The State of Georgia

[Hussam B.]

Official Title: The State of Georgia
Conventional: Georgia
Capital: Savannah/Augusta
Governor: George Matthews

[Hussam B.]

Taxes: 0.1
Port: 1 (Savannah)
Income: 1
Trading Posts: 0.6 (Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi)

Total: 2.7

Population: 70,000 (64.5% free white, .5% free colored, 35% slave)
Frontier and Claimed Territories: Alabama, Mississippi (except coastal areas)
Frontier Population: 5,000 (60% free white, 1% free colored, 39% slave)

[Hussam B.]

Force Limits Breakdown:

Total Force Limit:
- Regular Service: 1,400 (Active: 1,400)
- Militia Service: 3,200

Regular Service:
Augusta: 1 Infantry Companies, 2 Cavalry Companies, Fort
Savannah: 1 Infantry Company, 1 Cavalry Company, Fort

Militia Service:
Augusta: 3 Militia Companies
Savannah: 3 Militia Companies
Alabama: 5 Militia Companies
Mississipi: 5 Militia Companies

[Hussam B.]

3 Year Income: 6.25

Professional Units
Infantry Company: 0.6 (3 Infantry Companies)
Cavalry Company: 1.5 (3 Cavalry Companies)

Fortifications
Forts: Free (Augusta)

Settlement
Trading Post: 4 (Georgia, Alabama)

[Hussam B.]

Revenue: 2.5 points
1 Income
1 Port
.1 Taxes
0.4 Trading Posts

Expenses
Maintenance: 1 points
- 1 Forts: .1
- 3 Infantry Companies: 0.3
- 3 Cavalry Companies: 0.6

Trading Post (Mississippi): 1.5/2

[Hussam B.]

The year 1784 saw the term of Governor Lyman Hall come to a close and the subsequent election in January of John Houstoun by the Georgia General Assembly. Both men had previously received the news of the collapse of the Confederation project with much consternation. The outgoing Doctor Lyman Hall, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, served for a while as the only Georgian delegate to the Second Continental Congress until a delegation of three representatives with Dr. Hall at their head in July 1775. He was associated with the Pro-Administration group of individuals in Congress associated with the likes of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Dr. Hall's one year tenure saw a number of endeavors:

• The establishment of land offices and sale of confiscated property
  
• The arrangement of the public debt
  
• The rewarding of officers and soldiers with bounty warrants for services rendered
  
• The accommodation of differences and preventing disturbances with Florida
  
• The establishment of courts and schools, in particular, his avocation for the chartering of a state university.
  
• The consummation of treaties of cession and friendship with Cherokee and Creek Indians.
  

And with the expiration of his term as governor, he is to resume his medical practice in Savannah.

As for the incoming John Houstoun, one of the Sons of Liberty, this would be his second term as Governor, having previously served in 1778, the first Georgian-Born to do so. He took charge of the Georgia militia in an abortive attempt to seize the British post of St. Augustine, Florida, but His disagreements with the Continental Army commander, Robert Howe, contributed greatly to the failure of the expedition. When the British, in response, captured Savannah on December 29, Houstoun was forced into hiding. After the surrender at Yorktown, the British abandoned Savannah in 1782. Houstoun returned home, taking a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives, where he briefly served as Speaker in 1783.

Houston's election comes with a pledge to focus on protecting Georgia's interests both on the issue of the land dispute with South Carolina and the issue of pushing for the recognition of Georgia's claims in the West.

Shortly after accession, the Governor has already directed General John Twiggs and Colonel Elijah Clarke to organize the Georgia Militia on the frontier to reinforce Georgian claims and oppose Indian incursions upon them.

[Hussam B.]

Revenue: 2.5 points
1 Income
1 Port
.1 Taxes
0.4 Trading Posts

Expenses
Maintenance: 1 points
- 1 Forts: .1
- 3 Infantry Companies: 0.3
- 3 Cavalry Companies: 0.6


Trading Post (Mississippi): 0.5/0.5
Customs Fort in Savannah: 1/1 (Men drawn from 1 infantry Company,rest of cost covered by France)

[Haneastic]

North Carolina dispatches Richard Dobbs Spraight on a diplomatic mission to the state of Georgia, and in order to establish a permanent trade and diplomatic mission in both Savannah and Augusta.

Spraight's first goal is to seek an understanding regarding the intentions of Georgia's planned trade outposts in the territory claimed by North Carolina. Many North Carolinians have already settled in the region, and a permanent trade post has been established in the territory. Spraight hopes the Georgian government might be willing to seek a compromise that recognizes both side's territorial and trade claims.

[Hussam B.]

When the General Assembly of Georgia convened at Savannah on January 4, Samuel Elbert was selected to succeed John Houstoun as governor of the state. Elbert had not sought this honor and he asked for time to give the matter his earnest consideration and on January 7, Elbert appeared before the House and ultimately chose to decline the honor, stating that he felt, after the long rigors of war, his physical condition was not at its best. Echoing the same sentiment he had for declining a delegation to the Continental Congress the year prior. Elbert instead endorsed the election of Joseph Habersham, current Speaker of the Assembly to the post, which was indeed followed through in a vote by the Assembly.

