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“The ferment of a free, is preferable to the tnr^or of a despotic, Government,”
VOL. III.
ATHENS, GEORGIA, JULY 26, 1834.
sad
NO. 19.
The Southern Banner,
13 published in tct town of Athens, ceorgu,
EVERY SATURDAY,
RY ALBOIV CHASE.
TERMS.—Three dollars pur year, payable in ad.
vanco, or Four dollars if deiayod to the end of the
year. The latter amount will be rigidly exacted of
all who fail to meet their payments within the year.
A nvEATisEMF-NTS will be inserted at the usual rates.
They should always have the desired number of in
sertions marked upon them when handed in, other
wise they will bo published till forbid, and charged
accordingly.
0*AI1 Letters to the Editors on matters connected
with the establishment, must be post paid in order to
secure attention.
ITf*Notico of the sale of Land and Negroes by Ad
ministrators, Executors, or Guardians, must be pub
Jj.xhcd sixty days previous to the day of sale.
The sale of Personal Property, in liko manner,
must be published forty days previous to the day of sale.
Notice to debtors and creditors of un estate, must bo
jiuMished/orfy days.
Notice that Application will bo made to the Court
of Ordinary, for Leave to sell Land or Negroes, must
be published four months.
Notice that Application will bo mado for Lcltcrsof
Administration, must be published thirty days, and
for IHern of Dismission, six months.
COMMUNICATIONS.
Medical College of Georgia.
T HE third Course of Lectures in this School of
Medicine, situated in Augusta, will commence
on the third Monday, (the 20th) of next October, and
continuo until the week preceding the third Wednes
day of the following April, which will be Commence
ment day. This includes n term of six months, in
stead of the ordinary period of only three and a half,
or four.
One of t he Professors is now in Europo, procuring
additions to the Anatomical Museum, Apparatus, &c.
and is expected to return by October. The now Col-
lego Building is in a state of forwardness, and will,
by contract, bo in readiness for the reception of the
next Class. It will accommodate 250 Students.—
The Professors are:
L. A. Duo vs, M. D. ) Of Anatomy and Physi.
Geo. M. Newton, M. D. ( ology.
Paul F. Eve, M. D. of the Principles and Practice
of Surgery.
Milton Antony, M. D. of Obstetrics and Diseases of
Women and Infants.
Alex. Cunningham, M. D. of the Theory and Prac.
tier of Medicine.
Joscni A. Eve, M. D. of Therapeutics and Materia
Mtdiea.
L. D. Ford, M. D. of Chemistry and Pharmacy.
U. M. Nl .vton, M. D. Prosector and Demonstrator.
The requisitions of candidates for the Doctorate in
this Institution, are the same as those of other Medi
cal Colleges in the United States.
The c ijionses are :
M itriculition Tickets, to be taken once, S5 00
Tickets for full course of Lectures, §100 00
Demonstration Ticket, to bo taken once, §10 00
Diploma, §10 00
Good Board, with Lodging, is usually obtained by
Students, at §13 per month.
JOSEPH A. EVE, Dean of Faculty.
Augusta, Ga. July 10,1834.—18—3t.
MEDICAL COLLEGE
OF THE
State of South Carolina.
T HE LECTURES in this Institution will begin
on the second Saturday in November next, and
close on tlio first Monday of March following.
Anatomy—J. Edwards Holhroole, Al. D.
Nuigery—John Wagner, M. D.
Institutes and Practice of Medicine—S. Henry Dick.
son, M. D.
Chemistry—Edmund Ravcnel, Al. D.
Materia Medica—Henry R. Frost, Al. D.
Obstetrics—Thomas G. Prutleau, Al. D.
Physiology—James Moultrie, Jr. Al. D.
JAMES MOULTRIE, Jr. M. D. Dean.
July 12,—17—cow6w5t.
ry»
University of Georgia, j
Athens, June 18, 1894. \
COMMENCEMENT.
T HE Freshman Class in this Institution will be
examined on Wednesday, the 30th July; the
Sophomore on Thursday, the 31st; the Junior on
Friday, the 1st of August; and candidates for ad
mission into College, on Saturday, the 2d. Sunday,
the 3d, the Commencement Sormon; on Monday,
the 4th, the Board of Trustees will meet. On Tues
day, tho 5th, tho exhibition of the Junior Class in
Oratory will take place; and on Wednesday, the 6th
the Annual Commencement.
