The Project Gutenberg EBook of School History of North Carolina, by John W. Moore
Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the
copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing
this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.
This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project
Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the
header without written permission.
Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the
eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is
important information about your specific rights and restrictions in
how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a
donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.
**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
Title: School History of North Carolina
Author: John W. Moore
Release Date: July, 2004 [EBook #6080]
[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
[This file was first posted on November 3, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, SCHOOL HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA ***
This eBook was prepared by Bruce Loving
SCHOOL HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
FROM 1584 TO THE PRESENT TIME.
BY JOHN W. MOORE.
REVISED AND ENLARGED.
PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION.
In the publication of a fourteenth edition it seems proper that
something should be said as to changes made in this work. At a
session of the North Carolina Board of Education, held November
22d, 1881, it was resolved that "the Board expressly reserve to
itself the right to require further revisions" in Moore's School
History of North Carolina, the second edition of which was then
adopted for use in the public schools.
Conforming to this requirement of the State Board of Education,
the author has diligently sought aid and counsel in the effort
to perfect this work. To Mrs. C. P. Spencer, E. J. Hale, Esq.,
of New York, and Hon. Montford McGehee, Commissioner of
Agriculture, the work is indebted for many valuable suggestions,
but still more largely to Col. W. L. Saunders, Secretary of
State, who has aided assiduously not only in its revision, but
in its progress through the press.
The teacher of North Carolina History will be greatly aided in
the work by having a wall map of North Carolina before the
class, and to this end the publishers have prepared a good and
accurate school map, which will be furnished at a special low
price.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER.
I. Physical Description of North Carolina
II. Physical Description--Continued
III. Geological Characteristics
IV. The Indians
V. Sir Walter Raleigh
VI. Discovery of North Carolina
VII. Governor Lane's Colony
VIII. Governor White's Colony
IX. The Fate of Raleigh
X. Charles II. and the Lords Proprietors
XI. Governor Drummond and Sir John Yeamans
XII. Governor Stephens and the Fundamental Constitutions
XIII. Early Governors and their Troubles
XIV. Lord Carteret adds a New Trouble
XV. Thomas Carey and the Tuscarora War
XVI. Governor Eden and Black-Beard
XVII. Governor Gabriel Johnston
XVIII. The Pirates and Other Enemies
XIX. Governor Arthur Dobbs
XX. Governor Tryon and the Stamp Act
XXI. Governor Tryon and the Regulators
XXII. Governor Martin and the Revolution
XXIII. First Provincial Congress
XXIV. Second Provincial Congress
XXV. The Congress at Hillsboro
XXVI. Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge
XXVII. Fourth Provincial Congress Declares Independence
XXVIII. Adoption of a State Constitution
XXIX. The War Continued
XXX. Stony Point and Charleston
XXXI. Ramsour's Mill and Camden Court House
XXXII. Battle of King's Mountain
XXXIII. Cornwallis's Last Invasion
XXXIV. Battle of Guilford Court House
XXXV. Fanning and his Brutalities
XXXVI. Peace and Independence
XXXVII. The State of Franklin
XXXVIII. Formation of the Union
XXXIX. France and America
XL. The Federalists and the Republicans
XLI. Closing of the Eighteenth Century
XLII. Growth and Expansion
XLIII. Second War with Great Britain
XLIV. After the Storm
XLV. The Whigs and the Democrats
XLVI. The Condition of the State
XLVII. The Courts and the Bar
XLVIII. Origin of the Public Schools
XLIX. Slavery and Social Development
L. The Mexican War
LI. The North Carolina Railway and the Asylums
LII. A Spectre of the Past Re-appears
LIII. The Social and Political Status
LIV. President Lincoln and the War
LV. The War Between the States
LVI. The Combat Deepens
LVII. The War Continues
LVIII. War and its Horrors
LIX. The Death Wound at Gettysburg
LX. General Grant and his Campaign
LXI. North Carolina and Peace-making
LXII The War Draws to a Close
LXIII. Concluding Scenes of the War
LXIV. Refitting the Wreck
LXV. Governor Worth and President Johnson
LXVI. Results of Reconstruction
LXVII Results of Reconstruction--Continued
LXVIII. Impeachment of Governor Holden
LXIX. Resumption of Self-Government
LXX. The Cotton Trade and Factories
LXXI. Progress of Material Development
LXXII. The Railroads and New Towns
LXXIII. Literature and Authors
LXXIV. The Colleges and Schools
LXXV. Conclusion
APPENDIX.
Constitution of North Carolina
Questions on the Constitution
HINTS TO TEACHERS.
It is well known that any subject can be more thoroughly taught
when both the eye and the mind of the pupil are used as mediums
for imparting the knowledge; and the teacher of "North Carolina
History" will find a valuable help in a wall map of the State
hung in convenient position for reference while the history
class is reciting.
Require the pupils to go to the map and point out localities
when mentioned, also places adjoining; trace the courses of the
rivers which have a historical interest, and name important
towns upon their banks. A good, reliable wall map of North
Carolina can he procured at a moderate price from the publishers
of this work.
It has been deemed proper to make the chapters short, that each
may form one lesson. At the close of each chapter will be found
questions upon the main points of the lesson. These will
furnish thought for many other questions which will suggest
themselves to the teacher. There are many small matters of local
State history which can be given with interest to the class,
from time to time, as appropriate periods are reached. These
minor facts could not be included in the compass of a school
book, but a teacher will be helped by referring occasionally to
"Moore's Library History of North Carolina."
Inspire your pupils with a spirit of patriotism and love for
their native State. A little effort in this direction will show
you how easily it can be done. In every boy and girl is a
latent feeling of pride in whatever pertains to the welfare of
their native State, and this feeling should be cultivated and
enlarged, and thus the children make better citizens when grown.
The history of our State is filled with events which, told to
the young, will fix their attention, and awaken a desire to know
more of the troubles and noble deeds of the people who laid the
foundation of this Commonwealth.
The Appendix contains the present "Constitution of North Carolina."
Then follows a series of "Questions on the Constitution," prepared
expressly for this work by Hon. Kemp P. Battle, LL. D., President
of the University of North Carolina. This is an entirely new and
valuable feature in a school book, and contains an analysis of our
State government. This is just the information that every citizen of
North Carolina ought to possess, and teachers should require all
their students of this history to read and study the Constitution
and endeavor to answer the questions thereon.
No State in the Union possesses a record of nobler achievements
than North Carolina. Her people have always loved liberty for
themselves, and they offered the same priceless boon to all who
came within her borders; and it was a full knowledge of this
trait of our people which made Bancroft say "North Carolina was
settled by the freest of the free."
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The State of North Carolina is included between the parallels
34° and 362° north latitude, and between the meridians 752° and
842° west longitude. Its western boundary is the crest of the
Smoky Mountains, which, with the Blue Ridge, forms a part of the
great Appalachian system, extending almost from the mouth of the
St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico; its eastern is the Atlantic
Ocean. Its mean breadth from north to south is about one hundred
miles; its extreme breadth is one hundred and eighty-eight miles.
The extreme length of the State from east to west is five hundred
miles. The area embraced within its boundaries is fifty-two
thousand two hundred and eighty-six square miles.
2. The climate of North Carolina is mild and equable. This is
due in part to its geographical position; midway, as it were,
between the northern and southern limits of the Union. Two other
causes concur to modify it; the one, the lofty Appalachian chain,
which forms, to some extent, a shield from the bleak winds of the
northwest; the other, the softening influence of the Gulf Stream,
the current of which sweeps along near its shores.
3. The result of these combined causes is shown in the character
of the seasons. Fogs are almost unknown; frosts occur not until
the middle of October; ice rarely forms of a sufficient thickness
to be gathered; snows are light, seldom remaining on the ground
more than two or three days. The average rainfall is about fifty-
three inches, which is pretty uniformly distributed throughout
the year. The climate is eminently favorable to health and
longevity.
4. The State falls naturally into three divisions or sections--
the Western or Mountain section, the Middle or Piedmont section,
and the Eastern or Tidewater section. The first consists of
mountains, many of them rising to towering heights, the highest,
indeed, east of the Rocky Mountains. It is bounded on the east
by the Blue Ridge and on the west by the Smoky Mountains. The
section inclosed within these limits is in shape somewhat like an
ellipse. Its length is about one hundred and eighty miles; its
average breadth from twenty to fifty miles. It is a high
plateau, from the plane of which many lofty mountains everywhere
rise, and on its border the culminating points of the Appalachian
system--the Roau, the Grandfather and the Black--lift their heads
to the sky. Between the mountains are fertile valleys,
plentifully watered by streams, many of them remarkable for their
beauty. The mountains themselves are wooded, except a few which
have prairies on their summits, locally distinguished as "balds."
This section has long been one of the favorite resorts of the
tourist and the painter.
5. The Middle section lies between the Blue Ridge and the falls
where the rivers make their descent into the great plain which
forms the Eastern section of the State. Its area comprises
nearly one-half of the territory of the State. Throughout the
greater part it presents an endless succession of hills and
dales, though the surface near the mountains is of a bolder and
sometimes of a rugged cast. The scenery of this section is as
remarkable for quiet, picturesque beauty, as that of the Western
is for sublimity and grandeur.
6. The Eastern section is a Champaign country; relieved, however,
by gentle undulations. Its breadth is about one hundred miles.
Its principal beauty lies in its river scenery and extensive
water prospects.
7. The cultivated productions of the Mountain section are corn,
wheat, oats, barley, hay, tobacco, fruits and vegetables. Cattle
are also reared quite extensively for market. In the Middle
section are found all the productions of the former, and over the
southern half cotton appears as the staple product. In the
Eastern section cotton, corn, oats and rice are staple crops, and
the "trucking business" (growing fruits and vegetables for the
Northern markets), constitutes a flourishing industry. The
lumber business, and the various industries to which the long-
leaf pine gives rise, tar, pitch and turpentine, have long been,
and still continue to be, great resources of wealth for this
section. Of the crops produced in the United States all are
grown in North Carolina except sugar and some semi-tropical
fruits, as the orange, the lemon and the banana. The wine grapes
of America may be said to have their home in North Carolina; four
of them, the Catawba, Isabella, Lincoln and Scuppernong,
originated here.
8. The physical characteristics of the State will be better
understood by picturing to the mind its surface as spread out
upon a vast declivity, sloping down from the summits of the Smoky
Mountains, an altitude of near seven thousand feet, to the ocean
level. Through the range of elevation thus afforded, the plants
and trees (or what is comprehended under the term flora) vary
from those peculiar to Alpine regions to those peculiar to semi-
tropical regions.
9. The variety of trees is most marked, including all those which
yield timber employed in the useful and many of those employed in
the ornamental arts. Indeed, nearly all the species found in the
United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, are found in North
Carolina. Her wealth in this respect will be appreciated when
the striking fact is mentioned that there are more species of
oaks in North Carolina than in all the States north of us, and
only one less than in all the Southern States east of the
Mississippi. This range of elevation affords also a great
variety of medicinal herbs. In fact, the mountains of North
Carolina are the 'storehouse' of the United States for plants of
this description.
QUESTIONS.
1. Of what does this chapter treat? Give the latitude and
longitude of North Carolina. What are its eastern and western
boundaries? Give its dimensions.
2. What is said of the climate of North Carolina? Name the
causes of this mildness of climate.
3. What is said of the seasons? Of fogs, snow and ice? Of the
rainfall?
4. Into how many natural divisions is the State formed? Name
them. Describe the Mountain section. Point it out on the map.
5. Give a description of the Middle or Piedmont section. Locate
this section on the map.
6. What is said of the Eastern or 'Tidewater' section? Point it
out on the map.
7. What are some of the productions of the Mountain section? Of
the Piedmont? Of the Tidewater? What is said of the grapes of
North Carolina?
8. How may the physical characteristics of the State be easily understood?
9. What is said of the plants and trees? What further is said of
this particular branch of North Carolina's wealth?
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION-Continued.
The mountains of North Carolina may be conveniently classed as
four separate chains: the Smoky, forming the western boundary of
the State; the Blue Ridge, running across the State in a very
tortuous course, and shooting out spurs of great elevation; the
Brushy (which divides, for the greater part of its course, the
waters of the Catawba and Yadkin), beginning at a point near
Lenoir and terminating in the Pilot and Sauratown Mountains; and
an inferior range of much lower elevation, which may be termed,
from its local name at different points, the Uwharrie or
Oconeechee Mountains beginning in Montgomery county and
terminating in the heights about Roxboro, in Person county.
2. Each of these mountain ranges is marked by distinct
characteristics. The Smoky chain, as contrasted with the next
highest--the Blue Ridge--is more continuous, more elevated, more
regular in its direction and height, and rises very uniformly
from five thousand to nearly six thousand seven hundred feet.
The Blue Ridge is composed of many fragments scarcely connected
into a continuous and regular chain. Its loftier summits range
from five thousand to five thousand nine hundred feet. The Brushy
range presents, throughout the greater part of its course, a
remarkable uniformity in direction and elevation, many of its
peaks rising above two thousand feet. The last, the Oconeechee
or Uwharrie range, sometimes presents a succession of elevated
ridges, then a number of bold and isolated knobs, whose heights
are one thousand feet above the sea level.
3. There are three distinct systems of rivers in the State: those
that find their way to the Gulf of Mexico through the
Mississippi, those that flow through South Carolina to the sea
and those that reach the sea along our own coast. The divide
between the first and the second is the Blue Ridge chain of
mountains; that between the second and third systems is found in
an elevation extending from the Blue Ridge, near the Virginia
line, just between the sources of the Yadkin and the Roanoke, in
a south-easterly direction some two hundred miles, almost to the
sea-coast below Wilmington. In the divide between the first and
second systems, which is also the great watershed between the
Atlantic slope and the Mississippi Valley, a singular anomaly is
presented, for it is formed not by the lofty Smoky range, but by
the Blue Ridge--not, therefore, at the crest of the great slope
which the surface of the State presents, but on a line lower
down. On the western flank of this lower range the beautiful
French Broad and the other rivers of the first section, including
the headwaters of the Great Khanawha, have their rise. In
their course through the Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi they
pass along chasms or "gaps" from three thousand to four thousand
feet in depth. These chasms or "gaps" are more than a thousand
feet lower than those of the corresponding parts of the Blue
Ridge.
4. The rivers of the second system rise on the eastern flank of
the Blue Ridge. These rivers--the Catawba and the Yadkin, with
their tributaries stretching from the Broad River, near the
mountains in the west, to the Lumber near the seacoast--water
some thirty counties in the State, a fan-shaped territory,
embracing much the greater portion of the Piedmont section of the
State.
5. The rivers of the third system are the Chowan, the Roanoke,
the Tar, the Neuse and the Cape Fear, usually navigable some for
fifty and others to near one hundred miles for boats of light
draught. Of these the three last have their rise near the
northern boundary of the State, in a comparatively small area,
near the eastern source of the Yadkin. The Chowan has its rise
in Virginia, below Appomattox Court House. The principal sources
of the Roanoke, also, are in Virginia, in the Blue Ridge, though
some of its head streams are in North Carolina, and very near
those of the Yadkin. Only one of these rivers, the Cape Fear,
flows directly into the ocean in this State; the others, after
reaching the low country, move on with diminished current and
empty into large bodies of water known as sounds.
6. The great rivers of these three systems, with their network of
countless tributaries, great and small, afford a truly
magnificent water supply. Flat lands border the streams in every
section; they are everywhere exceptionally rich, and in the
Tidewater section, of great breadth. In their course from the
high plateaus to the low country all the rivers of the State have
a descent of many hundred feet, made by frequent falls and
rapids. These falls and rapids afford all unlimited motive power
for machinery of every description; and here many cotton mills
and other factories have been established, and are multiplying
every year.
7. The sounds, and the rivers which empty into them, constitute a
network of waterway for steam and sailing vessels of eleven
hundred miles. They are separated from the ocean by a line of
sand banks, varying in breadth from one hundred yards to two
miles, and in height from a few feet above the tide level to
twenty-five or thirty feet, on which horses of a small breed,
called "Bank Ponies," are reared in great numbers, and in a half
wild state. These banks extend along the entire shore a distance
of three hundred miles. Through them there are a number of
inlets from the sea to the sounds, but they are usually too
shallow except for vessels of light burden. Along its northern
coast the commerce of the State has, in consequence, been
restricted; it has, however, an extensive commerce through
Beaufort Harbor and the Cape Fear River.
8. The sounds, and the rivers in their lower courses, abound with
fish and waterfowl. Hunting the canvas-back duck and other fowls
for the Northern cities is a regular and profitable branch of
industry; while herring, shad and rock-fishing is pursued,
especially along Albemarle Sound, with spirit, skill and energy,
and a large outlay of capital.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is the subject of this chapter? How may the mountains of
North Carolina be classed? Describe each chain. Point out these
mountains on the map.
2. Describe the Smoky Mountains. The Blue Ridge. The Brushy.
The Oconeechee.
3. Describe the river systems of the State. Give the dividing
lines between the systems. Describe the flow of the rivers of
Western North Carolina. Trace the courses of these rivers on the
map. What is said of the mountain gaps?
4. Where are the Catawba and Yadkin Rivers? What portion of the
State do they water? Point them out on the map.
5. Describe the rivers of the third system. Where do they empty?
6. What do our rivers afford? What is said of our water power?
7. What mention is made of the sounds? Describe the banks.
Point out on the map the sounds and the banks.
8. With what do the sounds and rivers abound? What important
branches of industry are mentioned?
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
A knowledge of the geology of a State affords the key to its
soils; since the soils are formed by the disintegration of the
underlying rocks, more or less mixed with animal or vegetable
matter. The peculiar geological structure of the State furnishes
the material for every possible variety of soil. In fact, there
is no description or combination unrepresented. There are,
first, the black and deep peaty soils of Hyde county and the
great swamp tracts along the eastern border of the Tidewater
section; then come the alluvious marls and light sandy soils of
the more elevated portions of the same section; then the clayey,
sandy and gravelly soils of the Piedmont and Mountain section,
the result of the decomposition of every variety of rock.
2. From its western boundary to the last falls of its rivers, the
rocks generally belong to that formation known as "primitive".
Primitive rocks are easily distinguished; they are crystalline in
structure, and have no animal or vegetable remains (called
fossils) imbedded or preserved in them. The soils of this
formation are not very fertile, nor yet are they sterile; they
are of medium quality, and susceptible, under skilful culture, of
the highest improvement. The primitive rocks are chiefly
represented by granite and gneiss.
3. The rocks of the secondary formation appear in certain
counties of the Piedmont section, and here the coal-fields occur,
embracing many hundred square miles. This formation consists of
the primitive rocks, broken down by natural agents, and
subsequently deposited in beds of a thickness from a few feet to
many hundred, and abounds in organic remains. The soils of this
formation vary more than the former, as the one or the other of
the materials of which they are made up happens to predominate.
4. The eastern section belongs to that which is known as the
"quaternary" formation. Here no rocks like those mentioned above
are found; indeed, rocks, in the ordinary sense of that term, are
unknown. This formation will be best understood by regarding it
as an ocean bed laid bare by upheaval through some convulsion of
nature, and thus made dry land. Sandy soils predominate somewhat
in this section, though there are tracts in which clay is in
great excess, and other tracts in which vegetable matter is in
great excess. Between these extremes there exist, also, the
usual mixtures in various proportions.
5. Geology also affords a key to the mineral resources of a
State. Those of the Tidewater section are summed up in its
marls. That whole section is underlaid with marl at a depth of a
few feet, and in quantity sufficient to raise and keep it, when
regularly applied to the surface, for all time to come at the
highest point of productiveness. Of all resources for wealth
this is the most durable; and, on account of the industry to
which it is subservient--the agricultural--is best calculated to
promote the happiness of man.
6. It is in the primitive rocks, however, that minerals abound.
Those of North Carolina surpass any in the Union. In the last
Report on the Geology of the State one hundred and seventy-eight
are numbered and described. Among these are gold, silver,
copper, lead, iron, mica, corundum, graphite, manganese, kaolin,
mill-stone grits, marble, barytes, oil shale, buhrstones, roofing
slate, etc. The most of these are the subjects of great mining
industries, which are daily developing to greater proportions.
7. Of some of these minerals, as corundum and mica, North
Carolina has already become the chief source of supply. Among
the principal sources of the future mineral wealth of the State,
copper, gold and iron are clearly indicated. The ores of these
metals are found in abundance over extensive tracts of country.
Lastly, in North Carolina many beautiful specimens of the
precious stones have been found, and a large capital has been
raised to carry on mining as a regular business for one of these--
the hiddenite gem.
8. North Carolina will thus be seen to be a State of vast
resources, whether we regard the variety and value of her natural
or cultivated productions, the immense range of her minerals or
her facilities for manufacturing industries. It would, perhaps,
be safe to say that no equal portion of the earth's surface will,
in half a century, be the scene of industries so various and of
such value.
QUESTIONS.
1. Of what does this chapter treat? What does the knowledge of
the geology of a State afford? Mention the variety of soils
found in North Carolina.
2. Where are the primitive rocks found? Describe them. How are
they chiefly represented? What are the soils of this division?
3. Where do the rocks of the secondary formation appear?
Describe this formation. What is said of the soils of the
secondary formation?
4. To what class do the rocks of the Eastern section belong?
What is said of this section? Describe the quaternary formation.
What is said of the soil?
5. What else is afforded by geology? Where is marl found and
what is said of it?
6. Where do the minerals abound? How many kinds of minerals are
located in this State? Can you name the principal ones? What is
said of mining?
7. What is said of corundum and mica? Of gold and iron? Of
precious gems?
8. What great resources does North Carolina possess?
CHAPTER IV.
THE INDIANS.
That portion of America now known as the State of North
Carolina was once inhabited by Indians. For many ages before
Columbus came across the seas in the year 1492, they had held
undisputed possession of all the Western Continent, except those
Arctic regions where the Esquimaux dwelt.
2. Nearly a century had gone by since the Spaniards had begun
their settlements, and yet, north of St. Augustine, in Florida,
not a white man was to be found. Cortez and Pizarro had founded
great states in Mexico and Peru, but the vast region stretching
from the Rio Grande to the St. Lawrence was still the home of
only red men and the wild beasts of the forest.
3. There were many different tribes and languages to be found
among the Indians. In North Carolina, the Tuscaroras lived in
the east, the Catawbas in the middle, and the Cherokees in the
western portion of the territory as now defined. There were
Corees, Meherrins, Chowanokes, and other small tribes in the
east, but they were weak in numbers and occupied but a small
portion of our present State limits.
4. The treacherous Tuscaroras were a portion of a powerful race
known as the Iroquois. The other five nations of this family
dwelt in the lake country of New York, and were the most daring
and dangerous confederation among all Indians then known to the
white people. These Iroquois of the North were generally
friendly to the English, but waged almost ceaseless war upon the
French and a tribe of Indians called the Algonquins.
5. The Tuscaroras were generally to be found in the country
watered by the Roanoke and Neuse Rivers, and were the terror of
all other tribes. It is not known when they had separated from
their northern relatives. They kept up amicable relations with
them, and messengers and embassies occasionally passed between
the banks of the Roanoke and the settlements on the northern
lakes.
6. The Catawbas roamed over the fair regions through which flow
the Catawba and Yadkin Rivers. Westward of them were to be
found, in the mountains, the numerous bands of the Cherokees.
Amid the towering peaks, and along the beautiful French Broad and
other rivers, lived and hunted these simple children of the
hills. They were generally disposed to peace, and were averse to
leaving the paradise they inhabited for the dangerous honor of
the warpath.
7. The Indians were, in many respects, a peculiar people. Though
ignorant and savage, they were not idolaters. They believed in
one God, whom they called the "Great Spirit." They were not
shepherds or farmers, for they had no domestic animals except
dogs, and their corn fields were but insignificant patches,
cleared and cultivated by their women. They cleared these little
patches of land by burning down the trees, and their plow was a
crooked stick with which they scratched over the ground for
planting the corn. The men hunted, and fought with other tribes,
but disdained to be found engaged in any useful labor.
8. Such habits made large areas of land necessary for the
subsistence of the people. Thus all of the tribes were jealous
of the intrusion of others upon their hunting grounds, and
whenever one found another getting closer than usual war was
begun. Their lives were filled with terror and apprehension; not
knowing when some enemy would kill and scalp every person in the
tribe.
9. The Meherrins lived in the fork of Meherrin and Chowan Rivers.
They were long at war with the Nottoways, who lived in Virginia,
south of James River. The Meherrins at last left their old men,
women and children and went on the warpath against their enemies,
who happened to be approaching them on a similar errand. They
chanced to miss each other, and the Nottoways therefore found the
lodges of their foes completely undefended, and they slew every
human being in the captured village. The Meherrins left their
old homes in despair and disappeared in the west. This occurred
after many white people had settled in the Albemarle country.
10. Such a state of society necessitated the control of one
leader; so the Indian tribes were governed by chiefs, who led
them to battle and in pursuit of game. Some of these chiefs,
like Powhatan and King Philip, were men of marked ability, and
extended their power over other tribes. When a chief died his
son succeeded to his office only when fitted for the place; if
weak or cowardly, some other brave was chosen. In this way the
honor was not strictly hereditary.
11. The Indians had no knowledge as to the working of iron. They
had only bows, arrows, stone tomahawks and such weapons for war.
They lived in small communities, embracing from ten to thirty
cabins, for protection, but had no large towns, because of the
impossibility of feeding great numbers at one point. They held
it a part of their religion to seek vengeance for all injuries,
real and imaginary, and their general traits of character were as
savage as their habits. In war they had no pity on captives, no
reverence for helpless age, and were strangers to the sentiments
of honor and justice. They were brave, yet much given to cunning
and treachery. They rarely forgot benefits or forgave injuries.
12. Many relics of these savages are yet to be found in almost
every county throughout the State. Broken pieces of pottery,
arrowheads and tomahawks are often plowed up in the fields; and
mounds of various sizes, made by the Indians, are still seen in
some sections. There had long been a tradition among the Indians
that, in the course of time, pale-faced strangers from beyond the
seas would possess their land; and so, after ages of petty
warfare among themselves, as the sixteenth century drew to its
close, they were confronted by men who built ships that withstood
the ocean's storms, and shook the solid earth with the roar of
their artillery.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who were the original inhabitants of the country now known as
North Carolina?
2. Who had made settlements on the American continent a century
before the English? What two great men were leaders in making
those settlements?
3. Give the location of the various tribes of Indians in North
Carolina.
4. Who were the Tuscaroras? What was the feeling of the Indians
toward the white people?
5. In what part of North Carolina were the Tuscaroras found?
What were their habits?
6. What tribes were found in the western portion of the State?
What were their habits?
7. What kind of people were the Indians? How did they cultivate
the soil?
8. Give further description of their habits.
9. Where was the home of the Meherrin Indians? The Nottoways?
What were the relations existing between these two tribes?
10. Describe the government of the Indians.
11. How did they live? What were some of their traits in war?
12. What relics of the Indians are still to be found in the
State? What tradition existed among the Indians? How was that
tradition beginning to be fulfilled ? Point out on the map the
ancient homes of the Tuscarora Indians. The Catawbas. The
Cherokees. The Corees. The Meherrins. The Chowanokes. Trace
the course of the Roanoke River. The Neuse. The Meherrin. The
Chowan. The Catawba. The Yadkin. The French Broad.
CHAPTER V.
SIR WALTER RALEIGH
A. D. 1570 TO 1583.
1570. The sixteenth century of the Christian era was one of the most
wonderful periods in the world's history. The recent invention
of the printing-press had scattered books and knowledge over
Christendom, a larger liberty in religions matters had been
achieved by the Reformation, and daring navigators sailed with
their ships into many regions never before visited by civilized
men.
2. The Portuguese and Spaniards sent expeditions to many lands.
In America, thousands of men and women were living who had come
from Europe, or had been born of white parents since the first
settlements in the West Indies, Mexico and Peru. As Columbus had
discovered the new world with Spanish ships, the kings of Spain
laid claim to all the continent.
3. England, in that time, was ruled by Queen Elizabeth, who began
her reign in 1558. Ireland and the small islands in the British
Channel were the only dependencies of the Crown. Scotland was
still an independent monarchy. With a few millions of subjects,
and this small territory as her realm, this queen was in great
danger of dethronement and death. The Pope, the Catholic kings
and her own people belonging to the Church of Rome denied her
title to be queen and sought her overthrow and that of the
Protestant religion she upheld.
4. Amid so many dangers and difficulties, Queen Elizabeth, by
wisdom and prudence, not only managed to defend herself, but
became one of the greatest rulers of any age. She devoted her
energies to the government of her people, and, though courted by
many princes, would never marry, for fear such a relation would
impair her usefulness as a queen.
5. Among her greatest gifts as a ruler was her clear insight into
the characters of men. She knew whom to employ as her agents,
and was rarely deceived as to how far she could trust them in a
season so full of treason and danger. But this great queen, who
humbled the most powerful monarchs, and in whose presence the
sternest men would sometimes tremble, was, after all, a very vain
woman. Nothing pleased her more, even in her old age, than
praise of her personal appearance.
6. One evening she was walking at the head of a procession
composed of ladies and gentlemen of her court, when she
encountered a muddy place in her pathway. The stately queen
paused a moment, seeming in doubt as to whether she should step
in the mud or pass around. A handsome young man, who was
standing near by, snatched a velvet cloak from his shoulders,
and, throwing it in the mud for Her Majesty to step upon, she
passed over with dry feet.
7. Queen Elizabeth was charmed with the ready gallantry of the
youth. She made inquiries concerning him, and found that it was
young Walter Raleigh, who had just come to London from his home
in the country. It was the beginning of his fortunes at court,
and he soon won the queen's confidence and respect.
8. Walter Raleigh had many noble and generous qualities. He was,
by nature, brave, ambitious and enterprising, and soon became a
great and learned man. He was a gallant soldier, a skilful
navigator and the statesman who first conceived the plan for
extending the British Empire. While serving as a soldier in
behalf of the French Protestants, on the continent of Europe, he
heard and read so much of the wondrous lands across the Atlantic
Ocean that he resolved that England should share in the glory and
profit of future discoveries.
1578-83.
9. When Raleigh went back to England he communicated his desires
and feelings to his half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who had
made reputation as a commander of ships. In the year 1578, the
queen granted leave to these two men to sail in search of lands
yet undiscovered by civilized nations. In 1583 they sent out a
large vessel called the Raleigh, [It is said that the vessel was
commanded by Sir Walter Raleigh in person, and this was the only
attempt ever made by him to visit the shores of North America. ]
which was compelled to return in a few days, on account of
disease among the crew.
10. English sailors, at that time, were easily discouraged in
efforts to navigate the Atlantic Ocean. They had never crossed
it, and were full of superstition concerning that unknown and
mysterious sea.
11. Again, in 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, with three ships,
ventured out upon the waste of waters that lay to the west of
their island homes. He discovered the island of Newfoundland,
and thence sailed southward. Off the coast of Maine he was
overtaken by a storm which sunk one of his ships. This disaster
induced him to turn his prows for the voyage homeward; but the
storm continued, and the darkness and horrors of the sea grew
tenfold worse when they found themselves amid drifting icebergs.
Brave Sir Humphrey, from the deck of his ship, the Squirrel, to
the last cheered the men of her consort, crying out, "Cheer up,
my lads! We are as near heaven at sea as on land."
12. When the terrible night had passed, it was found that Sir
Humphrey Gilbert and his crew had perished, and only the Hind was
left to carry back the disheartening tidings to Raleigh and the
English queen. The vessel which carried Sir Humphrey Gilbert and
his crew was of only ten tons burden, and very poorly able to
stand the gales along the American coast. The Delight, another
one of the fleet, had gone down a few days before the loss of the
Squirrel.
[NOTE--In the year 1520 a Spanish vessel, commanded by Vasques de
Ayllon, was driven by a violent storm upon the coast of Carolina.
The commander was kindly treated by the natives, and, in return,
he enticed a number of them on board his ship and tried to carry
them to Hispaniola. But the Indians preferred death to
captivity; they all refused to partake of any food, and thus died
of voluntary starvation. The scene of this occurrence is within
the present borders of South Carolina.]
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of the sixteenth century of the world's history?
2. What was the condition of the "new world"? What people laid
claim to the American continent, and why?
3. Who was Queen of England, and what was the condition of her
kingdom? What was Queen Elizabeth's trouble with the Pope of
Rome?
4. What is said of Queen Elizabeth as a ruler?
5. What other traits of character did she possess?
6. What interesting circumstance is relayed of the queen?
7. Who was the young man, and what did the queen think of him?
8. What was the character of Walter Raleigh?
9. To whom did he communicate his plans? What did the queen
grant to these two men? When was the first expedition started,
and with what result?
10. How did sailors of that period regard the Atlantic Ocean?
11. What occurred in 1583? What island was discovered? What
disaster befell the expedition?
12. What did daylight reveal? Give the names of the three ships.
CHAPTER VI.
DISCOVERY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
A. D. 1584 TO 1585.
1584. When the little ship Hind reached England, and it was known
how Sir Humphrey Gilbert and so many of his men had gone down
into the depths of that mysterious ocean which was so much
dreaded, there was great grief; and, possibly many bitter
speeches were made by the people who stayed at home and predicted
disaster to the daring enterprise. Raleigh was sorely afflicted
at the loss of his brother and men, and had he been weak or
selfish this disaster would have unmanned him, and he would have
ventured on no more such projects.
2. He had lost many thousands of dollars in the foundered ships;
and many a gallant friend that had trusted him and cheered him in
his mighty schemes had perished. But the hearts of heroes are
not cast in common moulds. Instead of abandoning his enterprise,
he obtained, on March 25, 1584, letters-patent from the queen
favoring another expedition, and he at once began to fit out
another fleet. This consisted of two vessels, and they were put
under the command of Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe.
[NOTE--The queen's "Letters-Patent" to Raleigh gave him "Free
liberty to discover such remote heathen and barbarous lands not
actually possessed by any Christian prince, nor inhabited by
Christian people.]
3. The fleet sailed from England on the 27th day of April, 1584,
and, avoiding the dangers of drift-ice in the northern waters,
steered for the Canary Islands and the West Indies. They had the
good fortune to escape the Spanish cruisers, which were so
dangerous to English vessels sailing at that day upon this
course. On the 14th day of July they first saw the coast of
North Carolina, probably at a point just below Old Topsail Inlet.
They continued northward along the low, barren barriers of sand
which divide the waters of the ocean from those of Pamlica and
Croatan Sounds, and, two days later, came to anchor off an island
called Wocoken, in what was an inlet at that day.
4. They called this place Trinity Harbor. Across the desolate
sand ridges were fair landlocked waters, and great forests that
sent far out to sea the odors of countless flowers. The weary
toilers who had sailed so far, with nothing to look upon but the
sky and the great stretches of the sea, were charmed with the
richness of the vegetation, the balmy air, and the ceaseless
songs of the mockingbirds.
5. For two whole days it seemed that the country was uninhabited,
for no one had been seen by the Englishmen. At the expiration of
that period they saw a canoe approaching from the north, in which
were three Indians. One of them landed and came down the beach
toward the ships. By signs he was invited aboard the vessels,
and went with the white men to survey some of the wonders of
civilization found in various parts of the vessel.
6. It must have been a notable day in this Indian's life, when,
for the first time, he, who had seen nothing of the kind larger
than his canoe, beheld the tall poops, the towering masts and the
great sails of vessels that had come from such distant lands
beyond the seas. Nothing so astonished the Indians of that day
as the roar of artillery. It was something entirely beyond their
comprehension, and filled them with terror. They had no guns or
knowledge of their use. So, when a cannon was fired, they were
ready to believe that men who could do such things were possessed
of supernatural powers.
7. The officers of the vessel gave to the Indian a hat, shirt and
several other articles, besides treating him to wine and meat,
which he seemed to greatly relish. As a return for their
kindness, the Indian took his canoe and showed the white men how
to catch fish. In a half hour he had nearly filled his boat with
those delicious fish which have always so remarkably abounded in
all the waters of that portion of North Carolina. By signs he
made known his wish that they should be divided between the men
of the two ships, and then he took his departure.
8. The next day many Indians, with much ceremony, visited the
ships. Among them was Granganimeo, a brother of the chief who
ruled in that portion of the country. He was an honest and
kindly Indian, faithful to his promises, and affording a strong
contrast to Wingina, the Indian king, who was full of suspicion
and duplicity. The Indians were clothed in mantles and aprons of
deerskins. They were gentle, unsuspicious and hospitable. A few
days later Amadas, with eight of his men in a boat, visited the
home of Granganimeo, about twenty miles distant, on the shore of
Roanoke Island. The chief was not at home, but his wife gave
them a cordial and hospitable reception. She prepared a feast
for them of fruits, melons, fish and venison, and showed them
every kindness.
9. Amadas and Barlowe proceeded, in the presence of many Indians,
to lay claim to the country for their queen. This whole pageant
was probably a dumb show to the astonished and ignorant natives.
They neither knew nor cared what the white men were celebrating
with beating drums, flaunting banners and salvos of artillery.
10. This expedition had not been sent with any purpose of
settlement; so, in a few weeks after the ceremony of taking
possession, the fleet weighed anchor and sailed back to England.
They carried with them a large cargo of skins and valuable woods,
which they had obtained in trading with the Indians. For a
bright tin dish the Indians gave twenty skins, worth about thirty-
five dollars, and fifty valuable skins were given for an old
copper kettle. Amadas and Barlowe also carried to England the
first knowledge of the potato and tobacco.
11. With their own consent, two Indians, named Manteo and
Wanchese, were taken aboard and carried to England, that they
might see something of the world across the sea. They afforded a
singular test of human nature. They were of equal abilities, and
yet, by the visit to England, Manteo became the friend, Wanchese
the implacable enemy of the white men.
