Introduction
The founding fathers of United States can generally be defined as the political class who signed the declaration of independence, participated in American revolutionary which culminated into the drafting of the United States constitution. American Revolution refers to the period in which the thirteen colonies that eventually became the United States of America gained independence from Britain. The colonies united with a common purpose of fighting a revolutionary war against the British. This was what ended up with American declaration of independence in 1776, Holzel, (2008).
Main body
As a delegate of Georgia, Button Gwinnett was the second signatory on the United States declaration. Goodrich, (1856) notes that there are conflicting information about his birth date but sources say that he was born in 1732 in Gluocestershire, England by a Welsh clergyman and his wife Anne and arrived in Savannah in 1765 at a time that the colony of Georgia was only 33 years old. He was second born in a family of seven and ended up marrying the grocer’s daughter with whom they had three children. Mr. Gwinnett was tall and of authoritative appearance. His manners were well-bred, charming and his language soft.
His formal education is not well accounted for but sources say that he probably studied trade and finance. He commenced his career as a merchant in Bristol, England, to commercial pursuits in United States and later got into business as a general trader.
Unlike Lyman Hall and George Walton, the other two Georgia signers of the declaration of independence, he joined the loyalist side later on as he was held back by his birth place and family relations in England. An Escopolian and Congregationist, Gwinnett developed an interest in politics and as the split with Britain augmented, he became a leader of Georgia’s fundamental faction of patriots. He was appointed a justice of the peace and in the following year served as a member of Georgia colonial assembly.
Being a charming person, he proofed to be the best candidate to be sent to the Georgia’s legislature to sign the Declaration of Independence. Since his emigration to America he had that great desire of colonial politics. Prior to 1775, Gwinnett was known to be a patriot but could realize that it was impossible for America to resist Great Britain and yet make it. By 1775, there was a change in his sentiments and became a strong and open advocate of establishing colonies on a firm and lasting basis. According to him, it appeared extremely hard to resist to so mighty power like that of United States until 1775 when his views were indeed irresistible.
At the beginning of the year 1776, Gwinnett was elected by the general assembly in Savannah to attend the second provincial assembly as a representative of Georgia. He accepted this appointment and in the following month of May, he could sit in the national council. Being very intelligent and spirited person, this was a major boost to the composition of General assembly. However, in the first congress that was attended by 56 representatives from 12 colonies, Georgia sent no delegate but agreed to own the recommendations that came from the meeting.
The initial congress that had been organized was mainly geared to seek fair treatment from Britain rather than independence. It came up with a resolution that parliament was not entitled to make laws on behalf of Americans and also claimed right for each colonial assembly to control its own domestic dealings. The culmination of this first congress was in setting a up continental Association and required colonists never to trade or even consume British products until the British reviewed their trade and regulation policies.
According to Rakove, & Fowler, (1999).Gwinnett is notably important for voting for independence on 2nd July, for the declaration on 4th July and for being a major signatory in the declaration of independence on 2nd August. His signature at the far left of the document on the declaration of independence was the first of Georgia’s three man delegation All colonies were well represented taking in account the importance of independence and the need to change the course of war, North Georgia (2008).
In general, there were 56 representatives from the thirteen colonies and majority of signers were in their thirties and forties. One third of the signers served as militia officers and none of them died in the hands of the British. Most of the signers were lawyers, planters, merchants or shippers. In particular, Gwinnett’s life was characterized by political and economic disappointment. For example, in the year 1773, his land that was bought on credit, large number of slaves that used to work in his holdings and other properties were taken by the creditors for being unable to pay his debts but he was allowed to maintain his home there. There were even more problems encircling him when poachers raided his island’s livestock.
North Georgia (2008) notes that after the signing of the Declaration, Mr. Gwinnett traveled back to Georgia with high hopes of being reappointed the leader of Georgia militia, something he never achieved. He was in the company of a Virginia delegate to the Congress and signer of the declaration. However, he was later appointed a brigadier general in the continental army and was accountable for the defense of southern part of Georgia from British attacks.
However; he never succeeded in the military field and decided to run for the speaker’s seat of Georgia assembly. He was elected and also re-elected to the continental congress but he chose not to attend. In the subsequent months, he played crucial roles in drafting the state’s first constitution for Georgia and also in preventing Georgia from being absorbed into South Carolina, Goodrich, (1856).
