_ Peck.
The great unpopularity of the transaction involved the Governor and
his family. Men excited almost to frenzy, never stay to reflect, but
madly go forward, and, in attempts to right great wrongs, commit
others, perhaps quite as great as those they are seeking to remedy.
Governor Matthews, despite his Revolutionary services and his high
character for honesty and moral worth, never recovered from the
effects of this frenzy which seized upon the people of the State, and
is the only one of the early Governors of the State who has remained
unhonored by the refusal of the Legislature, up to this day, to call
or name a county for him. This unpopularity was keenly felt by the
children of Matthews, who were men of great worth.
William H. Crawford was at this time filling a large space in the
public confidence of the people of Georgia, and gave to Governor
Matthews his confidence and friendship. It was he who persuaded George
Matthews, the son, to emigrate to Louisiana. He frankly told him this
unpopularity of his father would weigh heavily upon him through life,
if he remained in Georgia.
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