These were the men who led in the formation of the Government of the United States, and who gave tone and character to her legislative assembly, so long as they held control of the Government.  A peer among these was James Jackson, and many of his confederates, of whom I shall have occasion to speak in the progress of this work.

CHAPTER IV.

Political DISPUTATIONS.

Baldwin—­A Yankee’s political stability—­the Yazoo question—­party feuds and fights—­deaf and dumb ministers—­clay i>—­Jackson—­Buchanan—­ Calhoun—­cotton and free-trade—­the clay and Randolph duel.

Among the early immigrants into Georgia were Abraham Baldwin and William H. Crawford.  Baldwin was from Connecticut, Crawford from Virginia.  Baldwin was a man of liberal education, and was destined for the ministry; indeed, he had taken orders, and was an officiating clergyman for some time in his native state.  His family was English, and has given many distinguished men to the nation.  After he arrived in Georgia, where he came to engage in his vocation, he very soon ascertained his profession was not one which in a new country promised much profit or distinction; and possessing in an eminent degree that Yankee “cuteness” which is quick to discover what is to the interest of its possessor, he abandoned the pulpit for the forum, and after a brief probation in a law office at nights and a school-house by day, he opened an office, and commenced the practice of law in Augusta.  He had been educated a Federalist in politics, and had not concealed his sentiments in his new home.

Mr. Jefferson and his political principles were extremely popular in Georgia, and though there were some distinguished Federalists in Augusta who were leaders in her society, their number in the State was too insignificant to hold out any prospect of preferment to a young, talented, and ambitious aspirant for political distinction.  Baldwin was not slow to discover this, and, with the facile nature of his race, abandoned his political creed, as he had his professional pursuits.  He saw Crawford was rising into public notice, and he knew his ability, and with characteristic impudence he thrust himself forward, and very soon was made a member of Congress.  Here he was true to his last love, and became a leading member of the Republican party.  By his conduct in this matter he made himself odious to his New England friends, who were unsparing of their abuse because of his treachery.

For this he cared very little; but bore well in mind that “the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church,” and that the hate of the Federalists was the passport to Republican favor.  His zeal was that of the new convert, and it won for him the confidence of his party, and rapid preferment in the line of distinction.  He was a man of decided abilities, and seemed destined to high distinction; but dying early, a member of the United States Senate, his hopes and aspirations here terminated.  The State has honored and perpetuated his name by giving it to the county wherein is situated her seat of government.