For admission into the Freshman Class, a enndi
date must have a correct knowledge of at least
inne of Cicero's Orations, tho whole of Virgil, John
and tho Acts in the Greek Testament, the whole of
Gnrca Minora, English Grammar and Geography,
and bo well acquainted with Arithmetic.
The studies of the Freshman year are Livy, 1st
vol.Graeca Majora, French,and Day’s Algebra through
atio and proportion.
The studies of the Sophomore year are Horace,
2d vol. Grxeca Majora, Algebra concluded, Gcom
etry, Rhetoric, Modern Languages, Plane Trigonom
dry, Mensuration and Botany.
U" During the Commencement week, there will
be offered at Puouc Sale,
A Number of Town Lots,
Immediately adjoining tho present improvements of
this village, containing four Acres each, embracing
the most eligible situations for private residences—a
plan of which may be seen at my office.
ASBURY HULL, Secretary
June 21—14—tf.
FRANKLIN SPRINGS
111IIE Proprietors have erected a HOUSE at this
JL place for the accommodation of
Boarders and Travellers.
The great quantity of water flowing from these
Springs, with its high mineral properties, and cffica.
cy in complaints incident to our climate, constantly
realised by those who visit thorn, are deemed suffi
cient to determine their immense value.
They are situated nine miles from Carnesvillc.
near the road leading from that place to Augusta
by Elbert on, and six miles from the Madison Springs,
in a high, healthy section of the country.
SAMUEL FIELD,
JAMES MORRIS.
July 12—17-3t.
tt3*Thu editors of the Southern Banner and Wash-
ington News will publish the above three times, and
forward their accounts to Carnesville, Georgia, for
payment. F. & M.
OCT Book and Job Printing neatly executed
<a this Office. 6
FOR the southern banner.
Early history and probable explanation of some
recent discoveries in Georgia.
PART I, CHAP. I.
[Read before the “ Citizens’ Polemic Society,” and
ordered to be printed.]
It has been a general impression among
those who have travelled through the State of
Georgia generally, that it has been at some
early period occupied by other people than
the natives. Traces of demi-civilized occu.
pancy, may be observed on several of the riv
ers, together with appearances which we
know to be contrary to the habits of the Indi-
ans. These impressions (first alluded to,)
however, have been widely different as to
particulars, and as discordant as all conclu-
sions will be, when drawn without proper da-
ta. The object of this communication will
be to produce some authorities not very com
mon or accessible, which confirm opinions
long entertained and frequently expressed by
the writer, and which will, no doubt, tend to
the conviction of many, of the incorrectness
of opinions which they now entertain, or set
tle conjectures upon a legitimate basis. The
writer has the further object of promoting a
more minute investigation into the objects of
inquiry, as many circumstances and events
may be developed, and appearances explain
ed, relative to the early settlement of the coun
try, which will be interesting to every citizen
of the State. Mr. McCall, in his history of
Georgia, directs his attention and labor almost
exclusively to its settlement by the Colonists
under Oglethorpe. Many, no doubt, are un
der the impression that Sir Walter Raleigh
was the first European who trod upon the
soil; yet, forty four years before Sir Walter
Raleigh obtained his outfit from Queen Eliz
abeth, the hardy, avaricious Spaniard had pen
etrated to the extreme north of our State.—
To prove the truth of this assertion, it will
be necessary to enter into a short historical
detail. The writer does not set out to prove
that Georgia or any of the adjacent States or
Territories were discovered by the Spaniards.
It is generally admitted, that John Cabot,
after discovering New Foundland (Terra Nu-
ovo, &c.) in 1497, passed down the continent
as far as the promontory of Florida, and
claims the merit justly, of having first obtain
ed sight of the mainland of the United States.
Nor will he endeavor to controvert the im.
pression, that Oglethorpe and his Colony were
the first who gained a prominent settlement
in this State. The events to which the wri
ter wishes to refer, occurred about one hun
dred and ninety four years prior to Ogle
thorpe’s debarkment at Yamacraw Bluff or
Savannah. The leading features of South
American and Mexican history, arc familiar to
many, at least enough, to render a summary
a communication of this nature unnecessa.
and no extracts will be made, further
than to answer a definite purpose. Every
man of reading will recollect in a moment,
what a crowd of adventurers from Spain
thronged to South America and Mexico, sub
sequent to the arrival of the treasures in Spain
which had been plundered from the inoffen
sive natives. Neither of the great continents
had been well explored, and the raging thirst
for gold, equipped thousands ready for any ad
venture that might gain that object eventually.
