CAMDEN COUNTY, GA - MILITARY EARLY LETTERS 1795 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Tara Fields For more information see: http://www.camdencounty.org These letters are at the Bryan-Lang Library along with transcribed copies by Tara Fields. 1/25/1795 Document Number ___ Fort Fidious 25 of Jany 1795 Sir Your appointment to the command of the Troop of Horsemen allowed by the United States for the Protection of this State is confirmed by His Excellency Governor Mathews. Captain Sedgwich (sic) I have ordered to Relieve Captain Dickinson and to take into His charge the Post at Berry Hills on the Oconee and all Federal and Militia Posts below on the Frontier of this State; it is to be under Stood (sic) that you are to command the Horse and foot at all other Posts belonging to your Troop Yourself and all others both Horsemen and Infantry at the above Posts will be under the command of Captain Sedgwick (sic); with whom I hope to hear that you (sic) compliance, in all matters that Relates to the Protection of the Service you are in and shall at all times be glad to hear from you on Either Public or Private Matters I am with great Respect Sir Your Humble Servt. Signed Henry Gaither Leut. Colonol (sic) Commandant Cap' J F Randolph A True Coppy (sic) =============== 3/30/1795 Document Number ___ Sansavill (sic) March 30 1795 His Excellency the Governor Sir, This will be handed your Excellency by Mr. Lewis. Should have sent as Express but He promiss (sic) to deliver it Inclosed (sic) you will Receive two Several Depusitions (sic) in Regard to the Indian line, but Suppose, they will through Very little light on the business, I went Three times to look for Williams myself but could not see Him, I then hired a man to go to Him, and the affidavit is wrote in Such a manner; Suppose it will give a little or no Satisfaction and the fact is I believe Williams knows Very little about it, have been perticular (sic) in Enquiring of all The old Settlers, about this place; and can find little Else but hear Say Evidence; The best to be hand your Excellency will Receive Shall wright (sic) Shortly again from Berry Hills and should I be able to Collect any farther Testamony (sic) Shall Inclose (sic) it, you will also Receive a coppy (sic) of My Order from Colonol (sic) Gather, have Every prospect nobw of completing the Troop, in the course of three Weeks, and believe Should have done it before this but The Water have been so high, that almost every Place, has been Swimming; I find it very Difficult in getting Arms; have been oblige to borrow a Number at My risk from the Federal Officers of the Detachment of Federal Troops that was Stationed at Camp Cowpen (sic) say 31 in number 20 of which is Buried at that place. Eight others Sent off to the Sea Island The greater part of them very little hopes of Recovering. the Doctor tells me His well convinced There is Not a Constitution in America can Stand it There one year. have little Now to add at present but Remain with, Respect – Your Excellencys (sic) Most Obt Hu Servt Jno F Randolph (Reverse) Cap Jn F Randolph – 30 March 1795 His Excellency Ordered to be filed 18 April 1795 George Mathews Military – Honered (sic) by Mr. Lewis Governor of Georgia ==================== 4/16/1795 Document Number ___ St. Mary's. Apl. 16th 1795 His excellency the Governor of St. Augustin Sir. I am Directed by the Governor of the State of Georgia to return to Your excellency, or some appointed for that purpose, The Subjects in the province of East Florida, the Cattle & other property taken some time ago from said Subjects by a scout from Colerain, in Consequence of my absence a Number of they (sic) Cattle have been Lost However if you would be kind enough to appoint Some from Whom the Cattle Were taken, or any other person, I will Give What part of the Cattle that at present remains, & in addition to that Count out to him or they as the Case may be the Ballance (sic) of Cattle to make up the quantity as before Mention'd, that was taken & of such quallity (sic), any person so Coming to receive the property will be Duly protected by Sir Your Most & Very Humble Servt. John F Randolph Cap't. Commadt. of the Calvary, on southern frontier of the State of Georgias =========================== 5/14/1795 Document Number ___ Colerain Station His Excellency the Governor Sir Inclofed (enclosed) your Excellency will Receive a Coppy (sic) of a Letter I Wrote to the Governor of the Province of East Florada (sic); Refpecting (respecting) the Property taken from Lane and Tiller in Confequence (Consequence) of