LIBERTY COUNTY. 369 



sure which was afterwards found to be so highly useful. In 

 1774, he was a member of the first general Congress, where 

 he became one among the most prominent men, employing his 

 eloquence and pen in favour of every measure which he re- 

 garded as beneficial to his country. His speech in the Congress 

 of 1776, when he made his celebrated motion for Independence, 

 produced a change in the minds of many who doubted the 

 propriety of taking so firm a stand, and was followed by the 

 appointment of a committee to take the subject under con- 

 sideration, of which Mr. Lee would have been chairman, had 

 not the indisposition of some of his family required his pre- 

 sence at home. 



The British, knowing the agency which Mr. Lee had in the 

 declaration of his country's independence, made several efforts 

 to secure his person. On two occasions he but barely escaped 

 his enemies. In 1778 he was again elected to Congress. In 

 1780 he resigned his seat from ill health. Between this period 

 and 1784 he served in the Legislature of Virginia ; and as the 

 commander of the militia in his county, protected it against 

 the enemy. 



In 1784 he was chosen President of Congress, after which 

 he served his country in various capacities. In 1792 ill health 

 forced him to retire from the cares of public life, and in 1794, 

 June 19, this illustrious man descended to the grave, leaving 

 behind him a character for talents, eloquence, and patriotism, 

 which will be commensurate with the liberties of America. 



LIBERTY. 



History of the Settlement, Origix of its Name. — While 

 Georgia was a colony under the trustees, the excellent charac- 

 ter of its lands attracted the attention of a company of persons 

 who had emigrated from Dorchester, New England, and settled 

 on the northeast bank of Ashley river, about 18 miles from 

 Charleston. In 1752 they proposed a settlement in Georgia, 

 and sent three persons to view the lands. On the 16th of May 