[NOTE--The Indians were greatly amazed at the sight of gunpowder,
the cause of all the noise in the artillery. On one of their
expeditions they captured a quantity of powder from the
colonists, and, to increase the supply, they made rows in the
ground and carefully planted the black grains of powder,
expecting to reap a full harvest of it in season. ]
12. Queen Elizabeth was greatly pleased by the glowing
descriptions of the new country as given by the returned
mariners, especially by the accounts of the abundance of fruits,
vines hanging with luscious grapes, great forests, rich shrubbery
and bright flowers, and she gave the country the name of
Virginia, in honor of herself, the "Virgin Queen."
13. Walter Raleigh was, soon after, elected a member of
Parliament in the House of Commons, of which body be became a
leader. The queen, in recognition of his services, confirmed his
patent for prosecuting discoveries in foreign lands, and, in
conferring upon him the honor of knighthood, made him Sir Walter
Raleigh.
QUESTIONS.
1. How did the people of England receive the news of Sir Humphrey
Gilbert's death? How did it affect Raleigh?
2. What did the expeditions cost him? Whom did he next send out
to the new world?
3. When did this fleet leave England? Describe their course and
trace it on the map. When did they reach the coast of North
Carolina? Where did they land? Can you point out this place on
the map? Wocoken? Croatan? Pamlico Sound?
4. What did they name this place? What is said of the new land?
5. What occurred on the second day after their arrival?
6. How did this visit impress the Indians? How were the Indians
affected by the roar of the artillery?
7. What return did the Indian make for the kindness of the white
men?
8. Who next visited the ships? What kind of man was he? How did
this Indian's wife treat the white men? Locate Roanoke Island on
the map.
9. What formal ceremony did Amadas and Barlowe conduct?
10. What did the ships carry back to Europe?
11. What two Indians were taken on a visit to England? How was
each of them affected by the visit?
12. What account did the mariners give of the new country? What
did Queen Elizabeth think of the description? What name did she
give to the new country, and why?
13. Of what body did Raleigh soon become a member? What title
was then conferred upon him, and why?
CHAPTER VII.
GOVERNOR LANE'S COLONY.
A. D. 1585 TO 1586.
We cannot easily realize, in our day, what excitement and
enthusiasm were felt in England when the two ships returned and
exhibited the Indians, the potatoes, the tobacco and other new
and strange productions that had been gathered by Amadas and
Barlowe, to prove the value and fertility of the newly discovered
land. It is strange, but true, that more value was set upon the
discovery of the sassafras tree than upon anything else, and
wonderful things were expected of its virtues as a tea, a
medicine and for the manufacture of perfume.
[NOTE--Sir Walter Raleigh planted some of the potatoes upon his
own estate, and found them very palatable. Other people
afterwards obtained seed from him, and now the potato forms a
principal part of the food of Ireland. Raleigh was also the
first Englishman who ever used tobacco. An amusing incident is
related of his using it. His servant entered the room one day,
bringing a mug of ale, while Raleigh was enjoying his pipe and
tobacco, and the smoke was issuing from his mouth and filling the
room. The servant, thinking, that his master was on fire,
immediately dashed the ale in his face and ran out, crying for
help, for his master "would be burnt to ashes."]
2. Sir Walter Raleigh hastened to send over a colony of men to
take possession of Roanoke. Ralph Lane, a gentleman of courage
and experience, was appointed Governor. The seven ships,
conveying one hundred and eight emigrants and the two Indians who
had visited England, sailed on the 9th of April; they were
commanded by Sir Richard Grenville, who was a cousin of Raleigh,
and famous as a seaman.
3. This fleet also came over by the southern route, and was in
considerable danger off Cape Fear during a great storm, but the
ships all safely rode out the gale, and, on the 26th of July, 1585,
they dropped their anchors in Trinity Harbor, off the coast
where the fleet had lain during the visit of the previous year.
News of the arrival was at once sent to Wingina, at Roanoke
Island.
4. Governor Lane had one hundred and eight men to remain with
him, among whom was Thomas Hariot, the celebrated mathematician
and historian. With these colonists he landed upon Roanoke
Island, and began to build and fortify a town upon the northern
part of the island, which he named the "City of Raleigh." The
island is twelve miles long and about four broad, and is to this
day fertile and pleasant as a place of residence. It then
abounded in game, and countless and choice varieties of fish were
to be caught in the sounds and sea at all seasons of the year.
5. Admiral Grenville was active during his stay at Roanoke in
visiting many Indian towns and in exploring the many broad waters
that are found connected with one another in that portion of
North Carolina. On one of his expeditions he lost a silver cup,
which was stolen from him during his stay at an Indian town. The
passionate seaman, in a rage, demanded its return by the Indians,
whom he charged with stealing it. They did not comply, and he,
with great imprudence and injustice, burned the whole village and
destroyed all the corn.
6. This was the first taste afforded the Indians of how harshly
they might expect to be treated, and, though no war followed
immediately, they neither forgot nor forgave Grenville's
punishment, and many unexpected injuries were inflicted upon the
poor settlers by the Indians on account of this rash and cruel
act.
7. Governor Lane, after the admiral's departure, continued his
explorations, in order to learn the geography and nature of the
country. He ascended the Chowan River to near the mouth of the
Nottoway and penetrated the interior as far as the Indian village
of Chowanoke. Instead of clearing fields and making provisions
for his people; he was laboriously searching for gold mines and
jewels. He was told by the chief of the Chowanoke Indians, whom
he held as prisoner for two days, that such things abounded along
the upper reaches of Roanoke River (then called the "Moratock"),
and that the headwaters of that stream extended to within an
arrow's flight of a great ocean to the west, and along the banks
of the river lived a very great and wealthy race of people, whose
walled cities glittered with pearls and gold.
8. Fired in imagination by this false and wicked Indian story,
preparations were made for a journey in boats, longer than had
yet been attempted. They found the swift current of the Roanoke
difficult to ascend, and their small store of provisions was
exhausted by the time they had reached where the town of
Williamston now stands. They could procure none from the
Tuscaroras, who dwelt upon the banks, and, while in this dilemma,
the savages made a night attack upon their camp, and with great
difficulty the adventurers succeeded in escaping destruction.
9. Thus perished Governor Lane's dreams of gold. He hurried back
to Roanoke and soon found the hostility of the Tuscaroras
extending to the tribe under Wingina. Granganimeo was dead, and
Manteo was the only Indian of any influence who manifested
friendship for the colonists. They had previously brought an
abundance of fish, game and fruits; but these supplies now
ceased, and Governor Lane realized that he was surrounded by a
people who had become his enemies.
1586.
10. By some means he discovered that Wingina was concerting with
the Tuscaroras for an attack upon Roanoke Island. Concealing
this knowledge, he invited the unsuspecting plotter to come, with
certain of his people, to a feast at the City of Raleigh. They
accepted the invitation, and Wingina, with eight of his headmen,
was put to death. This occurred on the first of June, 1586.
11. This was a stern and bloody punishment of their foes, but it
gave the white men deliverance from attack until Sir Francis
Drake came, with a large fleet, and anchored in Trinity Harbor,
finding the colony almost in a perishing condition.
12. Ralph Lane was not a hero, but Francis Drake was. If the
Governor lacked resolution, no man ever supposed the great
admiral deficient in this respect. After a long consultation,
Drake approved the resolution of the colonists to abandon the
settlement, and, on the 19th of June, 1586, taking them aboard
his ships, he steered for England, leaving the City of Raleigh
untenanted. Thus failed the first attempt at forming a permanent
settlement upon this great territory forming the present limits
of the United States.
QUESTIONS.
1. What occurred in England on the return of the ships? Mention
some things exhibited by the mariners.
2. What did Sir Walter Raleigh next do? Who was appointed
Governor? Who commanded the expedition?
3. What was the route of the fleet? When and where did they
land?
4. How many men were landed upon Roanoke Island? What did they
name their city? Describe Roanoke Island.
5. Mention some of Grenville's exploits during his stay.
6. What did the Indians think of this treatment? How did the
settlers suffer in consequence?
7. How did Governor Lane occupy himself? What wonderful story
was told Lane by the Indians?
8. How did Lane regard this story? Give an account of his
expedition up the Roanoke River. Point out Williamston.
9. What did Governor Lane find to be the condition of affairs
upon his return to the settlement?
10. What plot was discovered? How did Governor Lane prevent it?
11. What was the effect of this treatment? What help arrived
from England?
12. What did the colonists resolve to do? What is said of this
attempt to found a colony?
CHAPTER VIII.
GOVERNOR WHITE'S COLONY.
A. D. 1586 TO 1590.
It must have been a sore trial to Sir Walter Raleigh when he
learned that his colonists had returned to England. He had sent
over a ship with abundant supplies, which reached Roanoke only a
few days after Sir Francis Drake sailed away with his fleet.
Finding no white people upon the island, the ships returned to
England. Sir Richard Grenville also touched at the same point,
with three other ships, about fifteen days later. The folly,
avarice and timidity of agents such as Ralph Lane have, in all
ages, crippled the noblest efforts for human advancement.
2. Sir Richard Grenville left fifteen men in the fort built at
Roanoke by Lane, lest the English claim to the country should be
lost through want of its being occupied. They soon fell victims
to Indian vengeance after Grenville had hoisted his sails and
gone in search of Spanish treasure ships.
1587.
3. Once again, in 1587, Raleigh collected a fleet of transports,
and, with John White as Governor, sent about one hundred and
fifty men, women and children to Roanoke for permanent
settlement. They brought over farming implements, wisely
determining to give up the useless search for gold, and to look
to husbandry as a means of livelihood in their new home. On
arriving at Roanoke, on the 22d of July, Governor White, with
forty of his best men, went ashore for the purpose of finding the
men who had been left there by Grenville. The fort was
destroyed, the houses were in a dilapidated condition and no
trace of the colonists was found except a single skeleton which
lay bleaching in the sun in front of one of the cabins,
indicating that some fearful tragedy had been enacted.
4. Sir Walter Raleigh had ordered White to go to Hampton Roads,
in the region of Chesapeake Bay, instead of Roanoke, but this
command was disregarded under the plea that, their pilot, a
Spaniard, would not show the way. But as Governor Lane had sent
a party there the year before, the location must have been known
to others of the expedition besides Fernando, the pilot. It was
like everything else done by John White while connected with the
effort of colonization--very foolish and culpable.
5. Manteo was still the warm friend of the English, and, with his
mother, welcomed them. to his home on Croatan. He was, on the
13th of August, as a reward for his faithful services, baptized
by order of Sir Walter Raleigh, and created a nobleman, with the
title of "Lord of Roanoke," which was the first title of nobility
ever conferred by the English in America.
6. Governor White had, among the colonists, a daughter named
Eleanor, wife of Ananias Dare, one of his assistants. On August
18th, a few days after their arrival, she gave birth to a little
girl, who, in honor of the land of her birth, was named "Virginia
Dare." This is about all we know of the little girl who will ever
be famous as the first of all the children born to English
speaking people within the borders of the United States. One of
the counties of this State bears the name of "Dare" in honor of
this little girl, and includes in its area the scene of her birth.
7. Governor White had been at Roanoke only a few weeks, when he
became convinced that he should at once return to England in the
interest of the people he had been sent over here to govern. He
said they would need provisions and additions to their numbers,
and a larger supply of implements of civilized life; therefore,
after a stay of but thirty-six days with the colony, he set sail
for England.
8. He should have manifested even more haste to return to
America, as members of his own family were included among the
settlers who were at Roanoke looking to him for guidance and
safety amid so many dangers. But when he reached England, and
Raleigh had furnished him with two ships and men and stores for
his speedy return, John White found excuse for long stay before
revisiting the stormy neighborhood of Cape Hatteras.
9. When he was ready to sail for America a great Spanish fleet,
called the "Invincible Armada," was drawing near the English
coast, with the avowed purpose of dethroning the queen and
subjugating the people. John White preferred to take the chances
of plunder in the coming engagement to fulfilling his duty to the
poor people at Roanoke who were waiting so anxiously for his
return.
10. British heroism, aided by a severe storm, drove off and
destroyed the great Spanish fleet, and Governor White, with his
two ships which Raleigh had with great difficulty fitted out for
him with stores for the colony, joined in pursuit of the
fugitives. He gained neither gold nor glory, and his ships were
so battered that they had to be carried into port and repaired
before they were fit to venture on a voyage across the Atlantic
Ocean. Sir Walter Raleigh expressed very great displeasure at
the conduct of Governor White.
1590.
11. Three years had elapsed before Governor White came back to
Roanoke. He found the "City of Raleigh" as desolate as upon his
first arrival. There was no trace of the colonists left except
the word "CROATAN," carved upon a tree. It had been agreed that
if the colonists should find it necessary to remove before his
return, they would thus designate the place to which they had
gone. Governor White, in his search, found three of his chests
which had been buried by the colonists and afterwards dug up and
partly broken open. They contained books, maps and pictures, all
of which were badly torn and spoiled.
12. Croatan was a peninsula about fifty miles from Roanoke
Island, and Governor White had good reason to believe that the
people whom he left had gone there; but he sailed down the coast
in sight of the place, and went back to England with no further
efforts to discover the nature of their fate. Thus, again,
Roanoke was left to the savage and the wild beast. It will never
be known what became of the colonists. Sir Walter Raleigh for a
long time did not despair of finding them, and sent out five
expeditions for this purpose, but all were unsuccessful. Their
fate is one of those sealed secrets which will only be known when
all our ignorance shall be enlightened and the sea gives up its
dead.
[NOTE--There was a tradition among the Indians that these people,
after great suffering for food, were adopted by the Hatteras
tribe of Indians, and became mingled with them; and, it is said
that later generations of these Indians possessed many physical
characteristics which indicated a mixture of the European and
Indian races; but this may be, after all, fanciful surmises of
the early historian. ]
QUESTIONS.
1. What ships had been sent over to relieve the colony?
2. How did Grenville continue English claims to Roanoke? What
was the fate of his settlers?
3. What was Raleigh's next attempt at settlement? Who was
appointed Governor? How many people composed the colony? How was
this colony better prepared for permanent settlement than any of
its predecessors? What became of this colony?
4. Where had White been ordered to make settlement? Point out
Hampton Roads on the map. Why did he land at Roanoke Island?
What is said of Manteo?
6. What is said of little Virginia Dare? How is her name still
honored in this State? Point out Dare county on the map.
7. What did Governor White do in a few weeks after his arrival at
Roanoke?
8. What was furnished to him on his arrival in England? Did he
at once go back to relieve the colonists?
9. Why did not Governor White immediately return to his suffering
people?
10. What became of the "Spanish Armada"? How did Governor White
become engaged in this conflict?
11. How long was Governor White away from Roanoke? What did he
find on his return? What is supposed to have been the meaning of
the word "Croatan"? What did Governor White find?
12. Where is "Croatan"? Can you locate it on the map? Did
Governor White go to this place to seek his people? Was any
settlement on Roanoke at this time? What effort did Raleigh make
to find these people?
CHAPTER IX.
THE FATE OF RALEIGH.
A. D. 1590 TO 1653.
The story of the attempted settlement on Roanoke Island is the
story of one of the world's tragedies. Misfortune seemed to be
the doom, not only of the colonists, but of many gallant men who
sought to aid Sir Walter Raleigh in his enterprise. Sir Humphrey
Gilbert, with two of his ships, was the first to perish at sea;
Sir Francis Drake and his compeer, Sir John Hawkins, both died of
pestilence in the West Indies; and, to the baffled and broken-
hearted originator of the scheme, the coming years were black
with disaster and death.
2. With the loss of Governor White's colony, Raleigh found that
his expenditures had greatly impaired his wealth. He had lost
more than two hundred thousand dollars (£40,000 sterling), and,
no longer able to fit out costly and fruitless expeditions, was
forced to solicit aid from others, joining them in the rights and
privileges granted him by the queen in his charter.
[NOTE--It must also be remembered that money in the sixteenth
century was worth at least five times more than at present.
Forty thousand pounds expended by Sir Walter Raleigh would, at
that time, purchase about what one million dollars would now
command in England or the United States. ]
1603.
3. But Raleigh found his greatest disaster in the death of
Elizabeth. After ruling England so wisely and well for more than
fifty years, she died on March 24th, 1603. This great queen left
her throne to one of the most paltry and contemptible of men.
4. King James I, was an ungainly Scotch pedant, who was incapable
of appreciating heroism and manliness in others, because of his
own deficiency in all such qualities. He lavished favors and
titles on unworthy favorites, and incurred the contempt of wise
men for his follies and vices.
1618.
5. Sir Walter Raleigh had long treated the Spaniards as the
enemies of his country. The King of Spain hated him on that
account, and King James, to please His Catholic Majesty and
secure the marriage of Prince Charles to a Spanish princess,
caused the great lawyer, Sir Edward Coke, to procure the wrongful
conviction of Raleigh, his greatest subject. After lying in
prison for twelve years under this conviction, Raleigh was
released by King James, and although not pardoned, was put in
command of an expedition to the coast of Guiana. The expedition
was unsuccessful, and on his return, to satisfy the King of
Spain, James signed the warrant for Raleigh's execution upon his
former sentence. Accordingly, Raleigh was beheaded, at the age
of sixty-five, as a traitor to the land for whose good he had
accomplished more than any one else in all its limits.
[NOTE--Sir Walter Raleigh occupied the twelve years of his
imprisonment in writing a "history of the world." This work gave
great offence to King James, who endeavored to suppress its
circulation. When Raleigh was carried to execution, while on the
scaffold, he asked to see the axe. He closely examined its
bright, keen edge, and said, with a smile: "This is a sharp
medicine, but a sound cure for all diseases." He then laid his
head composedly on the block, moved his lips as if in prayer, and
gave the signal for the blow. ]
6. Thus suffered and died the man who first sent ships and men to
the soil of North Carolina. That he failed in what he desired to
accomplish should not detract from the gratitude and reverence
due to his memory. If incompetent and unworthy agents, and the
accidents of fortune, thwarted him in his designs, the fault is
not his. He was the greatest and most illustrious man connected
with our annals as a State, and should ever receive the applause
and remembrance of our people.
7. After the death of Sir Walter Raleigh no more efforts were
made to plant a colony at Roanoke. The spot was never favorable
for such a purpose. No coast in the world is much more dangerous
to ships than that of North Carolina. Cape Hatteras is even now
the dread of all mariners. It is visited by many storms, and
sends its deadly sandbars for fifteen miles out into the ocean to
surprise and wreck the ill-fated vessel that has approached too
near the coast.
8. Governor Lane, while at Roanoke, discovered the broad, deep
inlet and safe anchorage at Hampton Roads, within the present
limits of Virginia. This port lies, but little to the north of
that inlet which Amadas and Barlowe entered on the first English
visit to Carolina. Into Hampton Roads, in 1607, went another
colony, sent over by men who had succeeded the unfortunate
Raleigh in the royal permission to plant settlements in America.
To the genius and bravery of the leader, Captain John Smith, was
due the permanence of the settlement at Jamestown. The name of
"Virginia," which had been applied to all the territory claimed
by England under the discoveries of Gilbert and Raleigh, was then
confined to the colony on James River.
9. In the course of a few years many places on the Atlantic coast
were occupied by expeditions sent out from England and other
countries of Europe. Those of England, at Plymouth, of the
Dutch, at New Amsterdam, and of the Swedes, in New Jersey, were
speedily seen, while yet roamed the Tuscarora in undisturbed
possession of North Carolina.
10. As Virginia grew more populous there were hardships and
troubles concerning religion. Men and women were persecuted on
account of their religious practices. If people did not conform
to the "English" or Episcopal Church they were punished by fine
and imprisonment. Sometimes cruel whipping became the portion of
men who were found preaching Quaker and Baptist doctrines.
11. Sir William Berkeley, who was Governor of Virginia, had no
authority over men who dwelt in the region south of a line a few
miles below where the ships approached the inland waters of
Virginia. When this became known many people around the
Nansemond River and adjacent localities went southward, towards
the Albemarle Sound, seeking homes where the tyrant of Virginia
had no jurisdiction.
1653.
12. For this cause Roger Green, a clergyman, in 1653, led a
considerable colony to the banks of the Chowan and Roanoke
Rivers; but even before this, there were probably scattered
settlements over most all the region north of the Albemarle
Sound, of which we have no reliable account.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of the attempted settlement upon Roanoke Island?
2. What had the expedition cost Raleigh?
3. What was Raleigh's greatest loss?
4. Who succeeded Queen Elizabeth? What kind of a man was King James I. ?
5. What new trouble came upon Raleigh? Describe his conviction
and death.
6. How should the people of North Carolina ever think of Sir
Walter Raleigh?
7. Were any further efforts made to plant a colony at Roanoke?
What is said of the place?
8. What safe anchorage had Governor Lane discovered? What colony
entered Hampton Roads in 1607? What town was settled in
Virginia, and by whom? To what locality was the name "Virginia"
then confined?
9. Mention some settlements made on the Atlantic coast about this
time.
10. What persecutions were common in Virginia?
11. Over what section of country did Governor Berkeley have no
authority? When this became known to the people what did many of
them do?
12. What settlement was made by Roger Green, and when? Were
there any settlements in North Carolina before this time?
CHAPTER X.
KING CHARLES II. AND THE LORDS PROPRIETORS.
A. D. 1663.
After the discovery of North Carolina, in 1584, by Amadas and
Barlowe, many years had gone by before the period now reached in
this narrative. Not only had James succeeded Elizabeth, but
Charles had succeeded James and had been beheaded as a traitor
to the land he pretended to rule. Cromwell had lived, ruled
and died, and Charles II. was on the throne of his fathers, and
thus again royal bounties became possible and fashionable.
2. Many men in England had heard of the goodly land which was
being peopled around Albemarle Sound, beyond the jurisdiction of
Governor Berkeley. He, too, with his bitter and envenomed soul,
took part in a scheme which was to give him some authority over
the refugees who had imagined themselves beyond the reach of his
cruel rule.
1663
3. In the year 1663, His Majesty Charles II., King of England,
Scotland and Ireland, granted to George, Duke of Albemarle;
Edward, Earl of Clarendon; William, Earl of Craven; John, Lord
Berkeley; Anthony, Lord Ashley; Sir George Carteret, Sir John
Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, as "Lords Proprietors," all
the territory south of the lands not already granted to the
province of Virginia, down to the Spanish line of Florida.
4. There were some remarkable men among these titular owners of
the land we now inhabit. The Duke of Albemarle had been General
George Monk before the restoration of King Charles, and was made
a nobleman on account of his part in that transaction. He was
not possessed of very great ability, and only became famous by
the accidents of fortune.
5. Very different was the astute lawyer, Edward Hyde, who, for
his abilities, was made the Earl of Clarendon and Lord High
Chancellor of England. He was a selfish and crafty man, and
lost his offices in his old age, but had two granddaughters who
became queens of Great Britain.
6. Lord Ashley, afterward the Earl of Shaftesbury, will ever be
remembered for the part he bore in establishing the writ of
habeas corpus as a part of the British Constitution. He was a
bold, able and profligate man, who marred great abilities by
greater vices. He combined within himself all that is dangerous
and detestable in a demagogue.
7. Sir William Berkeley, then Governor of the province of
Virginia, was another of these Lords Proprietors. He was the
embodiment of the cruelty and religious prejudice of that age.
He whipped and imprisoned people who worshipped God in a way not
pleasing to himself, and was immortalized by the remark of King
Charles II., who said of him: "That old fool has taken more
lives without offence in that naked country than I, in all
England, for the murder of my father."
8. To these men, as Lords Proprietors, a great territory was
granted, which they called "Carolina," in compliment to King
Charles II. [Many years before this time the name of "Carolina"
had been applied to the territory between Virginia and Florida,
in honor of King Charles IX. of France. ] All of them except
Governor Berkeley lived in England, but they ruled the new
country and sold the lands at the highest rate of money they
could get, with a tax of seventy-five cents on each hundred
acres to be paid every year.
9. Many fine promises were made to the English and other people
to induce them to go to Carolina and settle. Freedom to worship
God in the way that seemed best to each individual was
especially held out to poor sufferers like John Bunyan, who, in
those days, were too often kept for long years in loathsome
prisons because of their differing with the civil magistrates as
to certain matters of faith and practice in the churches.
NOTE--Governor Berkeley exhibited some traits of his character
by saying, while Governor of Virginia: "I thank God there are no
free schools nor printing here, and I hope we shall have none of
them these hundred years."
10. Religious persecutions were practiced in most of the
American colonies. It had been decreed in some of the New
England colonies that Quakers, upon coming into the province,
should have their tongues bored with a hot iron and be banished.
Any person bringing a Quaker into the province was fined one
hundred pounds sterling (about five hundred dollars), and the
Quaker was given twenty lashes and imprisoned at hard labor. In
Virginia the persecutions were equally as bad, if not worse, and
some of the punishments were almost as severe as Indian
tortures. The Assembly of this colony (Virginia) levied upon
all Quakers a monthly tax of one hundred dollars.
11. To escape persecution, many men who were Quakers and
Baptists had already gone to the region around the Albemarle
Sound; and others followed from various inducements. Their
settlements were known as the "Albemarle Colony." The whole
country was still roamed over by Indians, and even in Albemarle
the rude farmhouses were widely scattered.
12. There was not even a village in the new province. No
churches, courthouses or public schools were to be seen; but the
men and women of that day loved liberty. They preferred to
undergo danger from the Indians and the privations of lonely
homes in the forest to the persecution which they found in
England and in many portions of America.
13. It can hardly be realized amid the present luxuries and
enjoyments of the American people, what dangers and privations
were encountered by the white settlers in North Carolina two
hundred years ago; for while now thronging cities, teeming
fields and busy highways of a people numbering many millions
cover the land, then cruel and crafty Indians, always hostile at
heart to the tread of the white man, surrounded the defenceless
homes of the scattered colonists and filled the great forest
stretching three thousand miles toward the setting sun.
QUESTIONS.
1. What period have we now reached in our history?
What changes had taken place in the English government?
2. In what new scheme do we find Governor Berkeley taking part?
3. What new grant of this territory was made in 1663?
What was the new government called?
4. What kind of a man was George, Duke of Albemarle?
5. Who was Edward, Earl of Clarendon?
6. Who was Lord Ashley? What was his character?
7. What was Governor Berkeley's character?
What was said of him by King Charles II. ?
8. What name was given to the territory now granted? In whose honor
was Carolina named? Where did the Lords Proprietors live?
What tax was to be paid to them?
9. What inducements were offered to the English to go to Carolina
and settle? Why was "religious freedom" an inducement for them to
leave their comfortable homes and settle in a savage country?
10. What religious persecutions were seen in most of the American colonies?
11. What two religious sects had emigrated to this section?
What did they call their colony?
12. What was the condition of the colony? What sacrifices had
the colonists made, and why?
13. How did the condition of the colonists differ from ours?
CHAPTER XI.
GOVERNOR DRUMMOND AND SIR JOHN YEAMANS.
A. D. 1663 TO 1667.
1. King Charles II., who thus bestowed this vast dominion upon a
few of his friends, was in marked contrast, as a sovereign, to
Queen Elizabeth. He was a gay, dissolute, shameless libertine,
who despised all that is valuable in human duties, and spent his
life in the paltriest amusements. He could be polite and
entertaining in conversation, but abundantly justified Lord
Rochester's remark that "he never did a wise thing or said a
foolish one."
2. Under instructions from the other Lords Proprietors, Sir
William Berkeley, in 1663, appointed William Drummond the first
"Governor of Albemarle." He was a Scotch settler in Virginia,
and was a man who deserved the respect and confidence of the
people whom he governed. He was plain and prudent in his style
of life, and seems to have given satisfaction to the people who
had been previously uncontrolled by law or magistrate.
3. After a stay of three years, Governor Drummond returned to
Virginia. A great trouble arose in Virginia at this period,
known as "Bacon's Rebellion." A brave young man, Nathaniel
Bacon, was at the head of a force resisting the presumption and
illegal authority of Governor Berkeley. William Drummond, seeing
the justness of the resistance, warmly supported Bacon's cause.
Mrs. Sarah Drummond, wife of the Governor, nobly sustained her
husband. Bacon died before the close of the "Rebellion," and a
large number of the leaders were put to death. Governor Drummond
was, by order of Berkeley, hanged within two hours after his
capture. The entire property of Mrs. Drummond was confiscated
and herself and five children were turned out to starve.
4. This tragic culmination of Berkeley's ruthless cruelties was
the occasion of the bitter censure by the king, already recorded.
After the death of Berkeley, Mrs. Drummond brought suit against
his wife, Lady Frances Berkeley, for recovery of her property,
and a verdict in her favor was given by a Virginia jury.
Governor Drummond is commemorated by the lake in the Dismal Swamp
which still bears his name.
5. It was discovered soon after the king's grant to the Lords
Proprietors, that a belt of land extending southward from the
present Virginia boundary to a point on a line with the month of
Chowan River, and extending indefinitely west, was not included
in that charter; so, in 1665 another charter was granted joining
this strip of territory to North Carolina.
6. In 1663 there was an expedition formed in the island of
Barbadoes, which came to the shores of Carolina and explored to
the distance of about one hundred and fifty miles the courses of
the northeast branch of the Cape Fear River. This expedition was
under command of an experienced navigator named Hilton, who was
assisted by Long and Fabian, and returned to Barbadoes in
February, 1664.
7. Among the planters who had fitted out this expedition was John
Yeamans. He was a young man of good connections in England. His
father had been Sheriff of the City of Bristol during the war of
King Charles I. with Parliament, and was put to death by the
order of Fairfax on account of his stubborn defence of his city
in the king's behalf.
1666.
8. Yeamans had emigrated to Barbadoes, hoping to mend his broken
fortunes, and being pleased with the report of Captain Hilton's
expedition, he determined to remove to Carolina. He went to
England to negotiate with the Lords Proprietors and receive from
them a grant of large tracts of land, and at the same time he was
knighted by the king in reward for the loyalty and misfortunes of
his family. Returning from England in the autumn of 1665, he led
a band of colonists from Barbadoes to the Cape Fear, and
purchasing from the Indians a tract of land thirty-two miles
square, settled at Old Town, in the present county of Brunswick.
The settlement was afterwards known as the "Clarendon Colony."
This village, which was called Charlestown, soon came to number
eight hundred inhabitants, and they occupied their time in
clearing the land for cultivation and preparing lumber, staves,
hoops and shingles for shipment to Barbadoes. The colony greatly
prospered under the excellent and prudent management of Sir John
Yeamans, but was afterwards deserted, when Yeamans was ordered by
the Lords Proprietors to the government of a colony on Cooper and
Ashley Rivers, South Carolina.
9. There had been, as early as 1660, a New England settlement for
the purpose of raising cattle, on the Cape Fear; but this colony
incurred the resentment of the Indians, it is said, by kidnapping
their children under the pretence of sending them to Boston to be
educated; and the colonists were all gone when the men from
Barbadoes visited the Cape Fear. Whether the New Englanders were
driven from the settlement by the Indians, or left because their
enterprise was unprofitable, is not known with certainty. These
men left attached to a post a writing discouraging "all such as
should hereafter come into these parts to settle."
1667.
10. During Governor Drummond's stay in Albemarle there was entire
satisfaction manifested by the people with his rule, and also
with that of the Lords Proprietors. He exerted himself to
arrange matters so as not to disturb the titles acquired in the
time previous to the king's grant; and there was full sympathy
between him and the class represented by George Durant.
11. This sturdy Quaker had, some years before, bought from the
Yeoppim Indians the place known as "Durant's Neck," on Perquimans
River; and he was a leader in wealth and influence among the
settlers. He was prosperous in his affairs, and largely
controlled the views of the people belonging to his religious
sect.
12. The rivers were full of fish every spring, and with little
trouble large supplies were caught in the nets and weirs. Indian
corn, tobacco and lumber were sent in vessels to New England and
the West Indies. In return sugar, coffee and rum were brought to
Albemarle, and an active trade grew up, which was almost wholly
conducted by the New England vessels.
13. These vessels all passed through the inlet at Nag's Head,
where, as late as 1729, twenty-five feet of water was found upon
the bar. This afforded entrance to ships of considerable
size. Cape Hatteras was then, as now, a place of great peril to
ships, and many were wrecked upon the terrible outlying sand
bars; but this did not deter the brave mariners from the trade
which they found was growing each year more profitable.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the character of King Charles II. ? What was said of
him by Lord Rochester?
2. Who was appointed the first Governor of Albemarle? What kind of man was he?
3. How long did Governor Drummond stay in North Carolina? Can
you tell something of "Bacon's Rebellion"? What part did
Governor Drummond take, and what was the result? What can you
tell of Mrs. Sarah Drummond?
4. What further is said of Mrs. Drummond? How is Governor Drummond's
name commemorated in the State? Point out this lake.
5. What additional piece of land was given to the Lords Proprietors in 1665?
6. What expedition came to Carolina in 1663?
7. What is said of Sir John Yeamans?
8. What was the object of Yeamans' visit? What colony did he form in 1665?
Where was it located? What is the history of this colony?
9. What previous settlement had been made in this same vicinity? Why was it deserted?
10. How had the people of Albemarle been pleased with the administration. of Governor Drummond?
11. Who was George Durant? Point out "Durant's Neck "on the map.
12. Give some account of the prosperity of Albemarle. What vessels conducted the trade?
13. Through what inlet did vessels enter the sound? Describe the neighborhood of Cape Hatteras.
CHAPTER XII.
GOVERNOR STEPHENS AND THE FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONS.
A. D. 1667 TO 1674.
After Sir William Berkeley had put Governor Drummond to death
in the manner described, Governor Stephens was sent in 1667 to
take his place. Stephens was a ruler of ordinary abilities, and
probably did his best for the interests of the province, so far
as was consistent with a keen regard for instructions from the
Lords Proprietors.
1668.
2. The government, in his day, consisted of the Governor, his
council of twelve, and twelve members of the House of Assembly,
elected by the freeholders. Every white man having an estate of
inheritance, or for life, in fifty acres of land, was a freeholder.
Perfect religious liberty was allowed, and there was
no check at that day upon the government, provided it preserved
its fealty to the King and the Lords Proprietors.
3. A wide margin was left to the Grand Assembly of Albemarle for
the display of its power. Neither the Legislature nor the
Governor had any capital city for the transaction of business.
The Governor lived on any farm he pleased, and the General
Assembly met at such place as it deemed most convenient.
1669.
4. Their earliest known legislation allowed no settlers to be
disturbed for the collection of debts contracted before coming to
live in Albemarle. Another law exempted all newcomers from taxes
for one year; and prohibited the transfer of any land by a
settler during the first two years of his residence. These laws
were evidently passed to encourage immigration.
5. As there were no Church of England preachers then in the
colony, another statute allowed people to get married by simply
going before the Governor, or any of his council, and declaring
a purpose to become man and wife.
1670.
6. Albemarle at that time was divided into the precincts of
Carteret, Berkeley and Shaftesbury. The settlements extended
rapidly down the seacoast, and soon reached as far south as the
present town of Beaufort, on old Topsail Inlet.
7. Governor Stephens soon reached the conclusion of his
administration and the term of his natural life. The closing
months of his rule were embittered by the nature of the
instructions he received from the Lords Proprietors and the Board
of Trade in London.
8. One of these instructions, materially changing the simple
government previously existing in the province, was concerning
the colonial trade. English merchants saw that New England
vessels were visiting the scattered settlements on the
watercourses and establishing a lucrative exchange of
manufactured goods for the tobacco, corn and lumber of Carolina.
9. It was determined in London to stop this, and appropriate to
English factors whatever of profit might be realized. The old
English Navigation Act, passed under Cromwell, to break down the
Dutch trade, was revived against the Boston skippers. Governor
Stephens accordingly told the colonists they must exchange the
products of their farms with none but English traders, but he
quickly found that the people were resolute in refusing obedience
to any such regulations.
10. It was further announced that a new scheme of rule had been
prepared in England. This was the work of Lord Shaftesbury and a
distinguished philosopher named John Locke. This, familiarly
known as "Locke's Grand Model," was called by the Proprietors
"The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina," and was a cumbrous
and elaborate system, full of titles and dignities. It involved
a large expenditure, and was as unsuited to the Carolina
wilderness as St. Paul's Cathedral in London was for a
meetinghouse for the Quakers of Pasquotank!
11. The people who were constantly enduring danger and privations
in Albemarle at once resolved that they would have no part in the
titles and pageants concocted by these wise men of England. They
had been promised freedom if they would come to America, both by
the king in the Great Deed of Grant and by the Lords Proprietors,
and nothing less than the privileges of Englishmen would satisfy
them.
12. The "Navigation Act" was intended to destroy their commerce
and manufactures, and the "Fundamental Constitutions," if
submitted to, would have put an end to their home rule. They
waged a long opposition to these two things, and a century went
by before, in the blood of the Revolution, American commerce
became free. They were denounced as unruly subjects, but they
were, in all truth, wise and resolute patriots. They were
protecting not only themselves, but the generations of the
future.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who succeeded Governor Drummond as Governor of Albemarle?
What kind of a man was Governor Stephens?
2. In what did the government consist at that time?
3. What is said of the Grand Assembly? Where did the General
Assembly usually meet?
4. Mention some of the earliest laws.
5. What law was enacted concerning marriage?
6. How was Albemarle divided? How far had the settlement extended?
7. What trouble came to Governor Stephens?
8. What kind of trade was carried on between Carolina and New England?
9. What was determined by the Lords Proprietors? What old law
was revived? How did the people receive the orders from Governor
Stephens?
10. What two celebrated Englishmen prepared a form of government
for Carolina? What was this system called? State its nature.
11. What was resolved by the colonists concerning the Grand Model?
12. What was the intent of the Navigation Act? Of the
Fundamental Constitutions?
CHAPTER XIII.
