Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-01
Patriotic SeIf-Denylng
ForefatherS

I have been reading lately, so tar as
an inflamed eye will permit, some Oh
the colonial history of Georgia. Whlle
our ANTIQUE people were writhing UNI
der the fnjuspce of English tyranny ana
preparing for the war of the Revolution
After reciting their privations and dis
tress at a merchants meeting in SaVah-
nah September 16, 1869, these men pledg-
ed themselves to comply and adhere TO
several resolutions which go TO snow
the fortitude of these early patriots
Also their detestation Of the African
slave trade.
These are matters of history, they are
important to our own descendants and
they throw clear light upon the pure
patriotism of the early settlers OF
Georgia.
First, we will encourage and promote
American manufactures in this province
in particular.
Second, That the raising of sheep for
the benefit of wool will be of the utmost
utility, we do therefore, engage not to
kill or sell any lambs, that shall be
weaned before the first of May in every
year, to any butcher or any other per-
son whom we may have reason to think
will kill the same.
Third, That we will upon no pretense
either upon our own account, or commits
sion, import into this province any of
the manufactures of Great Britain, or
European or East India goods, other than
may be shipped in consequence of form
er orders, except only negro cloth, not
exceeding one shilling and 4 pence per
yard, osnabergs, canvas, cordage, drugs
and hardware of all sorts, paper not
exceeding ten shillings per ream, fire.
petre, Goals, printed books and PAM
phlets. white and striped flannels not
above nine shillings per yard, white linen
not above Is shillings and pence per
dozen, striped cottons not exceeding 13
shillings and 4 pence per yard, checks
not above 3 shillings and 3 pence per
yard, felt hats not above As shillings
per dozen, boiling cloths, mill and grind
stones, cotton and wool cards and wire
thread not above shilIings and pence
per pound, shoes not above 4S shillings
per dozen, also the following goods nee
esary for Indian trade, strouds, ver-
million, beads looking glasses and paint.
Exclusive of these articles we do SOL
EMMY promise and declare we will imme-
diately countermand all orders to our
correspondents in Great Britain, for ship
ping any goods. these articles excepted:
mourning at funerals.
Sixth. that from and after June 1, ITO,
we will not import. buy or sell any ne
gToes brought into this province from
Africa, and if any goods or negroes be
sent to us contrary TO our agreement
in this subscription such goods shall be
reshipped or stored. and such negroes
reshipped from this province and not by
any means offered for sale therein.
Seventh. that we will not import on
our own account or on commission pur-
chase from any masters of vessels, tran
silent persons, or non-subscribers, any
wines after March Is. next.
Eighth, That we will not purchase any
negroes imported or any goods or wares
or merchandise from any resident of fhis
province or transient person that Shall
neglect to sign this agreement five weeks
from the date thereof. and every person
signing and not adhering to the same ac-
cording to the true intent thereof and
also every non-subscriber, shall be look
ed upon as no friends to his country.
In considering these resolutions we
must not forget there were no cotton gins
or cotton factories in the province. What
was not bought had to be created out of
seed cotton picked by human fingers.
carded, spun, warped and worn by the
woman of the period.
These resolutions were as hard on the
people in the province as the merchants
Of Great Britain who had no market
for their goods in the colonies. after these
defying words were written and signed
by the colonists.
Although the son of African slavery
has been 100000 times charged against
the people of the south, il is plainly evil
dent that those early patriots were un-
willing to become slave traders and it
was herein ordered that these African
slaves be Immediately reshipped to their
native soil.
We notice also with pleasure their
defy" to the wine trader with foreign
countries.
In their poverty and 'privation they
could not afford to waste money on
spirituous liquors. e ~"l
There were no temperance societies in