The field for discovery was extensive, and
the investiture of high and honorable titles,
secured to successful enterprize, together
with the immense wealth, which had, in pre.
ceding cases, rewarded the leaders, induced
many to endure hardships which appear al-
most incredible. In the year 1512, Juan
Ponce de Leon discovered the promontory of
Florida. This was accidental, as he was then
sailing for one of the Bahamas in search of
the Fabulous Springs, whose waters wete be
lieved to restore age and infirmity, to youth.
He sailed from Havanna in the direction he
supposed the nearest, and as this continent
was unknown, no impediment was apprehend
ed. He tried the virtue of the Florida wa
ters, but iaeffectually; and set sail for Porto
Rico, his place of residence. He returned
subsequently with an armament to subdue the
natives, but was defeated. Other adventur
ers met with a similar fate in the years imme-
diatoly succeeding Ponce de Leon’s expedi
tion. The fate of one deserves a passing no-
tice. In the year 1528, Pampbilio de Nar
vaez, made an effort to subdue the country
and plant a colony. His force consisted of
about four hundred men, but few of which
number returned to Cuba, and the fate of
Pomphilio himself is not known, (Vmv. Hist.
137, Vol. 35.) On the 30th May, 1539, Fer
dinand de Soto, a man of daring courage, and
an able Captain, who bad served under Pizar.
ro in Peru, effected a landing at Spiritu San
to, or Tampa Bay. His Army consisted of
twelte hundred men, according to Garcilla
zo la Vega, who derives his information
from a soldier under Soto. There are some
writers who say 600 men and 200 horses:
but in making that estimate, cite no authority
for the statement. The most accurate ac
count. of his force by annalists, is probably
nine hundred men, besides three hundred sail
ors and 213 horses: (Holmes* Annals, Vol. 1
Page 69.) Soto was Governor of Cuba at
the time of his invasion, and.had been created
Marquis of Florida by Charles V. He left
Peru about three years before the assassina
tion of Pizarro. He came to conquer Flori
da for the Spanish Crown, and also in quest
of Gold; ( Wm'sons Hist, of N. Car. 16 and
17.) Landing at Tampa Bay, be marched in
a Northerly direction, about one hundred and
fifty leagues,, according to Herrera, to a town | east bank, and marched tothe province of Cha-
called Anhayca in the province of Palachee or laqui, (Cherokee) having followed up the Al-
Apalachee, where he went into winter quarters, covabatchee to its source. This we suppose to
It will be proper to state here, that a Spanish have been the route, as it was a sufficient
league coosists of about four miles, so that guide north, to the mountains. In five days
the whole distance was near six hundred miles, after getting into Chalaqui, they went to a
Through the country, unexplored and un- place they called Choualla, or Xoualla. The
known as itwas then, twenty miles would have Cherokees inhabited the whole country, from
been a long day’s march ; and would have, the Cumberland river, to the present situation
under that calculation, taken two months to of Savannah, under one general name, though
complete the journey. The fact of his ta- particular tribes may have taken their names
king winter quarters would lead us to believe from the rivers or remarkable curiosities,
that it required a much longer time, as we near which they resided. The language was
have stated, his disembarkment at Spiritu the same with slight variations, and the dif.
Santo, on the 30th May. To accomplish ferent nations, if there were any, had been
this journey, they had to pass through many merged into that of the Cherokees. From
swamps, rivers, &c., which they speak of as l the narrative of the Spaniards, we are iudu-
belonging to many provinces, the names of ced to believe, that the Cherokees under that
which vary from those by which they are at name, occupied only a small part of the State,
present known, or are entirely lost, as they on this side of the Chatahoochee. For after
cannot be recognized in the names of the getting into the province of the Chalaqui, they
rivers and provinces now. were only five days in marching to Choualla.