My being so long in Agufta (Augusta); a Number of the Cattle was Made away with; but have Purchased as Many more of as good quality to put in place of those that was lost; five Days ago there was a Party of Indians from Florada fire upon the Spies about a Mild (sic) from the Station; but they got acrofs (across) the River before we could do anything With them; We had Intelligence of their being come out from the Spanish Blockhouse; to Steal Horses some time before; but knew nothing of their Intention of Killing: Some time before there was three Horfes (horses) Stolen, and Convyed (sic) and Sold at Panton and Laflays Stores: a Peckelata Our Scout followed them; to where they Crofsed (crossed) over to the Shore they come up With Six Indian fellows in the North (?) who appeared friendly; and told them the Horfes had Just crossed Over Nothing farther Material (sic) at present: And remain With due Respect Your Excellencys (sic) Most Obt. Hbl. Sert. Jno F Randolph His Excellency the Governor Addressed - His Excellency Sava. 28 Apl George Mathews filed P, Post Governor of Georgia Endorsed Letter Capt. John F Randolph Ordered to be filed 14 May 1795 CITIZENS CLAIMS ================ 5/18/1795 Document Number ___ No. 1 May the 18, 1795. – Sir. = With patience I have waited for your answer to my account presentet (sic) to your Excellency, which is justly due me; But finding instead of answering my account presented a copy of my Letter to the Governour (sic) of the State; But I wll (sic) have your Excellency to know, that I am not yet become a citizen of the United States; But am a subject of the King of Spain. – I further wish to inform your Excellency that at the receipt of this, you will without delay, or at any rate by the 1st of June next, you will send my full amount of the account presented to your Excellency by me, which will be the only mains (sic) of preventing me for cohorting (sic) myself with all my power to pull of the yoke of despotism, and spread aboard the liberty, and freedom that God has bestowed to all mankind. – I can assure your Excellency that no one can wish more for peace that I do; But that unjust confinement your Excellency laid on me, and being so ill treated by your Excellency's orders, which distress'd a large, and helples (sic) familly (sic) to almost a morcell (sic) of Bread, and Water, which I cannot forgit (sic) it, which I hope God will be my protector. – Sir – your compliance will be agreable (sic), and will wash away all strife, which after I will pledge you my word of honour that I never will interfere with your Goverment (sic). – I have the honour – Sir. – to be your humble servant. – (Signed) Richard Lang His Excellency the Governor of East Florida at St. Augustine. (Original Translation on file George Department of Archives & History.) No. 1 Translation - - May 18, 1795 My dear Sir: I have patiently awaited an answer to my letter in which I gave the exact amount of what is owed. But instead of the declared conversation, I find that you have sent a copy of everything to the Governor of that State. I will let you know that I am not yet a citizen of the Untied States, but a vassal of the King of Spain. Also I want to inform you of the receipt of one without delay on June 10 of the near future. You should remit to me the whole sum which step is the only one which can hinder that I do all that I possibly can so that the yoke of despotism be excluded and the liberty and freedom that God has conceded to all humans be extended. I assure you that no one longs for peace more than I. But the capture which you imposed upon me, and the bad treatment that I received, reducing my large and needy family to bread and water, can't ever pass from my memory. I trust that God will be my protector. If you grant remedy to my solicitude which would wash away the stains, I would infinitely appreciate it. And in that case, I offer you on my word of honor not to bother that goverment (sic). I have the honor of being your most obedient and humble servant. Richardo Lang His Excellency the Governor in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a copy of the original filed in my office. Manuel Rengitte St. Augustine, Florida October 8, 1795 (Hand written at bottom: Folder continued letters No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and was marked "Letters Gov. of Florida to Govr. Matthews 1795 – Spanish – Miscellaneous – Foreign Affairs" – Original Letter in Spanish is in GA Department of Archives and History. Translated by Mrs. Cleveland Thompson of Millen, Georgia 1940.)