CAMDEN COUNTY, GA - Clark, Archibald to Gov. Schley - 1836 Re: Slave family left by Creeks

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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

March 06, 2004
History and Genealogy of Camden and Charlton Counties, Georgia 
http://www.camdencounty.org

Document: TCC592 
Letter, 1836 Sept. 4, St. Marys, [Georgia ] to William Schley, Governor [of Georgia ], Milledgeville, Geo[rgia] / Arch[ibal]d Clark

author: Clark, Archibald 
date: September 4, 1836 
extent: 4p 
summary: Archibald Clark of Camden County writes to
Georgia Governor William Schley (1835-1837) on
September 4, 1836 to inform Schley that a party of
citizens searching for cattle near the great bend of
the St. Marys River came upon a family of slaves who
had been deserted by their Creek Indian owners. The
slaves explained to the search party that the Creeks
fled to Florida to join the Seminoles, intending to
return for them at some point. Clark asks Schley's
opinion of his decision to allow the men to claim the
African family as "booty". 

repository: Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries 
collection: Telamon Cuyler 
box: 50 
folder: 12 
document: 01 

Page: [1] [ | ]

St. Marys Geo. [Georgia ] 4th Sept 1836 
Sir,
Some ten or fifteen days ago five citizens of Camden
were engaged hunting cattle in the great bend of the
St Mary’s river and came [deleted: [unclear: with]] up
with a family of negroes - who proved to be slaves (as
acknowledged by themselves / belonging to the hostile
Creeks who making their escape into Florida to join
the Seminoles- left them behind (being tired down /
promising to return - after giving instructions what
course to take-The persons capturing being desirous to
act correctly as Citizens - applied to me for Counsel
and I at once advised the course now adopted - to
Report to your Excellency - the fact of the Capture-
The case is one sui generis. I have therefore advised
the holding possession considering the property as
"booty" and as clearly belonging to the Captors. I
would be pleased to have you express your opinion upon
the question-

Respectfully remaining Your obt. Sert. [obedient Servant] 
[Signed] Archd [Archibald] Clark 

His Excellency
Wm [William]. Schley
Governor & c [et cetera] 

Page: [2] [ | ]
Seven Slaves-

one -- Suppd [Supposed] 27 yrs 
" -- 25- 
11- 
8- 
5- 
3- 
[unclear: 1]- 7 Slaves-
Page: [3] [ | ]
Letter 
Archd [Archibald] Clarke 
4th Septemr. [September] 1836. 
Mis
Page: [4] [ | ]

[ Note: A postmark stamp appears near the top of this page.; ST MARY’S GE [Georgia ] 
SEP 3 ]
18 [illegible]

To His Excellency
William Schley
Governor & c [et cetera]
 Milledgeville 
Geo [Georgia ] 
Archd [Archibald] Clark 
St Marys 
Answered 
13th Septr [September] 1836