Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-01
SOME uNwRIrrEN HISTORY.
Recalling n Grand Colonization Scheme
Of the Last Century.
IT,. I'll Noso Y0yE Horfg

of n century past, and is not only of inter
est in its historical and romantic charac-
/ ter, but Of vast Importance TO West Vlr-
ginia, Virginia and Kentucky In its final
definition and settlement OF land titles
Prior TO the revolutionary war there re.
sided in Boston gentleman who was a
prominent citizen and merchant.
When the war for the Independence
| Of the American colonies commenced
Mr.. James Swami adopted the cause OF
his country and was one OF the first Ia
| enter the patriot army. Washington and
Lafayette looked upon Swami as one Of
| their best and most important aids. BY
his courage, judgment and discretion he
| won promotion, and at the close of hOstili-
! ties had become a Major. General. His
| sympathies for his country in her finau-
cial embarrassment were so great that he
subscribed to her relief almost mis- entire
! fortune.
Gen. Swami was one OF the heroes whom
| virginia looked upon as her special pro-
| teges. Finding her adopted son in inan-
! c1al straits, the House OF Burgesses
! granted him a vast landed estate, amount
| ing TO over 100000 acres. The land
! comprised what is now portion OF Ken
| lucky, eight or ten counties in Virginia,
and almost the entire portion OF what is
now southwestern West Virginia.
Gen. Swami was man of romantic and
Unused with the idea OF grand COLOMBIA
ton scheme. Believing he could, with
the aid of bis many friends III France,
form an immense colony on the lands
granted him by Virginia, he departed for
France.
When no arrived in Paris he was enthu
siastioally received by his former COM
rades OF the French allied army. BY them
ne gained entrance into royal society and
pnfarpd fnfn fha xVhfrI aud dfGafpaffOn If
that lasciViOus court. The gay capital,
" tn lis ex raVagances, intrigues, frivOli-
ties and fast life, drew from all quarters
OF Europe the kings, princes, potentates
and mobiles, ard the grand colonization
scheme, presented in the fOwery lam
guage Of Gen. Swami, suited the exciCa-
bic temperament Of the French people.
OF forming an American Utopia were two
kings, six princes, dukes, marquises and
lesser nobility galore.
This was at q time when the history of
France became identified with a single
man-NapOleOn the First. He had re-
turned from the East, where he had over
thrown the Vacillating, diotatorial gov
ernment with the two Councils, and
formed a new constitution. He had been
chosen First Consul. broke up the coali.
ton formed against France by the victory
OF MarengO, forced Austria and Germany
to conclude the peace OF Luneville and
England that of Amiens, and by cOncor-
dat with the Pope re-established Christian
worship.
One morning Gen. Swami awoke and
found himself financially bankrupt, with
a debt of 1900, 000f. hanging over him.
The immeasurable ambition of Napoleon
had thrown Parisinto confusion. Money
could no longer be borrowed, and the colo
niZation scheme became no longer feasI-
bic. Gen. Swann's creditors demanded a
settlement by mortgages ON his American
estate. This he declined to give, and be
was thrown into the prison st. Pelago.
BY the French laws his creditors were
compelled TO support him in the manner
In which he had lived while at liberty.
His prison was luxurious in its arrange
ments and upholstery; his cuisine was
sucn as he would have received at the
most elegant salon in Paris. Here he had
his pdts de JOiS 0rdS, his champagne,
wines and all the luxurIes money could
furnish. He was visited by his mistress,
or mOrganatic wife, At in the morning,
who remained with him till z In the even
ing. de lived the life Of a prince, in all
but liberty, for ten years. During the his
t0rical Three days" he was released.
After his release he wandered about the
streets OF Paris and died, three days after
regaining his liberty, of a broken heart.
Thus ended the life Of the American
Prince"
The Legislature OF Virginia then APP
pointed M. John Peter Dumas, of Pbila-
delphia, as trustee for the French heirs.
Dumas died in lSi7 and lett the estate in
debt 100000. During his life time the
French creditors employed Josiah Ran
dali, father of Samuel j. Randall aud
Robert 4. Randall, as the attorney. The
property had become forfeited TO the
state for nOn-payment Of taxes, but in
1885 the old Commonwealth. mindful of
her former generosity, reconveyed it.
The French creditors petitioned for the
appointment of JOSIAH Randall as trustee.
He was appointed in 1855 and died in 1866.
During the lifetime OF the elder Ran
dali the estate was constantly engaged in
suits OF ejectment against sQuatters. and
so dangerous did it finally become that a
number OF officers were murdered in the
discharge OF their duties. The war then
followed, and the bulk OF the property
being within the Confederate lines, little
or nothing could be done with it for many
years. In 1865 Robert e. Randall brother
OF Samuel j. Randall. was appointed
trustee. Mr.. Randall did all he could to
disentangle the estate, even loanIng it
$4,000 or $4,000 of his own money, and
was finally compelled to borrow about
$4,000 to relieve the property from en-
.
amounts now due the French creditors.
who are now represented by r. G.. Barr,
| of Wheeling, will exceed 81 800 900. The
estate Is now also sued for sos, 900 by
Barlow and others through their attorney.
Malcolm jackson. Mr.. Randall, between
the last and present term OF the court,
personally arranged the settlement OF
their second mortgage Of $i5, 900.
From a previous intimatiOn OF the
court, Judge Jackson has entered a de-
cree appointing a. agent In West Virginia
e. l.. Butterick, az the suggestion OF the
trustee, whose duty 1t is TO ascertain the
present status and condition Of these
lands, under the direction OF the trustee,
and TO ascertain aud report what amounts
Of land are covered by squatters' claims:
what have been forfeited for nOn-payment
OF taxes and what are tree from any en-.
barrgssment; requiring the trustee TO
take any steps necessary TO reclaim, and
also directing the trustee TO ascertain the
amount OF money necessary TO redeem the
lands from the State; authorizing the
trustee 10 borrow money sufficient to dis
charge all liens and taxes, with view 10
enable the trustee al an early day TO con-
summate a sale of the entire property TO
a moneyed syndicate OF New York.
The archives Of KanawhR county are
full OF dusty tones, deeds, and certificates
/ OF more than a century past. Many OF
them, being written IN French, will re-
/ quire the employment OF French scholars
and experts TO translate, schedule, aud
] elagaffv - 81