Another adventurer by the name of Cal- j The whole five days march was effected over
derona had landed at the port of Aute, (now a mountainous country; and from an inspec-
known as St. Marks,)and marched in a North- tion of tho map, as well as their own state-
erly direction up the YVokulluh, striking the ments, we must believe that they crossed the
Oaklochnee at due north from YVokullah, with Chatahoochee near the place now known as
the view of joining Soto at Anhayca. Hav- Winn’s ferry. There are some appearances
ing passed through an extensive swamp cal- at the place designated, which will justify
led by Calderona the Apalachee swamp,which this conclusion. About two miles below
we do not find so called on the maps, (Oa- Winn’s ferry, are remains of fortifications,
hichee probably) he marched about five leagues which we cannot fairly attribute to the Span-
(20 miles) to a deep stream (the Flint) where iards more than the Indians. The writer
they had a battle with the Indians. The of this communication has never been on the
junction between Calderona and Soto was not spot, but has received information from peo-
effected, though the first says the report of pie who live near it. Human bones are found
the fire arms might have been heard at An- in all the attitudes of violent death. The
hayca. This town was about thirty leagues selection of the spot for the erection of the
(120 miles) from St. Marks, and was situated mounds, their relative position to each other,
in a poor, barren country,and may have been and connection, assure us, that they were not
in Irwin county, probably in the seventh dis- made for the usual purpose of Indian inter
trict,as this region seems to be a fair location ment. Two miles above the Federal Road,
when we estimate the distances and marches perhaps a shorter distance, ip a bend of the
reported. In the ensuing spring Soto left An- Chatahoochee, there is another fortification.
hayca or Apalachee and marched three days There can be no doubt of this in the mind of
northerly to the province of Atalpaha, thence any one accustomed to see drafts of hasty for-
ten days along the east bank of a river (the tificalion. Before the land was cleared for
Flint) until he arrived at the province of Ach-1 cultivation there was a regular entrenchment,
alagui which was no doubt occupied by some forming two sides of a parallelogram, one of
branchorsub-tribeoftheChellokeesorChero- which was perpendicular to the river, the oth-
kees (Tsiilagi properly) which section we er forming the base of a delta and running up
know was lately in the possession of the Creek to the foot of a high hill, which overlooks the
Indians. They describe the country as be- whole ground. The embankment on the
ing poor and barren. From an examination side of the ditch is now almost worn down
of the maps,it appears they may have touch- by ploughing, but is sufficiently distinct, to de
ed the Flint first in the county of Baker, and terrainc its purpose, lliese works may have
terminated the three days march in the vicin- been erected subsequent to their march up to
ity of the place where Fort Early now stands, Choualla. After reaching the boundaries
and the ten days march bringing them into of the Chalaqui, as known to Soto, in five days
Houston, as their journalist represents their they reached Choualla. Garcillazo says
halt in a poor pine barren country. The au- that they passed over a mountainous country,
thor (McCulloh) whom we cite passim, con- about twenty leagues across, (80 miles) and
jectures Houston to be the section in which that they were five days in crossing it.
they terminated the thirteen days march,though There are but two ways which could have
he apprehends his knowledge of the fertility been called mountainous, in a northerly direc-
of the country might cause an error. From tion from Winn’s,either the high ridge( not moun.
thence to the province of Cofachiqui where tains) in Hall; and if they had taken that route
they came to a river of such size that they would have been compelled (after cross-
they could not ford it. This is not to be ing the Chatahoochee eighty miles above
found on any of the maps, but it might be Winns) to turn west to reach Choualla. But
recognized by people familiar with the this would have been contrary to the point
Creek language, iu that of Euchekonnaor To-1 of the compass, and also to the statements
bisofkee. Some provinces of Spain (as Cas- left to us, leaving aside the impossibility of
tile) would have pronounced Cofachiqui as if it effecting a march by that route in five
had been written Sofachikee. It is pre- days. A remarkable appearance in this sec
sumable that they touched the Oakmulgee, as tion (which has been hitherto without any
this direction would have been north from the explanation) may serve as a base for rational
Flijit, which course they pursued as well as conjecture, if not a satisfactory solution,
the nature of the country would admit. The Near the regular fort and entrenchment which
tributaries of the Flint, would have prevented has been mentioned, traces of a road can be
them from ascending that river without much seen on both sides of the Chatahoochee. On
difficulty, and from all reasoning on the sub. the western bank, the road has been followed
jeet, we conclude that they took the easiest for a mile or more, and the opening which it
and most natural way. The province of Co- makes in the forest, discoverable from the oppo-
fnchiqui was probably so called from some site bank for nearly the half of that distance, a!
