CAMDEN COUNTY, GA -Bessent, Abraham , & Capt P McCobb to Gov Early- re: British Ships 1814 ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Tara D. Fields tutcher@camdencounty.org Extracted from: Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730-1842 http://neptune3.galib.uga.edu/ By Tara D. Fields tutcher@camdencounty.org History and Genealogy of Camden and Charlton Counties, Georgia http://www.camdencounty.org Document: TCC427 [Letter with affidavit of] Capt[ain] Parker McCobb, 1814 Aug. 19-20, St. Mary’s, [Camden County, Georgia to] Governor of Georgia Peter Early, Milledgeville / Abra[ha]m Bessent author: Bessent, Abraham, 1763-1814 date: August 19, 1814 -- August 20, 1814 extent: 4p summary: This is a letter from Abraham Bessent, at St. Mary’s (Camden County, Georgia), accompanied by the affidavit of Captain Parker McCobb, taken by Bessent. Both the letter and the affidavit, dated August 19, and 20, 1814 respectively, are directed to Governor of Georgia Peter Early (1813-1815) and concern the appearance of British war ships and information respecting their intentions to land in Florida and march up to Savannah. McCobb reports that the officers intend to recruit Negroes and Indians and arm them against the Americans. It is also reported that one officer had expressed the opinion that General (Andrew) Jackson committed "cruelties" on the Indians recently. repository: Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries collection: Telamon Cuyler box: 47 folder: 04 document: 04 Page: [1] [ | ] Capt. Parker McCobb States that on the 2d. [2nd] Instant the Brittish Sloops of War Charon and Kumer carrying each 24 guns arrived at Havannah and Saild [Sailed] the [unclear: 4th] Instant for Apalachicola Bay with about four hundred Men including officers, said to be 190 of the latter command ed by a [illegible] of Marines an Irishman [unclear: (Shone] he saw, and Many of the other officers, and heard the said Commander say that his intentions were to land this Force, to Join a force that had preceeded [preceded] him, and one that was to follow and that he had about 4000 [illegible] Equipments and Blank Commissions Signed, to be filled up by him for that Number of Officers his object was to arm the Indians and all others that would Join them. which was understood to Mean the Negros [Negroes] of this Country. They had a great quantity of Arms Ammunition Clothing artilery [artillery] and war Implements, and he heard the Commander further Say that his first St and in Georgia would be at Cole Rainon St. Marys River and from thence, towards Winter to proceed to Savannah. he further understood that this Expedition had originated in Engl and, but not Particularly ordered by that Government but Permitted to go as Volunteers which were Raised in the different West India Islands of the most desperate Characters to be found in those Places Calculated to Carry on a destructive warfare in any manner best Suited to their dispositions. he also understood that the Commanding Officer applied to the Governor of Cuba for Permission to land his forces in West Florida, which was Refused and then he Requested Liberty to land the Present Force at Havannah until l [ until ] he should receive further orders, which was also refused and a Spanish vessel did Proceed to Pensacola Which he understood was dispatched by the Governor to give notice of this Armament he further says that he heard the said Brittish officer mention a Number of unheard of Cruelties, which he said Genl. [General] Jackson had committed on the Indians and that the Indians were the Original Possessors of this Country and ought to have it and he intended to give it to them and many other Remarks of the Same Nature. The above Statement is Correct (Signed) [Signed] Parker McCobb declared to & Signed before me this 19h [19th] day Augt [August] 1814 [Signed] Abram. [Abraham] Bessent[unclear: J J.C] Page: [3] [ | ] St Marys 20 August 1814 Sir The foregoing Information being of Such Importance to the state of Georgia I have thought it Proper to transmit it to you without delay as I conceive no time is to be lost to prepare for Impending Events. those desperados no doubt intend to Spread destruction among us as far as their power Extends. the Expedition being Composed of Characters and [unclear: Colors] who [wax on document: have] no Respect to age Size or Seat and who have nothing to Loose [Lose] and intend to Lead by Plunder and Rapine. Capt. McCobb the Informant is well known to me and all the Inhabitants of this place he is a man of Respectability and his statement may be relied on to be Correct I am Sir Respectfully Your Excellencys most Obt. [Obedient] & Huml Servt [Humble Servant] [Signed] Abram [Abraham] Bessent I have forwarded one Copy to the Secy [Secretary] of war & one to Genl [General] Pinckney Page: [4] [ | ] Aug 19, 1814 St Marys 20 Augt [August] 40 His Excellency Peter Early Governor of Georgia Milledgeville Letter Abraham Bessent Esqr. [ Esquire ] dated St. Marys 20th August 1814- British War 1814