c ount p ulaski “i came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for...

C OUNT P ULASKI I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it November 6, 2009 President Obama signed a bill granting Pulaski Citizenship

G EORGIA : INVASION AND OCCUPATION This place is the key to the southern provinces, and the Gibraltar of the Gulf passage; for to the south there is not a port on the continent that will receive a sloop of war Loyalist Chief Justice Anthony Stokes

Lord George Germain, American Secretary, made the decision in 1778 to focus British military activity in the south Approx 15,000 Africans Backed by pro British native groups Supplied with weapons from the Floridas East Florida to the south being a refuge for loyalists from the south

Floridian Banditti sponsored by the British Governor of East Florida Governor Tonyn These were small groups of armed men who harassed Georgia and stole cattle and slaves On December 23, 1778 the fleet landed south of Savannah and let a group of to attack overland

Although they met resistance from rebel army A confidential slave led them through the swamps to Savannah In a couple of days Georgia was in British hands I have ripped one stripe and one star from the Rebel Flag of America General Augustine Prevost

Although campaign against Georgia had gone smoothly and quickly Holding it caused headaches Army depended upon loyalty of powerful white families and the neutrality of others Relationships were not always smooth Southerners had a fear of the affects of the revolutionary fever Both of the danger of war and of course the possibility of slave uprisings

Political instability after the invasion led many whites to flee e.g. Joseph Habersham Strong rebel leader Loaded 150 of his slaves into wagon and moved them and his family north to Virginia Once there he set up again

Congress set up committee To study the ways and means of defending the south Suggestion that two battalions of black troops be raised in South Carolina with freedom as their reward for fighting Permission denied Fear that it may lay a foundation for the Abolition of Slavery in America

British arrival caused fear and anxiety in Georgia's white population gave hope to slaves 5000 slaves, approx. 1/3 of population fled Most dramatic movement of slaves in American history Headed west, south or into the arms of the British

Flight of slaves threatened to undermine the structure of society And importantly to remove the ability of the army to support itself Planned to use captured rebel slaves as workers Two competing British thoughts on how to deal with the slave population

Colonel Campbell Set up police and slave commission to organize and distribute slaves in an orderly fashion His superior General Augustine Prevost Went a plundering and looting

Effective control of backcountry ended as British responded to the arrival of the French British had to head into Savannah to dig in and fortify a defensive position French fleet turned up in September 1779 Under command of Count DEstaing Included the Fontages Legion An auxiliary army of free blackmen from Saint Domingue

The French bombarded the City for almost one full month From Sept 11 to October 9 1779 Many of the women and children evacuated to Hutchinson Island Those who remained with the troops sheltered in basements and trenches when ever the bombardment began

Slaves, both young and old, were an integral part of the defense of the city And as one soldier wrote of slave children in the city as we were rather scarce of ammunition they would often pick up the spent balls and get for then seven-pence a piece

Roughly 300 Africans along with a number of Indians were placed in the picket line at the front of the citys defenses and told to protect them from any attempted attack Governor Wright, in a letter to London after the siege noted that African both slave and free contributed greatly to our defense and safety

Combined French American force attacked on September 11 th easily repulsed After the French threat was removed colonys leader tried to restore order and control to the colony Attempts were difficult area outside Savannah itself was still an area of contested control

But where it was dangerous for whites it could be deadly for Africans They were potential booty for both sides Patriot and loyalist groups could grab slaves from a plantation sell them on for a profit pay there expenses add to their partys wealth pull labor and property from the enemy But this situation that was not to last, at least in this form

British successfully captured Charleston in May 1780 Troops from Georgia were sent to subdue the rest of South Carolina Things just got worse at this time for Georgia Conflicts developed throughout the colony between supporters of both sides of the revolution Few if any white families were able to avoid the chaos

Shortly after British troops were sent to South Carolina Patriots in the Georgia back country also headed north to do battle there Enabled the loyalist government to once again begin to impose its authority of not only Savannah but also the back country Trade also began to pick up Over the next 12 months over one hundred vessels entered and cleared the port of Savannah their main cargo being lumber

Short period of peace was once again shattered as marauding groups roamed the back country This time whites were more fearful Gangs were black After being armed during the siege numerous slaves had refused to give up there weapons After siege many took to the back country and set up communities Other remained in town and simply took over deserted shops and houses and began selling and otherwise dealing without any limitation or check

