The school age in Georgia is from 6 to 18; the school population in 1878, 433,444 white, and 197,125 colored; enrolled, 190,626; average attendance, 97,066; income, $400, 000; expenses, $434,046. The higher institutions are Atlanta university (non-sect.), at Atlanta, to which pupils of both sexes are admitted; (lark amiversity(M. Ep.) at Atlanta, both sexes; Emery college (Meth.) at Oxford; Gninsville male and female college (non-sect.); Mercer university (Bap.), at Macon; Pio Nono college (R. C.) at Macon; university of Georgia (non-sect.) at Athens. In all these institutions there were in 1878, 57 instructors, and 779 students. There are also the Baptist institute at Augusta, with three teachers and 113 students; the state college of agriculture at Athens; an agricultural college at Dahlonega, (occupying the old U.S. branch mint buildings); an agricultural department in the university of Georgia; two medical colleges at Atlanta, one at Macon, and one at Augusta, and law departments in the state and the Mercer universities. The Atlanta institute provides a theological course for colored students, and provision is made for them in the university at that place. The masonic grand lodge of the state sustains a female college at Covington, with eight instructors and 114 pupils. There were in the state at the beginning of 1878, 155 newspapers and other serial publications; 11 daily, 2 tri-weekly, 3 semi-weekly, 126 weekly, 2 semi-monthly, and 11 monthly. The statute of limitations fixes four years for open accounts, six for notes, and seven for judgments.
In 1732 George II. granted a patent to certain trustees for settling the "colony of and the next year gen. James Oglethorpe explored the country, purchased land from the Creek Indians, and -laid the foundation-of Savannah. -Among those inter ' ested in the colony were the Wesleys and George Whitefield, the founders of Methodism. When war broke out between England and Spain, gen. Oglethorpe was put in command of the troops of South Carolina and Georgia, and led an unsuccessful expedition against St. Augustine. In 1742 the Spaniards retaliated by sending a fleet up the Altamaha river and made some captures, but were repulsed by Oglethorpe. The growth of the colony was slow, and so much complaint was made of the restrictions as to holding slaves that these were removed, and in 1752, after the surrender of their charter by the trustees, the colony came under the government of England, a governor was appointed, and in 1755 a local legislature was established. At that time the boundaries were the Sayan nett river on the n„ the Altamaha on the s., the Atlantic ocean on the e., and the Pacific ocean on the w. If these boundaries had been continued the state would now embrace nearly the whole of the states of Alabama, Mississippi, half of Arkansas, half of Louisiana, half of Texas, a third of the Indian territory, nearly all of New Mexico and Arizona, and nearly half of California. The s. boundary was extended in 1763 to the St. Mary?, the pres ent line of Florida; an annexation which included a large and rich rice and cotton region, and was followed by a rapid growth of the colony. Although more remote from the influences of the home government, and having fewer grievances than any other of the colonies, Georgia was prompt to join the colonies in the projected resistance to British rule. A delegate represented Georgia in the continental congress in 1775, and in a con vention held the same year the colony accorded full sanction to revolutionary measures. In 1778, British troops overran the colony, and Savannah. Augusta, and Sunbury, were
seized in the following year. In 1779 the revolutionists made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture Savannah. A state constitution was formed in 1777, another in 1789, and yet another in 1798, which, with some amendments, remained in effect until Georgia joined the southern confederacy. TrOnbles with the Cherokee and Creek Indians were con tinuous from the peace with Great Britain until the cession by the Creeks in 1802; of the territory that now forms the s, w. part of the state; and at a later period a difficulty arose between the federal and state governments concerning the Cherokees, which was not settled until that tribe was removed (in 1838) to the new Indian territory w. of Arkansas, the state coming into possession of their original lands.
Georgia was early in the secession, having, on the 18th of Nov., 1860, ordered a con vention to be held at the beginning of the Jan. following. On the 19th of that month an ordinance of secession was adopted by a vote of 208 to 89, and signed by all except six of the delegates. Ten members were sent to the confederate congress, and the confed erate constitution was adopted by the state, March 16. Laws were enacted to resume jurisdiction over territory ceded to the United States, and the federal arsenals, forts, and war material were turned over to the confederate goVernment. Fort Pulaski was recap tured in April, 1862, and several seaport towns were occupied. The confederate iron clad steamer Nashville was destroyed in Ogeechee river early in 1863, and in the same year the iron-clad Atlanta was attacked and disakled. Early in 1864 the state felt the power of the Union arms under gem'. Sherman, the being forced to fly from Atlanta Sept. 1. Ten weeks later Sherman began his march to the sea, proceeding directly through the heart of the state. Scouring a district 50 m. wide and ending with the capture of Savannah Dec. 21, the confederates making no attempt at defense, but destroying the navy yard, several vessels, and all military stores. It was near Irwin ville in Georgia that ,the Union cavalry under gen. Wilson captured Jefferson Davis; and it was at Andersouville in Georgia that the confederates had their most notorious military prison. After the final success of the federal arms, Georgia remained under military rule until June, 1805, when a provisional government was established, and in October, delegates were chosen to is state convention, which repealed the secession ordi nance and laws, declared the confederate war debt void, amended the state constitution in accordance with the changes in that of the United States, and directed the erection of state officers and a legislature. The legislature met Dec. 4, ratified the amendments to the United States constitution, and directed the provisional governor to give place to the one chosen by the state; but this was disapproved by congress, and under the recon struction acts of 1867 a registration of voters was made (96,262 white and 95,973 col ored), and an election held for a new constitutional convention, which consisted of 166 delegates. The whites generally did not vote, and one-fifth of the members of the con vention were colored men. A constitution was made in March, 1868, and ratified by vote of the people in April; and on the last day of that month the military government terminated. Subsequently trouble arose in regard to the test oath, and it was not until the 15th of July, 1870, that reconstruction was completed by the president's signing the act for Georgia's re-admission to the Union.