creek of that name, and the creek now known though large trees are growing in the track,
as the Euchekonna was probably the gen- which we should suppose from concentric
eric name of the tribe at that time, but like rings, to be two hundred years old. Near this
all Indian names has undergone a change from fort, there has been found (and was in the
some particular circumstance. Pursuing their possession of Mr. Winn last winter) a tube of
north course they would have passed up the secondary marble, resembling dark chalk os
head waters of the Cofachiqui or Euchekonna. stalactites. The calibre or perforation, is
The principal town of this province was Ta. one or two inches in diameter. - This tube
lomeco, where there was a temple, which they was frequently observed by the soldiers of
plundered of its pearls and other valuables. Cortez, in the possession of the Indians of Mex
From a remarkable circumstance within the ico, and used as a trumpet. To those who
recollection of the writer, he places this town are acquainted with the elasticity of marble
in or near the Towaliga in Monroe county, this will not appear such an improbable use
In the year 1827 an unusually high freshet as it would seem on first reflection. Some
of this river washed up from its bed, muskets nations on the Orinoco had trumpets of baked
and other implements of war in a decayed earth four or five feet long, with globular
state, differing in construction from those now I enlargements of the tube occasionally. (Ga-
in use or any that had been used at Fort Haw. milla Hist, de Orinoque, vol. 1,303.) Various
kins wliile the Federal troops were stationed surmises have been made with regard to the
at that place. This is a remarkable confir-1 use of this curiosity, by those who have seen
mation of the narrative by the Spanish inva
ders. Some of these weapons may still be in
the possession of some citizens of Monroe
county, if so, the subject is worthy of enqui-
ry, and the error either as to the time of the
It from this point they kept their north
course for Choualla, they would have passed
near the Yonah mountain. And here, too, are
remains of fortification, which deserve a pass
ing notice. On, or near the summit of the
mountain, and on the north east side, is a cir
cular breast work, which has been very
much pulled down within the last fifteen
years. And within that period bullets havo
been seen, or cut from the trees, or taken
from between the rocks of the breast work.
This may have been erected by the Indians,
but the presumption is against it. In our
contests with them in the early settlement
of our State, we did not advance into that sec-
tion, and reduce them to the necessity of for.
tification. And we know, that it has been
contrary to their custom to erect forts, par-
ticularly since the introduction of fire arms
among them. They preferred ambuscade to
every other plan, and if this fort had been
erected by Indians in any of their wars with
the whites, such a tradition would have de
scended to us. If there is any such, it is not
generally known, and enquiries, which have
bceu frequently made, with regard to it, have
fixed the erection to a date beyond the sphere
of Indian tradition. To show that this sec
tion of country was in a state of great defea-
sibility, we will refer the attention of the rea-
der to another fortification. About six miles
below Yonah mountain on the Chatahoochee,
there is a small mount, the summit of which
has been dug or cut off, making a level on its
present summit of half an acre. This mount
is on the farm of Gen. Cleveland in Naucoo-
chee valley. An embankment id formed from
its base to the Chatahoochee, and it may be
traced by the eye of any one on the summit,
down to the river : although there is a field
which has been cultivated many years, enclo
sing a part of it. From the general direc.
