268 GILMER COUNTY. 



why forget that pure and elevated patriotism that united into 

 one common feeHng of resistance the whole female society of 

 the colonies to the British duty upon tea ? If we are to pay 

 this debt of gratitude, we must compensate every impulse that 

 carried forward the ball of the Revolution. What rule could 

 be formed for determining the extent of the benefits conferred 

 upon our country, by the soul-inspiring and spirit-stirring elo- 

 quence of Patrick Henry ? We might yet have been depen- 

 dent colonies, but for the unwearied industry and mental 

 energies of Benjamin Franklin." Sentiments like these do 

 honour to human nature. They emanate from a lofty, a ge- 

 nerous heart. In 1828, Mr. Gilmer was a candidate for Go- 

 vernor, and was elected, his opponent being Major Joel 

 Crawford. In 1830, he was again a candidate for the guber- 

 natorial chair, but was defeated by Mr. Lumpkin. In 1832, 

 his fellow-citizens selected him as one of their representatives 

 in Congress ; and in 1834 he was a candidate for re-election, 

 but was defeated. In 183G, he was President of the Board 

 of Electors of President and Vice-President, when the 

 votes of that body were given for Judge White, of Ten- 

 nessee. The next year he was elected to the chief magis- 

 tracy of Georgia, the duties of which demanded so much la- 

 bour as seriously to injure his health. No Governor of Geor- 

 gia had ever been called upon to perform so many compli- 

 cated and delicate duties. The situation of the Cherokee In- 

 dians — the injustice said to have been practised upon them by 

 the State of Georgia — the conflicting opinions of the United 

 States Government, and the constituted authorities of Geor- 

 gia, all conspired to render Governor Gilmer's administration 

 any thing else than pleasant. Wisdom, prudence, and firm- 

 ness were requisite to conduct the helm of state at this criti- 

 cal period ; and we believe we utter the sentiments of every 

 thinking man in Georgia, when we say that Governor Gilmer's 

 administration was marked by all these attributes. 



Few persons have any idea of the immense responsibi- 

 lities which devolved upon Mr. Gilmer, when Governor ; 

 and although by his manly and independent course he received 

 a large share of abuse, it is now acknowledged by all parties, 

 that the policy he adopted was correct, and that the measures 



