George Washington had the same information about the offer from Austria and Russia, and ordered Greene to use every means of establishing some form of state government as proof in Paris that the British hold on Savannah did not signify control of Georgia. Major James Jackson had made a fine impression on General Greene, and he now promoted him to colonel, to be commander of an official Georgia state legion that would include the Georgians who had fought under Greene in the Carolinas, some militia groups, and other soldiers who could be induced to transfer their allegiance from the British. Jackson recommended that Ethan Pratt be promoted to captain, and the request was approved.

Using the constitution of 1777 as a guide, superficial elections were quickly organized in the regions controlled by the American forces, and the delegates soon met in Augusta. This solidified a permanent shift of political influence away from the more sophisticated elite on the coast to the frontiersmen in the interior regions. They named Augusta as their capital and chose a former delegate to the Continental Congress, Dr. Nathan Brownson, as governor. Elijah Clarke was an elected delegate and was given a choice committee assignment and designated to handle the disposition of confiscated estates. With both Creeks and Cherokees still on the warpath and strongly supported by Brown and his Rangers, Clarke decided that it was best to defend the frontier against depredation, and only later to offer his services to Colonel Jackson’s militia or to General Wayne’s Continentals.

Knowing that the main threat was the Creek Indians, Governor Brownson sent a message to Emistisiguo, the Raven, and “The Beloved Men of the Creek Nation,” telling them how the British had been defeated, and asking them not to be “perswaded by Brown’s lying talk to engage against us—our Brothers of Virginia have heard that your Tomahocks have drank our blood—They have sent us a talk that they had whet their swords and cleaned their riffles and only waited for us to give the word and they would come and make your women widdows and your Towns Smoak—We have sent them a talk and told them we believe the Creek Nation still wish to be our friends and Brothers and what Blood was spilt was done by Mad Young Men, set on by Brown’s lying people among them.” He asked that a treaty be made, but the bond between Thomas Brown and the Indians was too strong to be weakened by strange messages from Georgians whom they had known only as enemies.

CHAPTER 52

Ethan and Mavis

AUGUST 1781

In Ebenezer, Ethan Pratt approached Major Jackson and requested leave to return to Wrightsborough.

“Captain Pratt, you know that you are free to return to your home at any time, but what would be the purpose of your visit?”