To George Washington from Burke County, Ga., Citizens, 25–27 August 1795
From Burke County, Ga., Citizens
[25–27 Aug. 1795]
At a meeting of a number of the Citizens of burk County at the Court house in Waynesborough on Tuesday the 25th of August Respecting the Impending Treaty with Great Britain.
David Emanuel was Called to the Chair.
Resolved that a Committee of nine Members be appointed to take into Consideration the Impending Treaty between Great Britain and Amarica and Report theire Sentiments thereon On thursday1 next at 12 Oclock at the old Court house in Waynesborough.
Resolved that John Jones John Davies James Jones, John Morrison, Thomas Lewis John Clements James Stubbs James Lester and Simion Lowry be that Committee.2
The meeting adjourned untill Thursday 12 Oclock.
At a meeting of the Citizens of Burke County in the state of Georgia, convean’d Pursuant to adjournment at the old Court house in Waynesborough in the said County on Thursday the 27th day of August 1795—The Committee who ware appointed to take into Consideration the Impending Treaty of Commer[c]e between Great Britain, and Amarica, submitted theire report which was received and read and is as follow,
Resolved that the Citizens of burke County concur with there fellow Citizens of Chatham County in the said state In thiere objections to the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navagation now Pending between Great Britain and Amarica They appeareing to them on mature deliberation to be substaintial and well founded.3
Resolved that aforesaid treaty is so Glaringly Partial in behalf of the British Government as to be truly alarming to every Sinceare friend to the Interest and Liberties of Amarica It appeareing to the Citizens of this County that an Attachment, to British policy incompatib⟨le⟩ therewith must have led to this disgraceful Bussines⟨s⟩ Or perhaps what is still more dangerous from Corrupt motives in the Minister who negociated And the members of the Senate who Voted in favour of the iniquitous Compact and we have the fullest confidence that the Cheif Magestrate Of the United States will use his Influance And best endeavours to promote a legislative Inquiry on the Subject at the next meeting Of Congress
| Wm Wyne scy | David Emanuel |
DS, DLC:GW: LB, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW. The second letter-book copy has the address signed by “Daniel Emery.”
David Emanuel sent the address to GW under a cover letter, dated 27 Aug., in which he wrote that upon “Mature deliberation it appears to us that the principles contained in said treaty Are altogether derogatory to the Honor Interest and happiness of the good People of the United States, and we are fully Persuaded it will appeare so to your Excellency And therefore Intreat that you will avert the Mischeifts and disgrace Miditateed therein by Refuseing to Ratify so Iniquitous a compact” (LS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW; LB [signed “Daniel Emanuel”], DLC:GW).
David Emanuel (c.1744–1808) was a member of the Georgia Executive Council for Burke County during the American Revolution. Emanuel was elected to the Georgia legislature in 1782 and served almost continuously until 1804. He also represented Burke County in the state constitutional conventions of 1789 and 1795.
1. The letter-book copy with the Emery signature has “tuesday” here.
2. At least seven of the nine committee members represented Burke County in the Georgia legislature (House records for 1791–95 are incomplete). John Morrison (1757–1802) was the sitting state senator. He had been preceded by John Jones, who served from 1789 to 1791, and he was succeeded in 1797 by Emanuel. John Jones represented the county in the House at this time. John Davies represented Burke County in the 1795 constitutional convention and probably served later in the Georgia legislature. James Jones had served in the House. Thomas Lewis was in the House at this time and served several other terms. John Clements had been in the House. James Lester (c.1754–1819) served in the House, 1797–99, and was at this time a justice of the peace, as were James Stubbs and Simeon Lowrey (1762–1838), the two for whom no legislative service has been identified.