Norwich bulletin., 1921-01-14
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAN
 HISTORY
HOW SAVANNAH RECEIVED THI
DECLARATION

DECLARATION
 When the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, it IAAs naturally some time before the action of Congress was made known througnout the colonies. 1t was months before distant sections were reached, and the war was well in progress before some isolated reactions were aware -ef the con f1ic@
 AS an instance, so tardy were the means of communication at perlod when the electric telegraph, and convey ance by steam were unknown, that so near section of the country as Setvan- nah Ga, did not hear of the Declaration | of Independence until the 10th of August. On that date an express messenger arrived at Savannah and delivered to 1 President Archibald Bulloch a certified | copy of the memorable document ac- conpani.d by a letter from John Han i cock, president of the Conliner tai Con- gress. The Georgia Provincial congress was at once convened, and to it's members President Bulloch read that historic and brave utterance Of the delegates of the thirteen united colonies. Profound was the impression created on the minds of all and rapturously did the assembled icouncilors hail the elevation of British colonies into the dignity of an indepenA- ent nation.
 This ceremony concluded, the president and council repaired to the public square where in front of the building set apart for the deliberateness of the Provincial Assembly, the Declaration of Independ- ence was again read and this time amid the accalamation of the congregated citi- zens of Savannah. The grenadier and light infantry companies, which had been quickly summoned, then fired a salute and a procession was formed consisting of the grenadiers in front, the provost marshal on horseback, with his sword drawn; the secretary bearing the dec , laration; his excellency, the president, the honorable council and gentlemen at- tending the light infantry, the militia of the town and district of Savannah, and
 lastly the citizens.
 Thus constituted the procession march ed to the Liberty Pole, where it was re- inforced by the Georgia battalion. Here } the declaration was read for the third time At the command of Col. Lachlaw l Mcintosh thirteen volleYs were fired from the field pieces and also iron! the small 3 arms.
 : Thence the entire concourse proceeded . 1 to the battery at the Trustees Garden
 where the declaration was publicly read
 
 siege guns planted at that point a salute
 was fired. His excellency. President D Buloch, the members of councci, Col v Mcintosh, many gentlemen and the mil
 tia subsequently, dined under the cedar
 trees and cordially drank to the pres v perity and perpetuity of the United, Free and Independent States of America" In the evening the town was illuminat.
 ed. A funeral procession, embracing 2
 number of citizens larger than had evel | been congregated in the history of Sa y vannah and attended by the grenadier an(
 light infantry companies, the Georgia bat
 talion and, the militia with muffle, a drums marched to the front of the cour if house-where his Majesty King Georg
 the third was inferred in effify, and tn
 following burial was read with all solem
 nity.
 n For as much as George the Third 0 L. Great Britain has most fagrantly violat
 ed his coronation oath. and trampled upo
 the Constitution of our country and tn of sacred rights of mankind, we therefore Ia commit his political existence to tn
 ground-corruption to corruption-tyl
 amy to the grave-and oppression t
 eternal infamy-in sure and certain hou that he will never obtain a resurrectio Ve to rule again over this United States ch America. But, my friends and fello'
 citizens let us not be sorry, as men Nitf
 out hope, for tyrants that thus depart ed rather let us remember America is frt q. and independent, and that she is and wi "a be. with the blessings of the Almight, -N great among the nations in well-don
 and to fight for our rights and privilege
 for our wives and children, and for a IT, that is near and dear unto us. May Gc )le give rs His blessing and let all the uet er pie say, Amen"
 e. With similar joy was the Declaratic
 of Independence welcomes in the oth,
 parishes of Georgia. St. Johns Parish k. Ylne home of Hall and Gwinnett two III fhe signers-was most pronounced in 1 'se demonstrations of loyalty and approval ed rro,,,o--or, 1,o co,f Ma 1o-d r;r, othy Dexter)