EARLY GOVERNORS AND THEIR TROUBLES.
A. D. 1674 TO 1680.
1674. Samuel Stephens, upon his death in 1674, was succeeded by
George Carteret as Governor of Albemarle. The oldest member of
the council was entitled by law to the place, but the members of
the House of Assembly succeeded in obtaining the position for
their speaker. Governor Carteret found many difficulties in the
office he had assumed; and becoming disgusted with the continued
opposition of the people to the Fundamental Constitutions and the
navigation laws of 1670, he went over to London and resigned his
place as Governor.
1676.
2. When he reached England he found Eastchurch, who, as Speaker,
of the House of Assembly, had been sent over to remonstrate with
the Proprietors against the innovations they were proposing. His
friend Miller, who was accused of indulging in rebellious
language, had been carried out of the province for trial at
Williamsburg, in Virginia, and was also in London at this time
seeking redress for his alleged grievances.
3. Eastchurch was in London as the agent for Albemarle. The
people were paying him to procure the assent of the Proprietors
to some remission in the hard measure of the navigation laws;
also for the abrogation of the Fundamental Constitutions. He and
Miller betrayed their trusts, and became the willing tools of
Lord Shaftesbury and the Board of Trade.
4. As the price of their subservience, Eastchurch was appointed
Governor of Albemarle and Miller was made Secretary of State.
The authorities in London were fully resolved that the New
England vessels should be excluded from Carolina waters and that
the Fundamental Constitutions should be accepted as the system of
government.
5. This betrayal of a high trust was to bring its own punishment
on the heads of both Eastchurch and Miller. On their way to
America they stopped at the Island of Nevis, where the new
Governor of Albemarle met a Creole lady. His conduct in London
had been weak enough, but complete insanity seemed to have fallen
upon him at Nevis. For two years he was oblivious to all the
disorders and distresses of the people committed to his
government; and he surrendered everything else to his lovemaking.
1677.
6. Miller went on to Albemarle, and in July, 1677, assumed
control of public affairs. There were then in the colony two
thousand taxpayers. Besides Indian corn, which was the staple
production, eight hundred thousand pounds of tobacco were made
that year. The whole colony was enjoying such prosperity as a
fertile soil and good climate always give.
7. The new Governor conducted matters in an outrageous manner.
He imposed taxes upon all goods sent to other colonies, and in
this way soon realized five thousand dollars on the tobacco which
was sent to Virginia and Boston.
8. He was particularly emphatic in his orders forbidding trade
with New England vessels. George Durant, with a large majority
of the people, was determined to thwart him in this matter.
Governor Miller, on the other hand, was so determined in
enforcing his orders that he in person boarded a Boston vessel
and arrested the skipper.
1678.
9. Thereupon John Culpepper, with his followers, seized Miller,
and having put him in prison, assumed the government himself. He
imprisoned all the deputies of the Lords Proprietors. The king's
revenue, also, amounting to fifteen thousand dollars, was
appropriated by him; Culpepper, like Gillam, the skipper who had
caused the outbreak, was from New England.
1680.
10. At last, after two years delay upon his journey, Eastchurch
made his appearance in Albemarle. He had won his bride, but lost
everything else. Culpepper scouted his claims to the government.
He went to Williamsburg, in Virginia, to beg the Governor of that
province to aid him in regaining the place he had lost by his
folly; but so slow and ceremonious was his lordship, that
Eastchurch died of vexation before anything substantial had been
accomplished in his behalf.
11. Miller escaped from the confinement to which he had been
subjected by Culpepper, and again went to England to utter his
complaints. Culpepper followed him there, and though indicted
and tried for treason, was acquitted by aid of Lord Shaftesbury.
12. Thus it was, in the earliest days of our history as a people,
that the men of North Carolina found means to resist the
execution of laws enacted abroad for their oppression, and
commenced a struggle which was to continue for a century.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who succeeded Samuel Stephens as Governor? How did he obtain
the place? Why did Governor Carteret go to England?
2. What two men from Carolina did he find in England and what was
their mission?
3. What duty had the colonists entrusted to Eastchurch? How did
he fulfill the trust?
4. How were Eastchurch and Miller rewarded for their betrayal?
What was the determination of the London authorities?
5. What was the conduct of Eastchurch while on his way to Carolina?
6. What did Miller do in the meantime? What was the condition of
the colony at this period?
7. How did the new Governor manage affairs?
8. What trade did he forbid? By whom was his command thwarted?
What violent act was done by Miller?
9. What was done to Miller? Who assumed the government?
10. When did Eastchurch arrive at Carolina? How did he find
matters? To whom did he go for aid, and with what success?
11. What became of Miller and Culpepper?
12. What do the events of this lesson teach us?
CHAPTER XIV.
LORD CARTERET ADDS A NEW TROUBLE.
A. D. 1680 TO 1704.
When John Culpepper had ended his administration the
authorities in England sent over John Harvey as Governor. Little
is known of him or of his successors, John Jenkins and Henry
Wilkinson. There were still misrule and confusion in Albemarle.
A few men of wealth, who acted as deputies in the Council for the
absent Lords Proprietors, were their advocates and defenders in
everything they proposed; but the people still traded with New
England vessels and vented their scorn upon the Fundamental
Constitutions.
1681.
2. At last, in 1681, the authorities in England concluded that if
one of their own number went over he might exert more influence
upon the people than a hired agent. Therefore, they induced Seth
Sothel, who had bought the interest first granted to the Earl of
Clarendon, to venture on the doubtful expedient.
1683-88.
3. To the great good fortune of the province, this abandoned man
was captured at sea by Algerine pirates. Thus he became the slave
of these corsairs for two years. When he arrived it was soon
seen what a beastly and detestable monster had been sent as a
reformer of the morals of the people of Albemarle. He was the
most shameless reprobate ever seen as a Governor in America. He
took bribes, stole property and appropriated the Indian trade to
his own uses, growing worse and worse until the people, in 1688,
could no longer endure his iniquities, and drove him from the
place he disgraced. He went to South Carolina, and after his
sentence to twelve months exile had expired, returned to North
Carolina and died in 1692.
1689-93.
4. Philip Ludwell and Alexander Lillington were the next rulers
in North Carolina, and the administration of the latter witnessed
the triumph of the colonists in the consent of the Lords
Proprietors to the abolition of the Fundamental Constitutions.
This event occurred in 1693, and brought no little joy to the men
who had so long and successfully opposed it as the Constitution
of North Carolina.
1695-96.
5. Thomas Harvey ruled next in Albemarle, while John Archdale, a
wise and benevolent Quaker, was put in charge of all the
settlements in what was North Carolina, and also those on Cooper
and Ashley Rivers, in South Carolina. In the year 1696 a severe
pestilential fever visited all the tribes of Indians along
Pamlico Sound and destroyed nearly all of them. The Colonists,
soon after this, feeling somewhat safer from Indian attacks,
began to form settlements southward.
1704.
6. Henderson Walker succeeded to the rule by virtue of his place
as President of the Council. After him Colonel Robert Daniel,
who had made reputation in an expedition against the Spaniards in
Florida, became, in 1704, the Governor of the province.
7. Governor Daniel was probably the mistaken and ignorant agent
of Lord Carteret, who happened then to be the Palatine, or chief
of the Lords Proprietors, in a foolish effort at reform.
Carteret, like James II., was by no means a pattern in morality,
but became impressed with his duty to cause the Assembly to pass
a law making the Episcopal Church the State Church in the
province, as it was in England.
8. The Baptists and Quakers were numerous, and both of these
sects were sternly opposed to any such regulation. The law was
passed in spite of their votes to the contrary, and provided for
building churches, buying glebe lands, and public taxation to pay
the rectors' salaries, but did not visit any disqualification or
punishment upon nonconformists. The first Episcopal preacher
arrived at Albemarle in 1703, and the first church was built in
1705, in Chowan county.
9. These persons, who were not members of the Episcopal Church,
said they were already paying for the support of their pastors,
and at once declared that they would not submit to the injustice
of paying money to men who were the leaders in the persecutions
of Baptists and Quakers in England and America.
10. The Presbyterians of South Carolina sent John Ashe, of that
section, to London to resist the confirmation of the law, and
Edmund Porter was sent, for the same purpose, by the people of
Albemarle. Ashe died in London before he knew of his success.
Both Queen Anne and the House of Lords denounced the innovation
as unjust and impolitic, and the law was therefore annulled by
Her Majesty in her privy council.
11. It was thus, year by year, that the Carolinians kept up their
struggle for freedom and equality before the law. The ocean
stretched between them and the men who sought their oppression,
and large expenditures, both in money and heartwearing efforts,
were undergone, as the dangerous and alarming years went by; but
these men of the woods never wavered in their determination to be
free.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who was sent from England to succeed John Culpepper as
Governor of Carolina? Who followed Governor Harvey in office?
What was the condition of affairs in the colony under these
Governors?
2. Who became Governor in 1681? Who was Seth Sothel, and why was
he selected?
3. What befell Sothel on his way to Carolina? What kind of man
was Governor Sothel? What did the people do?
4. Who next took charge of Carolina? What important thing was
accomplished under this administration?
5. Who was Governor in 1696? Who had charge of all the
settlements?
6. What two Governors are next mentioned?
7. Whose agent was Governor Daniel? What law was passed by the
Assembly?
8. What two religious sects were strongest opposers of the act?
What was provided for in the statute?
9. What complaint was made by the Baptists and Quakers?
10. Who was sent to London in the interest of the Presbyterians?
What man from Albemarle? What was the success of the mission to
London?
11. What was the almost constant struggle of the people of Carolina?
CHAPTER XV.
THOMAS CAREY AND THE TUSCARORA WAR
A. D. 1704 TO 1712.
Thomas Carey, who had already reached the positions of
Speaker of the House of Assembly and Lieutenant-Governor, was
promoted to be Governor in 1705. He had been a leader in
opposition to Governor Daniel's church scheme, and for that
reason John Archdale and the Quakers had procured his elevation
to the latter position. It may be imagined what was their
disgust and surprise when it was found that Carey had changed
sides and become the willing tool of Lord Carteret.
1705.
2. In 1705 the town of Bath, in Beaufort county, was settled,
and this was the first incorporated town in North Carolina. One
of the oldest churches in the State is at Bath. The bricks used
in the building were brought from England. The edifice is still
in a good condition, and is regularly used for public worship.
3. When the General Assembly met, Governor Carey announced that,
under English laws, none but members of the English or Episcopal
Church could be allowed to take the oaths necessary to
qualification for a seat in either House. John Porter was
thereupon sent to London to make known this fresh outrage and
betrayal of the people.
4. He was soon back with orders for Carey's removal; and the
General Assembly elected William Glover by the votes of John
Porter and the men he influenced. It is sickening to add that
Glover also immediately deceived the men who were his
supporters, and was found acting and talking exactly as Carey
had done. The next thing seen was the pacification of Carey and
the Quakers, and their re-election of him as Governor.
5. Two rival governments were thus at open rupture, each
claiming to be the local government in Albemarle. They both took
up arms, and it seemed that bloodshed must ensue. A General
Assembly was called to decide the question of authority.
Members were present with certificates of election signed by
Glover, and another set whose certificates were issued by Carey.
Glover and Carey, with their adherents, occupied separate rooms
in the same building, and great confusion and bitterness
prevailed. Finally the members of Glover's council were
compelled to seek refuge in Virginia.
6. In such a state of affairs, Edward Hyde arrived from England
with papers directing Edward Tynte, the Governor of both South
and North Carolina, to commission him as Governor of North
Carolina. In the meantime Carey, having heard of Governor
Tynte's death, refused to acknowledge Hyde's claims, and
proceeded to arm and equip his followers.
1711.
7. The cruel and crafty Tuscaroras now resolved to avail
themselves of the divisions among the white people. They
procured the Meherrins, Corees, Mattarnuskeets and other tribes
to unite with them in an effort to murder all they could of the
settlers. They kept the secret so well that on the night of the
11th of September, 1711, according to the calendar of that day,
more than two hundred whites were butchered. The Tuscaroras
mustered in their ranks a strong force, which was increased by
their allies to sixteen hundred warriors. The Indians continued
this terrible slaughter for three days, and only ceased when
fatigue and drunkenness rendered them incapable of further continuance.
8. The Baron de Graffenreid, a nobleman from Bern, had just
established (in 1710) a flourishing colony, comprising about six
hundred persons, Germans and Swedes, at New Bern, at the
confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. De Graffenreid and
John Lawson, the surveyor-general, while on an exploring voyage
up the Neuse River, a few days before the massacre of September
11th, were seized by the Indians. The war council decided that
both the men should be put to death. De Graffenreid made claim
that he was king of the Swiss settlement just established, and
escaped death by promising that no more land should he taken
from the Indians without their consent. The unfortunate Lawson
and a negro servant were put to death by the most horrible cruelties.
9. Baron de Graffenreid was held a captive for several weeks,
and was set at liberty upon application of Governor Spottswood.
On his return to his settlement he found it in a condition of
almost desolation. He became so disheartened at the prospect
that he soon sold his interest in Carolina and returned to
Switzerland.
1712.
10. The South Carolina militia and near a thousand Yemassee
Indians, under Colonel John Barnwell, came as swiftly as they
could to the rescue, and inflicted a stunning blow upon the
savages. They were attacked in a fort near New Bern, and more
than three hundred of the Indians were killed and a hundred made
prisoners. Thinking the league crushed, Colonel Barnwell went
home with his forces, after making a treaty with the Indians,
which was quickly broken.
11. In this terrible emergency, which threatened the destruction
of so many settlers, Governor Spottswood, of Virginia, did
nothing to aid the colony except keep the Five Nations and Tom
Blount's Tuscaroras neutral in the war. The great danger was in
the possible adhesion of the New York Iroquois to the savage
league. With Albemarle divided, and consequently in a measure
helpless, it was seen that it would be impossible to meet the
Five Nations in battle.
12. When the next spring had opened, some hundreds of men in
North Carolina were joined by Colonel James Moore, from South
Carolina, with another force of a hundred and fifty of his white
neighbors and the Yemassees, who again were willing to make war
upon their hated enemies, the Tuscaroras.
13. Another bloody attack upon a fort made of earthworks and
palisades resulted in such slaughter of the Indians that
Handcock, their chief, who had boldly led them before, was so
disheartened at the loss of his braves that, with his tribe, he
abandoned Carolina and rejoined his brethren in the lake country
of New York, who were from that time known as the Six
Nations. They ventured no more among the men who had so
fearfully broken their strength and power as belligerents. The
fort occupied by Handcock and his force was situated where the
village of Snow Hill, Greene county, now stands, and was called
by the Indians "Nahucke." The siege began March 20th, and in a
few days the fort, with eight hundred prisoners, was taken by
storm. Colonel Moore's loss was twenty white men and thirty-six
Indians killed and about one hundred wounded.
14. In the midst of the danger, in this second year of the war,
yellow fever was seen for the first time in Albemarle. Governor
Hyde fell a victim to its virulence. He died September 8, 1712,
and was succeeded by Thomas Pollock, who had long been known as
one of the richest and most influential of the settlers.
Pollock and Edward Moseley, who was the leading lawyer and
ablest man in Albemarle, were in deadly enmity concerning the
quarrels between the contending Governors.
15. During this turbulent period among their rulers the people
of Albemarle were giving their principal attention to growing
corn and other farm products. They were improving their
settlements and reaping the full reward of industry and
perseverance. In 1704 the manufacture of tar began, and it was
soon discovered that this native article was destined to become
a very valuable commodity, both at home and in foreign countries.
16. During the years just considered North Carolina received
large accessions to her population. As early as 1690 French
Protestant refugees purchased lands and began to form
settlements in Pamlico. In 1707 another body of French
emigrants, under the guidance of their clergymen, Phillipe de
Richebourg, located in the same section. A good number of
French Huguenots, also, had formed thrifty settlements in the
Pamlico region and along the banks of the Neuse and Trent Rivers.
QUESTIONS.
1. How did Thomas Carey become Governor of Albemarle? How did
he disappoint the people who elected him?
2. Where was the first town incorporated in the State?
3. What announcement was made by Carey at the meeting of the
Assembly? How was this received by the people?
4. What orders were brought by Porter? Who was elected as
Carey's successor? How were the people disappointed in Governor
Glover?
5. What was the condition of affairs?
6. Who arrived from England, and for what purpose?
How did Carey receive Governor Hyde's demand?
7. How were the Tuscaroras acting during this public trouble?
What calamity befell the colony?
8. What befell Baron de Graffenreid and John Lawson?
9. What further is said of de Graffenreid?
10. What aid came from South Carolina? Describe the battle.
11. How did Governor Spottswood, of Virginia, act during this trouble?
What was specially feared by the people?
12. How was the colony preparing for war?
13. Describe the second battle and the result.
14. What terrible sickness visited Carolina in 1712? Who was one of the victims?
Who succeeded Governor Hyde? What is said of Governor Pollock?
15. How were the people of Albemarle occupying themselves during these troublesome times?
16. Give some account of the growth of the settlements in North Carolina.
CHAPTER XVI.
GOVERNOR EDEN AND BLACK-BEARD.
A. D. 1712 TO 1722.
With the conquest of the Tuscaroras and their allies, a great
danger was removed from the settlements in Carolina. Tom Blount
and his people were assigned a tract of land as a token of the
gratitude of the whites for their refusal to join in the war.
This reservation was first located south of Albemarle Sound, but
was afterwards changed to the region still known as the "Indian
Woods," in Bertie county.
1713.
2. In 1713, Colonel Pollock was relieved of his office as
Governor by the arrival of Charles Eden, with full powers from
the Duke of Beaufort, who was then Palatine. Governor Eden was
instructed by the Proprietors to discourage much expansion of the
settlements. He became popular with a large portion of the
people. He lived some years at Queen Annie's Creek, which town
was called Edenton, as a compliment to him. He afterwards bought
a place on Salmon Creek, in Bertie county, and dwelt there. This
place is still known as "Eden House."
1715.
3. In 1715 the same Yemassee Indians who had so signally aided in
the overthrow of the Tuscaroras, repeated, in South Carolina, the
bloody work of their old enemies in Albemarle. They were aided
by other tribes, and murdered many white people. The Indians in
the Bath precinct also, taking advantage of the alarm caused by
this outbreak in the southern province, raised the war cry and
murdered several white people on the Pamlico plantations before
they could be checked.
4. At the request of the Governor of South Carolina, Governor
Eden immediately sent a strong force of both cavalry and infantry
to aid the South Carolinians. Colonel Maurice Moore, who was the
brother of Colonel James Moore, the late commander against the
Tuscaroras, and had become a resident of Albemarle, was in
command.
5. The oldest statutes of which we have copies were enacted in
1715, at the house of Captain Richard Sanderson, in Perquimans.
Edward Moseley was Speaker of the House of Assembly and differed
with Governor Eden in many matters of provincial policy. Through
all his life as a public man he was intensely devoted to the
interest of the colony; and though warmly attached to the English
or Episcopal Church, was resolute in his advocacy of complete
religious liberty. He formed a strong party of men, who regarded
the Governor as simply the agent of the Lords Proprietors; and
therefore, to be vigilantly watched and checked in any innovation
upon established privileges.
6. There had been, for years, many crimes committed by pirates
upon the ocean just along the North Carolina Coast. They
sometimes extended their infamous practices to the sounds and
rivers. One Edward Teach, who was also called "Black-Beard," was
the chief of these bloody robbers. He had a fleet of armed
vessels; the largest of which was called Queen Anne's Revenge.
This formidable craft carried a crew of one hundred men, and
forty cannon.
7. Edward Moseley and others were clamorous for the arrest and
punishment of such horrid offenders against the law, and
denounced Governor Eden as their accomplice. It was brought to
the knowledge of Capt. Ellis Brand, who came in command of a
British squadron in Hampton Roads, that Teach was to be found
near Ocracoke.
8. Lieutenant Robert Maynard was ordered to go to that point and
capture the outlaws. He found the pirates, who saluted him with
so deadly a broadside that a large portion of the royal men were
slain. Maynard unfortunately got his ship aground in the action,
and his deck was terribly raked by his antagonists' fire. His
case seemed well nigh hopeless, when he resorted to a stratagem.
All of his men were ordered to go below, and soon the pirates saw
nothing but dead men upon the deck. They hastened to board what
they thought was another prize.
9. But Maynard and his men met them as they crowded upon the
deck, and after a bloody struggle, captured nine men, who were
the survivors of the prolonged and desperate conflict. Among
these was a gigantic negro, who was on the point of blowing up
the pirate vessel when arrested in his desperate purpose.
10. Black-Beard was slain during the battle, and Maynard sailed
away from the scene of his victory with the corsair's head fixed
upon his bowsprit. The captured offenders were carried to
Williamsburg, Virginia, and there tried and executed, as they
deserved to be.
11. In the early portion of the eighteenth century the whole
Atlantic coast of America was more or less infested by these
buccaneers. In some quarters they congregated in great numbers,
and made expeditions in which they laid cities under
contribution, and endangered all legitimate commerce in the new
world. They were as cruel desperadoes as have been seen in any
age of the world's history. After long and costly effort by the
English and other governments, they were driven from the seas.
QUESTIONS.
1. What reservation was given to the Indians?
2. Who became Governor in 1713? How had Governor Eden been
instructed by the Lords Proprietors? Where did he live?
3. What occurred in 1715?
4. Who was sent to aid the people of South Carolina?
5. At whose house did the Legislature meet? What noted man was
Speaker of the House? Give some description of Edward Moseley.
6. What famous pirate was ravaging the coast about this time?
7. Of what had Governor Eden been charged?
8. Who was sent to capture the pirate? Describe the battle.
9. How did the engagement result?
10. What disposition was made of the captives?
11. What is said of the Atlantic coast during this period?
CHAPTER XVII.
GOVERNOR GABRIEL JOHNSTON.
A. D. 1722 TO 1748.
Upon the death of Governor Eden in 1722, Colonel Thomas
Pollock, as President of His Majesty's Council for North
Carolina, assumed the place of Governor, but he died in a short
while and was succeeded by William Reed. That year Bertie
precinct was erected west of Chowan River, and court houses were,
for the first time, ordered to be built. Not only the General
Assembly, but courts and all public affairs, up to this time, had
been held in private houses.
2. North Carolina then comprised three counties. These were
Albemarle, Bath and Clarendon. Albemarle contained Currituck,
Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan and Bertie precincts. Bath and
Clarendon, though counties, were not subdivided at this time.
1724.
3. The Lords Proprietors, as the last evidence of their lack of
wisdom and interest in the province they had so long cursed with
their misrule, sent over George Burrington. After the creation
of the counties of Bath and Clarendon the representative of the
Lords Proprietors was called "Governor of North Carolina."
4. Governor Burrington's character was very bad; he had been
indicted and punished in the Old Bailey, in London, for beating
an old woman, and was, all his life, drunken and quarrelsome.
Yet such a man came over to be the guardian of a people who knew
not when they were to be tomahawked by the savages or driven into
further exile by the zealots who were disturbed at the nature of
their religious belief.
1725.
5. This weak and wicked ruler only remained one year in charge,
when Sir Richard Everhard came to replace him. They were
brothers in iniquity, and before Burrington left Edenton these
two men disgraced themselves by fighting in the streets of that
village. The General Assembly met at Edenton, and by enactment
of law the dividing line between North Carolina and Virginia was
run in November of this year.
1729.
6. Such rulers as have just been mentioned so utterly disgusted
every one in the colony that the King and Parliament were
petitioned to buy the province and abolish the rule of those who
had only hindered its growth. So, in 1729, for the sum of forty-
five thousand dollars, all of the proprietors except Lord
Carteret, sold to the crown their interest in Carolina . Thus,
after sixty-six years of unbounded misrule, these men in London
who had so greatly cursed North Carolina by their ignorance and
mistakes, surrendered their title to property which had never
paid them more than about one hundred dollars a piece in any one
year.
7. They had never really cared for the people whom they were so
anxious to disturb with their crude notions of religion. The
schemes of London merchants were of far more moment thanthe
welfare of Albemarle, and the folly of the Fundamental
Constitutions was to be upheld even at the ruin of the province.
8. As an earnest of the want of care King George I. was to
exhibit towards the colony, Governor Burrington was sent back to
the people who were already so well acquainted with his faults of
temper and character. He soon got into trouble with the leading
men of the province, and pretending to go to South Carolina,
returned to England, where he was soon after killed in a night-
brawl in the city of London.
1734.
9. Nathaniel Rice was Governor until the arrival and
qualification of Gabriel Johnston, who took the oaths of office
at Brunswick, on the Cape Fear River. Governor Johnston was a
Scotchman, who had lived for several years in London, and was to
prove the wisest and best of all the men sent over to rule the
people in Carolina. He married Penelope Eden, daughter of the
late Governor, and dwelt at her home on the Chowan River.
10. There were no troubles between the Governor and people in the
time of Governor Johnston's administration. Sometimes Edward
Moseley, always a stickler for the rights of the colonists, would
carry some dispute into the General Assembly, but the measures of
Governor Johnston, as a general thing, were pleasing to all
classes of the people and received their support.
11. At this period, Dr. John Brickell, with a party of white men
and Indians, was sent by the General Assembly to explore the
mountain region of Western North Carolina. He went into East
Tennessee in his travels among the Cherokees. He brought back
wondrous accounts of the beauty of the region and of the
simplicity and kindness of the natives. Dr. Brickell practiced
medicine in Edenton and wrote an interesting book about the North
Carolina of that day.
1740.
12. During the Spanish war Governor Johnston enlisted four
hundred North Carolina troops for the expedition that was led by
Governor Oglethorpe against the Spaniards at St. Augustine, in
Florida. They formed a battalion of the regiment commanded by
Colonel Vanderclussen. They were carried under Admiral Vernon to
the siege of Carthagena and participated in the dangers and
horrors of that expedition. But few returned to tell the story of
their disasters.
1746.
13. In consequence of the great defeat of the Scotch by the
English at the battle of Culloden, many Scotch emigrants began to
settle in North America. The captives in the struggle mentioned
had been offered choice between death and exile to America. The
emigrants landed at Wilmington in large numbers and formed
settlements along the Cape Fear River. One of their principal
towns was at Cross Creek, now known as Fayetteville. These
Scotch people were brave, industrious, and frugal, and North
Carolina has always esteemed them as a part of her best
population.
1748.
14. The province had never grown so rapidly, or been so
prosperous, as in the rule of this wise and excellent man who now
conducted public affairs. The provinces of North and South
Carolina were formally separated in Governor Burrington's time,
and upon the death of Governor Johnston, in 1752, it was found
that the population had been multiplied several times over what
it had been twenty years before, and it now numbered nearly fifty
thousand people. Great quantities of tar, pitch and turpentine,
also staves, corn, tobacco and other products of the farm,
besides pork, beef, bacon and lard were exported.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who became Governor on the death of Governor Eden? What
changes were noticed in the colony?
2. Into what precincts and counties was North Carolina divided?
3. Who was sent over by the Lords Proprietors in 1724 as Governor?
4. Can you tell something of Governor Burrington's past life?
5. How long was Governor Burrington in office, and who succeeded
him? How did these officers conduct themselves in Edenton?
6. What large purchase was made in 1729? Which of the Lords
Proprietors reserved his right? What had been the annual profit
to the Proprietors from the colony?
7. How had these men always felt toward their province?
8. What was the first act of George I. in the government of North
Carolina? How did Burrington's administration terminate?
9. Who was Burrington's successor? Who followed Governor Rice?
Tell something of Governor Johnston.
10. How did Governor Johnston conduct affairs?
11. What expedition was sent out at this time? What account of
the western country was given by Dr, Brickell on his return?
12. What occurred in 1740?
13. How and by whom was the Cape Fear region now being settled?
14. Give an account of the prosperity of the province during period.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PIRATES AND OTHER ENEMIES.
A. D. 1748 TO 1754.
During the government of North Carolina by Gabriel Johnston,
there was still much trouble from the buccaneers. These were
pirates who chiefly infested the West Indies, where they were
sometimes congregated by thousands at a single place. They were
daring enough to invade cities and countries, and caused great
terror and danger to all honest people within their reach.
2. In 1748 a fleet of the pirates, under the pretext of a war
between England and Spain, sailed into the mouth of the Cape Fear
River. Instead of the plunder they expected to obtain from firms
and towns, they were bravely met by the people, as the fleet lay
off the village of Brunswick, and after a bloody fight, were
driven back to sea with the loss of one of their ships. From
this demolished craft were taken a number of negroes and
valuables. These spoils which rewarded the gallant defence of
the men of Cape Fear were, by act of Assembly, given to the
churches in Wilmington and Brunswick.
[NOTE--The pirate chief left his vessel and crew off at Brunswick,
and in a small boat, with a few men, ascended the Cape Fear River
to ravage the farm of Maurice Moore. Col. Moore learned of the
coming of the robbers and boldly met them on the shore with gun
in hand, and compelled them to return without even landing.
While the chief was up the river the fight occurred off
Brunswick, his vessel was captured, and forty men, comprising the
crew were sold by the victors at public auction. ]
1749.
3. The year 1749 is memorable because then, for the first time, a
printing press was erected in North Carolina. James Davis
brought this press to New Bern from Virginia, and began, years
later, the publication of a weekly newspaper, called The North
Carolina Magazine or Universal Intelligencer. This occurred in
1765, and the press was used until that time in printing the laws
and proceedings of the General Assembly.
4. The first movements toward peopling the western sections of
the province were seen this year in the purchase, by the
Moravians, of a large tract of land from Earl Granville. They
called it Wachovia, in compliment to Count Zinzendorf's estate in
Germany. The same region was peopled rapidly by other German
Settlers, with a large addition of Scotch-Irish emigrants. Their
town was named Salem, and is now the county seat of Forsyth.
1752-53.
5. Upon the death of Governor Johnston, President Rice was in
charge until the next year, when, upon his death, Colonel Matthew
Rowan succeeded to the place thus made vacant. Colonel Rowan
lived in Bladen, and was a planter of large means. He was
greatly valued, and his name is perpetrated in a county which has
long been important in North Carolina.
1754.
6. At this time there was great rivalry between France and
England for supremacy in America. Large as was the area of
unoccupied territory for division between them, they were fast
maturing schemes for each other's expulsion from the Western
Continent.
7. All around the English settlements, from New England along the
great lakes, and down the Mississippi River, a chain of forts was
being constructed by the French, and the aid of all the Indian
tribes had already been secured except in the instance of the
Iroquois or Six Nations in New York. Lord Dinwiddie, then
Governor of Virginia, sent a messenger to say that these enemies
were even encroaching upon the Old Dominion and erecting a fort
at the junction of the two streams which form the Ohio River.
8. Pittsburg stands upon the spot where this famous Fort Du
Quesne was constructed. His lordship applied for aid from North
Carolina in an expedition which he proposed to send against these
intruders. Governor Rowan and the General Assembly responded
nobly and promptly to the call.
9. Colonel James Innes, who had served gallantly under Lord
Vernon at Carthagena, in South America, was put in command of a
regiment mustering more than nine hundred men. Two hundred
thousand dollars was voted for their equipment and supplies, and
with high hopes, the long march for the Ohio River was begun.
10. When the army reached Winchester, in Virginia, Colonel Joshua
Fry, who was in command of all the forces, died, and Governor
Dinwiddie appointed Colonel Innes his successor. But this
appointment gave offence to the Virginians, who wished Colonel
George Washington, already a favorite of the people, to take
command. The Virginia Legislature, under the circumstances,
would make no provision for the support of Colonel Innes'
regiment, and it was forced to return home. In this way the
generous purpose of North Carolina was completely thwarted.
11. Colonel Innes died at Winchester soon after. The French
occupied their fort and perfected those arrangements which
resulted, shortly afterwards, in the terrible defeat of the army
commanded by General Braddock.
12. Another army of Virginians and North Carolinians, about
thirty years after these occurrences, was assembled to attack
Colonel Patrick Ferguson's British and Tories at King's Mountain.
A very different spirit prevailed there. The North Carolina
officers, who greatly outnumbered those of the Old Dominion,
insisted that as they were at home, Colonel Campbell, of the
latter State, should assume command, and their knightly courtesy
was followed by a glorious victory.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who infested the coast during Governor Johnston's term?
2. How was a fleet of pirates received by the Cape Fear men in
1748? What was done with the spoils? Point out Brunswick and
Wilmington on the map.
3. What memorable event occurred in 1749?
4. Give an account of the settlement of Wachovia. In what part
of the State is this settlement?
5. Who became Governor after the death of Governor Rice? What
kind of man was Governor Rowan?
6. What were the English and French trying to accomplish in
America at this period?
7. How were the French preparing for hostilities? What was
stated by Governor Dinwiddie's messenger?
8. Of whom did Governor Dinwiddie ask aid? How did North
Carolina respond to the call?
9. To what extent did the province prepare resistance?
10. What occurred at Winchester? How did this appointment affect
the Virginians, and why? How did the effort of North Carolina to
aid the Virginians terminate?
11. What was the result of the expedition against Fort Du Quesne?
12. What other occurrence is mentioned?
CHAPTER XIX.
GOVERNOR ARTHUR DOBBS.
A. D. 1754 TO 1765.
King George selected Major Arthur Dobbs, as Governor of North
Carolina; and at New Bern, on November 1, 1754, he entered upon
the discharge of his duties. He was a man of high temper, and
very obstinate in support of his views, but devoted to whatever
he believed his duty demanded. His greatest fault was filling
public offices with members of his own family and a disposition
to make jobs for his own benefit.
2. Governor Dobbs soon visited the new county of Rowan, which was
established in 1753, and included in its area most of the western
portion of North Carolina and a part of Tennessee. He found
Presbyterians under Rev. Hugh McAden, and Baptists under Rev.
Shubal Stearns, establishing churches and laying the foundations
of towns in a region where, but a few years before, no white
people were to be seen.
1757.
3. Colonel Hugh Waddell, of Brunswick, was put in command of
troops raised in North Carolina for the French and Indian war.
He had started to join General Braddock's column, but just
previous to the fatal battle on Monongahela River was recalled by
Governor Dobbs to repel the attack of the Cherokees on Old Fort.
This stronghold was built amid the western mountains to overawe
the Indians and as a refuge for the settlers.
4. Governor Littleton, of South Carolina, by his bad management,
had most wantonly provoked the Over-hill Indians into this
condition of hostility. His foolish and unnecessary interference
and cruelty had converted these usually peaceful neighbors into
sufficient hostility to make it easy for French emissaries to
obtain their active aid against the English settlers.
5. Captain Dennie, with his company, was also besieged at Fort
Tellico. Colonel Waddell made haste with his battalion and drove
off the Cherokees, burning their lodges and destroying all the corn
he could find. Another battalion remained with General Forbes,
as North Carolina's contingent in the expedition against Fort Du
Quesne. These things occurred in 1757.
6. In England the administration of the Duke of Newcastle over
American and foreign affairs terminated, and the first William
Pitt succeeded to his place. In every portion of the world
mighty consequences resulted from this arrangement. The fleets
and armies of Great Britain were animated with the zeal and
patriotism of that great statesman.
1759.
7. Of all the victories of the year, none was so important to
America as that of General Wolfe over the French at Quebec. It
broke the power of France in the Western Continent, and stopped,
in a great measure, the war waged by Indians upon the frontier
settlements.
8. At no period has the population of North Carolina increased
relatively so fast as during these years now under consideration.
Up to the death of Governor Johnston it had amounted to no more
than thirty thousand souls, but since that time had more than
doubled. In 1754 the exports amounted to sixty-one thousand five
hundred and twenty-eight barrels of tar, twelve thousand and
fifty-five barrels of turpentine, seven hundred and sixty-two
thousand staves, sixty-one thousand five hundred and eighty
bushels of corn, besides much tobacco, pork, beef and other
commodities.
9. The most discreditable thing in Governor Dobbs' administration
was his effort to procure the General Assembly to locate the
provincial capital on his farm, called "Tower Hill." This was
the place where the Indians had been defeated by Colonel James
Moore in 1712. He failed in his scheme, and Snow Hill, as the
place is now called, never became the capital of North Carolina.
10. He was often at variance with the Legislature, or more
properly, the House of Assembly, concerning the courts and
judges. He wished things arranged to suit certain men in London,
and the House resolved that this should not be done, and North
Carolina was left, in the end, with no judges but the justices of
the peace.
11. Even before this there was much complaint concerning the
extortions of public officers. Although the people were very
poor, the agents of the King and Earl Granville made them pay
enormous license and poll taxes. Francis Corbin, one of the
King's agents, was dragged from his home in Chowan to Enfield,
then in Edgecombe county, to compel him to repay the sums which
he had unlawfully exacted. He gave bail and promised to return
the illegal tribute, but instead of complying he brought suit
against the men who had seized him. The matter terminated in a
riot, in which some of the chief friends of Governor Dobbs were
concerned.
1765.
12. The Governor, being old, and weary of contests with the House
of Assembly, at length asked for leave of absence; but died at
his place on Town Creek, in Brunswick county, before sailing for
England. He was devoted to his sense of duty to the King, and
was in many ways deserving of public respect.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who tools the oath of office of Governor in 1754? Can you
give some traits of his character?
2. What visit was made by Governor Dobbs? How was the new county
of Rowan becoming settled?
3. Who was put in command of the North Carolina troops? How was
he prevented from joining General Braddock? Find Old Fort on
the map.
4. Who had incited the Indians to the proposed attack on Old
Fort?
5. Give an account of Colonel Waddell's expedition-against the
Indians.
6. What noted man in England had charge of American affairs?
What effect had his administration upon every portion of the
world?
7. What great victory was gained in America at this period? What
good resulted to the whole country from this victory?
8. What had been the increase of population in North Carolina?
Can you name some of the exports?
9. Where did Governor Dobbs endeavor to have the capital of North
Carolina located?
