina to Georgia. which have before al
luded TO- We have the originals Of the communication
from W. H. Drayton and John Smith, the South Carolina
Commissioners to the Convention Of the people of Georgia.
and invitation from N w. JONES' speaker to them to
appear before that body together with the address
w. H. rayton, and his notes of the speech of b. Gwin-
nett alluded to in his letter. and the resolution rejecting
the profered union by South Carolina The papers will
probably be given in volume of Documentary History
which we propose to publish when we get through our
present series relating to later period of the revolution
Snow HILL Is. C.) JUNE g. 1777.
SIR In compliance with your request do myself the
pleasure OF committing to paper of the principal
and arguments relative to the late propo
stlon Of union between South Carolina and Georgia.
by our General Assembly, which is pretty numerous
body, 1t was unanimously resolved that union between
the two States would tend efectually to promote their
strength wealth. and dignity and to secure their liberty
independence and safety Commissioners were sent to
Savannah to treat Of union, and honored on
being sent upon this business
Immediately after arrived in Savannah found that
every gentlemen in public office with whom conyersed
was strong against union. However, had the plea
sure TO md some gentlemen of fortune, though not IN
once or contention who heartily approved the measure
The convention adjourned when arrived the be-
ginning of January last but upon their meeting notified
that had important matters to lay before them
missioner from South Carolina. then assured and
gave full credit to it, that should fail in my appca
ton, but proceeded in the discharge of my duty.
Beng admitted 70 audience in convention after
short introduction of what had to say stated that
chance had originally placed the present districts of South
Carolina and Georgia under Government at Charles
Town. and although these districts then formed but one
had been separated and placed under two Governments
yet nature pointed out that the two should again form
bnt rcltp
were the same That if they continued two States we
had only to recoect the history of mankind and the ma
ture OF things to oresee that from such their
counsels and conduct would clash and of course lea
lousies and rvashp would daily increase between them
to the natural prejudice of their internal improvement
common productions and foreign commerce. That there
might be dangerous disputes about boundaries and the
property Of Savannah river since these subjects many
people in Carolina and Georgia thought very differently
natural and great obstruction the rise Of the value of
property But that the other hand by union all such
Jeaousies, ryalshp prejudice danger and obstruction
would be removed Improvements of every kind espe-
ciay in agriculture, inland navigation and foreign
merce would be studied and advanced with rapdity The
expenses of would be essened the great
ease of the people, because only establishment of
civil officers would be paid in the of two The pub
hc defence would be powerful and ut less expense
under one government than under two which might be
jealous OF and therefore often DESTROYS hwar other
and at any rate certainly liable undesignedy defeat
each others plans to the ruin of the people concerned
would be common to the two States by a union. But
there are others which would be peculiar Georgia
BY union the land in Georgia would rise in value
because the Carolina planters would be encouraged to
extend their improvements into Georgia, and the
chants carry that trade Immediately to Georgia which
otherwise must continue TO be carried on always has
been, and especially of late, through Carolina. The
Georgia currency always hitherto of inferior value to
that OF Carolina, something more than 20 per cent?
would be put upon an equal footing of that of South
Carolina. The town Of Savannah in particular and the
adjacent lands, would be of much Importance and
value, because Savannah river would be Immediately
cleared measure that would encourage and occasion an
immense increase of agriculture upon all the land within
reach of its navigation and hence amazing of
produce and river navigation all of which would centre
IN Savannah Thus in state Of separation from South
Carolina, Savannah could reasonably expect and that
but by slow degrees and distant day. only the one
half Of the produce of well improved cultivation of the
lands ON the river, but by union she would in very
short time receive the whole of that improved cultivation
and trade; and her commerce would be increased
almost beyond imagination although she weud lose the
seat Of government Finally. may add, that in state
OF separation in all probability Savannah will be ruined
because II will be interest preserve our trade
to our own people town viii rise on the Carolina side
OF the Savannah river, which will be preserve
half the trade Of that river and by being wisely support
ed 1t may draw to the other half also and let il not
be said we cannot find situation for town. because it
ought to be remembered that history full Of instances
of towns having been built and made to flourish in situa
tons that had been deemed impractcable for such pur
poses Rivers and lands make wealthy towns for these
are natural causes the presence and expenses Of few
officers Of government but drops Of water in the
ocean, these go but little way towards filing Govern
ment post with loaded ships The principal materials for
the building of such towns Gre policy and opuence;
thank God Carolina is not known to be in want of either
In short sir, II was in vain declared that Georgia
should not be liable to pay shilling Of the public debts
OF South Carolina that should be unwilling even
aid Georgia in the discharge Of her own that we would
condition against the taking up Of great tracts Of land
south OF Savannah river and that we DESTROYS of
granting in the treaty Of union whatever they could
onably ask for in Of union II would be the duty
and interest Of the inhabitants north Of Savannah river
promote the prosperity Of those south Of it, equally the
same as IL the duty and interest Of the people in
Georgia north Of Ogeechee aid those south Of that rv
r. Upon the whole that sought promote the gene
al welfare, and that we knew such end would be
obtained but by union having justice and equity for
Is basis
Having discoursed upon such topics about hour /
delivered written proposition groundwork to pro-
eed upon, and then departed The Convention then de-
ermned as it said to consider the inject day
n the time, in the evening repaired to Dr. Jones'
heir Speaker and informed him that the public body
Georgia had heard at large the Carolina reasonngs up
N the expedency Of the union thought iequitable that
he Representatives of Carolina should also hear at large
ne Georgla reasonngs upon the subject in order
hat, If objections made, they might by knowing
AVE an opportunity Of endeavoring obvate themand
desired he would in the morning take the Of the
Convention this subject he did so and informed
hat was not to be admitted public PERSON to hear
heir reasonings. Thus, while found they had shut my
MOUTH was made sensible that they thought their obec
ions would appear to be weighy by being secured
galnst the possibility Of reply. And 50 Mr. Button
twnneu appeared Ms the champion against me- when he
lad taken to deprive me Of an opportunity Of
exposing the follacy Of his arguments. However, 1
ook notes Of his principal what had said
ma IN m hour after, in the presence Of an officer Of
Ugh military rank and Of three Or four members Of
he Convention, | produced those notes and asked if
hey were just; and they agreed with that what he