BULLOCH County. 119 



1776, reached Savannah, Mr. Bulloch read the Declaration of 

 American Independence to a crowded assembly, being the first 

 man who read this precious document in Georgia. How must 

 his noble soul have glowed with proud emotions upon this oc- 

 casion ! This good man did not live to see the issue of the strug- 

 gle for liberty, for in less than one year after the Declaration of 

 Independence, his country had to mourn his death. Mr. Bulloch 

 was of a commanding carriage, and regarded one of the best 

 looking men of his day. He had received a liberal education, 

 studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Charleston, S. C, 

 but upon his removal to Georgia devoted himself to agricul- 

 tural pursuits. He was one among the most popular men of 

 his day, and deservedly so. Col. Lachlan Mcintosh, com- 

 mander of the Continental troops in Savannah, in honour of 

 the high office which Mr. Bulloch held as President of the 

 Executive Council, had ordered a sentinel* to be posted at his 

 door. This did not suit his notions, as a republican, and he 

 accordingly requested the removal of the sentinel, saying, " I 

 act for a free people, in whom I have the most entire confi- 

 dence, and I wish to avoid on all occasions the appearance of 

 ostentation." Mr. Bulloch, whilst in Congress, had acquired 

 great distinction for his uncompromising and firm conduct, for 

 in a letter addressed to him by John Adams, dated July I, 

 1776, now before us, are the following lines : 



" I was greatly disappointed, sir, in the information you 

 gave me that you would be prevented from revisiting Phila- 

 delphia. I had flattered myself with hopes of your joining us 

 soon, and not only affording us the additional strength of your 

 abilities and fortitude, but enjoying the satisfaction of seeing 

 a temper and conduct here somewhat more agreeable to your 

 wishes than those which prevailed when you were here be- 

 fore. But I have since been informed that your countrymen 

 have done themselves the justice to place you at the head of 

 their affairs, a station in which you may perhaps render more 

 essential service to them and to America, than you could 

 here." 



* This sentinel was Mr. Belshazzar Shaffer, father of Jacob Shaffer, Esq. 

 of Savannah. 



