HOWLEY, Richard, lawyer, born in Liberty county, Georgia, about 1740; died about 1790. He received a liberal education, was admitted to the bar, and attained eminence in his profession, he represented his native county in the legislature, and was elected governor of Georgia, 4 January, 1780. When the state was overrun by the British, a council was held near Augusta, at which Governor Howley, his secretary of state, and several Continental officers were present. After the consideration of various plans, they determined to retreat to North Carolina, , and narrowly escaped capture on the way. During Governor Howley's brief term of office the value of paper money became so depreciated that he is said to have dealt it out by the quire for a night's lodging, and, if the fare was better than ordinary, the landlord received two quires, the governor gravely signing a draft, upon the treasurer, made out in due form, for their delivery. In 1780-'1 Governor Howley was a delegate from Georgia to the Continental congress. In the latter year, some apprehensions being entertained that it was the design of that body to give up Georgia to Great Britain, the delegation from that state protested against such a step and published their remonstrance (Philadelphia, 1781).