Council Minutes
Tuesday, 15 June 1790
"Resolved,
That all male Slaves between the ages of 16 & 60 years, in or belonging to the City & the Hamlets thereof, be summoned out on the first Monday in July next (to continue for the space of one week), to work on & clear the streets, and other open parts of the City, including the adjacent parts of the Commons, from weeds & other incumbrances [sic] . That this work be executed under the direction of the City Marshall [sic], who shall cause the several Constables to oversee in their wards respectively and shall take other methods of compelling the said service agreeably to the intentions of Council. The said Marshall [sic] & Constables, to be answerable for their conduct herein, and to give notice to the Inhabitants by a particular summons at each house, ten days at least previous to the said first Monday in July."
Friday, 3 July 1812
"Resolved, that all male free Negroes and persons of color residing in this City be required to assist with their labor, one day in each week at the fortifications now erecting around the Gaol [sic], and that their rations will be furnished while at work.
Wednesday, 9 August 1820
"On Motion of Alderman Harris
Resolved That the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized to receive any number of Africans now in the custody of the Marshall [sic] of this district which may be offered or tendered to him and he is further authorized to pledge the faith of the City that the said Africans shall be well and humanely treated and properly housed, clothed and fed and subject an [sic] any and at all times to the order of the District Judge, health or accident excepted."
Wednesday, 9 August 1820
"Resolved
That the Mayor be authorized to draw for all necessary expenses incidental to the acceptance of the said Africans and that he do order the necessary conveniences for the same, and on the Receipt of the said Africans that he do report to Council for further instructions."
Monday, 14 August 1820
"The Mayor has the honor to report That in obedience to a resolution of Council passed at the last extra meeting he has selected and receipted to the Marshall for fifty one (51) African slaves lately brought into this Port for adjudication and placed them under the direction and care of Mr. William Richardson until the further pleasure of Council is known. These Africans, are adults and boys and with the Exception of two a girl and a boy capable of performing the labour [sic] Council may require of them. The most healthy and athletic of these people have been selected and appear cheerfull [sic] and happy under the humane and able management of Mr. Richardson."
Monday, 14 August 1820
"Mr. Richardson has convinced the Mayor that he can with these Africans & the use of the plough level the fortifications, in as short time as could be effected under any contract with a saving perhaps of ($4000) Four Thousand Dollars to the Treasury of this City. No person can under any expectation of benefitting himself contract to level the fortification under a compensation ___ort [?] of Six Thousand Dollars which has yet been the minimum and Eight Thousand Dollars the maximum offer. The Mayor would respectfully recommend a trial of Mr. Richardson for one week and then to be suspended for the consideration of Council. The Mayor wishes to superintend the work for that period and then to be aided if Council deems it expedient by a Committee."
Thursday, 24 February 1831
"On Motion of Aldm Minis
Resolved that the Marshal under the inspection of the Street and Lane Committee be authorized to purchase two able bodied Negro men for the use of the City, and that the Marshal cause to be repaired the road at the west end of the City near and adjoining the Bridge and that the Treasurer be authorized to pay such purchases and Bills promptly when the Same shall be required. Whereas the Interest of the City requires that every economy should be used and all means resorted to faciliate [sic] ..."
Thursday, 12 January 1832
"On Motion of Aldm Minis
Resolved that the City Marshal be authorized under the direction of the Street & Lane Committee to purchase two able bodied Negro men for the City, the Scavengers department and the Streets & Lanes requiring the services of such."
Thursday, 2 June 1842
"On Motion of Alderman Caruthers
Resolved that the Street and Lane Committee be authorized to purchase a sufficient number of able bodied Negroes as they may offer, to supply the Scavengers and Marshals Departments, provided that not more than two hundred and fifty dollars be paid for each Negro."
Thursday, 25 August 1842
From Report of Streets & Lanes Committee to Council
"The department has also hired by the year at the rate of one Hundred and twenty five dollars per annum, eleven Negroes - and three are the property of the City, two of the latter purchased during the year. One of these Negroes owned by the City has been behaving so badly for the last two weeks, and was so evidently preparing to abscond, that the undersigned ordered him to jail. We would recommend to Council to sell this boy as soon as the sum can be obtained which was paid for him, as it is believed that though an able bodied Negro, he is a great [spelling ?] runaway."
Wednesday, 30 November 1842
"The Marshal reported,
That in obedience to a resolution passed for the sale of the Negro man London the property of the Corporation, he was sold on Tuesday last for $252.50. A Harmon C.M."
Official Proceedings of City Council, 14 August 1820, 362, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 30 November 1842, 185, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 25 August 1842, 142, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 2 June 1842, 99, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 3 July 1812, 468, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 9 August 1820, 359, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 9 August 1820, 359, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 12 January 1832, 2, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 14 August 1820, 362, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 24 February 1831, 197, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.
Official Proceedings of City Council, 15 June 1790, 31, City of Savannah, Clerk of Council's Office, Savannah, Georgia.