PREFACE

In April, 1900, when this chapter was barely two months. old, space was obtained from The Atlanta Constitution for a weekly article devoted to historical subjects and the extension of the principles of our National Society. This feature became so popular and the demand for back numbers of the paper so great that the Joseph Habersham Chapter undertook the publication of the first year's papers in book form.

Since then our work has broadened, and grown in extent and in importance until we feel that in the impetus we have given to the study of American history generally and to the collection and preservation of records in particular, not only in Georgia but wherever our papers have been read, we have done a work that will live.

In presenting Volume II of our Historical Collections, we do not ask that the time, labor or expense which have been expended upon this work be taken into consideration; but we do beg the critics to remember that these pages, containing court records, documents, lists of Revolutionary soldiers, sketches, pedigrees and valuable historical papers, are current newspaper articles after all, which were not originally intended to form a permanent collection. That these might have been polished and refined, and condensed or elaborated to advantage, is quite apparent; but the time that was given to this work has been taken from busy lives, overflowing with duties and obligations, and more time was not at our command. We thank the kind friends who have made these books possible, and assure them that all our success goes into renewed effort for Georgia and the South. No one can see the faults of this volume more plainly than the editor, who would like to change many things if it were possible. But, as the poet says:

"All success proves partial failure;

All progress something crushed at the chariot wheels."

"Perhaps the most exquisite penciling that embellishes the work of Sir Walter Scott is the portraiture of 'Old Mortality.' There is almost sublime pathos in the picture he presents of the devout old Cameronian passing from place to place throughout the lowlands of Scotland, practicing without fee or reward the task of clearing away with humble but devoted chisel the accumulated moss and weather-stains from the tombstones which sheltered the dust of former generations."

EDITED BY

MRS. WILLIAM LAWSON PEEL,

(Hon. State Regent of Georgia,)

Regent Joseph Habersham Chapter.