On February 5, 1777, Gwinnett was among the delegation to a state convection to that met in Savannah to draw up the state constitution and later present it to the assembly for adoption. This constitution was mainly drawn using the pamphlet from John Adams as the core outline. In this way, he was helped frustrate the proposed idea to merge South Carolina and Georgia. However, Lachlan McIntosh criticized it saying that it “gave power to the irresponsible and avaricious individuals and groups.” Furthermore, McIntosh brothers posed even more opposition to it arguing that it had a politically instigated dimension, Lauroche (2008).
Under the new constitution, Archibald Bulloch was elected governor and commander in chief but ended up dying in a mysterious manner on becoming the head of the executive branch. This led to Gwinnett being appointed by the assembly’s Executive council to complete his term in the office of the president and commander in chief of Georgia’s militia on March 4, 1777 until another election could be held.
However; he never managed to leave office before disagreeing with the controversial Gen. Lachlan McIntosh. Being the new head of the Georgia’s military and the government, Gwinnett started using his powers to frustrate the efforts of Brigadier McIntosh. The struggle for control got even worse when McIntosh was appointed by continental congress over the Georgia’s continental battalion but Gwinnett thought that should continue commanding it himself.
After the death of Archibald Bullock, the president of Georgia Assembly on March 4, 1777, Gwinnett was promoted to fill the vacant position thus becoming the Governor and commander in chief of the Army. During that time, the only vote that opposing his candidacy was that of Lachlan’s brother, George McIntosh, This was a position that he served for only two months and could not achieve a reelection.
During his tenure as the president of the executive council, Gwinnett assumed several strategies to humiliate McIntosh powers.In so doing, he assumed the continental army in Georgia and thus McIntosh was treated with contempt by some of his officers and soldiers. He also drafted militia and volunteers for a major campaign against the British in East Florida as directed by the council of safety in a bid to secure Georgia’s southern border, Goodrich, (1856).
As part of his attempt to conquer and secure Georgia’s southern border, General McIntosh organized an expedition to East Florida. However, Governor Gwinnett was quick at taking over the plan and appointed one of McIntosh Subordinates as the commander of the expedition. At first, Gwinnett wished to lead the delegation but was prevented from doing so as the president of the council. This mission ended up in total failure and probably costed Gwinnett’s seat as a Governor in May, 1777. This thwarted Gwinnett’s hopes and eventually brought his political career to an end. McIntosh took advantage of the situation and publicly denounced Mr. Gwinnett which fueled even more hatred animosity between the two. Neglectful of his repute, the high office he had held and his real obligation to the society at large, Gwinnett presented a challenge to general McIntosh.
Button was a major candidate for military command to which Lachlan McIntosh, a Prominent member of the rivalry political faction was appointed. In this way, Gwinnett’s dreams were thwarted and thus created a personal hatred with col. Lachlan McIntosh. The latter was also very influential in fueling defeat of the former Georgia Gubernatorial election.
Eventually at the small town of Thunderbolt near savannah, Button Gwinnett ended up in a pistol duel with Lachlan Mclntosh, the general of the Georgia troops, an episode that left both of them wounded but Gwinnett succumbed to the infections of the wound on his leg three days at age 45 later while McIntosh survived and continued to serve his country, Holzel, (2008). This ended the life of a great patriot of revolution through a false aspiration and foolish crave for honor. This made McIntosh be charged with murder but was released in the following trials. He was later ordered to move to the continental army headquarters for fear of revenge by Gwinnett’s friends, RW&B (2008).
Conclusion
Gwinnett who left very few printed records on either sides of the Atlantic ended up being very well recognized especially by the collectors due to unique scarcity of his signature and not because of his role in American’s attainment of independence. Today, Colonial park cemetery in Savannah contains a grave believed to be his.
References
Goodrich, A. C (1856) Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, William Reed & Co. Pages 452-455. Web.
Holzel, D. (2008) Colorful and forgotten founding fathers: Mental_ floss. Web.
North Georgia (2008) Button Gwinnett. Web.
Rakove, N.J. & Fowler, M.W.(1999). First Continental Congress. Web.
RW&B (2008) Button Gwinnett – Tragic Hero of the Revolution. Web.
Lauroche (2008) The United States Of America Declares Independence From Great Britain! Web.
US History (2008) Button Gwinnett. Web.