Joseph Habersham thus becomes Governor of Georgia. A Son of Liberty, his previous service with the Council of Safety and the Provincial Council in 1775 saw him fulfill a active role in the conflict and later serving as a major of a battalion of Georgia militiamen and a colonel in the 1st Georgia Regiment of the Continental Army. Though he would later have to resign from the army after he served as Lachlan McIntosh's second in the controversial duel that killed Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, he and his brothers have risen to the forefront of Georgian politics in the past few years.

One of the first acts as Governor, in January 27, Habersham approved the charter granted by the Georgia Assembly for the establishment of the University of Georgia at Athens. The University marks the culmination of efforts by his predecessor, Governor Lyman Hall, for the "full and complete establishment of Public seminaries of learning". The renowned academic Abraham Baldwin was named as the university's first president. Georgia thus became the first state to charter a state-supported university. The Savannah Morning News stated that this event was "... perhaps of more enduring and far-reaching importance and good than any other of this great man's notable career."

January also saw an unusual piece of legislature pass in the Georgia Assembly, calling for the provision and attendance of the state to the moral and spiritual needs of Georgian citizens, particularly on the frontier. This entailed the allocation of public funds to churches operation and their maintenance. Governor Habersham would not act immediately in carrying out the passed legislature, citing his authority to do so in the Digest of the Laws of Georgia. Instead the state legislature moved towards openly discussing and debating the role of faith in Georgian society.

[Hussam B.]

North Carolina dispatches Richard Dobbs Spraight on a diplomatic mission to the state of Georgia, and in order to establish a permanent trade and diplomatic mission in both Savannah and Augusta.

Spraight's first goal is to seek an understanding regarding the intentions of Georgia's planned trade outposts in the territory claimed by North Carolina. Many North Carolinians have already settled in the region, and a permanent trade post has been established in the territory. Spraight hopes the Georgian government might be willing to seek a compromise that recognizes both side's territorial and trade claims.

Spraight's Mission is naturally welcomed and he is quickly established in Savannah. The offer of the compromise that recognizes mutual claims is received warmly as well.

Plans for a trading expedition to Tennessee are halted in a show of good faith.

[Haneastic]

North Carolina dispatches Richard Dobbs Spraight on a diplomatic mission to the state of Georgia, and in order to establish a permanent trade and diplomatic mission in both Savannah and Augusta.

Spraight's first goal is to seek an understanding regarding the intentions of Georgia's planned trade outposts in the territory claimed by North Carolina. Many North Carolinians have already settled in the region, and a permanent trade post has been established in the territory. Spraight hopes the Georgian government might be willing to seek a compromise that recognizes both side's territorial and trade claims.

Spraight's Mission is naturally welcomed and he is quickly established in Savannah. The offer of the compromise that recognizes mutual claims is received warmly as well.

Plans for a trading expedition to Tennessee are halted in a show of good faith.

Georgia;s friendship is greatly appreciated, and Spraight vows to honor Georgia's claims in the west.

[Hussam B.]

Revenue: 2.7 points
1 Income
1 Port
.1 Taxes
0.6 Trading Posts

Expenses
Maintenance: 1.8 points
- 2 Forts: .2
- 2 Infantry Companies: 0.2
- 3 Cavalry Companies: 0.6
- 16 Militia Companies: 0.8

Convert 1 Infantry Company to Artillery Company: 0.9/3

[Lefty]

Stevens Thomson Mason, Resident Delegate in Raleigh, North Carolina sends his regards to the Government of Georgia. He further requests an audience to discuss matters of trade and mutual beneficial relations between Virginia and Georgia.

[Hussam B.]

Stevens Thomson Mason, Resident Delegate in Raleigh, North Carolina sends his regards to the Government of Georgia. He further requests an audience to discuss matters of trade and mutual beneficial relations between Virginia and Georgia.

Both Mason and better relations with Virginia are welcomed in Savannah. The newly elected governor, Edward Telfair, meets with the Virginian in an official reception to entertain any particular proposals that might benefit both states.

[Lefty]

Mr. Mason notes in his correspondence to the Virginia General Assembly the excellent treatment he receives in Savannah, and the overall mood of cooperation.

To Mr. Telfair, he proposes a similar agreement as one signed with North Carolina, whereby both Virginia and Georgia agree to recognize each other's borders, establish a diplomatic post in each other's capitals, and agree to establish no import duties or tariffs on goods produced and traded between the two states, for a period of 10 years, with the agreement to be assessed after the initial period.

More quietly, he discusses with Mr. Telfair Thomas Jefferson's trip to Spain last year. He notes that Spain was quite hostile to the idea of Virginian trade and navigation along the Mississippi. Such a policy, should it continue, would only serve to choke the prosperity of those seeking a good life along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

He requests that Georgia dispatch a representative to Richmond in the coming year to discuss the matter.