Flight of slaves undermined the economy of the colony For a colony whose primary source of labor was unfree loss of that labor denied the possibility of rebuilding This was not helped when the British evacuated Savannah Took 5-6000 slaves with them January 1782 General "Mad" Anthony Wayne arrives in Georgia immediately launches a vigorous offensive in Georgia. July 10&11, 1782 Wayne's offensive culminates in the British evacuation of Savannah

The confused British policy of A) trying to use slaves as a threat, whilst B) retaining the support of white southerners backfired. In addition the uses of slaves in warfare, the wholesale capture and sale of them as war booty Made the revolutionary war in Georgia a war about slavery

A FRICANS IN A MERICA AND THE R EVOLUTION But first the end or the War turns south Video

British military leaders and crown officials were interested in the aggressive behavior that slaves were showing amidst the revolutionary fervor Proposals were made in the British parliament to emancipate all slaves It was defeated but word of it leaked to the colonies

Response to these rumors can be seen in the statement made by the provincial congress in May 1775 The congress created an association of defense The statement placed blame for all aggression on the British The actual Commencement of Hostilities against this Continent the threat of arbitrary impositions from aboard - & the dread of instigated Insurrections at home

As the war started Africans were active players in the campaign Northern Militia had accepted africans as volunteers There were African militia with the patriot forces at Lexington and Concord But after rumors that slaves were to attack the homes of whites on militia duty Massachusetts band black enlistment in May 1775

Washington when taking control of the continental army issued order against enlisting Africans November 12, 1775 Congress formally declared all blacks, slave or free, ineligible for service Washington upon hearing of Lord Dunmores declaration to free slave if they would fight for the british remarked the he must be crushed otherwise, like a snowball, in rolling will get size When he realized that the British might have the Africans on their side he changed policy and persuaded congress to repeal the ban

February 1778 First Rhode Island regiment was formed 95 ex slaves and 30 free African, under a white commander October 22, 1777 at Fort Mercer, New Jersey One officer described the regiment as neatly dressed, the best under arms and the most precise in maneuvers

Many other examples of African military involvement in the revolutionary war exist and we will examine them in coming classes But they were also politically involved and it is this to which I now wish to turn Many slaves, particularly in the north, took the opportunity given by the idea of revolutionary behavior and concepts of liberty Turning the idea of liberty for the nation into liberty for the individual

We have seen that the roots of the Revolution for many white Americans began in the changing structure of the colonial world For African Americans the end of the colonial world began a strong push for their own revolution In the 10 -15 years before the revolution three forces began to push for a change in the lives of African Americans

In 10-15 years before revolution three forces began to push for a change in lives of African Americans These were: 1) the activities of reformers 2) Africans themselves 3) public antipathy toward the slave trade

R EFORMERS Historically groups such as Quakers driven by religious beliefs to opposes institution of slavery As colonial era ended a new force began to drive opposition enlightenment thinking Primarily from the concept of the natural and inalienable rights of man To be free was a right; slavery violated this

Rev. Samuel Hopkins Pastor of First congregational Church of Newport Rhode Island 1770 became a strong advocate of change Made door to door canvasses urging people to liberate their slaves At one house, owner explained his slaves were happy Asked by Hopkins they agreed When asked if they would be happy to be free O yes, Massa, - me would be much more happy

April 1773 Hopkins reached out to fellow clergyman Ezra Stiles Proposed plan to send African Americans to Africa as missionaries Two selected from Hopkins congregation John Quaumino free man Bristol Yamma Slave November 1774, went to the College of New Jersey in Princeton Project died with the outbreak of war

T HE S OMMERSET CASE Impetus for change came not only from within the Americas 1749 Charles Steuart, a Scots merchant living in Norfolk purchases a slave, James Sommerst He later moves to Boston for a position in the Customs service In 1769, Steuart went to England on business, taking Somerset with him as his personal servant.

