The arrival of the first ships in January had prompted the Georgia Committee of Safety to order the arrest of Wright and other provincial representatives of the Crown on January 18.

Joseph Habersham, a major in the Georgia militia, had placed Governor Wright under house arrest, and had extracted a promise from the governor that he would not attempt to communicate with the British ships.

Wright, who continues to be harassed in spite of his confinement, fears for his life, and escapes the mansion on the night of February 11.

He makes his way to the plantation of a Loyalist supporter and is taken from there to the Scarborough.

In the meantime, Georgia's provincial assembly had met, elected representatives to the Second Continental Congress, and begun the process of raising regiments for the Continental Army.

After Governor Wright arrives aboard the Scarborough he writes a letter to the remaining members of his council, in which he expresses frustration over getting assurances of safety and access to the desired supplies from the Patriot authorities.

Georgia had, along with the other twelve colonies, in 1774 adopted the terms of the Continental Association created by the First Continental Congress banning trade with Great Britain.

With negotiations effectively failed, Barclay orders his fleet into action on February 29.

His objective is a number of merchant vessels docked at Savannah, whose owners are desirous of moving their goods, something that will become possible on March 1 when the previous constraints are to expire.