10. What trouble did the Governor have with the Legislature?
With what result?
11. Of what extortions did the people complain? How was Francis
Corbin treated, and why?
12. What is said of the close of Governor Dobbs' life?
CHAPTER XX.
GOVERNOR TRYON AND THE FIRST RESISTANCE TO
THE STAMP ACTS.
A. D. 1765 TO 1766.
Some months before the death of Governor Dobbs there had come
over from England a handsome, polished and genial officer who
wore the uniform of the Queen's Guards. This was Lieutenant-
Colonel William Tryon, recently appointed Lieutenant-Governor of
North Carolina. He succeeded Governor Dobbs, and left a name
that will never be forgotten in North Carolina.
2. Governor Tryon was accompanied by his wife and her sister,
Miss Esther Wake. They were ladies of great attractiveness, and
were destined to become so much valued by the people that their
family name is still preserved in our midst, as the name of our
metropolitan county.
3. There was much gaiety seen at that time in the eastern
counties. The Indians were all gone, beyond the Blue Ridge
Mountains, and the rude huts of old had, in many instances, been
replaced by large and costly buildings of brick. Weddings were
generally celebrated by balls that lasted for a week.
Hospitality was unstinted, and most men of means thought their
establishments imperfect until provided with a private race
course. With hound and horn, there was great diversion, for
game was abundant and the sport open to all who could get a
horse to ride.
4. In such society the brilliant family of the Governor was of
course at once sure of unbounded influence. Perhaps no man was
ever more warmly esteemed than Governor Tryon during the first
years of his rule in North Carolina. He was gracious and wary
at the same time. He knew whom to cultivate, and while smiling
on all he was fast making friends who were almost ready to die
in his behalf.
5. The great preacher, George Whitefield, came to the State in
1765, and moved thousands with his eloquence. His new sect, the
Methodist, had until then made no progress in North Carolina,
and his converts went to swell the numbers of the Baptists, who
were more numerous than any other denomination.
6. There was the utmost kindness of feeling between the new
Governor and the people, when the news came that the English
Parliament had passed a law called the "Stamp Act." It had been
much talked of and denounced in many portions of America, and
now, with a unanimity that is still one of the strangest things
recorded in history, the men of all conditions, in every colony,
arose in frenzy and swore that this law should not be executed
in America.
7. The Stamp Act required that all colonial legal instruments,
such as deeds, bonds and notes, should be written only upon
stamped paper, otherwise they were not binding, or of any
effect. The paper was prepared in England, to be sold to the
colonists at the heavy tax of one and two dollars upon each
sheet. In addition to this, the act contained a great variety
of other ruinous exactions. Newspapers and pamphlets were taxed
more than such publications at present would cost. An
advertisement in a newspaper paid the government fifty cents;
almanacs, eight cents; college diplomas, ten dollars; and the
fee charged for a marriage license was sometimes as high as
fifteen dollars. The act received royal assent on 22d March, 1765.
8. The law was oppressive upon the people because of the amount
exacted, but was considered constitutional in England by many
great lawyers who were warm friends of the American people. But
in America it had been held for some time that no tax levied by
Great Britain, without the consent of America, was just; and
thus every man resolved that the Stamp Act should not be enforced.
9. When the news reached Governor Tryon, at New Bern, the
General Assembly was in session at that place. A very bold and
fearless man, Colonel John Ashe, was then Speaker of the House
of Assembly. Governor Tryon asked of Ashe, in private
conversation, what the House would do as to the new law." We
will resist its execution to the death," said he, and that very
day Governor Tryon sent them all home by proroguing the
session. Nor did he permit them to assemble again until late in
the next year, after the repeal of the Stamp Act. By this means
he prevented the election of delegates from North Carolina to
the Continental Congress which met in New York in 1765 to
organize the opposition to that oppressive measure.
[Prorogue is to continue or adjourn a legislative body from one
session to another by Royal or State authority. ]
10. The first step of the people in their resistance to the
Stamp Act was to carry James Houston, who had been appointed
Stamp Agent, before Moses John DeRosset, who was then Mayor of
Wilmington. There, in the presence of many distinguished men of
the Cape Fear country, on the 16th of November, 1765, he was
obliged publicly to resign his office in the Court House of
Wilmington, and make oath that he would have no further
connection with it.
11. Twelve days later, on the 28th November, 1765, the ship of
war Diligence arrived with stamps. The commander was told by
armed men, under Colonels Ashe and Waddell, that they must not
be landed; and no effort was made to do so. On the 21st
December, 1765, the Governor issued his proclamation dissolving
the General Assembly, and on the same day took the opinion of
his Council and the Attorney-General "whether writs can issue
for the election of a new Assembly, as the circulation of the
stamps is obstructed." The Council and Attorney-General advised
that the writs could go without stamps.
1766.
12. On the 6th January, 1766, Governor Tryon, taking fresh
courage from some source, went so far as to issue a proclamation
announcing that the stamps were on board the Diligence and ready
for distribution. It did no good, however, for no one would use
them. Comparative quiet now ensued for some weeks, but it was
only the calm before the storm.
13. On the 14th of February, two vessels that had come up to the
port of Brunswick without stamps upon their clearance papers
were promptly seized by the Custom House officers, and then the
storm arose. On the 19th, armed men broke open the desk of the
Collector of the Port, and forcibly carried off the unstamped
clearance papers of the two vessels. On the 20th, a committee
of armed men appeared on board the Viper and demanded of Captain
Lobb the two sloops he was guarding. Meanwhile armed men were
continually coming into Brunswick from different counties.
14. On the evening of the 20th, Mr. Pennington, another stamp
distributor, took refuge in Governor Tryon's house. Shortly
after eight o'clock on the morning of the 21st, armed men
appeared before the Governor's house and sent him a note
desiring him to permit Mr. Pennington to appear before them, and
informing him that it would "not be in the power of the
Directors appointed to prevent the ill consequences that may
attend a refusal." The Governor replied that any gentleman who
had business with Mr. Pennington might see him at the Governor's
house. This, however, was by no means satisfactory, and in a
short time, according to the Governor's statement, a body of
some five hundred men in arms moved toward his house. A
detachment of sixty then came down the avenue and the main body
drew up in sight and within three hundred yards of the house.
15. Mr. Cornelius Harnett, a representative in the Assembly for
Wilmington, came at the head of the detachment and sent a
message asking to speak with Mr. Pennington; when he came into
the house he told Mr. Pennington "the gentlemen wanted him."
The Governor replied that Mr. Pennington was in his house for
refuge and that he would protect him to the utmost. Mr. Harnett
thereupon said he hoped the Governor would let Mr. Pennington
go, as the people were determined to take him out of the house
if he should be longer detained, an insult, Mr. Harnett said,
they wished to avoid giving to the Governor.
16. The Governor protested it mattered not about that insult
after they had already offered him every insult they could offer
by investing his house and virtually making him a prisoner
before any grievance had been made known to him.
17. Mr. Pennington growing apprehensive and showing a
disposition to go with Mr. Harnett, the Governor suggested to
him that he resign before he left. To this he agreed, and
thereupon the Governor let him go. He was afterward compelled
to take an oath that he would never issue any stamped paper in
the province, as were all the clerks of the county courts and
other public officers. The inhabitants, in the language of the
Governor, having redressed, after the manner described, their
grievances complained of, left the town of Brunswick about one
o'clock on the 21st. These things were done, it must be borne
in mind, in the broad daylight, and by men perfectly well known,
and without a particle of disguise. After this, vessels entered
and left the ports of North Carolina as if no Stamp Act had ever
been passed.
18. On June 13, 1766, came news from England of the repeal of
the law that had so terribly excited and aroused America.
Governor Tryon announced the fact in a proclamation, but he had
been humiliated by the resistance at Wilmington, and from that
hour, probably, determined on the revenge which he afterwards
exacted at Alamance.
[NOTE--Governor Tryon desired to regain his influence, for
political purposes, over the people whom he had so greatly
offended; and he ordered a general muster at Wilmington. He
prepared a feast for the militia, of whole oxen roasted, and
barrels of beer. When the feast was ready the people rushed to
the tables and threw the oxen into the river and emptied the
beer upon the ground. A general fight ensued between the
militia and the men of the English vessels, and perfect quiet
was not restored for several days.]
QUESTIONS.
1. What distinguished person have we now under consideration?
How did he become Governor of North Carolina?
2. Who accompanied Governor Tryon? What is said of the two
ladies?
3. Tell something of life in the eastern counties at this time.
4. How did the Tryon family become very influential?
5. What great preacher came to North Carolina in 1765?
How were his labors rewarded?
6. What memorable law was passed by Parliament?
How was the news received in North Carolina?
7. What can you tell of the Stamp Act?
8. What is said of the law?
9. Under what circumstances did the news reach the Governor?
What did the Governor do concerning the Assembly?
10. Mention the first act of resistance to this law.
11. When did the Diligence arrive? What occurred on her arrival?
12. What did the Governor do on January 6th? With what result?
13. What trouble befell the Viper?
14. What occurred on February 20th?
15. What further is said of this affair?
16. What did the Governor say of these things?
17. What was the conclusion of this affair?
18. What joyful news was received on June 13th, 1766?
How had Governor Tryon been affected by the resistance of
the people to the Stamp Act?
CHAPTER XXI.
GOVERNOR TRYON AND THE REGULATORS.
A. D. 1766 TO 1771.
In the middle and western counties of North Carolina in the
period referred to, there was collected a large increase of
population. Immigrants had come in large companies from
Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany. Fully two hundred
thousand inhabitants were by that time to be found east of the
Blue Ridge Mountains. They were separated by that great barrier
from the Cherokees, who latterly had well respected this line of
separation.
2. A great portion of the western settlers had recently come to
their new homes, and were very poorly provided with the means of
living. They were hundreds of miles from market, and made
nothing on their farms to sell but wheat. These farmers were
taxed about twelve dollars apiece on the poll, and paid an annual
rent of seventy-five cents on each one hundred acres of their
land.
3. When they hauled wheat to Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, it
realized but little more than enough to pay for the salt needed
in the family. Sugar and coffee were luxuries in which they
rarely indulged. It can thus be seen how cruel would have been
even an honest collection of what the laws demanded of these
recent settlers as taxes. When these sums were enormously
increased by dishonest sheriffs the farmers were in despair, for
it was beyond their power to pay.
4. The farmers knew they were being cheated, and resolved to put
an end to such practices. Colonel Edmund Fanning, of Hillsboro,
in Orange county, was growing rich as Register of Deeds, and was
the ringleader in this oppression of the people.
5. In this same county lived Herman Husbands, who was a Quaker
preacher, and, though of limited education, was a man of
considerable natural abilities. He prevailed on his neighbors at
Sandy Creek to form an association for mutual protection against
the wrongs of the public officers. His organization was known as
the "Regulators," and they were to help each other in the
lawsuits and indictments growing out of a refusal to pay unlawful
demands.
6. This was wise and proper, as these men were not rebellious,
but only desired relief from oppression, but Husbands should have
joined the league he was thus creating, and thereby shared the
liabilities of the members. This he would not do, but preached
and harangued until the people were in a fever of excitement.
1768.
7. The first trouble grew out of a seizure of a horse from one of
two men sent to Hillsboro on a mission to the sheriff. The
Regulators retook the horse by force, and fired into the roof of
Colonel Fanning's house. That night Husbands was arrested and
carried to Hillsboro, and gave bail for his appearance at the
next Superior Court. He had hardly left Hillsboro before seven
hundred men came to his rescue; they went away with promises made
by Isaac Edwards, who was Tryon's Secretary, that the Governor
would redress their wrongs.
8. Governor Tryon went to Hillsboro in a few weeks, but condemned
only the people who had asked his aid, and, after going further
west, came back to the Superior Court with an army of eleven
hundred men, which he had raised in Mecklenburg and Rowan
counties. Husbands was acquitted on trial, but three other
Regulators were heavily fined and imprisoned. Colonel Fanning
was convicted in five cases of extortion in office, and the
judges, to their shame, imposed a fine of only one penny in each
case.
9. This marching of troops, and the failure of the court to do
its duty, only made matters worse. The Regulators grew in numbers
and violence until the courts could not be held in some counties.
Husbands was expelled from his place in the House of Assembly and
thrown into prison for a libel on Judge Maurice Moore. His
release was effected in time to stop a crowd of several hundred
men from going to New Bern, where they had declared they would
release him and burn the splendid palace the Governor had just
built.
1771.
10. Matters continued to grow worse until, in 1771, Governor
Tryon raised an army in the eastern counties, under a law of the
Assembly, and marched to Orange to put down what he called the
"rebellion of the Regulators," Colonel Waddell, with another
body of troops, marched from Salisbury to join him, but was met
by the Regulators and driven back.
11. On the 16th of May, 1771, the force of Governor Tryon,
numbering eleven hundred men, met about two thousand of the
Regulators at a place called "Alamance," in Orange County. In
the battle that ensued there was stubborn fighting until the
ammunition of the Regulators was exhausted, and they were driven
from the field. Many men lost their lives, and all that was
gained by North Carolina, after a noble resistance to oppression,
was that Edmund Fanning and others, who were largely responsible
for all its disorders, left the province.
12. The brutal malice and cruelty in Governor Tryon's character
was exhibited soon after the battle. Several prisoners were
taken by him, and one of them, a poor half-witted youth named
James Few, was, by Tryon's order, hung on the spot without trial.
Twelve other prisoners were soon convicted of high treason and
sentenced to death. Six of them were hanged almost immediately;
the execution of the others was delayed for a few days in order
that a grand military display might be made on the occasion, the
details of which the Governor superintended in person.
[NOTE--It has been said that the battle of Alamance was begun by
Governor Tryon, who fired the first gun at a prisoner named
Robert Thompson, killing him instantly. The men seemed to
hesitate about beginning the fight, and Governor Tryon, rising in
his stirrups, exclaimed: "Fire! fire on them, or on me!"]
13. Governor Tryon left the province a month after the battle of
Alamance to become, by the king's appointment, Governor of New
York. He had signally failed to do his duty in compelling his
subordinates to deal honestly with the people, but yet he
retained the confidence of many able and patriotic men. Richard
Caswell and many other leaders in the province were distressed
that he had ceased to be the Chief Magistrate of North Carolina.
QUESTIONS.
1. How were the middle and western sections of North Carolina
being peopled at this period?
2. Give some description of these people. How were they taxed?
3. What return did the sale of their crops bring them? How was
theirs a hard lot?
4. By whom were the poor farmers being oppressed?
5. What noted man is now mentioned? Can you tell something of
the acts of Herman Husbands in the province?
6. How did he shrink from becoming a member of his league?
7. What was the first trouble? How did they settle the matter?
Mention some circumstances of the trial of Husbands?
8. What was the result of Governor Tyron's visit to Hillsboro?
How did the trials at court terminate?
9. How were the Regulators affected by this "mock judgment"?
Into what trouble did Husbands next fall?
10. What steps were taken by Governor Tryon towards crushing the
Regulators? By whom was his army reinforced?
11. Can you describe the memorable "Battle of Alamance"? What
benefit was derived from it? Point out on the map the scene of
the battle.
12. What was Governor Tryon's conduct after the battle?
13. When did Governor Tryon leave North Carolina, and for what
purpose?
CHAPTER XXII.
GOVERNOR MARTIN AND THE REVOLUTION.
A. D. 1771 TO 1774.
James Hasell, as President of the Council, assumed the conduct of
affairs until the arrival of the new Governor. This new
Governor, Josiah Martin, was born 22d April, 1737, and had been a
Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Army, which position he was
obliged to resign on account of his health. He then sought civil
employment and was appointed Governor of North Carolina. He was
a far more honorable man than Tryon. He had no unworthy
favorites, as Tryon had, and concocted no selfish schemes for his
own benefit or that of his family, but was exceedingly obstinate
and strict in the observance of royal prerogatives. Unattractive
in his manners, and very positive in his opinions, he sometimes
failed to withhold the manifestations of his displeasure towards
those who might happen to differ with him, no matter how
honestly. Perhaps, however, in the fierce antagonisms of the
times in which he ruled in North Carolina, his real virtues were
not appreciated as they deserved.
1771.
2. Governor Martin met the Assembly, for the first time, in New
Bern, on the 19th of November, 1771. At his suggestion, the
Legislature passed an act of amnesty toward all persons engaged
in the war of the Regulation except Husbands and a few
other leaders. Such wise and merciful action, however, was not
to be the rule of his life.
3. It had long been felt that the taxes were exceedingly
burdensome, and, from a statement made to the Legislature at this
time, by one of the public treasurers, of the real condition of
the public funds, it was seen that these taxes had been, for a
time at least, unnecessarily imposed. The treasurer showed that
a full collection of the amounts in arrear, for which security
had been given, would discharge the entire public debt and leave
in the public treasury the sum of twenty thousand dollars. A
bill was at once passed in both houses of the Legislature, and
without opposition in either, discontinuing the special taxes
that had been devoted to the extinguishment of the public debt.
Governor Martin, however, vetoed the bill, and thus began a
series of conflicts with the Legislature that lasted until his
expulsion from the province.
4. The repeal of the Stamp Act had been gratefully received; but
Parliament still excited great apprehension by an express and
formal assertion of its powers to tax America. It had cost
immense sums to the Crown to drive out the French, and much money
was still needed to pay British expenses in America. It was
insisted that the colonies ought to pay their fair share in these
burdens. The great question was, how this was to be done. If
Parliament could levy what it pleased, then Americans were no
longer free, in that they were not masters of their own purses.
Many propositions were made to arrange the difficulty, but none
were satisfactory to both sides.
1773.
5. So dissatisfied was Governor Martin with his first Legislature
that he speedily dissolved it, and did not permit a new one to
meet until the last of January, 1773. The new Legislature met in
New Bern, and the House gave notice of its temper by electing as
its speaker John Harvey, of Perquimans, admitted on all hands to
be the most earnest supporter of colonial rights in all the
province. Upon every important subject of legislation the
Governor and the new Assembly were at variance, and he
accordingly dissolved it on the 9th of March, declaring that it
"had deserted its duty and flagrantly insulted the dignity and
authority of the government."
6. The next Assembly met in New Bern, on the 4th of December,
1773, and continued in session seventeen days, when it shared the
fate of its predecessor, and was sent home with the injunction to
consult with the people and learn their will.
7. Short as was the session, however, its action was most
important. On the day after the session began, letters were
received from the Legislature of Virginia and other colonies,
proposing that each province should appoint a Committee of
Correspondence. The proposition was speedily agreed to by the
House of Assembly, and a committee of nine appointed, with
instructions to "obtain the most early and authentic intelligence
of all such acts and resolutions of the British Parliament, or
proceedings of administration, as may relate to or affect the
British colonies in America, and to keep and maintain a
correspondence and communication with all sister colonies,
respecting these important considerations, and the result of
such, their proceedings, from hour to hour, to lay before the
House."
8. John Harvey, Richard Caswell, Samuel Johnston, Joseph Hewes,
Edward Vail, Cornelius Harnett, John Ashe, William Hooper and
Robert Howe constituted the committee, and certainly, in North
Carolina at least, it may be said there was never an abler one.
By this action the province took position with its sister
colonies on the great question of the day. That the question was
regarded as one of great importance and great gravity, if not of
great difficulty, we need no other assurance than that afforded
by the character of the men into whose hands it was committed.
QUESTIONS.
1. On whom did the government next devolve? Who succeeded James
Hasell? How is Governor Martin compared with some of his
predecessors?
2. Where did Governor Martin first meet the Assembly? What law
was passed?
3. What was the financial condition of the government at this
period? What act was passed concerning taxes?
4. How were the people excited by the English Parliament? What
was the trouble?
5. How did Governor Martin act concerning the Legislature? What
declaration was made by him?
6. Where did the next Assembly meet, and what was done with it?
7. What letters were received during the session? What was done
with the proposition?
8. Who composed the Committee of Correspondence? What is said of
these men?
CHAPTER XXIII.
FIRST PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
A. D. 1774.
1774. By this time the propriety of holding a general or Continental
Congress, composed of delegates or representatives duly chosen by
the several colonies, had suggested itself to men of sagacity in
every portion of the country. Wherever made, the suggestion at
once found a lodgment in public favor, and by the time summer had
come it was a generally accepted fact that such a congress would
be held, and the time and place of its session pretty well agreed
upon. During the month of June, 1774, each colony, through its
Committee of Correspondence, was invited to send delegates to a
Continental Congress, to be held in Philadelphia during the
coming September.
2. From its first agitation, the project of a Continental
Congress, to consider the best ways and means of redressing the
grievances of the colonists, was exceedingly distasteful to
Governor Martin, for he regarded it as a most efficient way to
organize rebellion. He resolved that he would prevent North
Carolina from participating in such a Congress, as Governor Tryon
had prevented her from participating in a similar one in 1765.
To this end he determined that during the continuance of the
existing disturbed condition of the colonies no Legislature
should meet in North Carolina, thinking thereby to prevent the
due election of delegates from the province.
3. To this fixed purpose on the part of Governor Martin, made
known to John Harvey through Mr. Biggleston, the Governor's
Private Secretary, the Congress held at New Bern in August, 1774,
owed its existence. When Mr. Biggleston told him the Governor
did not intend to call another Legislature "until he saw a chance
to get a better one," Harvey replied, "then the people will
convene one themselves." Accordingly, about the first of July,
in accordance with a plan agreed upon three months before between
Willie Jones of Halifax, Samuel Johnston of Chowan and Edward
Buncombe of Tyrrell, Harvey, the Speaker of the House of
Assembly, issued handbills calling upon the people to elect
delegates to a Provincial Congress, as it was called, to assemble
in New Bern on the 25th of August, to express the sentiments of
the people on the acts lately passed by the Parliament of Great
Britain, and to appoint delegates to represent the province in a
Continental Congress. The handbills of this bold Speaker also
invited the people to invest the deputies whom they might send to
New Bern "with powers obligatory on the future conduct of the
inhabitants."
4. The elections for deputies were duly held about the first of
August, and the Governor, finding himself thus completely
checkmated, was furious. The calm audacity of the Speaker, in
summoning such a body to meet in New Bern, in the very presence
of the King's represent representatives, as the Governor said,
"to concert treasonable schemes against the Crown," astounded
him.
5. Up to this time Governor Martin had not at all realized how
weak had become the ties that bound the people of the colony of
North Carolina to the mother country. Nor did he believe they
would, with any degree of unanimity whatever, take so bold and
defiant a step in the direction of open rebellion as that
involved in the election of a Congress with powers obligatory on
the people, but owing no obedience to the authority of the Crown.
Yet, at the appointed times and places, with few exceptions, the
people throughout the provinces openly assembled and elected
delegates to the proposed Congress, clothing them with most
extraordinary powers.
6. This evidence of the condition of popular sentiment in the
province could neither be doubted nor disregarded. Accordingly,
on the 12th of August, 1774, the Governor asked his Council to
advise him what to do in a state of affairs so inconsistent with
the peace and good order of the government and so injurious to
the maintenance of the authority of the Crown. After deliberating
for a day on the matter, the Council advised him to issue a
proclamation, and he did so, condemning the elections just held
as highly illegal, and warning all officers of the King, both
civil and military, to do all in their power to prevent such
assemblages of the people, and especially the meeting of the
deputies or delegates at New Bern on the 25th instant.
7. In spite of all this, the first Provincial Congress in North
Carolina met at New Bern, August 25th, 1774, and elected John
Harvey as Moderator or President. Richard Caswell, Joseph Hewes
and William Hooper were chosen as delegates to the Continental
Congress. Protesting their loyalty to the Crown, but expressing
a full determination to defend their rights as freemen, the
members entered into an agreement that unless their grievances
were redressed they would discontinue all trade with English
merchants.
8. This Congress was the first great step in the Revolution,
which was to deliver North Carolina and America from the dominion
of a distant King and Parliament. The men of America were soon
to be free from all foreign interference in their government. It
was a bold and hazardous step in Colonel Harvey and the men over
whom he presided as Moderator, but safety in the end was the
reward of those who thus dared to be free.
QUESTIONS.
1. What important step was suggesting itself to the people? How
was the suggestion received? What was done in June, 1774?
2. How did Governor Martin regard this matter? What did he
determine to do?
3. What vas the result of the Governor's plan? What was done by
John Harvey?
4. How was Governor Martin affected by Harvey's success?
5. What had the Governor begun to realize? What was done by the people?
6. What advice did the Governor seek? What was given?
7. When and where did the first Provincial Congress of North
Carolina meet? Who was Moderator? Who were chosen as delegates to
the Continental Congress?
8. What is said of this Provincial congress?
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE SECOND PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
A. D. 1775.
After the meeting of the first Provincial Congress, at New Bern,
there were, to all observers of intelligence throughout the
world, evident signs of an approaching rupture between the Royal
Government and the people of North Carolina. Each day widened
the breach between them and rendered more difficult an
arrangement of the troubles.
2. In the regular course of events, if North Carolina would
continue to keep abreast of her sister colonies in the movement
for the preservation of the inherent rights of British subjects,
it was necessary that she should formally ratify and approve the
action recently taken by the Continental Congress, and to elect
delegates to that Congress for a new term. Accordingly, on the
11th of February, 1775, after the Governor had ordered an
election to be held for a new Legislature to meet in New Bern on
the 3d of April, Colonel Harvey also issued handbills for the
election of another Congress to meet at the same time and place.
3. Both elections were held and both bodies met at the appointed
time and place. Indeed the same individuals were members of both
the House of Assembly and of the Congress. The records show that
every member of the House of Assembly who was present was also
present as a member of the Congress, with only three exceptions.
Colonel Harvey was chosen to preside over both bodies. When
sitting at the House of Assembly the members called him "Mr.
Speaker," but when sitting as a Congress they called him "Mr.
Moderator." According to the journals of their proceedings, the
Congress met at nine o'clock and the Assembly at ten o'clock in
the morning. Upon the face of the journals of the two bodies
their proceedings seem to have been entirely separate and
distinct; it is said, however, to have been otherwise in fact,
and that at one moment the members would be sitting with Mr.
Speaker Harvey as a House of Assembly, under the authority of the
Crown, and at another with Mr. Moderator Harvey, as a Congress in
defiance of the Crown.
4. As the two Houses of the Legislature met Governor Martin in
the palace, according to the custom of that day, at the beginning
of a session, he saluted them with indignant remonstrances, which
were, the next day, most ably answered in an address prepared by
Captain Robert Howe, of Brunswick. A chief ground of his
complaint was that the Assembly would take no action against the
Congress. He was aptly reminded, however, in reply, that as the
Assembly had no control over its sessions, holding them at his
will and pleasure only, and remembering how that will and
pleasure had been exercised, a Congress that did have control
over itself was absolutely necessary for the protection of the
people. The result was a proclamation dissolving the Assembly on
the 8th of April, that being the fourth day of its session.
5. The Congress, however, could neither be dissolved nor
dispersed, and proceeded in its work with much deliberation. The
same delegation was returned to Philadelphia; and articles of
association, pledging the members to abstain from all commerce
with British marts, were signed by all except Thomas McKnight, of
Currituck.
6. It was seen that a crisis was near at hand. Boston had been
held, for months past, in a state of siege. At length, on April
19th, came the encounter at Lexington. Accidents are constantly
heard of wherein more lives are lost, but this little skirmish,
small as it was, was enough, with its tidings, to fire the hearts
of a continent.
7. The tidings of such an occurrence in our day outstrips the
winds. In less than an hour it is known all over the Mississippi
Valley, across the Rocky Mountains, and along the shores of the
Pacific Ocean. But our ancestors of that day had no railways or
telegraphs; so, it was fully two weeks after the militiamen slain
at Lexington had stiffened in their blood that Richard Caswell
heard of it in Petersburg, Virginia.
8. A courier was hurrying southward with the tidings, but it was
not until May 19th that the people of Mecklenburg, in North
Carolina, became aware of what had occurred. At the village of
Charlotte upon that day a large concourse of the leading men of
that county had assembled. Fired at the nature of the startling
intelligence, they held a convention, and after remaining in
session all night, on the morning of the 20th, passed resolutions
of independence that will immortalize their names.
9. All America, while arming for the war, was still protesting
loyalty to the King, but these men of Mecklenburg leaped to a
conclusion, the expediency of which more than a year of blood was
required to impress on the minds of their countrymen. Abraham
Alexander presided in the meeting, and the famous "Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence" was drawn by Dr. Ephraim Breyard.
[NOTE--The men of Mecklenburg held another meeting on May 31st,
and adopted a system of government and military commissions.
These people publicly declared themselves free from English rule
nearly fourteen months before the Declaration of Independence at
Philadelphia.]
10. The news from Boston was speedily followed, in North
Carolina, by mournful tidings from Perquimans county. Colonel
John Harvey, after so many strenuous efforts to put North
Carolina in readiness for the storm, sank under disease, and died
at his place in "Harvey's Neck," on the Albemarle Sound. No
braver or wiser man has ever borne a part in the conduct of
affairs in North Carolina.
11. Apprehensive for his own safety and that of his family,
Governor Martin at once made preparations for leaving New Bern.
He sent his family to New York by sea, but went himself by land
to Fort Johnston, at the mouth of the Cape Fear. * But even Fort
Johnston proved unsafe as a place of refuge, and in July the
Governor left it and went on board the war sloop Cruiser, then
lying in the river before the fort. On the same day Colonel
Ashe, with five hundred men, burned the fort to the ground.
*Governor Martin took advantage of this journey to visit the
Scotch settlements on the upper Cape Fear, and set on foot the
insurrection that culminated in the battle of Moore's Creek
Bridge.
QUESTIONS.
1. What signs were observed after the first Provincial Congress?
2. What was necessary for North Carolina to do? What was done on
February 11, 1775?
3. What is said of this election ? Describe the Legislature and
Congress?
4. How was the Legislature received by the Governor? How did
Captain Howe answer him?
5. What was done by the Congress?
6. What startling news was received on April 19th.
7. How did the circulation of news in 1775 differ from the
present? Who was first to receive the news of Lexington?
8. When did the tidings reach Mecklenburg? What great event
occurred at Charlotte? Find this city on the map.
9. What was the attitude of the American people at this time? By
what name have the Charlotte resolutions always been known?
10. What sad news next thrilled North Carolina?
11. What was done by Governor Martin? What occurred at Fort
Johnston?
CHAPTER XXV.
THE CONGRESS AT HILLSBORO.
A. D. 1775.
It had been seen at New Bern that Colonel Harvey's days were
numbered, and Samuel Johnston had been empowered, in case of the
Moderator's death, to order an election for another Congress to
meet at Hillsboro whenever he should deem it necessary.
Accordingly (Colonel Harvey having died) the Congress met, at
the call of Mr. Johnston, in Hillsboro, on the 20th of August,
1775, and a memorable Congress it was. Samuel Johnston was its
President.
2. When Governor Martin left New Bern royal authority was
virtually at an end in North Carolina, but it was at Hillsboro,
and by the Congress there assembled, that its last vestige was
swept away. The time had come when, if North Carolina intended
to stand with her sister colonies, she must take up arms and
appeal to the God of battles. This she was ready to do without
any hesitation, and this she did do at Hillsboro, giving
publicly to the world her reasons for so doing.
3. The Governor sent to Samuel Johnston a copy of his
proclamation, dated on board His Majesty's ship Cruiser, at Cape
Fear, on the 8th of August, 1775, in which he warned the people
against the Hillsboro Congress as a dangerous and
unconstitutional assembly, and of baneful influence; and
further, that to assemble men in arms in the province without
authority from the King, was a violation of law for which they
would be held answerable. In reply to this proclamation, which
was duly laid before the Congress by the Moderator, Mr.
Johnston, it was formally resolved that the proclamation was a
false, scandalous, scurrilous and seditious libel, tending to
disunite the good people of the province; "and further, that the
said paper be burnt by the common hangman."
4. Accepting the recent flight of Governor Martin to the British
war-sloop Cruiser as an abdication of the government of the
Crown, the Congress proceeded to put in its place a government
of the people, and established what in this day would be called
a provisional government. Cornelius Harnett* was at its head.
*This man was the second of the name. His father came to
Clarendon in Governor Burrington's time, and was all his life
afterwards a member of the council. This Cornelius Harnett was
well educated, and was so intensely devoted to the American
cause that he was called in that day "the Samuel Adams of North
Carolina."
5. On the third Tuesday in October in each year delegates to a
Congress were to be elected, which Congress was to meet on the
10th of November following, unless otherwise directed. When in
session Congress was, of course, supreme; when not in session,
ample authority was vested in a general or provisional council
and subordinate or district committees of safety. The province
was divided into six military districts, and as far as possible,
put on a war footing.
6. The ordinary militia organization was perfected and monthly
drills ordered; a special organization of minutemen, as that
class of troops was called, was provided for each district, and,
in addition, two regiments of regulars were ordered as the
contingent of the province for the Continental army. Provision
was also made for the purchase, anywhere and everywhere, of
arms, powder, lead, salt and saltpetre; for the manufacture at
home of salt, saltpetre, powder, and for the refining of
sulphur; for the manufacture of brown and writing paper, cotton
and woolen cards, linen and woolen cloths, pins and needles, and
for the erection of furnaces for making iron and steel and iron
hollow ware, and of rolling mills for making nails, large
premiums were offered. A census, too, was ordered to be taken
without delay.
7. An issue of money to meet expenses was also provided for. In
a word, every function of government was from that time
exercised in the name and by the authority of the people of
North Carolina. Virtually the province was under martial law,
but it was under martial law self-imposed.
8. It is evident that the men who constituted the Hillsboro, or
third Provincial Congress, knew perfectly well what they were
doing, and had fully counted the cost. Success meant freedom,
and would make them patriots; failure meant abject submission to
a foreign government, and would make them traitors. Knowing
this, they deliberately put a government of the people in the
place of the government of the King; they put an army in the
field and provided it with arms and ammunition; and, as if
looking ahead to a long and protracted struggle, during which
their ports would be doubtless blockaded, they sought at once,
by the offer of large bounties to encourage the manufacture at
home of such articles as were of common use and prime necessity.
They were indeed both bold and far-seeing, those men of the
Hillsboro Congress, and well they might be, for they were the
best and bravest of the province-men whose names are now
household words throughout the State.
9. The Hillsboro Congress had not called out troops any too
soon, for it was discovered that both Governor Martin, in North
Carolina, and Lord Dunmore, in Virginia, were engaged in schemes
to excite insurrections among the negro slaves. Colonel Robert
Howe, with the Second North Carolina Regiment, was sent to
Norfolk, in Virginia, where the British troops, being beaten at
Great Bridge, were soon driven from the soil of the "Old Dominion."
10. This occurred in December, 1775. About the same time
Colonels Griffith Rutherford, Thomas Polk and James Martin
embodied their militia regiments and went to South Carolina,
where they speedily crushed a Tory insurrection of certain men
called the "Scovilites." The militia were, of course, aided by
Whig troops of that province. The readiness with which North
Carolina marched troops both to Virginia and to South Carolina
caused her to stand very high in the estimation of the
Continental Congress.
11. The term "Tory" was applied to men who upheld the royal
authority, and were opposed to any movement to defend the
colonies against the exactions of the Crown and Parliament. The
"Whigs," on the contrary, were at that day demanding that
American commerce should be free, and that no taxes should be
imposed by Great Britain upon the colonies. They were not
enemies to the King, and only opposed to that which they
considered oppressive in the designs of his ministers.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who had been selected to take Colonel Harvey's place?
When and where did the third Provincial Congress meet?
2. In what condition were public affairs when the Congress met?
3. What proclamation did the Governor send to Samuel Johnston?
What reply was returned?
4. What view was taken of the Governor's flight?
Who was placed at the head of the provisional government?
5. Mention some laws which were passed concerning the Congress?
6. Mention some further acts of the Hillsboro Congress.
7. What about the issue of money?
8. What is said of the men who composed the Congress?
9. In what scheme was Governor Martin found engaged?
What force was sent to Virginia?
10. Who were sent to South Carolina?
11. Define the terms "Tory" and "Whig."
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE BATTLE OF MOORES CREEK BRIDGE.
A. D. 1776.
1776. The new year, 1776, found Governor Martin still lingering
on board the Cruiser in the Cape Fear River. He was closely
watched by Colonel James Moore, who kept his Command (the First
North Carolina Regiment) in that vicinity. In February came the
news that the Scotch Highlanders and Regulators were gathering at
a place called, at that day, "Cross Creek," and now the town of
Fayetteville. This place and in this connection will be
remembered as the home of the beautiful heroine, Flora McDonald,
and her husband. Like her husband, she was a staunch Tory, and
did all she could to promote the insurrection.
[This famous woman had won the world's admiration by her heroic
efforts to aid the unfortunate Prince Charles Edward after his
defeat at Culloden. He was being hunted like a wild beast by the
troops of the king, but Flora McDonald bravely left her home and
went off with the disguised Prince, until, after many
perils, he reached a vessel on the coast end thus escaped to his
friends in France. ]
2. A large fleet and army were said to be on their way from
England to take the town of Wilmington. These Scotchmen,
assembling at Cross Creek by Governor Martin's orders, were in
arms to force their way across the country and join the expected
British army, Colonel Moore at once met them at Rockfish Creek,
where he fortified his camp and awaited an attack. But he soon
found this would not occur, so he sent Colonel Lillington and
Captain Ashe with two hundred and fifty then to occupy a bridge
over Moore's Creek that he supposed would intercept General
Donald McDonald, who commanded the Tories.
3. Whigs in arms were assembling from different directions, and
the Tories soon saw that unless they passed Colonel Moore they
would be surrounded and captured. McDonald was an old and
skillful officer, and he moved across the Cape Fear River to meet
Colonel Caswell, who was coming up from New Bern with a command
of eight hundred men which had been raised in that section.
