The Savannah morning news., 1901-02-12
THE TWELFTH THE DAY.
How Founding of Colony Was Cele-
brnfeh in OIden Times

brated in 0Iden Times.
Savannah. Feb n.-Editor Morning
News: Permit me to say few words in
connection with the question Of the correct
date for the celebration Of the landing OF
Gen. Oglethorpe on Georgia soil. The
landing occurred on the first day OF Feb
ruary. old style, 17SS but in September.
1852, England adopted the change In the
calendar by which eleven days were add
ed. and since that time events which hap
pened before the change. Of sufficient i'm
poTtsnce 10 be annually observed, have
been celebrated eleven days later than
the date on which they actually took place.
Thus. Washington was born on Feb. H.
and yet it is never considered proper 10
observe any other day than the 22d. In
rnediately after the death of Washington
the custom began Of taking notice Of mis-
birthday. aud, in a very few instances
the nth was observed; but it was long
ago decided that the I'd is the true date
Tor its observance.
When the Georgia Historical Society
was founded in 1893 one Of the FIRST points
10 be decided was to make the date OF
the landing OF the colonists the day for
the society's annual meetings, and the
18th. OF February was declared TO be the
right day.
Appended to this letter I send an ex-
tract from that very rare book. Stephens
journal of the Proceedings in Georgia"
showing the authors regard for the day,
and expressing the hope that the people
ages to come, will celebrate this day an
nuaily here" You will also find some ex-
hot
it was the custom in the colony to cele-
brate Ogiethorpes birthday. forty-two
days earlier.
William Stephens was appointed secre-
fary to the trustees in Georgia. at the
Recommendation of Gen. Oglethorpe, IN
August 1871: arrived in Savannah, in No
Vember following was made president of
the county of Savannah in 17fl, and of the
whole colony in 174S. Very respectfully,
William Harden.
From "A Journal of the Proceedings in
Georgia. Beginning Oct. 20. 1871" BY
William Stephens, Esq. Vol. ?, PIP. 2s7-2os,
Friday. Feb. !, 1883.
This being the anniversary day OF the
coIony's first landing here. under the con-
duet Of James Oglethorpe. Esq. the Gun
ner asked me whether OF not he should
fire any Guns as he had been formerly
accustomed: to which sir. Jones, Chen
with mel, answered. no; but 1 was Of
different Opinion. and thought the An
swer would more properly have come from
me, as the General had left the Command
of all the Militia with me In his Abb
sence: Who when here last told US, that
now in Time of War, Powder ought not
90 he wasted in needless Statutes, etc.
Upon which Mr.. Jones made that a Foun-
dalton OF his Opinion, calling it Saw
ing: which / had before shown a partic-
ular Regard 10. by divers Restrictions
made. where 7 thought 1t proper; which
would be found Savings indeed, worth
Notice: but to show contempt of this
Day by such a poor Pretense. which in
effect was bad compliment to the Gen
erai himself, too / thought mean Act
and might tarry such q Refiexion, as could
not be easily justified. Therefore the
least ] could do. was to order five Guns
20 be fired. which ! did as a Memorial;
hoping that Ages 10 come will celebrate
this Day annually here, in a better Man
Nor. In the Evening a select Company
OF such as had Confidence in one anothers
sincere Disposition towards promoting the
ColonYs Welfare, met and took a cheer
ful Glass TO its Founders. Protectors. aud
Benefactors' Healths', Messrs. Carteret
and Horton, (now I'm Town. joining us :
and nothing appeared among US but Love
and Good-humour"
From Stephens journal of the Pro-
ceedings in Georgia. Vol. j. pa ge IS, We'd
nesday. Dec. a. 1871.
This being Mr.. Oglethorpe's Birthday
(Which Is celebrated here annually the
Magistrates, military Ofhcers, and princi-
pal Inhabitants, met at the Fort, where
some Bottles Of Wine and some Biscuit
being prepared. about Noon his Maiesty's
Health and the Royal Fsmily's were
drank under discharge of thirteen
Guns; then the Honorable Trustees: and
next the Captain General of these Prov
inces: In the Evening a handsome. cold
Entertainment was provided at a Tavern,
by the Subscription Of upwerds Of thirty.
who las many as could find them brought
Partners to dance; which they did, and
were merry"
Vol ], PIP. S9l-Se2, Thursday, Dec. 81.
1893
Another very heavy Rain Of oil the
last Night, and this whole Days Contin-
uance; which whatever Impedimeut it
might occasion TO other Affairs, was no
Iindrance TO our Celebration of the Cen
erals Birthday. as had been always ac-
customed hitherto. and in the very same
Manner we did last Year, under Discharge
OF Cannon; but in the Evening we were
not In the same Capacity to follow that
Pattern. for Reasons too apparent
Wherefore II was proposed and agreed to,
by some or the principal Inhabitants,
among whom were the Magistrates ana
Constables. TO get some Supper bespoke at
a public House. where all that would
come should pay their club, and Mr..
Jones ito make il the easier TO them was
10 send little Wine. &c. Accordingly
the Company met, to the Number OF iif-
teen. or more, and were chearfu a while,
behaving with good Temper and Decency
silI at length they made the Representa-
ton the Topic Of their Discourse, which
brought on Arguments Of various Kinds;
and some Warmth beginning to show it.
self, which was not very agreeable, l and
a few others withdrew and left them"
NoL 2, pages 22i-225. Friday Dec. q,
17aa
'rrhis being his Excelency's Birthday.
was observed by firing some Guns, and
his Health was drunk under the Flag
without and Profuseness Of Powder or
wlno; which he forbid upon any public
unity