The first president to visit southeast Georgia was none other than George Washington, who was in Savannah from May 12-15, 1791. “After a 1,887-mile journey,” according to the Georgia Gazette, “The president and his party embarked at Purysburg (30 miles up the Savannah River) between 10 and 11 o’clock and were rowed down the river by nine American captains." The Gazette continued "(they were) dressed in light blue silk jackets, black satin breeches, white silk stockings, and round hats with black ribbons having the words ‘Long Live The President’ in letters of gold.”