4. Caswell made haste to join Lillington on Moore's Creek, and
artfully led the enemy to believe that he was camping, on the
evening of February 26, 1776, on the same side of the stream with
him. He left his fires burning, and in the darkness crossed the
bridge, removed the timbers except two log girders, and took up a
position supporting Lillington and Ashe, who had already put
themselves in the best place to prevent the passage of the
Tories.
5. In the darkness of early dawn, on the 27th, Colonel Donald
McLeod took the place of his sick commander, General McDonald,
and fell upon what he had been led to believe was Colonel
Caswell's camp; but his spies had been misled, and his foes were
to be reached only by crossing the bridge before him. The
prospect was appalling, but McLeod was brave, and putting himself
at the head of a picked band of broadswordsmen, he charged across
the remaining two logs of the bridge. It was a terrible moment
when the Whigs saw these dauntless Highlanders, who had so often
broken the strongest lines of troops in Europe, rushing furiously
upon them. But they were cool, and plied the deadly rifles upon
the Scotchmen as fast as they came.
6. Colonel McLeod fell dead in his headlong charge, being pierced
by twenty-six balls. The carnage was so frightful that the onset
was stayed, and then, as the assailants wavered, Captain Ezekiel
Slocumb, having crossed the creek with his company, rushed from
the woods and charged their flank. A wild panic ensued, and the
Tories fled in disorder from the fatal bridge.
7. The Whigs followed in hot pursuit, and the victory was
overwhelming. Nearly two thousand Royalists were thus defeated
by eleven hundred undisciplined Whigs. Eight hundred prisoners,
including General McDonald, with all the camp stores, were taken.
8. There was not a more complete victory during the war. General
Moore's strategy was brilliant in conception and daring in
execution; but no strategy, however brilliant, and no courage
however daring, would have availed anything had not North
Carolina been prepared to put promptly in the field troops with
the necessary munitions of war. These troops that took part in
the campaign came some from above Greensboro in the west and
others below New Bern in the east. Infantry, artillery and
mounted troops were all engaged, and everything went on as
smoothly as if the province had never known anything about war.
9. The successful conduct of the campaign, requiring as it did
the rapid concentration of troops without railroad, steamboat or
telegraph, and the readiness with which, ninety days previous, we
had sent troops both to South Carolina and to Virginia,
demonstrated beyond question the wisdom of the Congress in its
work at Hillsboro during the summer and autumn before.
10. The defeat of the Tories thwarted the schemes of Governor
Martin, and so dispirited the Scotch and Regulators that years
elapsed before they gave further trouble. Lord Cornwallis came
into the Cape Fear River with his army, but hearing of the
disaster, sailed away, having effected nothing but an inglorious
descent upon the farm of General Robert Howe.
11. Thus began and ended the first British invasion of North
Carolina. Colonel Moore was made a General for his skill in
planning the campaign, and Caswell, Lillington and Ashe, with
their gallant commands, were everywhere honored for their bravery
and success.
[NOTE--A proclamation was issued soon after this, giving pardon to
all who would submit to the government of the King, except
General Robert Rowe and Cornelius Harnett.]
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the situation in Wilmington in 1776? What important
news was received?
2. What expedition was coming to Wilmington? How was it to be
reinforced? How was Colonel Moore preparing to meet these men
from Cross Creek?
3. Mention other preparations for a fight.
4. Give an account of Colonel Caswell's position on Moore's
Creek.
5. Who commanded the Tories? Describe his charge upon the Whigs.
6. Give an account of the battle of Moore's Creek. When did this
occur? Locate the scene of this battle on the map.
7. What was the result?
8. What is said of the victory at Moore's Creek? What was
promptly done by North Carolina?
9. What is said of this campaign?
10. What distinguished British officer entered the Cape Fear?
11. How did the people feel towards Colonel Moore and other
commanding officers?
CHAPTER XXVII.
FOURTH PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
DECLARES INDEPENDENCE.
A. D. 1776.
The Hillsboro Congress of August, 1775, formally inaugurated a
war of resistance to British oppressions, but to the Halifax
Congress of April, 1776, was left the crowning glory of being the
first in all the colonies to declare for absolute independence of
the mother country and for foreign alliances.
2. It was quickly seen when the new Congress met at Halifax, on
the 4th of April, 1776, that great progress had been made in
public sentiment. At Hillsboro professions of loyalty and of a
desire for continued connection with Great Britain, some honest,
but many of questionable sincerity doubtless, were still to be
heard. At Halifax there was neither halting nor hesitation in
avowing that absolute independence from the mother country was
the real aim of the people of the province.
3. The time for the final plunge had come, and North Carolina was
quite ready for it. Accordingly, on the fourth day of the
session, a committee was appointed to take into consideration the
usurpations and violences attempted and committed by the King and
Parliament of Britain against America, and the further measures
to be taken for frustrating the same, and for the better defence
of the province. Four days later, that is to say, on the 12th
day of April, 1776, a day ever to be remembered in the annals of
America, the committee reported as follows:
"It appears to your committee that pursuant to the plan concerted
by the British Ministry for subjugating America, the King and
Parliament of Great Britain have usurped a power over the persons
and properties of the people unlimited and uncontrolled, and
disregarding their humble petitions for peace, liberty and
safety, have made divers legislative acts denouncing war, famine
and every species of calamity against the continent in general.
That British fleets and armies have been, and still are, daily
employed in destroying the people and committing the most horrid
devastations on the country. That Governors in different
colonies have declared protection to slaves who should imbrue
their hands in the blood of their masters; that the ships
belonging to America are declared prizes of war, and many of them
have been violently seized and confiscated, in consequence of
which multitudes of the people have been destroyed or from easy
circumstances reduced to the most lamentable distress.
"AND WHEREAS, the moderation hitherto manifested by the united
colonies and their sincere desire to be reconciled to the mother
country on constitutional principles have procured no mitigation
of the aforesaid wrongs and usurpations, and no hopes remain of
obtaining redress by those means alone, which have been hitherto
tried, your committee are of opinion that the house should enter
into the following resolve, to wit:
"Resolved, That the delegates for this colony in the Continental
Congress be empowered to concur with the delegates of the other
colonies in declaring independence and forming foreign alliances,
reserving to this colony the sole and exclusive right of forming
a constitution and laws for this colony, and of appointing
delegates from time to time (under direction of a general
representation thereof) to meet the delegates of the other
colonies for such purposes as shall be hereafter pointed out."
And thereupon the Congress did so resolve unanimously.
4. With the exception of the Mecklenburg Declaration of the year
before, there had been, up to that time, nowhere in all America a
single organized body to venture on such a proposition.
Individuals like Samuel Adams, William Hooper and Christopher
Gadsden had been heard advocating it; but every other assembly
was yet protesting its loyalty to the King. It was more than a
month before Virginia consented to Patrick Henry's demands, and
the other colonies were to follow at intervals after her
endorsement.
5. In the annals of the world there is no prouder record than the
entry made on the journals of the Halifax Congress on the 12th
day of April, 1776. A great fleet and army were yet upon the
soil and within the waters of North Carolina, but this could not
deter these resolute patriots from thus taking the lead in a
doubtful and perilous departure from all the ties and obligations
of the past.
6. It can then be understood how joyously the news was received
at this same town of Halifax on July 22d, that the Continental
Congress, at Philadelphia, had acceded to the wishes of North
Carolina, and had, on the 4th day of the same month, declared the
"Independence of America."
7. The "Council of Safety" was at that time in session at
Halifax, and by it Thursday, the 1st of August, was set as a day
for proclaiming the declaration at the courthouse in Halifax, and
the people were invited to attend. On the day appointed,
according to the vivid description of an eye-witness, a vast
concourse of people assembled in front of the court house. The
provincial troops and the militia were all drawn up in full
array. At midday Cornelius Harnett ascended a rostrum that had
been erected in front of the courthouse, and even as he opened
the scroll upon which was written the immortal words of the
declaration, the enthusiasm of the immense crowd broke forth in
one loud swell of rejoicing and prayer. When he had finished,
all the people shouted with joy, and the cannon sounding from
fort to fort, proclaimed the glorious tidings that all the
thirteen colonies were now free and independent States.
The soldiers seized Mr. Harnett and bore him on their shoulders
through the town. The declaration was ordered to be read in all
portions of North Carolina, and, except in one county, the
mandate was everywhere obeyed.
8. All the North Carolina troops then in arms, including the two
Continental regiments and the militia under General Ashe, were in
Charleston. They were spectators of the combat in which the
gallant Moultrie, within his fort of palmetto logs, signally
defeated the same British fleet under Sir Peter Parker that had
been so recently in Cape Fear River.
9. General James Moore marched northward from Charleston with his
brigade, but died in Wilmington. His death was a serious loss to
North Carolina and the cause of liberty, for in military genius,
as in patriotic devotion, he had few equals and no superior in
America. Colonel Francis Nash succeeded to his place. General
Howe was sent to Savannah, having with him his old command, the
Second North Carolina Regiment. Four new regiments were ordered
by the Provincial Congress and were soon put in the field.
10. On the same day with the battle in Charleston Harbor, June
28th, 1776, the Cherokee Indians descended from their mountain
homes and murdered two hundred western settlers. General
Griffith Rutherford collected two thousand men of the militia
regiments in his command, and took such swift and ample vengeance
that from that time these Indians ceased to trouble the frontier.
They had been incited by British agents to their disastrous work.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of the fourth Provincial Congress? Where was it
held?
2. In what condition was public sentiment when the Congress met?
3. What was done on the fourth day of the session? Why should
the 12th day of April, 1776, ever be remembered? Can you state
the substance of this memorable declaration of independence?
4. What is said of the Halifax declaration?
5. Tell something of the boldness of this declaration.
6. What was done by the Continental Congress on May 4th?
7. Describe the reading of the Declaration of Independence.
8. Where were the North Carolina soldiers at that time?
9. What other military movements were mentioned?
10. What occurred on January 28th, 1776?
CHAPTER XXVIII.
ADOPTION OF A STATE CONSTITUTION.
A. D. 1776.
After the public avowal by the people of North Carolina, through
their newly organized Congress at Halifax, in April, 1776, of a
fixed purpose to secure, by force of arms, absolute independence
from the mother country, and of her desire to enter into foreign
alliances to accomplish that end, there was no reason for any
longer delay in establishing a permanent form of government for
the colony. Hitherto, pride of consistency in form at least, to
say nothing of a considerate regard for tender consciences, if
not for weak nerves, might well have held them back. After the
action of the Congress on the 12th of April, however, it was
manifest that the day of provisional government was nigh its
close, and that the people of North Carolina must abide the
arbitrament of war to which they had appealed, whether in future
they should be free, self-governing citizens or dependent
subjects of a foreign government. The half-way ground and the
time for temporary expedients were both left behind in North
Carolina on the 12th of April, 1776. There was great division,
however, among the wisest and best men in the province as to the
true nature of the new system of government which had thus become
necessary.
2. Samuel Johnston was a wise and patriotic leader. He was a man
of wealth and experience in public affairs, and was devoted to
his country, but he thought that new experiments in government
were dangerous, and withal was long very much averse to a final
separation from Great Britain. He wished to keep up the old
system of rule as far as possible; among other reasons, because
he doubted the ability of the people to govern themselves. These
views were also held by General Allen Jones, of Northampton, and
other prominent men.
3. On the other hand, Willie Jones, of Halifax, brother of
General Allen Jones, was the leader of a majority of the
legislators and the people. He held as the fundamental article
of his political creed that the American people were capable of
governing themselves, and that all political power belonged to
and proceeded from them. Like Jefferson, of Virginia, he
advocated religious freedom, separation of Church and State,
liberty of the press and choice of rulers by the masses at the
ballot-box.
4. Between these two champions of opposing theories stood Richard
Caswell, a man of excellent discretion and great practical common
sense, who, happily tempering the fierce democracy of Jones with
the more cautious conservatism of Johnston, possessed, in a rare
degree, the confidence of the people of North Carolina of every
faction. A Marylander by birth, he came to North Carolina when
quite a youth, without fortune or friends, and won his unbounded
popularity by long years of unselfish, unstinted devotion to her
service.
5. Men of strong convictions, especially when accustomed to shape
public sentiment, do not readily yield to opposing views, and it
was a happy thing for North Carolina that she possessed such a
man as Caswell, whose commanding influence enabled him to control
and finally to compose the fierce differences that prevailed in
regard to the character of the proposed new government. At his
suggestion, the matter was postponed until the winter, when a new
Congress would be in session, fresh from the people and in full
possession of their views in the premises; and in this way the
question at issue as to the character of the new government was
remitted directly to the decision of the people,.
6. By formal resolution, adopted on the 9th of August, 1776, the
Council of Safety called the attention of the people to the fact
that the next Congress would frame a constitution for the State,
and urged, for that reason, that the greatest care be taken in
the selection of delegates at the ensuing election.
7. The election was held on the 15th day of October, and the
Congress met at Halifax on the 12th day of November, and, on
motion of Allen Jones, made Richard Caswell its President.
Samuel Johnston, after a hot contest, had failed to be elected,
and was consequently not a member. He was in Halifax, however,
during the sitting of the Congress, and doubtless exercised but
little less influence than he would have done had he been a
delegate.
8. On the 17th of December, that most admirable enunciation of
human rights, the bill of rights so-called, was adopted, and the
next day the constitution was adopted.
9. The new constitution went into operation at once, with Caswell
as the first Governor, and the great work of supplying the State
with judges, sheriffs, magistrates and other officers began. For
several years there had been no courts to administer justice,
either civil or criminal, except military tribunals and the
various committees of safety. Fortunately, while Governor
Caswell, aided by the legislative authorities, was putting in
motion the untried machinery of a new government, and evoking
civil order from military disorder, our British foes were far
away to the northward. At last North Carolinians lived under a
government of their own making, administered by officers of their
own choosing.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was seen to be the next necessary step after the action
of the Halifax Congress? Can you tell what difficulties had
previously existed?
2. What views were held by Governor Johnston?
3. What did Willie Jones consider necessary for the people? What
was advocated by him?
4. How did Caswell consider these things?
5. What good influence was exerted by his opinion?
6. What did the Council of Safety do?
7. When did the Congress meet? Who was chosen to preside? What
was done on December 17th?
8. Who was the first Governor of North Carolina under the
constitution? Describe the condition of affairs?
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE WAR CONTINUED.
A. D. 1777 to 1779.
All of the North Carolina Continentals were with General
Washington early in the new year 1777. They reached him in a
great emergency. His army had just been driven from New York
across the State of New Jersey, and such had been his losses by
battle and otherwise, that when he reached the Delaware River he
could hardly muster five thousand men.
2. Sir William Howe, the British Commander-in-Chief, had twenty-
nine thousand trained soldiers available, and when Lord
Cornwallis, who had been pursuing the Americans, was halted by
him, it was the salvation of the force left with General
Washington. Had Sir William forborne to stop the pursuit of
Cornwallis the struggle might have soon ended in the capture of
Washington. After a week of delay, Cornwallis was permitted to
advance, and even then came up in time to see the last boatloads
of the American troops crossing the great river which so
effectually stopped all further pursuit.
1777.
3. When General Nash arrived at the American camp, after his long
march from the south, he brought six full regiments of North
Carolina Continentals, nearly doubling the force upon which the
hopes of America mainly depended. By this means General
Washington was soon after able to confront the advancing enemy in
the battle of Brandywine, on September 11th. At this and other
engagements the North Carolina troops displayed both courage and
discipline.
4. It was on the bloody occasion of the attack upon the British
force at Germanton, October 4th, that their most glorious record
was made. General Washington entrusted the post of honor on the
extreme right flank of his line of attack to General Francis
Nash. The British were driven by the North Carolinians a long
distance on the right of the village, but the American divisions
which had been sent in on the left failed to dislodge the enemy,
and in this way left General Nash's force exposed both on his
left and rear.
5. It was a glorious but bloody day for North Carolina. The
brigade suffered heavy loss in advancing, but greater when
compelled to fall back for want of support. General Nash and
Colonel Edward Buncombe were mortally wounded. Lieutenant-
Colonel Irwin and many other gallant officers were slain upon the
field.
1778.
6. At length the British forces were directed again toward the
south. On December 29th, General Robert Howe was driven from
Savannah by General Prevost, on which occasion the Second
Regiment of Continentals was confronted by a regiment of North
Carolina Tories under Colonel John Hamilton. Howe and his
command were transferred to West Point, on the Hudson River, of
which important post he was soon commander, with the rank of
Major-General.
1779.
7. After 1778 the courts were fully established, and Judges Ashe,
Iredell and Spencer held terms at Wilmington and at five other
towns twice a year. Waightstill Avery, as Attorney-General,
was busy in trials for treason against the State. There were
many men who yet labored to restore the King's authority, and
against them was needed all the vigilance possible, both in the
courts and at military headquarters.
8. More than three years of the war had passed away without
serious disaster to North Carolina. No invaders disturbed her
borders, and beyond the grief for friends slain in battle, there
was cause for gratitude to God that so few evils of the war had
yet visited the State.
9. General Washington had evinced such nobility of soul and great
military capacity that all American hearts were soon filled with
love and admiration. With far-seeing wisdom, he was patiently
biding his time to strike his enemies, and in foreign lands other
great soldiers were applauding the mingled caution and boldness
of his military movements.
QUESTIONS.
1. Where were the North Carolina troops at this time? What was
the condition of Washington's army?
2. How were the Continental troops benefited by an order of Sir William Howe?
3. What battle was fought on September 11th, 1777?
4. On what battle field did the North Carolina troops specially
distinguish themselves on October 4th? Relate the circumstances.
5. How did General Nash and his troops suffer on this occasion?
6. What occurred at Savannah on December 29th, 1778? To what
place was General Howe then transferred?
7. When were the courts of North Carolina fully established? Can
you tell something of the judicial system in that period?
8. For what had North Carolina cause to be grateful?
9. What is said of General Washington?
CHAPTER XXX.
STONY POINT AND CHARLESTON.
A. D. 1779 TO 1780.
The capture of Savannah caused uneasiness in all the Southern
States. It was seen at once that Georgia was but a starting
point in a general scheme of transferring hostilities from the
north. Early in 1779, General John Ashe reached Charleston with
two or more brigades of militia. These were hurried off, at the
importunate demand of the Governor of South Carolina, to attack
the British at Augusta.
2. General Ashe remonstrated, saying his men were not yet ready
for active service in the field; he obeyed orders, however, and
took the field as directed. On his approach the enemy retired
down the Savannah River, and Ashe, dividing his force, was so
unfortunate as to fall into an ambush on Brier Creek, where his
men, who were raw, undisciplined troops, were taken by surprise
and routed.
3. A little later, and elsewhere, there was better fortune. At
Stony Point, on the Hudson River, a strong American
fortification had been recently captured by the British.
General Wayne found that it was garrisoned by six hundred Scotch
Highlanders, constituting one of the regular Royal regiments.
The work was nearly surrounded by the river and by morasses, and
the single approach was so swept by the guns of the work, and
also by those of several ships-of-war lying close by for the
purpose of aiding in its defence, that it seemed wellnigh
hopeless to attempt its capture.
4. But hopeless as it seemed, General Wayne determined to make
the attempt. He drew near at midnight, and with unloaded
muskets, and courage that has never been surpassed, captured the
stronghold at the point of the bayonet.
5. Two columns of assault were sent in on the right and left;
but to Major Hardy Murfree's two companies of the Second North
Carolina Continental Regiment, as a forlorn hope, was the post
of real honor and danger assigned. They charged full in front,
up the steep hillside, through several lines of abattis, and in
this way received the hottest of the enemy's fire. The capture
of the fort was largely due to the gallantry of the North
Carolina troops.
1780.
6. Governor Caswell being ineligible for the next term, was
succeeded, at the beginning of the year, by Abner Nash as Chief
Magistrate of North Carolina. The constitution provided that
after three years' service the Executive became ineligible for
the next term, and Caswell had served three terms. Governor
Nash, like his predecessor, was a man of ability and patriotism,
but did not equal him in the versatility of his powers or his
consummate skill in the management of men.
7. In February, 1780, all of the North Carolina troops of the
Continental Line had been ordered to the south. They were at
Charleston with General Lincoln, being besieged there by an
overwhelming force under Sir Henry Clinton. In addition to the
army, the British commander had come down from New York with a
great fleet.
8. The defence was a brave one, but unavailing, and on May 12th
General Lincoln was forced to surrender. It was a direful day
for North Carolina. All of her regular troops and a full
thousand of her militia became prisoners of war. It was a fatal
rashness in General Lincoln to allow himself to be cooped up in
a city. Thus, while no real benefit resulted to the American
cause, or to the State of South Carolina, North Carolina was, at
one fell blow, stripped of all her defenders.
9. Sir Henry Clinton sailed back to New York after the
capitulation, but he left a man of far superior ability with an
army to continue the conquest of South Carolina. This was Lord
Cornwallis, who was the bravest and most skillful British
soldier then in the world. He was to remain this time long
enough to be forever remembered and to take bloody vengeance for
his inglorious experience with Sir Peter Parker four years before.
10. The first movement of Cornwallis, after capturing
Charleston, was to send Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, with his
dragoons, to intercept a column of infantry which was
approaching from Virginia, under the command of Colonel Buford.
These were surprised and cut to pieces. Among others, the North
Carolina company of Captain John Stokes lost heavily in the
sudden and bloody attack.
11. This disaster occurred in the Waxhaw settlement, on the
State line, not far from Charlotte, in North Carolina. Thus, at
a time when everything indicated another invasion, not a single
troop of disciplined soldiers was left for the defence of this
State, except the two companies of mounted infantry which were
commanded by the gallant Major William R. Davie. This little
band hovered continually in the neighborhood of the scene of
Colonel Buford's defeat.
12. Governor Rutledge, of South Carolina, upon the fall of
Charleston, offered to cease fighting the British if they would
allow his State to remain neutral for the remainder of the war;
but a very different feeling actuated Governor Nash and his
people when apprised of the great disaster. If her Continental
veterans were all prisoners, there were still brave hearts and
deadly rifles left with which to continue the struggle, and
North Carolina had no thought of quailing.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was apprehended in North Carolina after the fall of
Savannah, and why? Who was put in command of the brigades under
General John Ashe? Where were these troops carried?
2. What befell the command on the route?
3. What victory was gained by the Americans on the Hudson River?
Who was in command? Describe the situation of Stony Point.
4. Give an account of the attack on this stronghold?
5. What troops occupied the post of special danger?
How did they perform their duty?
6. Who succeeded Governor Caswell?
Why was Governor Caswell not re-elected?
7. Where were the North Carolina soldiers in 1780?
What enemy was besieging them?
8. How did the siege terminate? Why was this surrender disastrous
to North Carolina?
9. What did Clinton do after the capitulation ? Who was left in command
of the British? What is said of Lord Cornwallis?
10. What was his first military movement? Describe the engagement
between Tarleton and Buford.
11. Where did this action occur? What was the condition of
North Carolina's defences?
12. What proposition was made to the British by the Governor of
South Carolina? What was the sentiment in North Carolina?
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE BATTLES OF RAMSOUR'S MILL
AND CAMDEN COURT HOUSE.
A. D. 1750.
When the great disaster at Charleston became known to the North
Carolina Tories, and they fully realized that British troops were
close at hand, the spirit that had seemed crushed at Moore's
Creek began to revive. They had suffered indignities from the
Whigs on account of their support of the King, and they now
determined on swift and bloody revenge.
2. John Moore, who was Lieutenant-Colonel in Hamilton's Regiment,
returned to his former residence in Lincoln county and assembled,
early in June, thirteen hundred Royalists at Ramsour's Mill.
General Rutherford, hearing of this in his camp near the Waxhaws,
thought it impolitic to leave that position because of a
threatened movement of the British then in his front. He
therefore sent orders to Colonel Francis Locke, of Rowan, to
assemble his militia and at once attack the Tories.
3. No command was ever more promptly or bravely obeyed. Locke
mustered four hundred of his neighbors and went through the
darkness of the night in search of foes outnumbering him
threefold. At early dawn on the 20th, with mounted men in front,
he charged boldly upon the Tory camp that was pitched near
Ramsour's Mill, in sight of the present village of Lincolnton.
The Royalists fled at the first charge, but rallied on a hill and
checked the horsemen in pursuit. The Whigs on foot came to the
rescue and drove the Royalists routed from the field.
4. This brilliant victory was all-important at that fearful
juncture. It was a bloody and heroic affair; and was a timely
foretaste of the spirit of the brave men of the west. It was a
struggle between neighbors and old friends, and carried
bitterness and sorrow to many North Carolina firesides.
5. Major Davie, with his small command, commenced a series of
daring adventures, which gave him great reputation for bravery
and military skill. At Flat Rock, and also at Hanging Rock, in
South Carolina, he inflicted such stunning blows, that Tarleton's
Legion learned to be very cautious of a foe so daring and so
wary. Colonel Isaac Shelby also distinguished himself at
Musgrove's Mill.
6. Thus the militia of North Carolina assumed the defence of
their homes and inflicted such frequent and telling blows upon
the enemy that Lord Cornwallis halted at Camden to receive
further reinforcements before venturing to enter a State whose
undrilled citizen-soldiers had shown themselves so formidable.
7. Upon the fall of Charleston, General Horatio Gates had been
put in command in the South, in place of General Lincoln. His
success at Saratoga had given him great popularity, and some
misguided men were advocating his advancement even to the place
of General Washington. A short time exposed the folly of all
such views. He was, at best, but a martinet, who had learned
something of military routine in the camps, but was as devoid of
real ability as he was vain and rash.
8. He came to Deep River on July 25th, where in camp he found one
Delaware and two Maryland battalions of Continentals, Colonel
Armand's light-horse and three companies of artillery, under the
command of the Baron DeKalb. Learning that General Caswell had a
considerable militia force at Cheraw, in South Carolina, he
started, two days later, for the neighborhood of Lord Cornwallis
and his army at Camden.
9. He reached Cheraw with some additional troops that had joined
him on the march. On August 15th, taking a large portion of
Caswell's militia, he set out with the purpose of surprising
Cornwallis. Colonel Armand was marching in front, when, at
midnight, his dragoons recoiled from an unexpected meeting with
the British vanguard. The collision was unexpected on both
sides, and threw General Gates's column into disorder.
10. His officers vainly besought him to retreat, as the veteran
forces of the enemy had not been surprised. Both sides halted
and prepared for battle. At dawn Lord Cornwallis sent his
regulars with fixed bayonets to attack the militia on the right,
and these untrained troops, unable to withstand so fierce an
onset from regular veteran soldiers, abandoned the field.
11. Colonel Henry Dickson held his regiment of North Carolina
militia firmly to the front, and with the Continental, or regular
troops, they offered a stubborn and gallant defence, but the
flight of so many made it necessary to withdraw the few who thus
gallantly stood their ground.
12. The American defeat was complete. Two thousand men were
killed, wounded and captured. All the stores and transportation
were utterly lost. General Gates fled early in the action, and
spurred on, without stopping, to Hillsboro, in this State. His
defeat nearly ruined the American cause in the South, and his
reputation as a military leader received a severe blow.
[NOTE--The capture of General Griffith Rutherford at Camden was
one of the most deplorable incidents of the disaster. His
courage, military ability and influence among his people made him
invaluable to the American cause.]
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the feeling of the Tories in North Carolina after the
disaster at Charleston?
2. Where were the Tories assembling? Who was sent to attack them?
3. Describe the attack. What was the result?
4. In what respect was this an important victory?
5. Mention some of Major Davie's exploits.
6. How did these engagements affect Cornwallis?
7. Who was put in command of the Southern forces? What kind of
man was General Gates?
8. What was his first military movement?
9. What occurred on August 15th, 1780?
10. How did the engagement result?
11. What was said of Colonel Dickson and his regiment?
12. What was the termination of this affair? How did General
Gates act?
CHAPTER XXXII.
SECOND INVASION OF THE STATE--BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.
A. D. 1780.
The disaster at Camden left North Carolina without defence
against invasion by the British under Lord Cornwallis. But the
spirit of Governor Nash and his people was high, and they did not
for a moment relax their efforts for the support of the war. In
a short time five thousand Continental and militia troops were in
motion for the neighborhood of Charlotte.
2. Generals Jethro Sumner and William L. Davidson were put in
command of two camps, where the raw levies were drilled and
equipped for the field. Colonel Davie was still continually in
the enemy's front, to watch and report every movement. Since the
rout and dispersion of General Sumter's command by Tarleton, on
August 19th, Davie's Battalion was the only mounted force left in
the South.
3. In September, Lord Cornwallis at last moved forward from his
camp at Camden. He sent Colonel Patrick Ferguson toward the
scene of the late Tory defeat at Ramsour's Mill. This Colonel
Ferguson was one of the ablest officers in the British army. He
was cool, daring and well skilled in everything relating to the
conduct of military affairs. He could command men in camp and in
battle, and excelled all others in arousing the spirit of the
Tories. He induced hundreds of men to take sides with the King
when another would have failed.
4. As Lord Cornwallis marched upon North Carolina, Colonel Davie
hung upon his front and fell back only as compelled by the
advance of the British. He made but one dash against his
pursuers before reaching Charlotte; but on arriving there he and
Major Joseph Graham halted under the courthouse, in the middle of
the village, and surprised Cornwallis and the whole British army
by a resistance so bloody and stubborn as to prove the right of
that place to the name of "Hornet's Nest," which Cornwallis
bestowed upon it.
[NOTE--Davie's whole force did not number more than two hundred
men, and yet so cool and bravely did they meet the British
assault that the enemy was several times driven back. Major
Graham was, at that time, just twenty-one years old, and he
exhibited such courage and conduct as have never been excelled.
In one attack upon him he received nine wounds and was left for
dead on the field, but made his escape.]
5. The English commander was so harassed by the daring attacks
of the militia upon his men at McIntyre's Farm and elsewhere in
that neighborhood that he concluded to remain at Charlotte until
he could hear from Colonel Ferguson. That officer had halted at
a place called Gilberttown, where his one hundred and fifty
British Regulars were soon reinforced by large numbers of native
Royalists, who came to the English flag to take service in its
behalf.
6. Colonel Charles McDowell and others, hearing that Ferguson was
enrolling the Tories, met at Watauga and took counsel against
him. No general was present, and McDowell was so old they feared
he would be unable to endure the probable hard marching necessary
to overtake their wily foe. Colonel Campbell, of Virginia, as a
courtesy to one belonging outside of the State, was put in
command by the North Carolina officers, and they set out with
about eleven hundred men to look for the enemy.
7. Colonels Shelby, Sevier, Cleveland, and Major Joseph McDowell,
of North Carolina, together with Colonel Williams, of South
Carolina, selected nine hundred picked men from their mounted
force, and through the stormy thirty hours of their march kept
their saddles, until, on the morning of the 7th of October, they
found the foe with eleven hundred and twenty-five men on the
summit of King's Mountain. It was a strong position, but the
heroic mountaineers at once surrounded it and began the attack.
8. Ferguson fought like a lion at bay, but the deadly rifles of
the assailants were plied upon his ranks as the Royalists were
pushed back step by step. Time and again the British commander
headed the Regulars, and by desperate charges down the mountain
side drove back a portion of the advancing Whig lines. At last
Ferguson was slain, after being many times wounded, and soon the
British fire slackened, and then to the nine hundred militiamen
of the hills the remnant of the Royalists laid down their guns.
Six hundred men became prisoners of war.
9. This was a bloody but a glorious victory. The number of
British dead was unusually great. Their proportion of wounded
was perhaps smaller than was ever seen in a modern battle. The
Whigs lost three field officers, one captain and fifty-three
privates.
10. It was a most opportune success, and apprised Lord Cornwallis
of what dangers might await his further advance. He became so
disheartened upon learning of the disaster that he at once fell
back to Winnsboro, in South Carolina. North Carolina was again
free from invaders, and the tories of every section felt their
hopes sink as they realized the swiftness and completeness of
this overthrow. Every patriot heart, however, once more beat
with hope and joy.
11. The victory of King's Mountain was the turning point of the
war in the South, and foreshadowed the final success of the
American armies in the following year. The arrival of General
Nathaniel Greene, who now took command of the Southern army, in
place of General Gates, secured every advantage of the situation.
He was from Rhode Island, and had been a blacksmith, but was a
man of rare military genius, and as such had been singled out by
General Washington to occupy an important place.
12. General Greene soon proved himself a great commander. He was
gentle, unselfish and true, and loved the cause for which he
fought better than his own life. He was brave, cautious and
quick to seize upon all the faults of his opponent. He could
patiently wait until battle was proper, and even in apparent
defeat was really more dangerous than less competent commanders
with a foe beaten and in full flight.
QUESTIONS.
1. What number of troops did General Nash raise toward the
defence North Carolina?
2. What generals were put in command? Where was Colonel Davie?
3. What move did Cornwallis make? To what place was Colonel
Ferguson sent? What is said of him as a commander?
4. Where was Colonel Davie? Relate the exploit of Colonel Davie
and Major Joseph Graham at Charlotte.
5. What were the movements of Cornwallis and Ferguson?
6. What preparations were made towards attacking Ferguson? Who
is put in command of the troops, and why?
7. What was the strength of the command? Where did they find the
Enemy? When did the battle begin?
8. Describe the battle of King's Mountain.
9. Mention some of the losses.
10. How did the victory affect Cornwallis?
11. What officer was sent to take the place of General Gates in the South?
12. What was General Greene's military ability?
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CORNWALLIS'S LAST INVASION.
A. D. 1781.
General Greene soon became aware that his great trouble would be
in obtaining food in sufficient quantities to feed an army large
enough to meet the British in open field. Generals Gregory and
Jones were ordered back to their homes, and their brigades were
disbanded because of this poverty of resources in that section of
the country. General Morgan was sent west of the Catawba River;
another camp was established at Cheraw, and the militia of Rowan
and Mecklenburg, under General Davidson, were allowed to await at
their homes for any call that might become necessary.
1781.
2. Such was the state of affairs in General Greene's command when
Lord Cornwallis was reinforced by the arrival of another division
of troops under the command of Major General Leslie. On January
17th, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, with his famous Legion and the
first battalion of the Seventy-first Regiment, assailed General
Morgan at Cowpens. These men had so often cut to pieces such
American forces that they expected an easy victory on this
occasion.
3. They were received by the Americans with the utmost coolness
and self-possession. Their deadly fire emptied so many British
saddles that the boldest riders were thrown into confusion. Like
a thunderbolt, then came a charge of the American lighthorse,
under Lieutenant-Colonel William Washington. They rode down and
sabred the terrified Britons, chasing them many miles from the
field.
4. In less than an hour the eleven hundred British were so
thoroughly routed that they lost five hundred and two prisoners,
three hundred killed and wounded, with all their artillery and
stores. General Morgan had but eight hundred men, and though
flushed with victory, he remembered that the main army of the
enemy was at Turkey Creek, only twenty-five miles away. He
therefore prudently burned his captured stores, and leaving his
and the enemy's wounded under protection of a flag, at once began
his retreat through North Carolina.
5. He well knew that Lord Cornwallis would be enraged at
Tarleton's disaster and would seek the recapture of his
prisoners. During twelve days the victors fled from the scene of
their glory, while the British were pushing on close behind them.
At the expiration of that time, as the day was closing in, and
General Morgan had just safely crossed the Catawba River, at the
Island Ford, he looked back and saw the British vanguard on the
other bank of the stream.
6. The exultant pursuers had overcome the twenty-five miles of
start, and feeling sure of their prey, they encamped that night
with the utmost confidence that on the next day they could easily
overtake the fugitives. But they were doomed to disappointment.
Soon a heavy rain began falling, and when the night was past the
river had become a great and impassable flood.
7. The baffled foe was compelled to halt, for the passage of
the stream was impossible. The high water remained in the river
for forty-eight hours, during which time the British were unable
to effect a crossing. General Morgan sent his militia with the
prisoners on to Virginia, and with his Continentals kept down the
left bank of the river and joined General Greene at Sherrill's
Ford. There they unhappily disagreed as to future operations,
and General Morgan left the service.
8. During the two days that Lord Cornwallis was stopped by the
rise in the Catawba River, General Greene made arrangements to
dispute its passage. This was attempted at Cowan's Ford, and the
British, after some loss, forced a passage. Unfortunately, brave
General Davidson, who was in command of the militia, was killed,
and upon his fall his men retreated, from the field. They were
surprised by Tarleton at Torrence's Tavern, six miles away in the
direction of Salisbury.
9. The chase was now renewed and General Greene was again in
great danger. When he reached Salisbury he was so dejected at
the condition of affairs that a good woman named Mrs. Elizabeth
Steele sought to cheer him by words of hope. He explained to her
his almost desperate condition, and that though in command of the
Southern army, he was wholly without friends and without money.
She generously pressed upon him a purse of gold, and, with hope
revived by such an exhibition of womanly sympathy and generous
patriotism, he resumed his retreat.
10. A rise in the waters of the Yadkin River, after the Americans
had crossed, repeated the scenes witnessed on the Catawba; and
thus, while General Greene was enabled to reach the forces from
Cheraw that had been ordered to meet him at Guilford Court House,
Lord Cornwallis was compelled to make a wide detour up the river
to get across.
11. Again, in a few days, the Americans, still retreating, found
their enemies once more close up in the rear. For several days
on long stretches in the road, the two armies could see each
other.
12. General Greene was so hotly pursued that he found it
necessary to check the enemy in some way, and the gallant Colonel
Otho H. Williams, of Maryland, with a corps of light troops
numbering seven hundred men, was detailed to cover the retreat.
This detachment most faithfully performed its duty. Taking but
one meal each day, and six hours' sleep in forty-eight, they
retarded the progress of the enemy so much; by frequent
collisions, that Greene was enabled to considerably increase the
distance between the two armies.
