Possible Invasion of the Floridas
Document 1794There are persistent rumors that the French are planning an invasion of the Floridas and that they are recruiting men, erecting works, and landing cannon for that purpose.
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6th May 1794
Mr. John Holland, an inhabitant of Savannah, left that place on the 26th ultimo in the Sloop Harmony, Capt. McCormack and arrived here on the 5th of May.
This Gentleman informs that the French Sloop of War La basas, supposed to belong to the French fleet lately from the Chesapeak, had landed some men on the Island of Amelia to the southward of the St Mary's and that they were there erecting some works, and had landed some cannon. That General Clarke was on the Georgia side of the St Mary's with a few men, their numbers said to be various from 150 to 300 but were daily augmenting, and it was supposed intended to join the French, and to take the oaths of allegiance to them, in order to invade the Floridas. Clark was said to have Provisions and Ammunition. The People of Savannah strongly reprobated the measure. A person, name unknown, attempted to beat up for Volunteers in Savannah, but he was forced to desist: and to give bail in the federal Court.
A Captain of a Privateer named Curvin, also attempted to beat ups, but was also obliged to give bail and desist. The Governor was daily [undecipherable] expected in Savannah. A Col: Hammond from Savannah is one of the principal officers. He was of the Continental Troops during the late War.
Type
Letter fragment
Description
There are persistent rumors that the French are planning an invasion of the Floridas and that they are recruiting men, erecting works, and landing cannon for that purpose.
Date
05/06/1794
Author
Recipient
Document number
1794050690101
Page start
1
Note
The author and recipient are not shown but, based on content and previous letters, they are presumed to be Freeman and Knox respectively.
Notable persons
[Constant Freeman]
[Henry Knox]
John Holland
Captain McCormack
Elijah Clarke
the French
people of Savannah
Volunteers
Capatain of a Privateer named Curvin
Continental Troops
Colonel Hammond
Notable locations
Savannah
the Chesapeake
Isle of Amelia to the southward of St. Mary's
Georgia side of the St. Mary's
the Floridas
Notable items
Sloop "Harmony'
French Sloop of War "La Casas"
French Fleet
works
cannon
oaths of allegiance
provisions and ammunition
bail in the federal court
late war