[Hussam B.]

Mr. Mason notes in his correspondence to the Virginia General Assembly the excellent treatment he receives in Savannah, and the overall mood of cooperation.

To Mr. Telfair, he proposes a similar agreement as one signed with North Carolina, whereby both Virginia and Georgia agree to recognize each other's borders, establish a diplomatic post in each other's capitals, and agree to establish no import duties or tariffs on goods produced and traded between the two states, for a period of 10 years, with the agreement to be assessed after the initial period.

More quietly, he discusses with Mr. Telfair Thomas Jefferson's trip to Spain last year. He notes that Spain was quite hostile to the idea of Virginian trade and navigation along the Mississippi. Such a policy, should it continue, would only serve to choke the prosperity of those seeking a good life along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

He requests that Georgia dispatch a representative to Richmond in the coming year to discuss the matter.

Governor Telfair receives the diplomatic initiative with cordiality, the Georgian plantation economy would certainly benefit from favorable tariffs treatment in the Virginian market.

However, the Governor also points to the ongoing efforts by the small state to come to a settlement with its Bourbon neighbors, noting that agreements with the Europeans go a long way to maintaining Georgian security.

Keep this in mind, he indicates that this does not preclude an agreement with Virginia.

[Lefty]

Mr. Mason understands, and certainly agrees with the proposition. Negotiations with the French are ongoing for Virginia as well. He encourages the Governor one last time to consider sending a representative, noting the combined efforts of the southern Independent states may add to our combined leverage.

[Hussam B.]

Mr. Mason understands, and certainly agrees with the proposition. Negotiations with the French are ongoing for Virginia as well. He encourages the Governor one last time to consider sending a representative, noting the combined efforts of the southern Independent states may add to our combined leverage.

Certainly. An exchange of representatives is a positive step and one will be arranged.

And as always, the congressional representatives are always open to Virginia's overtures.

[TLS]

Representatives from the Kingdom of Spain arrive to conclude a treaty of friendship and mutual understanding with the State of Georgia. Following discussions with their cousins in France, their royal highness believes that the following treaty would be amenable to both sides:

The Treaty of Savannah, 1786

1) The Spanish crown will relinquish their claims north of the 31st parallel to the east of the Alabama river,
2) Georgia ceding its claims to the west of the Alabama river. The Georgians would still have undisputed claims up to the very end of the Mississippi north of the confluence of the Yazoo. (See here for a relevant map),
3) The Spanish crown will forswear and end arming any Indians outside of their territory,
4) Georgian merchants will have access to the port of Mobile for the export of their wares,
5) Georgian merchants will not have access to the Mississippi River or to the port of New Orleans, or any other Spanish port or waterway, without further negotiation with the Spanish crown.

[Hussam B.]

Revenue: 3 points
1 Income
1 Port
.1 Taxes
0.6 Trading Posts
0.3 Loan

Expenses
Maintenance: 1.8 points
- 2 Forts: .2
- 2 Infantry Companies: 0.2
- 3 Cavalry Companies: 0.6
- 16 Militia Companies: 0.8

Convert 1 Infantry Company to Artillery Company: 1.2/2.1

[Hussam B.]

Revenue: 3.4 points
1 Income
1 Port
.1 Taxes
0 Trading Posts
1.3 Loan

Expenses
Maintenance: 1.6 points
- 2 Forts: 0.2
- 2 Infantry Companies: 0.2
- 3 Cavalry Companies: 0.6
- 10/16 Militia Companies: 0.6
Convert 1 Infantry Company to Artillery Company: 0.9/0.9
Rebuild Infantry Company: 0.2
Rebuild 1 Cavalry Company as Infantry: 0.2
Rebuild 1 Cavalry Companies: 0.5

[Hussam B.]

The fiasco that the Creek war has become has thrown the political scene in Georgia to a state of unprecedented chaos. First was the debacle at Shoulderbone, then came the shocking view of refugees from the West, which seemed all to be up in flames and drenched in blood. Now, Twiggs Folley has seen a heavy thrashing given to the Georgian Army and rumors abound that the Creek intend to push in further.

Governor George Mathews comes under heavy scrutiny for his earlier sponsorship of Twiggs, and even greater blame is shouldered as more details come along of the conduct of the Georgian Indian agents come to light. But still, when the legislature is convened to attempt a response to the chaos, they did so with a bill to "Suppress the Violence of Indians." The act gave carte blanche to Georgians to kill or capture any "Indian" found and called for the immediate recruitment of state troops to act in coordination with local volunteers. Management of the troops and discipline were outlined with a marked emphasis on obedience. The incentive for such an unpopular job was more Creek land, which the state intended to extract from them once they had been "properly suppressed."

The extent of losses suffered by Twiggs' Folley was that Mathews was able to convince authorization to take up extensive debt to acquire replacement armaments and more. In 1788, Georgia's new governor George Handley inherited the war and pledge to advance recruitment of state troops.

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