[NOTE--While General Greene was in the house of Mrs. Steele, at
Salisbury, he caught sight of a picture of King George III.
hanging upon the wall. The picture recalled many unpleasant
memories and hardships to the General. He took it from the wall,
and, with a piece of chalk, wrote upon the back: "O, George, Hide
thy face and mourn." He then replaced the picture with its face
to the wall and rode away. This picture, with the writing on the
back still visible, is now thought to be in the possession of
Mrs. Governor Swain. [Rumple's History of Rowan County. ]]
13. At last, on February 13th, Dan River was reached; and Lord
Cornwallis came up only in time to see the last boatloads of the
Americans safely landing on the other side of the wide stream
which was too deep for the British to ford. Thus ended this
famous retreat, extending more than two hundred miles. It gave
General Greene great reputation, and the struggling Americans
took fresh heart, for they knew they had at last a general in
command who could provide wisely and well amid all the dangers so
thickly environing him.
QUESTIONS.
1. What great trouble did General Greene foresee? How did he
dispose of the forces?
2. At what place were the Americans attacked?
3. Describe the battle of Camden. Where is Camden?
4. What were the British losses? What was done by General Morgan?
5. Describe the events of the next twelve days.
6. What occurred during the night while the two armies were
encamped on opposite sides of the river?
7. How did the rise in the river benefit the Americans? Find the
Catawba River on the map. What occurred at Sherrill's Ford?
8. Give an account of the engagement at Cowan's Ford.
9. What happened to General Greene at Salisbury?
10. What river was next crossed?
11. Describe the retreat further.
12. What did General Greene find it necessary to do to cover his
retreat? Who commanded this detachment?
13. What river was crossed on February 13th, 1781? How many
miles had Greene been pursued by Cornwallis? Can you go to the
map and trace the course of this famous retreat?
CHAPTER XXXIV.
BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURT HOUSE.
A. D. 1781.
When the British commander found that General Greene was
completely beyond his reach, he marched to Hillsboro and there
erected the Royal standard. In consequence of his proclamations
and the retreat of General Greene across Dan River, several
hundred Tories collected under Colonel John Pyle and started to
join Lord Cornwallis. General Greene sent Lieutenant Colonel
Henry Lee across Dan River to observe them.
2. Pyle and his Tories supposing Lee's force to be British
troops, drew near, uttering cheers for King George. Suddenly the
bugles of the lighthorse sounded a charge, and Pyle and his men
were furiously assailed. In five minutes ninety lay dead upon
the ground, and nearly all the others were prisoners of war.
This bloody affair has been called "Pyle's Hacking Match."
3. Major Joseph Graham, with his mounted force, had just before
captured a picket of twenty-five men a mile and a half away from
Hillsboro. General Polk's militia were also in the same
vicinity, and soon General Greene, having received
reinforcements, recrossed the Dan and assumed a position on the
Reedy Fork, a confluent of Haw River.
4. Cornwallis hearing of Pyle's disaster, left Hillsboro and
moved westward to protect any Tories that might seek to reach
him. The first time the two armies again saw anything of each
other was at Whitsell's Mill. At that place Colonel Otho H.
Williams was posted with a body of light troops, which Lord
Cornwallis attempted to cut off from the main body. He failed in
so doing, but both armies were filled with admiration at a
display of personal gallantry.
5. Colonel Williams had posted sharpshooters in and around the
millhouse. These discovered a British officer approaching a ford
below them, and saw that he was leading men and trying to cross
the stream. Many deadly rifles were soon hurling their missiles
around him, but slowly, and as if unconscious of being under
fire, he crossed in safety. This intrepid man was Lieutenant-
Colonel William Webster, then a brigade commander under
Cornwallis.
6. On March 15th, 1781, General Greene being at the courthouse of
Guilford county, learned that the British army was approaching on
the Salisbury road. He hosted his men in three lines and awaited
the enemy's arrival, who came on in fine style, but the first
American line, composed of militia, giving ground, only the men
of the gallant Captain Forbis, of the Hawfields, gained credit
for their conduct. The British found stubborn resistance in the
second and third lines, where the Continentals were posted.
7. It was a furious and bloody conflict, and such havoc was
wrought in the British ranks by a charge of Colonels Howard and
Washington, that Lord Cornwallis opened fire with his artillery
upon his friends and foes alike, and thus checked this dangerous
American movement. General Greene at length gave orders for
retreat, and the field was left in the possession of the British.
8. British valor was never more splendidly exhibited than upon
this hard-fought field. With less than half of Greene's force,
they won the field, but the victory was too costly. At least one-
fourth of the British force was dead and disabled, including the
gallant Webster, the hero of Whitsell's Mill. General Greene,
having halted close by the scene of conflict, returned three days
later to again offer battle, but Lord Cornwallis was flying
towards Wilmington for safety. He who had so long sought to bring
on an engagement was now the fugitive.
9. General Greene followed in pursuit, but failing to overtake
his foe, he turned his course and marched against Lord Rawdon, in
South Carolina. He had redeemed North Carolina from the grasp of
her foes, and went to confer upon the two other Southern
commonwealths a similar blessing. No more British armies were to
bring ruin and terror to any portion of North Carolina.
10. Lord Cornwallis hurried to Wilmington. His stay was short
there, for turning north in the month of April, 1781, he marched
his army, by way of Halifax, to Virginia. There, ere long, this
great soldier was to close his career in America. He had, with a
small portion of the British force under the command of Sir Henry
Clinton accomplished more than all compatriots.
11. On September the 8th a brilliant battle took place at Eutaw
Springs, in South Carolina, between General Greene's army and the
British under Colonel Stewart. It was the hardest fought and
best conducted action of the war. The three North Carolina
Continental regiments, led by General Sumner, bore the brunt of
the conflict, and were greatly praised for their gallantry.
About two thousand men each was the strength of the armies, and
they lost twelve hundred in killed and wounded. This battle
resulted in the retreat of the British to Charleston.
12. Governor Nash's term of office having expired, Thomas Burke,
of Orange, became his successor. Burke was an Irishman by birth,
of good family, well educated, and with fine abilities. He had
been conspicuous in public affairs and had shown a warm devotion
to the American cause. His home was in Hillsboro, which was then
the capital of the State.
QUESTIONS.
1. Where did Cornwallis next go? What recruits were raised, and
who was put in command? Whom had General Greene appointed to
watch the enemy?
2. Describe the surprise and defeat of Colonel Pyle and his men.
3. Mention the movements of Major Joseph Graham. Of General Greene.
4. Give an account of the affair at Whitsell's Mill.
5. What special act of bravery is related?
6. What occurred on March 15th, 1781? Give some account of the
battle of Guilford Court House?
7. How did the engagement terminate ?
8. What is said of the British victory? What did General Greene do three days later?
9. Where did he then go?
10. Where did Cornwallis carry his army?
11. Give an account of the battle of Eutaw Springs?
12. Who succeeded Governor Nash, and what is said of him?
CHAPTER XXXV.
FANNING AND HIS BRUTALITIES--
CAPTURE OF GOVERNOR BURKE.
A. D. 1781.
When Lord Cornwallis left Wilmington, on his way to Virginia,
there were no British troops left in North Carolina except about
four hundred regulars and some Tory recruits, which constituted
the garrison of Wilmington. Major James H. Craig was in command
there, having captured the place in the preceding January.
2. He had been trained to arms, and when General Burgoyne
surrendered at Saratoga, was his Adjutant-General. He was
skillful as a soldier, but utterly unscrupulous as to the means
he used to carry out his objects. Seeing the British driven
from almost all the State, he determined to ruin a people he
could not subdue, and began to stir up a warfare of neighborhoods.
3. He found in David Fanning, of Chatham county, a powerful aid
in his inhuman scheme. Fanning was a man of low birth, ignorant
and unscrupulous. He was a good partisan guerrilla leader,
being brave, enterprising and swift to execute. Associating
with himself a small band of Tories, whose sole objects were
plunder and revenge, he was for a time the terror of Chatham and
Orange counties. Well mounted and well armed, and continually
on the alert, these marauders made havoc of the Whig
settlements, murdering, burning and destroying, unrestrained by
any authority and with no sense of humanity. They did not spare
even their own neighbors, many of whom they shot down or hanged
at their own doors.
4. Many stories are told of Fanning's exploits, of his audacity,
his cruelty, his arrogance, and his wonderful successes and
hairbreadth escapes. Such a state of affairs existed at one
time in the counties ravaged by his band that even the pitiless
Colonel Tarleton deplored its continuance. Fanning was born in
Johnston county about the year 1754, and was the vilest and
bloodiest wretch ever seen in our limits, most richly deserving
the punishment of the gallows. He continued his criminal
courses as long as he lived, and was pardoned for a capital
felony committed on the Island of Cape Breton not long before
his departure from this world.
5. Fanning began his military operations by surprising a
courtmartial in Chatham. His prisoners were disposed of by
parole or sent to Wilmington. This was in July, 1781. His
attack upon the house of Colonel Philip Alston, a few days
later, was a more serious matter, for he encountered stubborn
resistance and some loss before compelling the surrender of a
force almost as large as his own, and protected by the walls of
a large house. Four of the Whigs were killed, and those who
remained alive were spared from butchery by Fanning only at the
earnest appeals of Mrs. Alston.
6. Fanning's movements called for resistance, and Colonel Thomas
Wade collected a force of more than three hundred men at
McFall's Mill, in Cumberland county. These were speedily
attacked and utterly driven from that portion of the country.
It was afterwards learned by the victors that Colonel Dudley's
Chatham regiment of cavalry was disbanded, and Fanning
immediately pushed on to Hillsboro. On the morning of September
12th, his force entered the town, and succeeded in capturing
Governor Burke and several other prominent persons. *
*David Fanning gives the account of this affair as follows: "We
received several shots from different houses; however, we lost
none and suffered no damage, except one man wounded. We killed
fifteen of the rebels and wounded twenty, and took upwards of
two hundred prisoners; amongst them was the Governor, his
council, and part of the continental colonels, several captains
and subalterns, and seventy-one Continental soldiers out of a
church. We proceeded to the gaol and released thirty Loyalists
and British soldiers."
7. The bold marauders who had thus seized the Governor and
capital of the State, at once started with their prisoners for
Wilmington; but tidings of this exploit had reached a body of
men who hastened to Lindley's Mill, on Cane Creek, to receive
them. The Whigs, nominally commanded by General John Butler,
were really directed by Major Robert Mebane in their brave and
bloody reception of the Tories.
8. The Tory Colonel, Hector McNeil, leading the attack, was
slain, and his followers driven back in confusion. It seemed
that Governor Burke would be rescued and the whole Tory column
captured when Fanning, ever fertile in expedients, discovered a
ford in Cane Creek, and having crossed with a portion of his
command, attacked the Whigs in the rear. This soon ended the
battle, which was a bloody one to both sides.
9. About the same time with the capture of Hillsboro, a most
gallant and successful attack was made upon the Tory stronghold
at Elizabethtown, in Bladen county. There sixty Whigs, in the
favoring darkness of night, fell upon and drove out a largely
superior force commanded by Colonel John Slingsby. He and many
of his men were slain, and Major Craig was thus confined in his
fortifications in Wilmington.
10. When Fanning captured Governor Burke at Hillsboro, the Chief-
Magistracy of the State devolved upon Colonel Alexander Martin,
of Guilford. This latter gentleman had seen some service in the
field as an officer of the Continentals. Governor Burke was
treated, from the hour of his capture, with extraordinary
harshness. He was compelled to march all the way to Wilmington,
and, after some delay, was sent thence by ship to Charleston.
11. General Leslie, who commanded the British army in South
Carolina, placed the captive Governor upon an island near
Charleston, where the deadly malaria was supplemented by danger
of assassination from certain Tories, who were loud in their
threats of executing such a purpose. Burke made repeated
applications for a change of quarters, or for exchange as a
prisoner, but was told that he was kept as a hostage to be
executed in case of the capture and punishment of David Fanning.
12. After months of torture from such treatment, Governor Burke,
feeling that he was justified in disregarding his parole,
effected his escape and returned to North Carolina. He resumed
his office for the short interval between his return and the
meeting of the Legislature. To his great discomfiture, he was
defeated at the next election for Governor by Alexander Mafitin.
The members of the General Assembly could not forgive this
breach of his parole, and he regarded their act as evidence of
public condemnation. His sensitive spirit brooded over this.
His domestic relations were not such as to soothe and sustain
his wounded mind, and the life that opened with such brilliant
promise soon closed in gloom. Governor Burke died and was
buried on his farm near Hillsboro. No stone has ever marked the
spot. He left one child, a daughter, who died unmarried.
13. General Griffith Rutherford had been a prisoner in the
battle of Camden. Upon his exchange, he at once renewed his
efforts to deliver North Carolina from her foes. He soon
collected a body of Mecklenburg and Rowan militia and marched
for Wilmington.
14. On nearing the city he received news of Lord Cornwallis's
surrender at Yorktown, on October 19, 1781. He pushed on his
lines, and arriving in Wilmington he found that Major Craig had
taken ship and was flying from the land he had so scourged by
his presence.
15. The number of men enlisted from North Carolina in the
Continental army during the Revolutionary war was: in 1775,
2,000; 1776, 4,134; 1777, 1,281; 1778, 1,287; 1779, 4,930;
1780, 3,000; 1781, 3,545; 1782, 1,105; 1783, 697. The State
furnished, in Continental troops and militia, 22,910 men.
QUESTIONS.
1. What British forces were in North Carolina after the
departure of Cornwallis? Who was in command at Wilmington?
2. Can you tell something of Major Craig?
3. Tell something of the character of David Fanning.
4. Give further description of his traits. Mention the horrible
condition of the State under Fanning's exploits.
5. Relate Fanning's attack on the Chatham courtmartial.
What occurred at Colonel Alston's house?
6. What officer went to attack Fanning? What was the memorable
exploit of Fanning On September 12th, 1781?
7. What preparations were made for a fight at Lindley's Mill?
8. Describe the engagement.
9. What occurred at Elizabethtown?
10. Who became Governor after Governor Burke's capture?
How was Governor Burke treated?
11. What further account is given of his treatment?
12. Mention the concluding events of his life.
13. What was done by General Rutherford upon his exchange?
14. What did he find upon his arrival at Wilmington?
15. State the number of men enlisted in North Carolina during
the Revolution.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
PEACE AND INDEPENDENCE
A. D. 1781 TO 1784.
1. On the 19th of October, 1781, as has been previously stated,
Lord Cornwallis surrendered himself and his army to General
Washington, at Yorktown, in Virginia. The timely arrival of the
friendly French fleet under Count Rochambeau enabled Washington
to lay siege to Cornwallis and force him to surrender.
2. The English commander, who was a skillful soldier, complained
that he had been forced, by the orders of his superior officer
and against his own judgment, into a position from which he could
not escape. General La Fayette, however, doubtless had at least
an equal share in bringing about the result, for it was his
skillful maneuvering of an inferior force that held Cornwallis
checked so that Washington was enabled to bring his troops to
their appointed places at the appointed times and cut off all
hope of escape.
3. But a glorious day it was for the colonies, for it virtually
put an end to the war, and everybody knew it. The only real
questions henceforth were as to the terms of the peace.
Independence and peace were now assured.
1782.
4. When the news reached England of Cornwallis's surrender, Lord
North, the British Prime Minister exclaimed: "Oh, God! it is all
over." He well knew that the stubborn King had exhausted the
patience of the English people. They, and not the King and his
ministers, at last put a stop to the bloodshed between the two
countries. On November 30th, 1782, a treaty was signed in Paris
by which American independence was acknowledged.
5. The war was over at last. The seven years of deadly conflict
were ended. Thanks to their patient endurance, their undaunted
courage and their untiring perseverance, the American colonies
had at last achieved their independence. North Carolina was at
last a free and independent State, owing neither allegiance or
fealty to any prince or power in the world.
6. Of coarse there was great joy at the coming of peace, with the
full recognition of the colonies as independent States. But
there were still more difficulties to be overcome before the full
tide of peace and prosperity could set in.
7. The agricultural interest of the State was doubtless affected
by the war less than any other, owing to the employment of slave
labor. But the soldiers had returned and wanted homes. Homes
were not to be provided in a day, nor the implements of
husbandry, rude though they were at that time. Cattle and
horses, too, were to be obtained before the soldier became a
farmer.
8. The finances of the country were in a wretched condition.
There was no money to pay the current expenses of the government,
and none even to pay the troops. In educational matters the
condition was no better There were only two chartered schools in
the State, one at New Bern and one at Charlotte. The
Constitution had, indeed, enjoined the establishment of schools
and colleges, but with North Carolinians of that day it was
freedom first and education afterwards.
9. The population, however, had increased steadily during the
war, so that in spite of its casualties, the State was stronger
in numbers in 1782 than in 1775. The Legislature met at its
appointed times and places, and so did the courts, and civil law
had resumed its sway. But swords are not turned into pruning-
hooks in a moment, nor are the feuds of a long, bitter war to
be settled or forgotten in an hour.
10. Naturally, the Whigs bitterly remembered how much they had
suffered at the hands of the Tories during the long deadly
struggle. Many of these latter had fled from the province,
but now desired to return and be restored to citizenship, or at
least to receive possession of their former homes. But the
people resolved that this should not be so, for they wanted no
Tories among them. Accordingly, when Tories who had left their
homes desired to return to them after the peace, permission was
refused them.
11. But it was necessary to reward the Whigs as well as to punish
the Tories. A broad, fertile land, watered by great navigable
rivers, and abounding in every possible resource for pleasure,
wealth and prosperity, was secured to us by their courage and
endurance. But if our brave soldiers desired reward, how much
more did they deserve their pay, which was still largely in
arrears.
12. Commissioners, therefore, were appointed to sell the lands of
refugee Tories, and from that and other sources to pay up the
arrears due the North Carolina soldiers. Furthermore, the land
now known as Tennessee, then a part of our State, was also to be
largely devoted to the same patriotic purpose. General Greene
was given twenty-five thousand acres; one half that quantity to
brigadier-generals, and so in a descending scale to the private
soldiers.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of the surrender of Cornwallis?
2. Of what did the English commander complain? What credit is
due La Fayette?
3. How were the colonies considering the question of peace and
independence?
4. What was the effect, in England, of the news of Cornwallis's
Surrender? When and where was the treaty of peace signed?
5. What had North Carolina gained by the war?
6. How did our people enjoy peace?
7. What is said of the agricultural interest of the State?
8. What was the financial condition? The educational?
9. What is said of the population?
10. What party was victor in the great struggle? What is said of
the Tories?
11. What was deemed necessary?
12. What plan was adopted towards paying off the soldiers?
Mention some payments that were made to commanding officers.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE STATE OF FRANKLIN.
A. D. 1784 T0 1787.
1. During the years that followed upon the close of the
Revolution the people of North Carolina were busied with the
restoration of their ravaged fields and the development of the
new system of self-rule inaugurated by the Convention of Halifax
in 1776. There were many good and wise men in America who had no
confidence in the perpetuity or effectiveness of a polity which
rested upon the wisdom and virtue of the masses for its
enforcement.
2. Samuel Johnston and the leading lawyers of that day were full
of apprehension as to the result, where the protection of life,
liberty and property rested upon the ballots of men who were, as
a general thing, poor and unlettered. The Halifax Constitution
sought to provide for the education of the people, and had
recommended the establishment of a university, but no steps had
been taken by the Legislature to carry out this wise and
beneficent ordinance.
3. The Rev. Drs. David Caldwell and Samuel E. McCorkle were
conducting schools on their own responsibility in Guilford and
Mecklenburg, in which many young men were receiving sound and
useful preparation for life; and there were similar academies in
Wilmington, New Bern, Edenton and Charlotte; but as a general
thing, education was almost entirely neglected.
4. Under the terms of the "Articles of Confederation" the General
Congress continued to assemble, but its sessions resulted in
little good to America. The government was continually
embarrassed by the public debt contracted in the Revolution. It
could only pay such liabilities by calling upon the several
States for their proportions. These were regulated by the value
of the real estate.
5. North Carolina, thus witnessing the helplessness of the
general government to meet its pecuniary liabilities, was moved
to the noble resolution of ceding the great body of land then
belonging to the State west of the Allegheny Mountains. This
princely domain, now constituting the great State of Tennessee,
was at that period only settled in part by white people, and many
millions of acres of fertile lands could be sold to settlers.
6. Such a resource would have brought a great fund to the State
for education and other useful purposes; but with unexampled
devotion to the general good, it was determined by the
Legislature of 1784 that the Governor should tender to the
Federal government, as a free gift, all the lands not already
granted to soldiers and actual settlers.
1785.
7. To an embarrassed government, unable to meet its most solemn
engagements, such a boon, it seems, would have been gladly
received; but so great was the selfishness of certain States
which were then struggling to secure for themselves such bodies
of western lands, that the intended bounty of North Carolina
proved a failure. The General Congress having failed to accept
the offer, the act authorizing the cession was repealed.
8. The story of this patriotic munificence on the part of North
Carolina ends not here. When it became known among the western
settlers that their country had thus been offered to the general
government much excitement followed. Colonel John Sevier, of
King's Mountain fame, was a leader among the people of the
territory in question. He had been a gallant soldier in the
Revolution, and was trusted and beloved by his neighbors. He
persuaded them that North Carolina, in thus offering to surrender
her claims to their allegiance, had forfeited all right to
further control their destinies.
9. He procured the support of many others, who elected members to
a convention. This body met at Greenville, in November, 1785,
and framed a government of a State which they called "Franklin,"
in honor of the illustrious statesman, Benjamin Franklin.
Colonel Sevier was elected Governor, and judges and other
officers were also chosen.
10. Richard Caswell had again been made Governor of North
Carolina, when it became known that such things were being done
in the West. He issued a proclamation forbidding the whole
movement and denouncing it as revolutionary and unlawful. He was
supported by a party there headed by Colonel John Tipton.
1787.
11. It often seemed that bloody civil war would ensue between the
men who sided respectively with Sevier and Tipton, but happily
there was little bloodshed amid so much brawling. There were
many arrests and complaints, until finally, in October, 1788,
Colonel Sevier was captured by the forces of Tipton, and brought
to jail at Morganton, in Burke county. He was allowed to escape,
and, in memory of his services as a soldier, his offences were
forgiven. That there were no more serious results was greatly
due to the influence of Richard Caswell. Sevier was afterwards
in the Senate of North Carolina, and, after Tennessee became a
State, received all the honors a grateful people could confer.
[NOTE--There was no money in circulation in the "State of
Franklin," and the following curious statement, taken from the
old records, shows how payment was to be made to the public
officers: "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Franklin, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same,
that the salaries of the officers of this commonwealth shall be
as follows: His Excellency, the Governor, per annum, one thousand
deer skins; His Honor, the Chief-Justice, five hundred deer
skins, or five hundred raccoon skins; the Treasurer of the State,
four hundred and fifty raccoon skins; Clerk of the House of
Commons, two hundred raccoon skins; members of Assembly, per
diem, three raccoon skins."]
12. It was thus that the abortive State of Franklin arose and
disappeared. The State of Vermont originated in the same way;
and it is fortunate that such precedents have long since ceased
in America. There is some limit to the doctrine of the people's
right to self-government, just as liberty is not to be found in
mere license.
QUESTIONS.
1. What matters occupied the attention of the people in North
Carolina after the Revolution? How were some men disposed to
view the new plan of government?
2. What was the opinion of Samuel Johnston? What had been
provided for in the Halifax Constitution?
3. What private schools were in operation, and where were they?
4. How was the General Congress greatly embarrassed?
5. To what extent did North Carolina sympathize with the general
government? What is the present name of that great territory?
6. What was done by the Legislature of 1784?
7. Why was this a very valuable and timely gift to the
government? How did the offer succeed?
8. What excitement was created in the west by this donation? Who
was the leader of the people? What was Colonel Sevier's opinion
of the matter?
9. What was done in 1785? What name was given to the new State,
and why?
10. What proclamation was issued by Governor Caswell? Who was
the western leader of Governor Caswell's cause?
11. How did the whole matter end? What position did Colonel
Sevier afterwards occupy?
12. What other State in the Union originated in this way?
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
FORMATION OF THE UNION.
A. D. 1787 TO 1790.
1. The new State of North Carolina now became divided and excited
as to her position in the confederation of States. Each day was
demonstrating more clearly the failure of the confederation. Its
poverty and weakness were exciting the contempt of all civilized
nations, and the General Congress amounted to little more than an
arena for the display of jealousy and selfishness on the part of
the individual States.
2. In North Carolina, as elsewhere, the people were divided as to
what should be done to remedy this great need of a central and
general government. Many were opposed to any change. Others
were for creating a strong and overpowering central government
that should overawe and control all of the States. These latter
men were called the "Federalists."
3. Another, and a larger portion of the people of the State, were
in favor of adding to the powers of the general government; but
at the same time for going no further in that direction than was
necessary for the general safety as against foreign nations, and
for the execution of such regulations as pertained to all the
States. These "Republicans," or "Democrats," were willing to
empower the new government to carry the mails, control commerce,
carry on war, make treaties, and coin money; but they insisted
that all other powers should be retained by the States
themselves.
4. In 1787, in consequence of the action of the General Congress,
a convention of all the States was ordered to meet in
Philadelphia to prepare a new Constitution.
5. The Legislature of North Carolina selected Governor Richard
Caswell, Colonel W. R. Davie, ex-Governor Alexander Martin,
Willie Jones and Richard Dobbs Spaight as delegates to that body.
Governor Caswell and Willie Jones declined the honor, and Dr.
Hugh Williamson and William Mount were appointed in their places.
1788.
6. General Washington was chosen as President of the Convention,
and in 1788 the result of their deliberations was submitted for
the ratification of the several States. It was provided by the
Convention framing the Constitution that nine States should
ratify the new Constitution before it should go into operation,
and that it should then be binding only upon those thus acceding
to it.
7. A Convention for North Carolina was called and met at
Hillsboro, July 21st, 1788, to consider the proposed
Constitution. Samuel Johnston, who had been Moderator of several
Provincial Congresses, and who had also succeeded Governor
Caswell as Chief-Magistrate of the State, was chosen to preside.
He and Judge James Iredell, Colonel Davie and Archibald Maclaine
were earnest advocates of instant and unconditional ratification
on the part of North Carolina.
8. Willie Jones, of Halifax, who had so long controlled much of
the legislation and government of the State, was the leader of
those who opposed such action. They favored the addition of
numerous amendments before committing the fortunes of North
Carolina to such control. They insisted that without further
specification, the powers reserved to the several States would
not be sufficiently guarded; and the Convention, by a great
majority, took the same view of the matter. The result was that
while declining to ratify absolutely the Constitution as it then
stood, the hope was held out that upon the adoption of proper
amendments it would be ratified.
9. There was great excitement in the State upon North Carolina's
thus failing to join the new government. Political animosities
ran high, and renewed efforts were made to overcome the popular
objections. The people became restless at the position they were
occupying, being thus, with New York and Rhode Island, strangers
to the great compact of their sister States.
1789.
10. The new government of the United States went into operation
in the Spring of 1789, and General Washington took the oaths of
office on March 4th as the first President of the Republic. In
November the Legislature and a new Convention both met at
Fayetteville, and on the 21st the Constitution of the United
States was speedily ratified, and North Carolina was enrolled as
a member of the new confederacy, which was to astonish all
nations by the vigor of its rule and the splendor and rapidity of
its growth as a nation. Before this, however, the first ten
amendments to the Constitution had been proposed to the
Legislatures of the several States for ratification, thereby
allaying the apprehensions that had been felt at Hillsboro the
year before.
1790.
11. Two important matters were also settled at this period. The
Convention at Hillsboro limited the seat of the State government
to some point in Wake county. The capital had been migrating
from town to town for nearly the whole period of North Carolina's
existence. The Legislature also passed a bill creating the
University of North Carolina, and the terms of the Halifax
Constitution, as to popular education, were thus first put into
some shape of accomplishment. Both of these measures were highly
needed.
[NOTE--The State Convention of 1788 was commissioned to select a
place for the seat of government, which had been migratory since
the earliest days of the Carolina colony. The place selected for
the capital was the farm of Isaac Hunter, at Wake Court House, or
some other place within ten miles of that locality, to be
determined by the General Assembly.]
QUESTIONS.
1. What question was exciting the people of North Carolina at
this period? What was thought of the Confederation?
2. How were the people of the State divided upon this great
question?
3. What other party was formed? What were they called, and what
powers did they propose to give to the general government?
4. What convention was to meet in 1787?
5. Who were chosen to represent North Carolina in that body?
6. Who was chosen President of the Convention? How was the new
Constitution to be submitted to the people?
7. What convention met in Hillsboro in 1788? How did some of the
prominent members view the question?
8. What different opinion was held by other leading men? What
did the Convention do with the Constitution?
9. What was the effect on the State? What other States also
failed to ratify?
10. When did the new government go into operation? Who was
chosen first President of the United States? When and where did
North Carolina ratify the Constitution and become a member of the
united government?
11. What two important matters were settled at this period?
CHAPTER XXXIX.
FRANCE AND AMERICA.
A. D. 1790 TO 1794.
1. When North Carolina had thus taken her place in the Federal
Union, and the whole system of State and National polity became
perfected in America, many hearts beat with gratitude to God for
the promises of a glorious future. The magnificent realm won by
the blood of heroes was at last guarded by a system of laws so
wise and effective that peace and prosperity were soon to make it
one of the greatest of civilized lands.
2. This example of freedom achieved in the wilds of America was
speedily felt in Europe. General Washington had been in the
discharge of his duties as President about a month, when the
States-General of France met in the famous convention which was
to pull down the ancient French monarchy and engulf all Europe in
seas of blood. The overtaxed and excitable Frenchmen were
maddened by the contrast afforded in their sufferings and the
blessings achieved by their late allies on the other side of the
Atlantic.
3. Governor Caswell, while in the discharge of his duties as a
member of the State Senate, died at Fayetteville, in the month of
December, 1789. He was shortly followed in death by William
Hooper and Archibald Maclaine. Willie Jones had retired from
public life; and thus, four most conspicuous leaders almost
simultaneously disappeared from public life.
4. Colonel William R. Davie, of Halifax, John Haywood, of the
same county, and Alfred Moore, of Brunswick, were greatly
influential, and were worthy successors of the older servants of
the public who had been thus removed from the arena of their
former usefulness. Governor Johnston having been elected United
States Senator, was succeeded as Governor by Alexander Martin.
1792.
5. It was during this second term of Governor Martin's rule that
Raleigh was selected for the State capital. A large tract of
land at Wake Court House had been bought of Colonel Joel Lane,
and upon it a city was laid off and the public buildings erected.
Before that time, since Governor Tryon's palace at New Bern had
been burned, the main question to be determined by every General
Assembly was what town should be selected for the holding of the
next session.
6. Fayetteville, Hillsboro, New Bern and Tarboro were sure to get
up an excitement and contest as to which of them should be next
favored with the presence of the State officers and the General
Assembly. The Governor and his assistants had been dwelling
wherever it best suited them, and the public records had thus
been continually migrating over the State.
7. There was little church organization in America until after
the Revolution. There was not a single Bishop of the Episcopal
Church in all America before the Revolution, and not until 1789
was an effort made to supply such a prelate for the Church in
North Carolina. The Rev. Charles Pettigrew was then elected
Bishop of the Diocese by a Convention at Tarboro, but he died
before consecration.
8. The Baptists had united their churches in this State and
southern Virginia, in 1765, in a body which was called the
"Kehukee Association." In 1770 the Presbyterians had formed the
Presbytery of Orange; and in 1788 they set off the Synode of the
Carolinas. The Quakers and Moravians were flourishing in certain
sections, but as yet the Methodist missionaries had effected but
little in the way of planting churches in North Carolina.
9. Richard Dobbs Spaight, in 1792, became Governor, and was the
first native North Carolinian to fill that distinguished office.
He possessed much ability and was familiar with the conduct of
public affairs. He found that great excitement and division
existed among the people as to the French Revolution. Because
aid had been sent from that country to the struggling American
colonists, many men insisted that it was the duty of America to
take sides with France in the war then raging in Europe.
1794.
10. General Washington and other wise men resisted this dangerous
opinion, and held that America should take no part in the affairs
of foreign nations. The great struggle went on, with Napoleon
Bonaparte rapidly growing more formidable to the allied kings.
11. The French had acquired a thirst for freedom from America,
but they in turn exerted an influence upon the religious creeds
of our people. French books and modes of thought and French
fashions became popular, and the country debating clubs were
heard repeating the doubts and sneers of Voltaire, Diderot and
other French infidels.
12. The world's creeds were on trial. Kings and priests were as
keenly criticised as in the sixteenth century, but out of all the
turmoil and bloodshed a larger measure of liberty was to be won.
Constitutional kings and purified churches were the outgrowth and
result of the most prodigious uproar yet witnessed among
civilized nations.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the feeling in North Carolina after the State had
joined the Union?
2. How were the effects of American freedom felt in Europe?
3. What great leaders disappeared from North Carolina's councils
at this time?
4. What then were fast rising to influence? Who became Governor?
5. When was Raleigh selected as the capital? Why was locating
the capital of great good to the State? Go to the map and point
out the city of Raleigh.
6. What contest would generally arise at meetings of the Assembly?
7. What mention is made of religious matters?
8. How were the Baptists, Presbyterians and other Christian
bodies extending their fields of usefulness?
9. Who became Governor in 1792? What is said of him? What
questions did Governor Spaight find agitating the people when he
came into office?
10. How was this matter considered by General Washington and others?
11. How were the works of celebrated French writers affecting the
people of America?
12. What was to be the conclusion of all these troubles?
CHAPTER XL.
THE FEDERALISTS AND THE REPUBLICANS.
A. D. 1794 TO 1800.
1. In the last days of the eighteenth century men became more
and more plainly divided into two political parties. Thomas
Jefferson, of Virginia, a man of decided genius and consummate
ability, was the leader of those who maintained that the
government of the United States should be strictly limited to
the powers expressly granted in the Federal Constitution and
prohibited from the use of any of those reserved to the
individual States.
2. Alexander Hamilton, of New York, another very able and
patriotic statesman, took an entirely different view. He did
not consider the people capable of ruling the country, and
wished to subordinate the State governments to Federal
authority. The "Federalists" were those who followed his views,
while the "Republicans" were no less strenuous in upholding Mr.
Jefferson and his policy.
3. The Superior Courts of this State, after the resignation of
Judge Iredell, were held, as in old provincial times, at the six
favored villages, by Judges Samuel Ashe, Samuel Spencer and John
Taylor. In the year 1794, Judge Spencer came to his death in a
singular manner. He was in extreme old age, and had suffered
with a long and wasting illness. One warm evening he was
carried out and laid upon the grass, beneath a tree in his
yard. While lying there the red flannel of his shirt infuriated
a large turkey-gobbler, which attacked him with great violence.
When Judge Spencer's feeble cries attracted attention, he had
been so injured that he soon after died of nervous exhaustion.
4. In accordance with the law of 1790, the provisions of the
Constitution of 1776 were first seen in process of fulfillment
when the trustees, after mature deliberation, selected Chapel
Hill, in Orange county, as the site of the State University.
Here, upon one of a long range of great hills traversing that
region, they secured several hundred acres on the crest of a
noble elevation that overlooks the surrounding country.
5. In 1793 the cornerstone of the East Building was laid for the
University at Chapel Hill. Colonel Davie, as Grand Master of the
Masons in the State, officiated; as did also Rev. Dr. McCorkle,
who delivered an eloquent address to the citizens who had
assembled from all parts of the State to do honor to the occasion.
1795.
6. In 1795, the buildings and faculty having been made ready,
the institution was regularly opened for the reception of
students. The Rev. David Kerr and Samuel A. Holmes constituted
the faculty, and Hinton James, of Wilmington, was the first
student to arrive. Thus began an institution of learning in
which distinguished men were to be prepared for usefulness in
almost every honorable employment among civilized men.
7. Tennessee had been conveyed to the general government soon
after the ratification of the United States Constitution, North
Carolina reserving to herself the right to locate land warrants
in a certain portion. During the administration of Governor
Ashe, who had succeeded Alexander Martin, many and extensive
frauds in land warrants were concocted by James Glasgow,
Secretary of State, Martin Armstrong, John Armstrong and
Stokeley Donnelson.
1797.
8. Immense tracts of land were located under fictitious
boundaries, and not only the Continental soldiers, but also the
States and the United States were thus swindled by these
officers, who had been long honored and trusted in North
Carolina.
9. Courts were ordered to be held by the General Assembly for
the trial of these distinguished culprits; and in 1799 they were
convicted and punished by heavy fines and the loss of their
offices. Judge John Haywood resigned his place on the bench,
and instead of trying, defended the malefactors, one of whom
paid him one thousand dollars as a fee for his services. * A few
years before a similar scene had occurred when Benjamin McCulloh
was convicted at Warrenton and punished for like offences.
*North Carolina had honored James Glasgow by giving his name to
one of the counties of the State, but in consequence of his
disgrace the name of Glasgow county was stricken from the list,
and the county named in honor of General Nathaniel Greene.
10. The excitement between Republicans and Federalists grew in
intensity. John Adams had succeeded General Washington as
President, and he was one of the most violent of the Federal
party. French agents and apologists became more offensive in
their demands for American aid. President Adams procured the
passage of laws by Congress that startled and confounded many
good citizens.
11. These "Alien and Sedition Acts" armed Federal authorities
with the power to seize and send out of the country, without
trial, any foreigner who might, become offensive to them; also
to indict in the District or Circuit Courts of the United States
any writer or publisher whom the grand juries might charge with
libel.
1798-99.