In 1771 Sommerset runs away, is captured and is about to be taken to Jamaica to be sold Abolitionist in England take up his case and Granville Sharp pursues the case Chief Justice Marshall at first is hesitant to make a ruling But pressed by Sharp on June 22, 1772, rules that Sommerset must be freed Slaves cannot breathe in England, if their lungs Receive our air, that moment they are free[.] They touch our country, and their shackles fall. Willaim Cowper, 1783

Although no colonies took official action with respect to this decision in 1772 they were still part of the British Empire. Word of the decision did make it to America and gave hope to many slaves Augusta County, Virginia, June 16, 1774 Run away from [Gabriel Jones] a Negro man named BACCHUS He formerly belonged to Doctor George Pitt, of Williamsburg, and I imagine is gone there under Pretence of my sending him upon Business he is a cunning, artful, sensible Fellow, and very capable of forging a Tale to impose on the Unwary [He] has been used to waiting from his Infancy He will probably endeavour to pass for a Freeman and attempt to get on Board some Vessel bound for Great Britain, from the Knowledge he has of the late Determination of Somerset's Case.

It was not however only religiously based people and ideas which opposed slavery After arriving in America in 1774 the first publication of Thomas Paine was titled African Slavery in America That some desperate wretches should be willing to steel and enslave some men by violence and murder for gain, is rather lamentable then strange. But that many civilized, nay, Christianized people should approve, and be concerned in the savage practice, is surprising

A FRICANS 1769, A slave whale man, Boston, brought a suit in court against his owner John Swain in the Nantucket Court of Common Pleas he won his freedom Fall 1773 Caesar Hendrick charged Richard Greenleaf of Newburyport with detaining him in slavery He was freed and awarded damages and cost A year later another slave in Beverly brought a similar suit and won

Although actions like this were successful they also had drawbacks Costs Slow Individual Unlike Sommerset case actions established no principle of universal freedom But the concepts and ideas that pushed individuals to action also pushed groups to try for a broader changes

Massachusetts 1773 a group of slaves petition the General court we have no property! We have no wives! We have no children! No city! No country Legislature appoints committee in June 1773 Defers the decision to next session Slaves take petition to Governor he claims his instruction do not allow him to assist them

May 1774, next year, slaves petition again Describe themselves as a Grate Number of Blacks... Who... Are held in a state of slavery within a free and christian Country Six weeks later they ask not only for their freedom but also some unimproved land in the province

In 1779 19 slaves in New Hampshire urged the state to pass a law, to gain their liberty and to ensure that the name of slave may not more be heard in a land gloriously contending for the sweets of freedom Did not complain that owners had mistreated them they simply, but poignantly asked from what authority they assume to dispose of our lives and freedom

Also Africans who fought for their freedom Both Dunmores Ethiopian regiment And patriots Example James Forten Privateer

C REATION OF US N AVY C ONTINENTAL C ONGRESS O CTOBER 13, 1775 One of four converted merchantmen that composed the first US Navy Andrew Doria Displacement: 190 tons Length: 75 ft. long Guns: 16 6 pounders and on-deck swivel guns. Crew: 130 men

B RITISH R OYAL N AVY S HIPS OF THE L INE Displacement: 1,796 tons Length: 150 ft. Long Crew : 550 Guns: 74 28 x 36 pound guns 30 x 24 pounders 16 x 8 pounders

M ASSACHUSETTS P RIVATEERING L AW [T]he council of this colony...[may] commission, with let-ters of marque and reprisal, any person or persons within this colony, who shall, at his or their own expence, fix out and equip, for the defence of America, any vessel,... and [ ]all such persons so commissioned... shall have full power,... to sail on the seas, attack, take and bring into any port in this colony, all vessels offending or employed by the enemy...and also to retake and bring in...any vessel or vessels that may be taken from any person or persons by said enemy.

John Adams extolled Massachusetts Privateering Law as One of the most important documents of the Revolution. The law authorized private armed vessels to arise and established a court for condemning their prizes.

C ONTINENTAL C ONGRESS M ARCH 1776 the force was to be directed at the capture of British ships, not their total destruction. Privateers were to bring ships and their cargoes to American ports for court proceedings and were to "keep and preserve every ship or vessel, and cargo... until they shall... be adjudged lawful prizes; not selling, spoil- ing, wasting, or diminishing the same, or breaking the bulk thereof, nor suffering any such thing to be done. Congress warned against any killing "in cold blood,"maiming, or torturing, promised severe punishment, and warned that any act contrary to instructions might not only lead to forfeiting the bond but also to liability for damages.