tion which Soto pursued, he went to, or near
Yonah, and continuing in that course he would
have passed through the Western districts of
Habersham. There are probably errors as
to the exact line of his march, pointed out in
this communication; but an army of twelve
hundred men on the search for gold, would
hardly march in one line of single file.' There
would be many parlies of fifty or an hundred
men, as well to ascertain the principal stream
as the main object of pursuit. YVe would
be authorized to iufer even that five hundred
men had crossed at the fortification above
YY’inn’s ferry, under the command of Soto,
and went due north to Choualla, and that an-
other part of his army had followed the Chat
ahoochee to its source, and then turned west
ward to Choualla. If the leader, fixed up-
some definite course, and concerted to
it. The above authority seems to settle the
matter rationally. It may have been brought
from South America by the soldiers
Soto, as we have stated that he served un
der Pizarro. There were likewise circular
freshet, or the finding of the muskets, may be stones-resembling our pound and half pound
corrected. The Spanish detachments bad weights, made of the quartz or soapstone
many difficulties to encounter, and it is possi- j which are common in this country. These
ble that these weapons may have belonged to stones were no doubt used in the game call
those who died of fatigue, or perished at the ed by the Choctaws, Chungke, (which is thus
taking of Talomeco. The Indians, however, described in Adair’s American Tndians,
presented the least of the difficulties, as they 402.) After the ground has been smoothed
were wholly unacquainted with fire arms, at for tho purpose, they take a stone about two
that time, and were generally no more effec- I fingers broad at the edge, and two spans
tual in battle, than the Mexican or South round. Each party has a pole about eight
American Indians, who were continually slain feet long, which they throw after the stone
and defeated, by one twentieth of there nu. when it is rolled on the ground, and who
merical force. This battle was the only one throws nearest the stone counts towards the
of importance which was fought by Soto’s ar- game. They are. kept from generation to
my. This fact the writer wishes to be recol- generation and belong to the town. This
lected, particularly as the Spaniards suffered game was derived from the Mexicans or In-
no great loss. I dians of Texas. These things indubitably for-
They next crossed the Ocmulgee (not nish collateral evidence of the Spanish in-
known to them by that name, however) to its \ vasion.
of
halt in quarters at the end of a certain time,
such an agreement would have enabled the
exploring parties to ascertain with tolerable
accuracy in what direction the head of the ex
pedition might be found.
These suppositions are immaterial to the
main issue ; for the only thing necessary to
confirm, is the actual presence of the Span
iards in that section. Any part of the ar
mament may have taken the road referred to
previously, and Soto may have pursued the
course of the Chatahoochee, and in going up,
his army, to make a satisfactory examination,
would be again divided, first to follow up the
Cbestatee, and again at Sakooe. This last
creek, would have brought them to the place
where Clarkesville now stands; and if they
endeavored to pass from this creek above
Clarkesville to Choualla, they would in all
probability, have taken the Yonah as a pilot
for their route.
There is another fortification between
Clarkesville and Yonah, which lends some
weight to this conjecture. It is near a road not
much travelled at this date, though much in
use in 1828 ; the only time the writer ever
visited these remains. It is of the usual cir-
cular form of stone fortification, on the side
of a high hill, though the ascent is gentle.
It was almost levelled by the people who vis
ited it, though its shape is sufficiently preser-
ved to show that it was the work of man.
If this separation of the forces of Soto, is not
satisfactory to the reader, then suppose them
to march in a body to the place they called
Choualla, either crossing at Winn’s, or follow
ing up the Naucoocheo, and the main Result
will be as acceptable to the writer.' In either
way they would have reached the western
districts of Habersham ; and-eastern of what
is now known as Lumpkin county. The on-
ly difficulty to adjust, is the .exact situation
of Choualla, and we can only determine its lo
cality by admitting the report of the Spanish
and Portuguese Journalists.. According to
them it was twenty leagues in the Chalaqui
province, one or two points north. Twenty
leagues (80 miles) would have placed it In
Habersham or Lutnpkin.-
And when here, would they have passed en-
tirely out of the country without making an
effort to discover the great object of the ex
pedition ? Any one who replies that they
would, is unacquainted alike with the times
in which these mqn lived, and of the Spanish
character. If they penetrated into'the deep
wilderness and forest, and talked with the uh'
tutored savage, to win the precious secret of
gold from him, would they have rested in idle-
ness ? No! There were men among them
who had seen the treasure a of one Peru, and
they oame with the hope, and expectation of
discovering another. And acquainted as they
were, with the method of obtaining gold, no
one supposes that it would have been aban-
doned without an effort, and if that effort was
made, what doubt is there of their success in
that sectibn of our State. The gold sections;
of which Georgia is so proud, were unques
tionably worked, at least partially,' by ibis
identical expedition of Soto. The explana
tion of recent discoveries to which the writer
referred in giving a title to this communica
tion, was promised with regard to that im- &
pression. He has attempted to show that
they would have either divided their forties for
the purpose of exploring, or have went in a
body directly to Choualla, which, from adja
cent appearances, La Vega induces us to be-
lieve, was in the vicinity of the present line
which divides Union and Lumpkin. At any
rate they passed through Habersham, and if
we were to assert, ia so many .words, that it
was in either, tho statement, would be suffix
ciently accurate. We have stated in a fore
going part, that they were five days marching
from the Chalaqui over the.mountains. Here
then they would have rested, as it would have
been more fatiguing than any march of tbo
same length of time. During this rest or halt,
they possibly entered into an imperfect oper
ation on the mines. The head waters of the
Chatahoochee under the object of the expedi-
tion, would have been first examined. Form
the manner in which the several forts wo
have alluded to in this section, are situated,
forming a chain about Naucoocliee, and its
tributaries, we must infer that they not on
ly remained some time, but that they consid.