12. Virginia and Kentucky thereupon hastened to pass the famous
resolutions of 1798-99, according to which the Federal
Constitution is simply a covenant between the States as States,
and "each party has an equal right to judge for itself, as well
of infraction as of the mode and measure of redress," and to put
the battle in array for another great struggle as to the
respective powers of the States and the Union. President Adams
and the Federalists were overwhelmingly beaten in the contest of
1800, and the Republican party went into possession of all the
offices by which State and Federal powers were to be defined.
13. A much greater portion of the wisest and most experienced
statesmen had been ranked, until this time, with the
Federalists, but that creed soon grew into such disfavor that
few politicians could be found to do it reverence. And this, it
may be safely asserted, has been the experience of the American
people whenever the majority of them has differed from the
learned few. The masses have been, in almost every instance,
wiser than those who thus sought to control their views.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was observed towards the latter days of the eighteenth
century? Who was one of the political leaders? What views did
Mr. Jefferson hold?
2. Who was the leader of the other great political party? What
was Mr. Hamilton's policy?
3. What is said of the Superior Courts and the Judges?
Describe the singular manner of Judge Spencer's death.
4. What is said of the University? When was its seat selected, and where?
5. When was the cornerstone of the East Building laid? Who officiated?
Who delivered the address?
6. When was the University regularly opened? Who constituted the
faculty? Who was the first student to enter?
What have been the labors of this institution?
7. What land frauds were perpetrated in 1795?
Who were the guilty persons?
8. What was the nature of these frauds?
9. Give some account of the trial of these offenders.
10. What was the condition of affairs throughout the
United States at this period?
11. What was the effect of the "Alien and Sedition Laws"?
12. What was done by Virginia and Kentucky?
What were the resolutions of 1798-99?
What party came into power in 1800?
13. What is said of the "Federalists"?
CHAPTER XLI.
CLOSING OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
A. D. 1800 TO 1802.
General Davie ceased to be Governor to become one of three
Commissioners to Paris. He had been appointed Major-General to
command North Carolina's contingent, when it seemed that war with
France was inevitable; but that danger had happily passed, and he
was sent over to arrange the vexed questions growing out of the
Berlin and Milan decrees. *
*These decrees were Napoleon's efforts to retaliate for British
blockade measures against France. The great conqueror forbade
all Europe from commercial intercourse with his English enemies.
2. Among the members sent from North Carolina to Congress,
Nathaniel Macon, of Warren, soon became conspicuous for his
virtue and weight of character. Perhaps no other member of
Congress ever wielded so lasting and powerful an influence. His
unquestioned sagacity, integrity and inflexible adhesion to what
he believed to be right, and his unselfish devotion to the public
good, made his opposition to any measure almost necessarily fatal
to its passage in the House to which he belonged.
3. There was grief in the last hours of the century, when it
became known that General Washington had died in his retirement
at Mt. Vernon. Judge James Iredell had also died about the same
time. He had been one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme
Court of the United States by the appointment of General
Washington, and fell a victim to the enormous labors incurred in
riding the great distances involved in attending his different
Circuit Courts.
1800.
4. This was, perhaps, the golden age of social enjoyments in
North Carolina. The Quakers were Abolitionists, as were also
many other good people; but the question had not been agitated,
and there was nothing to give uneasiness to masters or false
hopes to the slaves. These latter, shared largely in the
festivities of the white people, and were free for many years to
come to conduct their religious services in any way that seemed
best to their wild and fantastic notions.
5. The President had appointed Alfred Moore as the successor of
Judge Iredell on the Supreme Court Bench. He was also a great
lawyer. Judge Haywood had left North Carolina and was a citizen
of Tennessee, but from William Gaston, Archibald Henderson and
Archibald D. Murphy the Bar received fresh honors; while John
Stanly, David Stone, Joshua G. Wright and Peter Browne had begun
attendance upon the courts, in which they were to win great
reputations.
6. There had been considerable change effected in the courts. By
the statute of 1779 four ridings were established. The Judges,
after riding these circuits, were required to meet in Raleigh to
try appeals. The sheriffs were no longer obliged to march with
drawn swords before the Judges as they went to and from the court-
houses, nor were the lawyers compelled to appear arrayed in gowns
in the trial of cases.
1802.
7. Governor Benjamin Williams had succeeded General Davie. Among
Williams's last official acts was the pardoning of John Stanly
for killing ex-Governor Spaight in a duel. This had occurred on
Sunday, September 5th, 1802, and was the outgrowth of a bitter
political controversy. Spaight was a Republican, and had warmly
opposed the election of the able and impulsive young leader of
the Federalists.
8. In the same year occurred the exodus of the remnant of the
Tuscaroras from Bertie county. The reservation on Roanoke River,
which had been granted them for good conduct in the Indian war of
1711, was sold by them to private parties, and they emigrated to
New York where the other parts of the tribe had long been
located.
9. Among the laws of the Legislature of 1802 was a statute
providing for the payment, to the patentees of the cotton-gin, of
a given sum for every saw used in each machine. This implement
had been recently invented by Eli Whitney, who was a young man
from New England, engaged in teaching school in Georgia
10. Before this time only small patches of cotton had been seen
in the Southern States. The lint was picked from the seed only
by hand, and so slow was the process that a shoe full of the
seed cotton was a task usually given to be done between supper
and bedtime. Whitney's invention was soon to affect the
agriculture and commerce of the world. The cotton gin has
greatly aided the development of all civilized nations. It has
built cities, freighted mighty fleets, and given employment to
many millions of the human race.
11. Attention has already been called to the effects of French
atheism upon the United States. The tide of unbelief rolled on
until many religious people trembled for the creed and morals of
American people. Its terrible influence was seen and felt in
almost every department and employment of life.
12. In 1802 a mighty religious movement began in Kentucky, and
spread over a large portion of the Republic. Vast assemblages of
the people were seen at the camp meetings. For weeks together the
ordinary avocations of life were abandoned by multitudes in order
to engage in religious worship; and, in the end, the churches
were reinforced by many thousands of new members.
QUESTIONS.
1. What honors were conferred upon Governor Davie?
2. Who was North Carolinas most able representative in Congress?
Tell something of the character of Nathaniel Macon.
3. What great grief came upon the nation at this period? What
prominent man died in North Carolina at this time? Can you state
something of his life?
4. What is this period called in the history of North Carolina?
What was the condition of the slaves?
5. What is said of prominent lawyers?
6. Mention some changes which were made in the court system.
7. Who had succeeded Governor Davie as Chief-Magistrate? What
was one of his last official acts? Give an account of the duel?
8. To what place did the Tuscaroras emigrate in 1802?
9. What law was passed by the Legislature in favor of the
inventor of the cotton gin? Who was the inventor?
10. Give an account of the preparation of the cotton for use both
before and after this great invention.
11. What was the religious condition of the country?
12. Give an account of the great religious revival of 1802.
CHAPTER XLII.
GROWTH AND EXPANSION.
A. D 1802 TO 1812.
The Republic of America was wisely ruled during the eight
years of Mr. Jefferson's administration as President. He was not
only the greatest of political philosophers, but a consummate
party leader. Under his management the Federalists were so
completely won over that even ex-President John Adams was found
among the electors who voted for Jefferson's re-election.
2. Vermont, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee were added to the list
of States, and the vast territory known as "Louisiana" was
purchased from France and made a portion of the American Union.
For this magnificent territory the United States paid fifteen
million dollars. But with all this evidence of internal
advancement, there was unnecessary and ever-growing trouble with
foreign powers.
1804.
3. Great Britain had not only failed to carry out the conditions
of the treaty of Paris, but continual trouble and war with the
western Indians were traced to the plotting of British agents.
In Europe, on the high seas, American ships were frequently
subjected to wrong and indignity by British cruisers, which
seized their cargoes or crews on various pretexts. These
maddening interferences, were fast bringing the people of the
United States to a determination to vindicate, by arms, their
claims as a free and independent people. Europe was still
convulsed by war. Napoleon Bonaparte had been crowned Emperor,
and in the mighty struggle the claims of the aggrieved public
were overlooked or despised.
4. The people of North Carolina were still in great want of
general education. The University, at Chapel Hill, was sending
out graduates who had already conferred honor upon that seat of
learning, but the preparatory schools, so necessary as feeders to
such an establishment, were few and far between.
5. Rev. William Bingham had begun a school in the eastern part of
the State. He removed temporarily to Pittsboro, but finally
settled at Hillsboro and established the academy which is even at
this day continued near by, at Mebaneville, under the
management of one of his descendants. This school, dating from
1793, was, even in its infancy, of marked excellence, and has won
more reputation than any similar institution in the Southern
States. Rev. Dr. David Caldwell's school in Guilford, Rev. J. O.
Freeman's in Murfreesboro, and a few academies in the villages,
however meritorious, produced but slight effect upon the great
mass of the people.
6. There had not been opened a single free school in all the
State. Occasionally there could be found neighborhoods where a
few citizens joined in employing a man to teach the elementary
branches of English education, but these were generally attended
for only a few months, and were not very admirable either for
discipline or in the matters taught.
1805.
7. The people of the interior and west were becoming anxious for
some means of conveyance and travel to the outer world. The
crops raised were generally too bulky to pay for expensive
transportation over long distances, and for this reason were
available to feed only the community in which they were grown.
Tobacco from all the counties in the northern portion of the
State was conveyed to market by rolling the hogsheads containing
it along the roads, to markets at Petersburg, in Virginia, and
Fayetteville.
8. In the regions of the long-leaf pine much attention was given
to the preparation of turpentine and tar. Indeed, so large a
trade grew up in these articles, that some people abroad came to
think that North Carolina produced little else. There were no
turpentine distilleries to be found, at this time, in North
Carolina; and the crude product of the tree was shipped from our
ports to be manufactured in other States.
9. In 1805, during the sessions of the Legislature, General James
Wellborn, of Wilkes, introduced a proposition to build, at the
State's expense, a turnpike from Beaufort Harbor to the
mountains; but this and all other such improvements were
neglected for some time to come.
1810.
10. The canal through the Dismal Swamp was to prove very
beneficial to eastern counties; but this work, though authorized
long before, was yet unfinished. Vessels to New York or
Baltimore still passed out to sea by the dangers of Cape
Hatteras, and not unfrequently both cargo and crew were engulfed
amid its cruel sands.
11. There was, at this period of our history, a brisk trade
between the West Indies and several of the eastern towns.
Wilmington, New Bern, Washington and Edenton were all largely
engaged in the shipment of staves and provisions; importing salt
and tropical stores in return. This, and all other foreign
trade, was ruthlessly stopped by the embargo laid by Congress.
12. This embargo was the result of an act of Congress which
forbade the exportation of all goods from the United States to
Great Britain or her dependencies. It was very similar to the
expedient resorted to by the Second Continental Congress for a
like purpose, but was not enforced by any voluntary associations
of the people, as it was in 1775.
1812.
13. This extreme measure failed to bring Great Britain to a
surrender of her claim to search American ships; and on the 19th
of June, for this and other just causes, war was declared against
her. Mr. Madison would have temporized and still deferred the
dreadful expedient, but the American people were resolved upon
indemnity for the past and security for the future; and thus two
kindred nations were to waste blood and treasure in an
unnecessary quarrel.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who was President of the United States at this period? What
is said of Jefferson's rule?
2. What States were added to the Union? What great territory was
purchased?
3. How had Great Britain kept the treaty of Paris? What
indignities were offered to the American people? How were these
things affecting the people?
4. What is said of educational matters?
5. What mention is made of the Bingham school? What other
schools are mentioned?
6. What was the condition of free education?
7. In what things were the people of the interior and west
becoming specially interested?
8. What is said of the production of turpentine and tar?
9. What was proposed by General James Wellborn to the Legislature
of 1805?
10. Give a general description of coast navigation at this time.
11. Give some particulars concerning trade.
12. Explain the embargo act.
13. What war was declared in 1812?
CHAPTER XLIII.
SECOND WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
A. D. 1812 TO 1815.
James Turner, of Warren; Nathaniel Alexander, of Mecklenburg;
David Stone, of Bertie, and Benjamin Smith, of Brunswick, had
served in turn as Governors of North Carolina during the years of
growth and expansion described in the last chapters. William
Hawkins, of Granville, was chosen to the same high office in
1812, and, as Commander-in-Chief of all the State's forces, felt
unusual responsibility in prospect of war even then begun between
Great Britain and the United States.
1813.
2. It was the purpose of the American government to seize Canada
and carry on hostilities, as much as possible, in that portion of
America. As no great army was assembled at any one point, no
call was made upon North Carolina for troops to be sent outside
of her borders, except to Norfolk, in Virginia. At that place
Major-General Thomas Brown, of Bladen, was in command of a
division sent from North Carolina.
3. General Brown was a veteran of the Revolution, and had
rendered heroic service at Elizabethtown and elsewhere during
that long and arduous struggle. His brigade commanders were
General Thomas Davis, of Fayetteville, and General James F.
Dickinson, of Murfreesboro.
4. Camps were also established and troops held for action at
other points. The western levies were collected at Wadesboro,
under General Alexander Gray, and were drilled and kept in
readiness to be marched to the relief of either Wilmington or
Charleston. Colonel Maurice Moore, at Wilmington, and Lieutenant-
Colonel John Roberts, at Beaufort, commanded garrisons for the
defence of these seaports.
1814.
5. In the American army on the northern frontier, where Winfield
Scott, of Virginia, was winning laurels, were two North Carolina
officers who were also rising to distinction. These were William
Gibbs McNeill, of Bladen, and William McRee, of Wilmington. Both
became Colonels in the corps of engineers. Amid the frequent
disasters and exhibitions of incompetency on the part of other
officers in that department, these gallant men were of great
credit to America and to North Carolina.
6. On the sea, where the mighty fleets of Great Britain had at
such fearful disadvantage the few cruisers of their opponents,
were also to be found brilliant representatives of this
Commonwealth. Captain Johnston Blakeley, of Wilmington, had been
reared by Colonel Edward Jones, the Solicitor-General of North
Carolina. He had already made reputation in the Mediterranean
Sea under Commodore Preble.
7. Early in 1614 he went to sea in the United State's sloop-of-
war Wasp, and captured, with great eclat, the British sloop-
of-war Reindeer. Having burned this prize for fear of its
recapture, he refitted in a French port, and in August
encountered another British ship, the Avon. The British vessel
had struck her colors, when a fleet of the enemy came upon the
scene and the victorious Wasp was forced to fly. In a few days
Blakeley, thus cruising over the crowded seas surrounding
England, captured fifteen merchant vessels. On one of these, the
brig Atlanta, he put a prize crew and sent her to the United
States.
8. This is the last that is known of this gallant and ill fated
officer. He perished in some unknown manner at sea, but has left
an imperishable name to our keeping.
9. Captain Otway Burns, of Beaufort, was the commander of a
cruiser known as the Snap-Dragon. With this privateer he long
roamed the seas, and was victorious in many well fought actions.
He survived the war and was afterwards a member of the
Legislature. The village of Burnsville was named in his honor.
10. In addition to the troops already mentioned, a regiment
commanded by Colonel Joseph Graham, so highly distinguished in
the Revolution, was sent against Billy Weathersford and his Creek
warriors, who had massacred nearly three hundred white people in
Fort Minims, on the Alabama River. Another North Carolinian by
birth, General Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, was in command of
the force sent to avenge this outrage of the red men. *
*General Andrew Jackson was born in Mecklenburg county, on the
15th day of March, 1767,
11. So swiftly and completely had Jackson done his work, that
when the North Carolina regiment arrived there was nothing left
to do; for, as Weathersford declared, his braves were all dead,
and the war ended. The Indians were required, as a preliminary
to peace, to bring in their fugitive chief, Weathersford. That
bold and able half-breed did not wait for arrest upon hearing
these terms, but rode into General Jackson's camp, and in
surrendering himself, boldly announced that he did so because he
no longer had warriors to continue the struggle." I have nothing
to ask for myself," said he, "but I want peace for my people."
1815.
12. Peace was soon made between the United States and Great
Britain, and the two nations, after struggling for each other's
injury for three years, agreed to stop without settling a single
one of the causes of the war. England did not even agree to
cease impressing men from the United States navy, but this was no
more practiced. The treaty of peace was ratified by the United
States Senate, February 7th, 1815.
QUESTIONS.
1. What Governors had served in North Carolina during the years
just considered? Who was Governor at the beginning of the year
1812?
2. How had the United States proposed to conduct the campaign?
What troops did North Carolina furnish? Who was in command?
3. What is said of General Brown's past record? Who were his
brigade commanders?
4. What military preparations were made in North Carolina?
5. What two North Carolina officers were winning distinction
under General Winfield Scott? In what branch of the army were
they serving?
6. What is said of affairs on the seas? What North Carolina
naval officer was distinguishing himself?
7. Give an account of some of his bold and heroic exploits. How
many English vessels did he capture?
8. What is known of him after this?
9. What other seaman was distinguishing himself for his bravery?
How is his name commemorated in the State?
10. Who was sent against the Indians? What great general was in
command of all this force?
11. What was the success of General Jackson's expedition?
12. What is said of the end of the war of 1812?
CHAPTER XLIV.
AFTER THE STORM.
A. D. 1815 TO 1821.
When hostilities ceased it seemed a great thing to the people
of North Carolina once more to enjoy the full benefits of trade
and commerce. British cruisers had made all foreign commodities
very scarce and costly. Salt had been made on the seacoast in
limited quantities, but of inferior quality. It was, therefore,
gratifying to the people to see the stores again filled with
goods of every description.
2. When this period of its history had been reached, the State
was divided into sixty-two counties. Each of these sent annually
to the General Assembly one Senator and two members of the House
of Commons. Edenton, New Bern, Wilmington, Fayetteville,
Hillsboro, Halifax and Salisbury were called "borough towns";
and, by virtue of this superior dignity, each sent, in addition
to the county members, a representative to the lower House of
Assembly.
3. The Moravian settlement at Salem had prospered, and though no
great numbers of that sect had come over from Europe, yet much
wisdom and thrift were seen in the affairs of Wachovia. A female
seminary of real excellence and great popularity had been founded
in 1804, and young ladies from all the Southern States were
receiving a good education in this retired and healthful region.
4. Raleigh then contained about eight hundred people:
Fayetteville twice as many. Wilmington and New Bern were the
largest and most important towns in the State, but were still
limited in population and trade. Edenton and Halifax had each
lost importance, and many villages were surpassing them both in
number of inhabitants and in extent of trade.
1819.
5. Dr. Joseph Caldwell had been, for many years, President of the
University. He came from New Jersey to make North Carolina his
future home, and gave the State of his adoption so laborious and
useful a devotion that his name will be cherished in its limits
so long as learning and patriotism are valued He was not only
making the college famous for the excellence of its appointments,
but internal improvement was advocated by him so intelligently
and zealously that the general apathy on the two great subjects
of education and intercommunication was passing away.
6. The churches were likewise providing for increased effect
among the people. The Methodist conference was each year adding
to the number of its churches and itinerant preachers. The
Baptists had added the "Chowan" as a coadjutor to similar bodies
known as "Sandy Creek" and "Kehukee" Associations.
7. The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, in 1816, perfected
its organization by the election and consecration of Bishop John
Stark Ravenscroft. He was a man of strong character and eminent
piety and usefulness. As a preacher, he was held in equal
reverence with another distinguished divine of that day, the Rev.
John Kerr, of Caswell, a leader among the Baptists.
[NOTE--In 1827, Dr. Caldwell delivered an exceedingly able address
before the Legislature, on the subject of railways, and a
considerable interest was awakened. The first railway in the
United States was built in 1826. This was in Massachusetts, and
was only two miles long. It was known as the "Quincey Railroad."
The first passenger railway was the Baltimore and Ohio road,
fifteen miles long, and was regularly opened in 1830. The cars
were drawn by horses until the next year, when a locomotive was
used.]
8. The Presbyterian Synod also contained many able and excellent
ministers. Rev. Drs. Samuel E. McCorkle, David Caldwell and
James Hall were greatly esteemed for their learning; and
devotion. This church was specially active and efficient in
refuting the teachings of the French atheists.
9. William Gaston and Bartlett Yancey were leaders among the
statesmen of North Carolina at this period. They were both
greatly distinguished for eloquence and ability. For purity of
character they had not been surpassed in all our annals. Another
James Iredell had arisen in Chowan county, and in Craven were
John Stanly and young George E. Badger. In Caswell appeared
Romulus M. Saunders, another young lawyer of fine abilities, who
became a distinguished citizen of the State.
10. The establishment of the Supreme Court, in 1818, on its
present basis, was largely the work of Bartlett Yancey. John
Louis Taylor, the Chief-Justice, with Leonard Henderson and John
Hall, as Associates, constituted a tribunal which was soon to win
the veneration of American lawyers.
1820.
11. This has been called the era of "Good Feeling" in American
politics. But the question of slavery in the Territories was
fast assuming a dangerous importance.
12. The Northern States objected to the admission of any more
slave States. The Southern would consent to no such prohibition.
The storm grew louder, until it was temporarily settled by the
"Missouri Compromise" of March 3d, 1820, which provided that
henceforward slavery should be forever forbidden north of the
parallel of 36° 60' The news of which, however, Mr. Jefferson
declared fell on his ears "like a fire-bell at night."
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the condition of North Carolina after the war of
1812?
2. How many counties were in North Carolina in 1815? What is
said of the representation in the General Assembly? What towns
had special privileges?
3. Give some account of the growth of the Moravian settlement at
Salem.
4. Give some description of various towns and villages.
5. What efforts was Dr. Joseph Caldwell putting forth for the
advancement of the State?
6. What growth was seen among the Methodist churches?
7. Who was at the head of the Episcopal Church? What is said of
Bishop Ravenscroft?
8. Who were the most eminent Presbyterian divines? What benefit
was derived from their labors?
9. Mention the political leaders.
10. Through whose efforts was the Supreme Court established? Who
were the Justices?
11. What was this period called?
12. What question was greatly agitating the people?
CHAPTER XLV.
THE WHIGS AND THE DEMOCRATS.
A. D. 1821 TO 1827.
1821.
In the decade following the enactment of the Missouri Compromise
there was prodigious material growth in every section of the
American Union. In North Carolina the real prosperity of the
people was imperceptible, by reason of the heavy emigration to
the South and West. Not only population, but wealth, was
continually withdrawing to more profitable fields of labor and
speculation.
2. While the Northern and Western sections of the Union were
receiving the thousands who came every year from Europe and
elsewhere, there was no such accession to our numbers. For a
century past there has been little or no immigration to North
Carolina. The stream of settlers that once poured so steadily
into the hill country had ceased even before the Revolution.
3. After the overthrow of the Federalists by Mr. Jefferson, in
the year 1800, there was no national party struggle on the old
issues, but in every portion of the country were individuals who
adhered to the views of Alexander Hamilton as to the proper
construction of the Constitution of the United States. Many of
these were men of great social and professional eminence.
4. Under Mr. Madison and his successors there was, in fact, no
party but the Democratic-Republicans. Every one who hoped for
political promotion professed the faith of that organization.
There was no party division as to the Bank or the United States,
or the tariff of duties on foreign imports.
5. In the year 1825 the State was graced by the visit of General
La Fayette. A half century before he had left his wife and all
the charms of life in Paris to do battle in behalf of the
struggling American colonies. After acting a distinguished part
in the French Revolution, he had returned as the Nation's guest,
to receive the thanks of another generation for the great
services he had rendered in the past. He went from State to
State, every where greeted with the utmost love and veneration.
He soon returned to France in the United States ship Brandywine,
after receiving princely recognition and rewards from Congress.
6. In this year, also, a considerable excitement was created on
account of an extraordinary advance in the price of cotton. In
a few weeks the price went from twelve to thirty-two cents per
pound. This great rise was only temporary, and many people were
ruined by the sudden and unexpected fall.
7. In 1825 the election of John Quincy Adams, by The House of
Representatives, to the Presidency, resulted in giving a new
aspect to political matters. General Andrew Jackson, who had
received the largest popular vote, and was then a Senator from
Tennessee, became the leader of those who were called
"Democrats." Those who were opposed to him assumed the name of
"Whigs."
8. Mr. Adams, though elected as a Democrat-Republican, soon
found that party arrayed against his administration. Henry
Clay, and all of those who had been Federalists, supported the
President. In North Carolina many prominent men arrayed
themselves with the new party. These Whigs, as they were
called, advocated a continuance of the United States Bank, a
tariff for protection on importations, and a distribution to the
several States of the money realized by the sale of public lands.
9. General Jackson and the Democrats favored a tariff for
revenue. They contended that the National Bank was not only
unauthorized by the Constitution, but also dangerous to the
liberties of the people. They were likewise unfriendly to the
plan of making the States pensioners of the general government,
as proposed in the policy of distribution.
10. Soon great rancor developed between the two parties, both of
which had lately been included in the Republican ranks. Henry
Clay and John Randolph inaugurated animosities by a duel; and
soon, in North Carolina, as elsewhere, social amenities were but
little regarded between the Whigs and Democrats.
11. This was very absurd. All were citizens of a free country,
and were entitled to hold and express opinions as to what was
the best policy for the government to pursue. God has so
constituted men that, of necessity, they must differ in opinion
on all subjects. How weak and wicked, then, is the man who
hates his brother because of the failure to agree on
matters that are, after all, involved in doubt.
12. It was not always so, however, for when the Constitution was
framed in Philadelphia, in 1787, all the States but
Massachusetts recognized the legality of slave property. Very
soon afterwards, however, the "Society for African Emancipation"
was formed, with Dr. Benjamin Franklin as its president. This
body petitioned Congress to abolish slavery in the States and
Territories, but was answered that the Constitution left this
matter to the States, and that the Federal authorities had no powers.
13. The Northern States finding slave labor unprofitable, had
all abolished this institution in their midst, and their slaves
had been sent to the South and sold. Southern men, also, had
been divided as to the policy of continuing a state of society
so opposed to the general liberties of mankind; but this liberal
spirit in the South was checked by the violent and unreasonable
criticisms and denunciations of the Northern reformers.
QUESTIONS.
1. What growth was noticed in the Union during the years just
considered?
2. What is said of immigration to North Carolina?
3. In what condition were the political parties of the country?
4. What is said of President Madison's administration?
5. What distinguished Frenchman visited North Carolina in the
year 1825? How was he everywhere received by the people?
How did Congress treat him?
6. What is said of the extraordinary rise in the price of cotton? How did it affect many people?
7. What was the effect of the election of John Quincy Adams? What two political parties then existed?
8. What troubles did Mr. Adams find? What party was led by Henry Clay?
What were some of the Whig principles?
9. What did General Jackson and his party advocate?
10. What results were produced by the violent assertions of these opinions?
11. What is said of political animosities?
12. How was the question of slavery viewed? What State refused to
recognize the legality of slave property? What society was organized?
CHAPTER XLVI.
THE CONDITION OF THE STATE.
A. D. 1827 TO 1836.
1. While the Republic of the United States was so divided and
agitated as to matters of policy touching the interests of all
the Union, there were, at the same time, many issues of local
importance confined to North Carolina.
2. The old habit of annually changing the place for holding the
sessions of the Legislature had first brought about a feeling of
sectionalism between the eastern and western counties. Western
men had first learned to combine in securing Hillsboro rather
than New Bern for this purpose. It was natural and right for
them to seek to lessen as much as possible the distance that
separated the State capital from their homes.
1829.
3. The western counties were also anxious to change the system of
representation, so that their weight in population should be felt
in legislation. As it was, the east held control of both Houses
of the General Assembly. Hertford, with five hundred voters, had
exactly the weight of Buncombe or Orange, with its thousands.
Eastern men would not consent to modify this hardship. They
insisted that the Halifax Constitution was still to be adhered
to, and refused to go into a constitutional convention for fear
of changes that might subject eastern wealth to taxation in order
to secure the construction of highways in the west.
1831.
4. On the morning of the 21st of June the capitol at Raleigh was
burned. The fire was caused by the carelessness of a workman who
was covering the roof. The building was a total loss, as was
also the beautiful statue of Washington, which stood in the
rotunda. A new capitol was erected upon the site of the old
building, by act of the Legislature of 1832. It is an elegant
structure, and was built of native granite, at a cost of over a
half million of dollars.
5. The burning of the Capitol, or State-House, as it was called,
was a calamity and inconvenience, but the chief regret was over
the loss of the marble statue of Washington. This fine work had
recently been received from the famous sculptor Canova, in Italy,
and was said to be one of his finest productions.
[NOTE--By a freak of liberality, unusual in those good
old days, when the State never spent over ninety thousand dollars
a year for all purposes, when taxes were six cents on the one
hundred dollars value of real estate only, and personal property
was entirely exempt, the General Assembly had placed in the
rotunda a magnificent statue of Washington, of Carrara marble, by
the great Canova. It was the pride and boast of the state. Our
people remembered with peculiar pleasure that La Fayette had
stood at its base and commended the beauty of the carving and
fitness of the honor to the great man, under whom he had served
in our war of independence, and whom he regarded with a
passionate and reverential love. --(Hon. Kemp P. Battle. LL. D. ).]
1834.
6. On the 4th day of June, 1823, a political convention, composed
of gentlemen from the western portion of the State, met in
Raleigh. It was presided over by Bartle Yancey. The object of
the convention was to devise measure to secure greater weight in
the Legislature to their great and growing popular majorities.
Many wise and desirable changes in the Constitution of 1776 were
suggested, and the result was that sectional feeling ran very
high. So much so, that in time the people of the west might have
proceeded to extreme measures had not the Legislature of 1834
come to the rescue in the passage of the "Convention Bill."
7. On a close vote, aided by the votes of eastern borough
members, the bill was passed which provided that, in case a
call for a convention therein contained should be endorsed by a
majority of the voters in the State, then a convention should be
held; and each member chosen, before taking his seat should take
oath that he would not be a party to any further alterations of
the Constitution than those specified in the enabling act.
1835.
8. The Convention met in Raleigh on June 4th 1835, and Nathaniel
Macon was made President. Many of the ablest men in the State
were members. Judge Gastor, Governor David L. Swain and Judge J.
J. Daniel were leaders in the debates. Borough representation
and free negro suffrage were abolished. The election of Governor
was taken from the Assembly and committed to the people. The
legislative sessions were made biennial instead of annual, as of
old. Each county was to send one member to the House of Commons,
and more if its population justified so doing. One hundred and
twenty members constituted this body, while the Senators were
limited to fifty. The upper House was to represent taxation; and
the lower, population.
9. These organic changes were ratified by a popular majority of
more than five thousand votes. This change of Constitution was
soon followed by the first popular election for Governor.
Governors Miller, Burton, Owen and Swain had successively
occupied the Executive Office in North Carolina, until the
Legislature, in 1835, for the last time, selected a Governor in
the person of Richard Dobbs Spaight, of Craven.
10. This gentleman did not equal his father in the brilliance of
his endowments, but he was well fitted for the exigencies of a
contest before the people. He was nominated for re-election by
the Democrats the next year, but was beaten by the Whig nominee,
Edward B. Dudley, of Wilmington. Mr. Dudley was not only a very
able lawyer, but proved himself a statesman of enduring worth.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of these troublesome years?
2. What troubles were seen in North Carolina? What divisions had
rung up between the eastern and western men of the State?
3. How did the men of the two sections view the question of representation?
4. What public building was burned on June 21st, 1831? What was
the cause of the fire? What was lost with the building? Where
was the new capitol built? Of what was it built?
5. What was the chief regret? Who was this work by?
6. What is said of the Western Convention of 1823?
7. What law was enacted concerning a convention?
8. What is said of the memorable convention of 1835? What
changes were made in the Constitution?
9. What was the majority of the votes given to the amendments?
Who was the last Governor selected by the Legislature?
10. What two candidates were before the people in 1836? Who was
the first Governor elected by the people?
13. How had the Northern States acted in regard to slavery?
What checked the liberal spirit of the South concerning slavery?
CHAPTER XLVII.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS--THE COURTS AND THE BAR.
A. D. 1836.
There had been many changes effected among the people of North
Carolina by the lapse of time when the year 1836 came in.
Bartlett Yancey, the two Drs. Caldwell and Archibald Henderson
were all dead, and their places filled by other men. Cotton was
becoming more and more widely cultivated, and, year by year the
value of slave property was increasing by reason of the profits
realized in the cultivation of this great Southern staple.
2. The Dismal Swamp Canal was at last ready for traffic between
the Albemarle country and Norfolk, in the State of Virginia. A
change was soon apparent in the trade of the towns thus connected
by a new watercourse with the outer world. The dangerous voyages
through the inlets and out into the ocean were by degrees
abandoned, and almost all direct trade with the West Indies
ceased.
3. The first railway charter given in North Carolina was that of
the Petersburg Railroad. This was in 1830, and was followed, two
years later, by that of the Portsmouth and Roanoke route. Soon
after, Governor Dudley and others organized the Wilmington
Railroad, leading to Weldon, the same terminus fixed for the
others. This was for some time the longest single line in the
world.
4. A few lines had been constructed in the United States prior to
these, but they were among the pioneer works of the vast network
of railways now seen in every portion of the Republic. Wonderful
changes have taken place in the travel and traffic of the States.
The vast extent of the national territory once presented to wise
observers of our institutions a bar to any unity of thought and
interest; but steam and electricity have triumphed over space,
and the Republic, in 1882, is far more compact and its parts
greatly more accessible than were the Atlantic States in 1787.
5. In just a half century the iron lines, beginning at the sea,
have reached and pierced the mountain barriers of Western North
Carolina. From State to State rush the tireless ministers of our
wealth and pleasure. Instead of the wagon toiling slowly in the
rear of weary axemen, we see the long and well-appointed
railroad train sweep by with the speed of the hurricane, bearing
the wealth of States, and doing more in the course of twenty-four
hours to diffuse civilization and luxury than our ancestors could
have accomplished in as many years.
6. The Baptist churches of the greater portion of North Carolina,
in 1830, formed what they called a "State Convention" and
organized for missionary and other purposes. This important
movement resulted in a great improvement to this denomination,
for out of this combination learned periodicals, new churches and
many colleges and schools were to have their origin.
7. Among public men of that day, Judge Willie P. Manguni, of
Orange, held a distinguished position. His brilliant eloquence
and gracious demeanor secured his election in 1830, over Governor
John Owen, to the United States Senate. In this distinguished
body he remained long and became highly influential. A personal
difficulty came near resulting in a duel between these two
gentlemen, but it was amicably settled. Governor Owen was no
further in public life, except to preside over the convention
which nominated Harrison and Tyler for the chief executive
offices of the United States in 1840.
8. Upon the death of Chief Justice Taylor, in 1829, the legal
profession lost one of its greatest ornaments. His strong
natural understanding was further improved by his learning; but
in addition to this, he possessed qualities which peculiarly
fitted him for framing the practice and precedents of a new
tribunal. He was an eminently wise and just man, and well
deserved to be called the "Mansfield of North Carolina."
9. Upon Judge Taylor's death, Leonard Henderson became Chief-
Justice, and Judge J. D. Toomer, Associate-Justice. The latter
only remained a member of the Court a few months, and having
resigned, was succeeded by Thomas Ruffin, of Orange. No one in
our history has brought higher judicial qualities to the bench
than were seen in Judge Ruffin. Deep learning, wide grasp and
luminous statement soon made him respected both at home and
abroad.
10. Upon the death of Chief-Justice Henderson, in 1833, William
Gaston, of Craven, was elected to the Supreme Court. The Court
was then composed of Chief-Justice Thomas Ruffin, Joseph J.
Daniel and William Gaston, Associates; and was unequaled in
America as a legal tribunal. Judge Daniel was able, learned and
upright; and in Gaston nature had combined her highest gifts.
His Roman Catholic creed was not shared by many people of the
State, but such were the purity and usefulness of his life, that
no man of his time was more beloved or trusted.
11. The Judges of the Superior Courts were also men of integrity
and ability. Henry Seawell, who was a powerful advocate in the
courts, and had twice been clothed with the judicial ermine, had
recently died, and the different circuits were then presided over
by Thomas Settle, of Rockingham; R. M. Saunders, of Wake; John M.
T. Dick, of Guilford; John L. Bailey, of Pasquotank, and Richmond
M. Pearson, of Rowan.
12. The Bar of North Carolina was never more respected for the
learning and eloquence of its members than at the period now
reached in this narrative. Gavin Hogg, Peter Browne and Judge
Duncan Cameron were all men of renown. They were possessed of
large fortunes and left names of unsullied honor.
13. Judge Badger, B. F. Moore, Thomas Bragg, and W. N. H. Smith,
were all in full practice before the courts, and were the peers
of Iredell, Davie and Archibald Henderson of former days. It is
impossible to overestimate the influence for good or evil which
has been and ever will be exerted by the lawyers in a free land.
They are the sentinels and conservators of public liberty, and,
next to the clergy, improve or impair the morality of the masses.
QUESTIONS.
1. What changes were noticed in North Carolina in 1836? What is
said of cotton and slave property?
2. What canal had been completed? How did it benefit that section?
3. What is said of the railway charters?
4. In what condition were railroads at this time?
5. What is said of the present means of travel?
6. What religious convention had been formed in 1730?
7. What public man is now mentioned, and what is said of his abilities?
8. What mention is made of Chief-Justice Taylor?
9. What changes were made in the Supreme Court? What is said of
Judge Thomas Ruffin?
10. Who succeeded Judge Henderson? Who composed the Supreme
Court in 1833?
11. Can you name some of the Judges, of the Superior Court?
12. What is said of the Bar at this period?
13. How is the influence of lawyers always felt in a community?
CHAPTER XLVIII.
ORIGIN OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
A. D. 1837 TO 1842.
It will be remembered that in 1767 the first school was
incorporated by the Legislature of North Carolina, by the act in
favor of the academy at New Bern. In this, and subsequent
legislation for schools at Edenton and elsewhere, it had provided
that the teachers should all be communicants of the Church of
England. This stipulation was, of course, part of the English
Church and State system of government.
