Continental Congressman. Born Hans Joachim Züblin in Switzerland he moved to America around 1744 where he became a successful pastor in South Carolina and Georgia. Known for his brilliant mind he preached sermons at the First Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Georgia in three different languages, English, German and French, each Sunday. He was also a popular writer with many of his pamphlets regarding the conflict between the colonies and Britain being widely read on both sides of the ocean. In 1766 when the Stamp Act was passed he became a vocal critic of the Monarchy's treatment of the colonies. His outspokenness made him a favorite among Georgians seeking relief from Britain. He was often asked to speak at rallies, in pulpits and at public gatherings. He was known for tying Scripture into his messages supporting better treatment of the colonists by the British. However, his Calvinist convictions which persuaded him to speak out against England's treatment of the American colonists also kept him from supporting the radical call by many Americans for a war against England. In July of 1775 he was elected to represent Georgians at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there he vocally opposed the call for independence believing that both parties should convene and work out a solution that would address the colonies concerns while allowing them to remain a part of the British Empire. Losing the battle of ideas he left Philadelphia on November 10, 1775 and returned to Georgia. The following July the perceived Loyalist was to be arrested. However he escaped to South Carolina while in Georgia half of his property was confiscated and a mob ransacked his house throwing his extensive library into the Savannah River. After Britain regained control of Savannah in 1778 he returned and continued to use his pen to proclaim his opposition to the American War for Independence. Using the pseudonym "Helvetius" he wrote nine essays stating that the Americans were fighting an illegal and unjust war. He often referred to International Law and the Bible to plead his cause. He went to his grave believing that America would lose the war and that their effort was in vain. He is buried in an unmarked grave.