ered that section worth protecting. It may
be asked, where is the certainty that the Span-
iards did erect these forts ? That they did
erect them, and that they succeeded in the
great object 6f the expedition, the recent, dis
coveries to which slight allusion has been
made, it is believed will furnish grounds for
attributing it to them in preference to any
other people that we know. Very lately on
a lot owned by the Eatonton company in tho
third District of Habersham,on Duke’s creek,
while digging a canal, a block of log tenc-
meats were discovered under the surface of
the earth, varying from the depth of three
and five, to ten feet. The appearance and
description has been given in ai preceding
number of the Banner, and which has become
familiar to every one in this section of tho
State. It may, perhaps, be as well to state
the appearances as the writer received them
from one of the company owning the lot.—
There are thirty or thirty-five cabins, or rath
er pens, generally of the dimensions 6f ten or
twelve feet square. The bottom' togs ie£t on
the hard blue slate, below which, gold is' rare
ly found. They afe about five logs high, and
there are no roofs, nor any visible prepara
tion to place them on. The soil which coy-
ers them is alluvial, aqd highly productive,
and the ordinary sand and gravel which is
worked for its auriferous qualities, is found
in the cabins and about them ; in fact, they
are enclosed in it. That these cabins were
built by a people using the txo or some oth
er cutting instrument very similar, is appa
rent from tho mark on the et ds of the logs.
There have been many wild theories rela
tive to the makers of these cabins. Some
have reasoned themselves into a conviction
that they are of Antediluvian origin, others
that they are immediately subsequent. And
some advance the idea and adhere to' ft te
naciously, that they are the relics of pastoral
dwellings brought from Asia atthe time of the
Deluge for the revelation and enforcement of
the truths of Biblical history. Why not as
sert at once that they are the kitchen or me
nagerie of Noah's ark broken loose from its
moorings ? One supposition would be as reas
onable and as difficult to disprove as the other.
Men never will settle upon a rational account
of a matter if there is any thing of a mystery
in it, nor will they assent to any thing of a com.
monplace nature when they can torture their
ingenuity into the discovery of a wonderful ori
gin. That these buildings have been preser
ved is certainly wonderful, but the only thing
they settle in the mind of the writer, is that
these mines where they have been found were,
two hundred and ninety five years ago, worked
partially by soldiers of Soto’s expedition. This
conclusion may be exceptionable to some, but
we ought not to abandon a probable account
for the vague speculations which are so apt
to beset every tiling antiquated; we ought not
to abandon it, unless conjectures assume a
more pfairinbh; ground, than any as yet pre-
seated, to the public with regard to the mat-
ter.' Trays of soapstone have been found on
the same lot precisely similar to those now
in use in our kitchens. Why shouW they
not serve for instruments for panning out as
weft as making bread ? And in digging into
a hill on the same lot above referred to, hav
ing passed through a red soil four feet through,
a vessel similar to a mortar was found rest
ing also upon the slate. Other vessels of the
same shape were found in Che cabins with a
smail indentation in the bottom of the inside.
This may hayo been occasiocod by tbe pound-,
ing of rock to obtain Gold. On the head
wafers ofth* Same creek the sole of a shoo
was found resting below the auriferous stra-
turn on tbe slate. If the Antediiuvl.
ans wore shoes of anv thing more like them
than sandals, the author tfho transmits diteff
an account is not to bq found io any of tho
modern Libraries. The suggestions as to the
use of the several vessels discovered, aTe not
intended as a serious refutation of the suppo
sition, that the whole matter ra of AntediluVrL
an origin. They are only common place rea- .
sons for things which any one will assent to,
who admits that these, mines were once work-
ed for gold. The difficulty that occurs from
all of these-.cabins, and* vessels resting on tha
slate, will give occasion for another essay at Z
some future period. A matter of more interest