Excerpt from Visits to Brunswick, Georgia, and Travels South

Wheni reached Brunswick, I immediately sought out Mr. John Brooks to whom I had a letter of introduction. I was met very cordially by him, but, at the same time, he felt badly to know that the trouble with the Land Company was of such a serious nature; nevertheless, he was ready to carry out instructions. I was placed in a peculiar posi tion, being obliged to remain in Brunswick two days, or while the inland steamer should make her trip to Palatka, Fla., and return. At the hotel every one was talking about the overdue Agnes with the railroad iron. Seem ingly ignorant of everything affecting their interests in the ship, I mixed with traders, sawmill operators, canal pro jectors, land speculators, and the rest of the crowd, and overheard much of their conversation, concluding that, under the circumstances, I must keep mum, as I seemed to be the one man power to spoil all their calculations. Had my errand been known to the citizens of Brunswick, I should have been much safer at that time north of Mason and Dixon's line. However, I got in and out of Brunswick, having accomplished my purpose, and it afforded me much matter for self-congratulation when I could again breathe the air of heaven without fear of being molested.

I remained in Savannah nearly two weeks before the Agnes arrived. I was made aware of her arrival by a knock upon the door of my room at the Pulaski House one morning at about 3 O'clock, the intelligence being broughtby Captain Scott himself. He had received his letters from the pilot, and came to anchor in the lower bay at Brunswick, and, leaving his vessel in charge of the first officer, hastened to Savannah to learn the facts. Portu nately, I had on the previous evening received a telegram from New York to have the Agnes go to the wharf at Brunswick and discharge her cargo but to land the iron in bond, and for me to stay, enter the iron at the Custom House, and see that all instructions were carried out. Captain Scott left for Brunswick by the morning boat, and I awaited detailed instructions by letter from New York. After making preliminary arrangements at the Savannah Custom House, where Mr. Boston, the collector, assisted me in filling out my entry blanks, I proceeded to Brunswick, calling at Darien for Mabray, the collector of that district. I was fortunate to have made preparation, for the Agnes was the first ship for many years to enter Brunswick har bor, and the collector was rusty in the practice Of his office. On my arrival at Brunswick I expected to see the vessel made fast to the wharf; but no, she had touched upon the inner bar, and was then lying there. A schooner was brought into requisition to take Off some 300 tons Of her cargo, which lightened her so that she came off at high water, and proceeded up to town. The wharf that had been constructed especially for her proved to be not strong enough, for the first night that she came in contact with the poorly constructed fabric she broke away some sixty feet of it. The natives were alarmed lest the entire wharf should go to pieces. The timbers which were carried away journeyed down to Jekyl Island and back at intervals, occupying two or three days in transit.

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