Robert Morris Philadelphia Signed Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence. Wealthy financier who had made lots of money in pre- war privateering. Lost over 150 ships during the Revolution and claimed to have come out even

O THER M ERCHANTS Thomas and Nathaniel Shaw New London, CT. Ben Franklin Philadelphia Black Prince, Princess, and Fearnot Made no money but captured British soldiers and seamen to trade for American seaman captured by British John Hancock - Boston

"the feats of our American frigates and privateers have not been sufficiently published in Europe. It would answer valuable purposes, both by encouraging their honest and brave hearts and by exciting emulations elsewhere, to give them a little more than they have had of the fame they have deserved. Some of the most skillful, determined, persevering and successful engagements that have ever happened upon the seas have been performed by American privateers John Adams 1780.

"The Spirit of Privateering prevails here greatly. The Success of those that have before Engaged in that Business has been sufficient to make a whole Country privateering mad. Many kinds of West India Goods, that we used to be told we should suffer for want of, are now plentier and cheaper than I have known them for many Years. James Warren Boston, 1776

Privateering was in greater favor with seamen than the regular naval service: 1. On account of the comparative freedom from the restraints of discipline 2. The profits were larger. 3.The entire net proceeds from the sale of prizes and captured goods went to the owners and captors. 4.This resulted in the crews getting a larger proportion of prize money than regular naval seamen, who were obliged to share with the government.

Advertisement in Boston Gazette recruiting crew for privateer Deane An Invitation to all brave Seamen and Marines, who have an inclination to serve their Country and make their Fortunes. The grand Privateer ship DEANE, commanded by ELISHA HINMAN, Esq; and prov'd to be a very capitol Sailor, will Sail on a Cruise against the Enemies of the United States of America, by the 20th instant. The DEANE mounts thirty Carriage Guns, and is excellently well calculated for Attacks, Defense and Pursuit --- This therefore is to invite all those Jolly Fellows, who love their country, and want to make their fortunes at one Stroke, to repair immediately to the Rendezvous at the Head of His Excellency Governor Hancock's Wharf, where they will be received with a hearty Welcome by a Number of Brave Fellows there assembled, and treated with that excellent Liquor call'd GROG which is allow'd by all true Seamen, to be the LIQUOR OF LIFE. Advertisement in Boston newspaper recruiting crew for privateer D

Problems with Privateering 1. Privateers vs. U.S. Navy John Paul Jones complained of having to try and replace his crew after each mission for they would run from his ship to a privateer in the same port. Discipline and low pay of the Navy vs. the democratic governing style and potential for big payday.

2. Privateering corrupted public morals George Washington in a letter to John Hancock described privateers as a plague of trouble and vexation. Journals of Continental Congress -1775 Revealed concern that if the defending of the country were left up to privateers then soon no law or property would be safe.

A frequently quoted complaint is that of William Whipple to Josiah Bartlett (July 12, 1778) No kind of Business can so effectually introduce Luxury, Extravagance and every kind of Dissipation, that tend to the destruction of the morals of people. Those who are actually engaged in it soon lose every Idea of right & wrong, & for want of an opportunity of gratifying their insatiable avarice with the property of the Enemies of their Country, will without the least compunction seize that of her Friends.

Comparison of Navy vs. Privateers in Revolutionary War Continental Navy Privateers Total ships 64 1,697 Total guns on ships 1,242 14,872 Enemy ships captured 196 2,283 Ships captured by enemy ? 1,323

Because of British policy regarding import of gunpowder, the colonists did not have enough to repel the third British charge at Bunker Hill. A survey by George Washington at the time showed army stockpiles were sufficient for 9 rounds per man. By 1777, the privateers and merchantmen brought in over 2 million pounds of gunpowder and saltpeter.

Privateer John Manley captured the Nancy, supplying the American army with 2,000 muskets, 31 tons of musket shot, 7,000 round- shot for cannon, and other ammunition. Captain Jonathan Haraden from Salem, Massachusetts, who captured 1,000 British cannon, was considered one of the best sea- fighters, successfully taking on three armed British ships at the same time. Privateers captured countless British reinforcements and over 10,000 seamen, keeping them out of the British Navy.

In 1777 George Washington's armies totaled about 11,000 men. At the same time there were 11,000 privateers at sea intercepting British shipping in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and even between Ireland and England. Together, the Continental Navy and privateers captured 16,000 British prisoners, a substantial contribution in comparison with the 15,000 prisoners taken by the entire Continental Army before the surrender at Yorktown. The crew of the privateers were well paid for their hazardous work, earning as much as $1,000 for one voyage, while average pay at the time was $9 per month Cost to insure British ships increased six-fold when they sailed without protection of Royal Navy.

c ount p ulaski “i came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for...

Documents