2. When, just previous to the outbreak of the Revolutionary war,
the founders of the "Queen's Museum," at Charlotte, a school so
named in honor of the queen of England, asked incorporation of
the Colonial General Assembly, it was not granted, for the reason
that this institution was Presbyterian, both as to trustees and
faculty. Up to that period dissenting ministers had not been
allowed any legal recognition, and it was considered a great
concession that the Presbyterian clergy were allowed to officiate
at marriages.
3. During the Revolution (in 1777) the useful seminary at
Charlotte was first legally chartered as "Liberty Hall." It was
in no way sustained by or connected with the State, but was to
the Presbytery of Orange what Davidson College is now to the,
Synod of North Carolina, and was sustained solely by the
contributions and patronage of private citizens. Indeed, this
had been the case all along with the chartered schools of New
Bern and Edenton.
4. In 1776, when the convention at Halifax framed the first
Constitution for the State, among the leading ordinances of that
instrument was that for the State's active aid to the education
of the people. With this clause in the Constitution which they
all swore to uphold, the legislators had done nothing so far,
except to provide, in 1790, for the establishment of the
University at Chapel Hill. *
*Section 41 of the Halifax Constitution declared "that a school
or schools shall be established by the Legislature for the
convenient instruction of youth, with such salaries to the
masters, paid by the public, as may enable them to instruct at
low prices. All useful learning shall be duly encouraged and
promoted in one or more universities."
5. This disregard of their organic law, on the part of those
constituting the State government, was deeply regretted by many
wise and good men. But only a few dared to encounter the
opposition to taxation for popular education. Governors Johnston
and Davie in former days, and Judge Murphy and Bartlett Yancey of
later times, had been strenuous for a larger compliance with the
terms of the State Constitution, but the members of the several
Legislatures, fearful of incurring popular displeasure, or for
other reasons, had held back.
6. General Jackson and the Democratic party had opposed the
distribution of the proceeds from the sale of national public
lands as a fixed rule in the policy of the government, but in his
last administration many millions of dollars had accumulated in
the Federal treasury, for which the general government had no
immediate use. In 1837 this fund was divided out to all the
States except Virginia (that Commonwealth refusing her share).
North Carolina's proportion amounted to one and a half million
dollars.
7. This fund, together with the amounts realized from the sale of
swamp lands belonging to the State, and certain shares of bank
stock, also the property of North Carolina, was set aside and
invested for the benefit of the public schools of the State, and
was known as the "School Fund."
8. It was not until the year 1840 that any effective legislation
was had for the establishment of the free educational system. By
an act of the Legislature of 1836, the Governor and three others,
by him to be appointed, were constituted the "Literary Board."
In 1839 an act was passed to divide the counties into school
districts. It left to each county the option of schools or no
schools. It showed considerable advance in popular wisdom, that
all but one of the counties decided to have schools and to be
taxed for the election of such buildings as were necessary in the
work.
[NOTE--The Presidential campaign of 1840 was an unusually exciting
one. The Whig nominee, William Henry Harrison, was charged by
his opponents as having lived in a "log cabin," with nothing to
drink but "hard cider." His friends made good use of these
charges. "Hard Cider" became a political watchword, and in the
numerous Whig processions a "log cabin" on wheels occupied the
most prominent and honored position. The "Log cabin Campaign"
will long be remembered. President Harrison died within one
month after his inauguration. His last words were, "The
principles of the government; I wish them carried out. I ask
nothing more."]
9. Not in the General Assembly alone was the subject of education
receiving unusual attention. The Baptists, in 1826, established
a high school on the farm of Colonel Calvin Jones, in Wake
county. A little later it was changed in name and became Wake
Forest College. The Presbyterians, in 1838, founded Davidson
College, in Mecklenburg. These denominational institutions
became noble adjuncts to the University in affording
opportunities for liberal culture in our own borders.
10. Thus, at last, the "old-field schools" were superseded as
better institutions took their place. The old-fashioned country
teacher, who passed from house to house for subsistence, and was
wholly dependent upon the feelings or caprices of one or two
employers, gradually disappeared as academies and common schools
multiplied.
11. The Bingham School in Orange, the Lovejoy School in Raleigh,
the Bobbitt School in Franklin, the Caldwell Institute in
Greensboro, Trinity College near Raleigh, the Donaldson Academy
in Fayetteville, and numerous other excellent male academies
greatly added to the number of well-informed and useful men.
1842.
12. The Salem Seminary, so widely renowned for the host of
cultured women sent out to every portion of the South, at last
found a worthy rival in St. Mary's School. This institution was
established at Raleigh, in 1842, under the patronage of Bishop
Ives and the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Rev. Dr.
Aldert Smedes, who soon presided over its fortunes, was
singularly fitted for such place; for in no other institution in
America was intellectual training more largely supplemented by
the moral and social graces. These popular institutions were
soon reinforced by the excellent Methodist Female College at
Greensboro.
13. Presbyterian's, a few years later, had a first-rate
school for the education of their daughters in "Edgeworth," a
noble seminary established by Governor Morehead at Greensboro.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is this chapter about? What laws has been enacted
concert concerning education?
2. Why had incorporation been refused to the "Queen's Museum"?
3. What is said of the schools at Charlotte and Davidson?
4. What clause was in the first State Constitution? How had the
intent of this clause been carried out?
5. What were some of the views in regard to popular education?
What men had advocated the provisions of the Constitution?
6. What addition to the School Fund did North Carolina receive in 1837?
7. How was the fund further increased?
8. Can you mention the legislation at this period affecting school matters?
9. What denominational schools were founded about this time?
10. What is said of the "old-field schools"?
11. Where were the leading male schools, and what is said of the usefulness?
12. What female schools are mentioned? What is said of St.
Mary's School? What is said of other schools?
CHAPTER XLIX.
SLAVERY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
A. D. 1842 TO 1844.
1. When the year of our Lord 1842 had come, peace and prosperity
were in all portions of North Carolina. Society was still
divided into three classes. These were: the white people, the
slaves and the free negroes. The latter class had originated by
manumission, and were numerous in some of the eastern counties.
They had lost the right of suffrage by the action of the State
Convention of 1835.
2. This action on the part of the Convention was due in some
degree, doubtless, to the constant agitation of the slavery
question, though by no means due to that alone; but to the
further fact, as well, that during the time they voted by
sufferance they had plainly demonstrated their utter unfitness to
appreciate or exercise the great right of suffrage.
3. As a class they were unthrifty and dishonest, and each year
becoming more useless as members of the community; their
association with the slaves was regarded as an evil to be avoided
if possible; therefore, they were discriminated against in the
legislation of the period. Virginia and Ohio had both enacted
statutes which forbade them access to their borders. North
Carolina provided by law that in case of their removal from the
State they lost their residence, and were forbidden to return.
4. The right of the States to pass such laws for the protection
of their slave property cannot be denied, unless the right of
property in slaves be also denied. Nor can they properly be
called unjust. The right of property in their slaves the people
of North Carolina regarded as settled by the Constitution of the
State and that of the United States. Theorists might speculate
whether African slavery was consistent with the American
Declaration of Independence as they pleased, but the right of
property in slaves was undisputably recognized and secured in the
fundamental laws of the land. As to the moral question involved,
if any such there was, the Southern slave-owner regarded it as
one between himself and his God, and not between himself and his
Northern brother.
5. As a matter of course, slavery and intellectual culture are
incompatible, and education was therefore denied the slaves. The
right to testify in the courts against a white man, and even the
right to defend himself from the assaults of white men, except in
defence of life in the last extremity, were also necessarily
denied him. These restrictions were necessary to the maintenance
of the legal relations between the dominant and subject races.
6. Of course there were those who studied the slavery problem
from every possible standpoint, except the constitutional
legality of it. That, at least, was fixed. Some doubted the
morality of it and others questioned the policy of it, and it is
quite possible, had time and opportunity for gradual manumission
and exportation offered, North Carolina would have been a free
State, in the course of events, of her own accord.
7. The Northern States had sold their slaves rather than free
them under their acts of manumission. It was not possible for
this to be further repeated by the Commonwealths still retaining
the institution; so in a blind ignorance of the future and in
utter hopelessness of any practicable solution of their
difficulty, except in remaining as they were, the statesmen of
the South contented themselves with a simple policy of resistance
to change.
1844.
8. Among the white people of North Carolina were found all who
participated in the conduct of public affairs. The means of
popular education had been too recently adopted to show effects
upon the community. The labors of a few wise men were just being
crowned with success, and the children of the poor were receiving
the rudiments of education in every portion of the State.
9. In religion, the great mass of the people belonged to country
churches. These rural congregations, as a general thing, met on
one Saturday and the succeeding Sabbath of each month, to attend
the preaching of a minister who often served other churches as
pastor the remaining Sundays. Beyond the Sunday schools and
annual protracted meetings, there were no other religious
observances except occasional funerals and prayer meetings at
private houses.
10. The balls and horse-races of former days in the eastern
counties had, in a large measure, ceased. In the growth of the
Methodist and Baptist Churches in that section, such amusements
had been so discouraged that festivities of this kind became
rare. In the western sections of North Carolina they had never
been countenanced by the Presbyterians.
11. The summers became more or less marked by great assemblages
in the protracted or "camp-meetings." They were, to the devout,
seasons of religious devotion, but to the young and thoughtless,
opportunities for courtship and social enjoyment.
QUESTIONS.
1. What three classes of society existed in North Carolina in 1842?
2. What action was taken by the Convention of 1835 in regard to
free negroes?
3. What is said of this class of our population?
4. How did our people view the question of slavery?
5. What privileges were denied the slaves? Why?
6. What would probably have been the final result in North Carolina?
7. What had the Northern States done with their slaves? How was
the South compelled to act?
8. What educational progress was being made?
9. What was the condition of religious matters?
10. What effects were seen from the growth of the churches?
11. What great congregations were found in various places during the summer?
CHAPTER L.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
A. D. 1844 TO 1846.
Governor Dudley was opposed by ex-Governor John Branch, of
Halifax, as the candidate of the Democratic party in 1838.
Governor Branch had been in the Cabinet of General Jackson, and
upon his defeat in this contest, retired from public life in
North Carolina to receive the appointment of territorial
Governor of Florida. In the Gubernatorial contest, two years
later, John Motley Morehead, of Guilford, as the nominee of the
Whigs, likewise defeated the Democratic leader, Judge Romulus M.
Saunders.
2. They were both men of large natural endowments, and have
never been surpassed in the vigor of their debates before the
people. They were both educated at Chapel Hill, and were types
of public Southern men of their day. Judge Saunders made a high
reputation as a member of Congress; and Governor Morehead so
grew in favor that eloquent Louis D. Henry, who opposed his re-
election, was also defeated by a considerable majority.
3. The loss of the State in the deaths of Judge Gaston, of Judge
Daniel, and of Lewis Williams, long one of our Representatives
in Congress, was not easily repaired. Michael Hoke, of
Lincolnton, was rising to prominence as a politician when his
untimely death occurred. He had just concluded a brilliant
canvass against William A. Graham, of Orange, for the office of
Governor, and lost his election and his life in the summer of 1844.
4. This election of Governor Graham marked a new era in the
development of the State. He was the son of General Joseph
Graham, of the Revolution, and inherited many of his virtues.
No public man in the history of the State has brought closer
application or a higher elevation to his duties. Like Richard
Caswell and Nathaniel Macon, his hold upon the public affections
was never lost, and to the day of his death he was "first in the
hearts of his countrymen" of North Carolina.
5. In 1844, James Knox Polk, of Tennessee, who was a native of
North Carolina and a graduate of our University, was elected
President of the United States. During his administration the
United States and the neighboring Republic of Mexico went to
war. The boundary line between Texas and Mexico had long been
in dispute between those countries, a dispute that practically
amounted to a constant border warfare. Of course as soon as
Texas was annexed to the United States the Federal government
took the place of Texas as a party to the quarrel, and
undisguised, open war followed.
6. President Polk made a visit to the University during his term
of office, which was highly appreciated and greatly redounded to
the honor of that ancient institution. President Polk was born
in Mecklenburg county in 1795, and died in 1849. The
announcement of his nomination for the Presidency was the first
message ever sent by telegraph. It was sent from Baltimore,
where the National Democratic Convention was in session, to
Washington City, on 29th May, 1844, over an experimental line,
put up at the expense of the Federal government, to test
Professor Morse's recent invention.
1846.
7. A regiment of North Carolina volunteers was sent to Mexico
under Colonel Robert Treat Paine, of Chowan. It was stationed
on the line of communication, but was not actively engaged in
any of the battles. Two companies of North Carolina troops
under Captains W. J. Clarice and Charles R. Jones, were mustered
into the Twelfth Regiment United States Infantry, and did
valiant service in the battle at National Bridge.
8. Louis D. Wilson, of Edgecombe, had been Captain of Company A,
in Colonel Paine's regiment. He was promoted Major and assigned
to duty in the Twelfth United States Infantry. He died on duty
in Mexico, and left his estate to the benefit of the poor of his
native county.
9. Captain Braxton Bragg gained great credit for his conduct at
the battle of Buena Vista, where, with a single battery of light
artillery, he resisted the attack of a large force upon General
Taylor's left flank, and thus prevented a movement that would
otherwise have caused the immediate retreat and probable
destruction of the American army.
10. The smoke was so dense in this action that Captain Bragg was
able to place his battery within fifty yards of the advancing
column. He gave the foe a round of double canister shot, which
opened great gaps in their ranks. They staggered and recoiled
under this murderous fire. When the delighted American
commander saw that the battle was won, he arose in his stirrups
and joyfully shouted: "Give them a little more grape, Captain
Bragg!"
11. Major Samuel McRee, of Wilmington, rendered valuable
service as Quartermaster in the army under General Scott.
Captain J. H. K. Burgwin, of the first United States Dragoons,
died of his wounds at Taos. Lieutenant James G. Martin lost an
arm and gained a brevet at Churusbusco. Captains T. H. Holmes
and Gabriel Rains, and Lieutenant F. T. Bryan, all gave valuable
and recognized service in the two columns under Generals Scott
and Taylor.
QUESTIONS.
1. What period have we now reached?
Who were Governors at this time?
What is said of Governor John Branch?
2. What mention is made of the candidates for Governor?
3. What deaths of prominent men occurred about this period?
4. What Governor was elected in 1844? How was he beloved in the State?
5. What troubles arose in national matters on the election of James K. Polk?
6. What is said, of his visit to the University? Of what State was President
Polk a native? How was his nomination announced?
7. Can you mention the North Carolina troops sent to Mexico, and
their commanders?
8. Tell something about Major Louis D. Wilson.
9. What valiant officer was with General Taylor at Buena Vista?
Give an account of his timely aid to the American army.
10. Describe the action.
11. What other officers are spoken of?
CHAPTER LI.
THE NORTH CAROLINA RAILWAY AND THE ASYLUMS.
A. D. 1845.
No single year in human records has been more prolific of
change and social advancement than that which witnessed the
overthrow of King Louis Phillipe in France and the general
upheaval of all Europe. It seemed that the spirits of the
sixteenth century had revisited the earth, and that men were
everywhere resolved on revolution or amendment.
1848.
2. North Carolina formed no exception to this general impulse of
Christendom. A wise and patriotic disregard of old sectional and
party traditions first led to the assumption by the State of a
controlling part in the great work of internal improvement. The
railroads that had been previously constructed from different
points to Roanoke River, were all in a deplorable condition.
3. The Raleigh and Gaston route was so decayed and impaired in
its equipments that a whole day was consumed in the passage of a
mail train over the eighty miles traversed. The Seaboard route
to Portsmouth, Virginia, was prostrate and out of use. The
Wilmington Road, though it was in somewhat better plight, was
still served by feeble engines, which drew a few trains slowly
along the track, ironed no more heavily than the wheels of a six-
horse wagon.
4. The additional fact that no railway went further west than the
village of Raleigh, also prevented the accumulation of such
travel and traffic as to repay the outlay of construction and
equipment. The Wilmington Road furnished the great route between
the North and South, and in that way won richer returns than
lines leading to the interior.
5. The long deferred hopes of Western North Carolina were at last
to be realized. Ex-Governor Morehead and others besought the
Legislature for the State's aid in a great line which should
connect Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Goldsboro. This was
to be called the "North Carolina Railroad," and was to be two
hundred and forty miles long.
6. Eastern men, as a general thing, opposed this bill, but it was
earnestly supported by William S. Ashe, of New Hanover, and
others, in the House of Representatives; and, having passed that
body, it was sent to the Senate. The vote in the upper House
resulted in a tie. Calvin Graves, of Caswell, was Speaker. He
had been a life-long Democrat, and knew that the people of his
County were opposed to the State's aiding the proposed road, but
he nobly discharged what he thought to be his duty, and, by his
casting vote, the bill became a law.
7. This great step in building up the material prosperity of the
Commonwealth did not satisfy the desires of this memorable
Assembly. Measures that had been adopted at the previous session
for the establishment of an institution for the education of the
deaf, dumb and the blind children of the State were extended;
and, at the earnest solicitation of Miss Dorothea Dix, of New
York, a further appropriation was made for the erection of a
hospital for the insane.
8. Miss Dix devoted her life to the amelioration of this
unfortunate class of people. In North Carolina, as generally in
the Republic, there had been no better disposition of lunatics
than their confinement in the loathsome dungeons of county jails.
Numbers who might have been restored to reason and usefulness
were, in this way, condemned to the horrors of perpetual
insanity. Instead of the comforts, kindness and restoration now
to be found in the management of the Insane Asylums, the poor
lunatic lay in chains in the murderer's cell and howled out his
life amid the darkness and foetid exhalations of the hell to
which he was doomed.
9. North Carolina was thus manfully meeting the requirements of
both civilization and humanity; for as the condition of their
highways affords the truest test of a people's advancement in
civilization, so, also does the provision made for the care and
comfort of the unfortunate and helpless afford the highest
evidence of a people's progress in humanity.
10. In this memorable session of 1848-49, a still further
exemplification of the wisdom of the North Carolina Legislature
was seen in their statute for the protection of married women.
Before that time the husband acquired by marriage absolute title
to his wife's personal estate and a life interest in her real
property, and these interests he could sell without her consent.
He could also restrain her of her personal liberty.
11. The statute of this year provided that the husband's interest
in the wife's lands should not be subject to sale by the husband
without her full and free consent and joinder in the conveyance.
This was to be attested by a privy examination and certificate
appended to the deed conveying such lands.
12. A further much needed improvement took place when the ancient
English rules allowing the husband the right of personal
chastisement were also abolished, and this infamous badge of
inferiority numbered among the things of the past.
13. There have been periods in the history of all communities
when extraordinary development was witnessed. The overthrow of
one ancient abuse leads to the correction of another; and thus,
in the awakening sympathies of the hour, reformations give way to
a new and higher humanity.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is this lesson about? What is said of the period now reached?
2. How was North Carolina feeling the general impulse of improvement?
3. In what condition were the railroads?
4. How far west were the railroads reaching? Which of the roads
was obtaining most travel?
5. What important railway is now mentioned? What was to be its extent?
6. Can you describe the passage of the "Railroad Bill" through the Legislature?
7. What charitable institutions were provided for at this
session? Through whose instrumentality was the appropriation
made for the Insane Asylum?
8. What devotion did Miss Dix give to this subject? What had
been the disposition of the insane before this?
9. What is said of these internal improvements?
10. What other important law was enacted at this session? Can
you tell something of the rights of married women previous to
this time?
11. What were the provisions of the new law?
12. What was indicated by these acts of the State?
13. What reflections are made upon this era?
CHAPTER LII.
A SPECTRE OF THE PAST REAPPEARS.
A. D. 1848 TO 1852.
1. The female seminaries of Salem, Raleigh and Greensboro were
supplemented, in 1843, in the establishment, by the Chowan and
Portsmouth Baptist Associations, of another female school of high
grade, at Murfreesboro. This useful and popular institution soon
gained reputation and attracted patronage from many of the
Southern States. The Edgeworth Seminary at Greensboro was a
similar institution under Presbyterian rule. It was a worthy
rival of its compeers in the education of Southern girls. The
University, Wake Forest and Davidson College were advancing their
standards and growing in prosperity. The University, especially,
under the sagacious administration of ex-Governor Swain, assisted
by an able body of experienced teachers, made great progress.
Several hundred students were in attendance, gathered from all
the Southern and Southwestern States.
2. Governor Morehead had been succeeded in office by William A.
Graham, of Orange. In the United States Senate, Judges Mangum
and Badger were the peers of the best men of the Republic, and
reflected honor on North Carolina.
3. In the House of Representatives, Colonel James I. McKay, of
Bladen, had long been recognized as one of the leading men, and
was chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. Messrs. Kenneth
Rayner and Thomas L. Clingman were also men of recognized
ability, the latter bringing varied accomplishments to aid his
discharge of duty.
1849.
4. At the expiration of Governor Graham's term of office Charles
Manly, of Wake, became Governor. The people of the State grew
excited in the contest between Messrs. Manly and Reid over the
Democratic proposition to abolish the freehold qualification of
voters for State Senators. It had been, ever since 1776,
necessary for a man to possess fifty acres of land to be entitled
to this franchise. It was now proposed to allow all white men
the privilege of suffrage.
5. Upon the election of General Taylor as President of the United
States, Mr. Polk retired to private life, and soon died at
Nashville, Tennessee. He was a pure and laborious man, but was
not the equal of Andrew Jackson in those great natural gifts
which immortalized the hero of New Orleans.
6. Upon the cessation of war with Mexico, it had been agreed in
the treaty of peace that upon the payment of a large sum of
money, Upper California should, with other Mexican territory,
belong to the United States. The discovery of immense deposits
of gold on the Pacific coast led to such immigration there that,
in 1850, California was applying for admission as a State into
the Union.
7. Again the spectre of coming strife and bloodshed was seen in
the renewal of the struggle over the question of freedom or
slavery in this new sister in the galaxy of States. Southern men
like Henry Clay thought that the whole subject had been settled
in 1820, when, by the Missouri Compromise, it had been ordained
that involuntary servitude should not obtain north of the
geographical line 36° 30' north latitude.
1850.
8. It was understood that the surrender of the right to own
slaves north of this line was the consideration for the admission
of the right to own them south of it, and that this was what the
"compromise" meant. But they were told that the inhibition alone
was effective, and that no such converse right was intended to be
conveyed as that contended for by the men of the South. The most
logical of these men said that Congress had exceeded its powers
in the enactment mentioned, and that no power could settle the
question but the people of the new State.
9. It was seen that "Wilmot's Proviso," which was an amendment
continually offered by Mr. Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, excluding
slavery from all future States, was the fixed determination of
the Northern people. So, after a protracted and bitter struggle,
Mr. Clay, as the last service of a long and illustrious life,
procured the passage of the compromise of 1850, in which the only
concession by Northern men was the "Fugitive Slave Law."
10. This statute provided that Federal courts and officers should
arrest and return to their owners such slaves as should be found
absconding in the different States of the Union, whether free or
slave-holding. It was greeted by a prodigious outcry from the
Northern press and people. They determined that this national
law should not be executed, and the different legislatures of the
free States began their enactment of personal liberty laws,
which made it penal to aid in carrying out the law of
Congress.
1851.
11. The people of the South were both exasperated and
disheartened at such manifestations, and in view of such palpable
violations of their plain constitutional rights, began seriously
to consider whether in a union with the Northern States the
arbitrary will of the people of those States was not to be the
rule of government rather than the Constitution solemnly agreed
upon between their forefathers. If this were to be so, the dream
of liberty, regulated by law in the Federal Union, was at an end.
QUESTIONS.
1. What educational institutions are mentioned?
2. Who was Governor in 1818? What two men were distinguished in
the United States Senate?
3. Who were the representative men in the House?
4. Who succeeded Governor Graham in 1849? What proposition was
agitating the people?
5. Who succeeded James K. Polk as President of the United States?
What is said of President Polk?
6. What events were occurring in the West?
7. What spectre of the past reappears? Relate circumstances.
8. In what condition was the question now seen?
9. What is said of the "Wilmot Proviso" and "Fugitive Slave Law"?
10. What was the"Fugitive Slave Law"? How did the North
legislate against this law of Congress?
11. How was the South affected by these troubles?
CHAPTER LIII.
THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STATUS.
A. D. 1852 TO 1859.
The election of General Franklin Pierce to the Presidency, in
1852, was considered by many as a rebuke to those who had been so
clamorous in the North against the compromise of 1850. He was a
warm supporter of the rights of the individual States, and the
knowledge of this fact brought repose to the minds of Southern
men.
2. North Carolina had just entered upon a career of rapid
development in her mineral resources. The incorporation of a
clause extending the right of suffrage in the State Constitution,
the completion of the great central railway, the opening of the
asylums and the large addition to the number of schools, were
evidences of progress and widespread prosperity. Capitalists,
for the first time, began to invest their wealth in cotton and
woolen factories.
1853.
3. The creation of the office of Superintendent of Common
Schools, in 1853, and the appointment of Calvin H. Wiley, of
Guilford, to that position, marked an extraordinary advance in
the matter of popular education. Mr. Wiley soon evinced so much
discretion and devotion to his duties that his propositions of
improvement were adopted, and his views and wishes soon became
those of the State government. The same year was further
signalized by the Normal School, under charge of Mr. Craven,
being empowered by the Legislature to grant literary degrees and
the assumption of the full dignities of a college. After nearly
thirty years of usefulness, this institution, now known as
Trinity College, is still accomplishing great good under the
auspices of the Methodists of the State.
4. With the new lines of railway and the restoration of the old
routes, there was a large advance in the value of real estate and
in the amount of productions sent abroad. The use of Peruvian
Guano and other concentrated fertilizers was just being
introduced, and the example of Edgecombe county in the use of
compost heaps was being followed in every direction and adding
immensely to the yield of exhausted fields.
5. It was a notable thing in the political history of the
country, that in the Presidential contest of 1852 the candidates
for Vice-President, of both the Whig and Democratic parties, were
born in North Carolina and educated at Chapel Hill. Ex-Governor
William R. King, Democrat, then of Alabama, was chosen over ex-
Governor Graham, who had been Secretary of the Navy in the
Cabinet of President Fillmore.
6. The churches were prospering under their increased attentions
to education. A larger culture was coming to those who filled
the pulpits at home, and devoted men like Dr. Matthew T. Yates
were going to heathen lands to spend their lives for the good of
other races. The Episcopal Church had abundant compensation in
the wisdom and virtues of Bishop Atkinson for the loss of Bishop
Ives, upon his leaving that communion for the Church of Rome.
The great slavery controversy was bringing trouble and division
to the Baptists and Methodists, and thus, not only statesmen and
politicians, but ministers of the Gospel, were also set at
variance.
1854.
7. From Massachusetts was sent, at this period, a new and
startling impulse to the Northern pulpits and hustings. It had
been the peculiar glory of the American people that they were the
originators of the great doctrine and practice of religious
liberty. A new party, calling themselves the "KnowNothings," had
carried that State and were proclaiming their opposition to all
Roman Catholics as public officers. The "Know-Nothings" were
also called the "American Party," and their motto was "America
for Americans."
8. This was to prove a short-lived and pernicious movement. It
not only contravened the noblest American precedents, but at once
combined all the ends and fragments of parties which had
previously opposed the great organization that had been led by
Jefferson and Jackson. Besides their hostility to the Roman
Catholic religion, they inculcated one other principle; this was
opposition to the naturalization of foreign immigrants until
after a residence of twenty-one years within the borders of the
United States. The success of this new party ended in the
Virginia campaign between Governor Wise and T. S. Flournoy.
1855.
9. About this time another party began to be prominent in the
Northern States. It was called the "Republican Party," and was
the outgrowth of the notorious controversy over the passage of
the Kansas-Nebraska Act through Congress. This statute was, in
effect, but a continuance of the legislation in regard to
California, and amounted to little beyond transferring the
question of slave or free territory from Congress to the new
States. The North, however, was fanatically bent on the
destruction of slavery everywhere within the United States, and
would not consent that each new State should settle the question
for itself. On the contrary, it was determined to prohibit the
spread of slavery whether the people in the new States and
Territories desired it or not.
10. It was soon seen, therefore, in the bloody conflicts between
the settlers from the North and those from the South, especially
in Kansas, that "Squatter Sovereignty" would neither afford
protection to Southern immigrants in removing with their property
there, nor any prospect of a fair solution of a vexed question.
1857.
11. On June 27th, 1857, an event occurred in North Carolina
which brought sadness to the whole State. Rev. Elisha Mitchell,
D. D., while making researches and surveys upon Black Mountain,
in the darkness of night, lost his way and fell over a very steep
precipice and waterfall, and was killed. His remains were found,
eleven days after the accident, in a pool of clear water at the
foot of the waterfall. They are now resting on the highest point
of the mountain, and the spot is known as "Mitchell's Peak." Dr.
Mitchell found, by measurement, that the Black Mountain was the
highest point of land east of the Rocky Mountains. "Mitchell's
Peak" is 6,672 feet above the level of the sea, and 244 feet
higher than Mount Washington, in New Hampshire.
12. After the defeat of Charles Manly by David S. Reid, of
Rockingham, for Governor in 1852, the Democrats continued to gain
in strength in each succeeding election. In 1854, Governor Bragg
was elected to succeed Governor Reid, by an increased majority,
over Hon. John A. Gilmer, the Whig candidate. Messrs. Mangum and
Badger were succeeded by Governor Reid and Colonel Asa Biggs, of
Martin, as United States Senators; and when, in 1858, another
Governor was to be chosen, both Judge John W. Ellis, of Rowan,
and his competitor, Duncan K. MacRae, of Cumberland, claimed to
be defenders of the Democratic faith. The differences between
the North and the South were fast bringing the people of North
Carolina to one mind.
QUESTIONS.
1. Of what does this chapter treat ? How was the election of
President, Pierce considered ?
2. What is said of internal improvements?
3. What educational progress was being made?
4. How was the value of lands increasing?
5. What is said of the Presidential campaign of 1852?
6. In what condition were religious matters?
8. How was the question of slavery affecting some of the
religious denominations?
7. What new party was organized in Massachusetts? What was the
main policy of the "Know-Nothings"?
8. What is said of this new party?
9. What party next originated?
10. How was the South affected by "Squatter Sovereignty"?
11. What fatal accident befell Dr. Elisha Mitchell in 1857?
12. What changes in the government of the State are now mentioned?
CHAPTER LIV.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND THE WAR.
A. D. 1860 TO 1861.
1860.
After seventy years of party struggles touching the relations
of the General Government to the individual States, the
Presidential contest of 1860 opened with such notes of violence
and public confusion, that it was at once seen that at last the
supreme crisis had come.
2. The only issue apparently before the American people was that
of slavery in the Territories. The Democrats were divided into
two fragments. Those supporting Judge Douglas for the Presidency
advocated "Squatter Sovereignty." The Breckinridge men said that
the question of slavery should only be settled as to the new
States at their constitutional conventions; while Republicans
supporting Abraham Lincoln, proclaimed that only the enactment of
the "Wilmot Proviso" would satisfy them. The Whig candidates,
Messrs. Bell and Everett, and the Whig party, were silent on all
these stormy differences, and were not of much significance in
the general upheaval.
3. Back of this question, however, about slavery in the
Territories, and involved in it, was the real issue between the
Republican and Democratic parties, and that was whether the
Federal Constitution should be the supreme law of the land. The
right of property in slaves was guaranteed by that Constitution,
and if the Republican party could thus destroy that right it
might when it so pleased, destroy any and all other rights. The
Democrats hold that the Constitution was supreme; the Republicans
held that there was a still higher law unwritten and undefined.
One was certainty, the other chaos.
4. It was seen at an early period of the contest, that the bulk
of the Southern people would be found supporting Breckinridge and
Lane. * It was generally held in all the slave-holding States that
the election of Mr. Lincoln would be significant of a purpose
among Northern men to disregard their rights, and that the
inauguration of the abolition policy by the Federal officers
would compel and justify the secession of the Southern States
from the Union.
*Joseph Lane was born in Buncombe county in this State, and was
the cousin of Colonel Joel Lane, who once owned the lands upon
which Raleigh was built. He had served gallantly as a Brigadier
General in Mexico, afterwards in Congress, and as Governor of
Oregon.
5. When, in November, 1860, it was known that the Republicans had
triumphed in the national election, and that Abraham Lincoln
would be chosen President of the United States by a majority of
the electors in the different State electoral colleges, then it
was realized that the extreme Southern States would, at an early
period, sever their connection with the government at Washington.
1861.
6. South Carolina and others said that protection of their
property would now be impossible in the Union, and therefore,
before the inauguration of President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1861,
seven States had assembled conventions, and by their ordinances
declared the ties formerly binding them to the Republic of the
United States null and void.
7. On the 1st of January, 1861, the Legislature then in regular
session passed, by a large majority in each House, an act
declaring that in its opinion the condition of the country was so
perilous "that the sovereign people of the State should assemble
in convention to effect an honorable adjustment of the
difficulties whereby the Federal Union is endangered, or
otherwise to determine what action will best preserve the honor
and promote the interest of North Carolina."
8. At the same time that the delegates were to be elected the act
required that the sense of the people should be taken whether
there should be a convention at all or not. The election was
held on 28th of February, 1861, and upon the question of
convention or no convention, the official count showed a majority
of 194 votes against convention, that is to say, 45,509 votes for
convention and 45,603 votes against convention. The vote of
Davie county, which was not received in time to be counted, would
have increased the majority against convention some 200 votes.
9. How the delegates elected were divided in sentiment on the day
of election cannot be ascertained, nor was such division to be
relied upon, for changes were daily taking place, and men, no
matter how reluctantly, were rapidly coming to believe that in
United action by the South lay the only hope for the future.
10. In April, President Lincoln, in consequence of the attack
upon and capture of Fort Sumter, required of Governor Ellis North
Carolina's proportion of an army of seventy five thousand men,
which was to be used in the coercion of the seceded States. This
demand Governor Ellis promptly refused; and he at once convened
the Legislature in special session, declaring in his proclamation
that the time for action had come, and, upon his recommendation,
twenty thousand volunteers were called for by the General
Assembly to sustain North Carolina in her course.
11. A State Convention was called by the Legislature on the first
of May, and met on the 20th of May, 1861; in the hall of the
House of Commons. On this anniversary of the Mecklenburg
Declaration the Ordinance of Secession was passed, and North
Carolina made haste to connect herself with the " Confederate
States of America."
12. The Ordinance of Secession was as follows
"AN ORDINANCE DISSOLVING THE UNION BETWEEN THE STATE OF NORTH
CAROLINA AND THE OTHER STATES UNITED WITH HER UNDER THE COMPACT
OF GOVERNMENT ENTITLED 'THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. '
"We, the people of the State of North Carolina, in Convention
assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and
ordained, That the ordinance adopted by the State of North
Carolina in the Convention of 1789, whereby the Constitution of
the United States was ratified and adopted; and also all acts and
parts of acts of the General Assembly ratifying and adopting
amendments to the said Constitution, are hereby repealed,
rescinded and abrogated.
"We do further declare and ordain, That the Union now subsisting
between the State, of North Carolina and the other States, under
the title of 'The United States of America,' is hereby
dissolved, and that the State of North Carolina is in full
possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which
belong and appertain to a free and independent State."
13. The number of submissionists in North Carolina was very
small, and the real differences of opinion did not so much regard
final action in the crisis as they did the way and the time in
which it should be reached. Many preferred separate State
action; many others preferred concert of action among the States.
Some preferred immediate action; others thought it advisable to
wait until some actual "overt act," as it was called, was
committed by the new administration. But no matter how much
people were divided on these points, on one point they were a
unit, that is to say, in the desire that final action should
represent as near as possible every phase of public sentiment.
And to secure this greatly to be desired unanimity in action,
many personal preferences and original opinions were sacrificed.
14. Many good people had hoped and prayed that the troubles
between the North and South would be peaceably arranged; but all
hope of such a blessing was now lost, and the whole State
resounded with the notes of preparation for the war. In every
county men pressed forward by thousands to enlist at the call of
the State.
15. Governor Ellis was in the last stages of hopeless disease,
but, with great resolution, he addressed himself to the discharge
of the onerous duties of his station until his death, on June 9,
1861. He was succeeded by Colonel Henry Toole Clark, of
Edgecombe, who became Governor of the State by virtue of his
office as Speaker of the Senate.
16. Colonel John F. Hoke, of Lincoln, was succeeded as Adjutant-
General by James G. Martin, of Pasquotank, late a major in the
army of the United States. The forts, Johnston, Macon and
Caswell, were seized, as was also the Federal arsenal at
Fayetteville; and, in this way, fifty-seven thousand stand of
small firearms and a considerable store of cannon and ammunition
were secured.
17. After many years of peace and prosperity, the people of North
Carolina were once again to exhibit their patriotism, courage and
endurance under the most trying circumstances. In the first
revolution they had contributed twenty-two thousand nine hundred
and ten men to the defence of the United Colonies; in this second
upheaval more than a hundred and fifty thousand crowded to the
fray, and grew famous on more than a hundred fields.
QUESTIONS.
1. How was the Presidential contest of 1860 viewed?
2. What was the issue? Who were the candidates; and what were
their platforms?
3. What was the real issue between the Democrats and Republicans?
What views were held by each party?
4. To whom were most of the Southern people giving support? How
did they view the probable election of Mr. Lincoln?
5. Who were elected? What did some of the Southern States intend
to do?
6. What occurred before the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln?
7. What act was passed by the North Carolina Legislature?
8. Can you tell the result of the vote upon this question?
9. What was the South beginning to realize?
10. What call was made upon North Carolina by Mr. Lincoln? With
what result?
11. When did North Carolina leave the Union?
12. Can you repeat the Ordinance of Secession?
13. Mention the political opinions to be found in the State upon
these questions?
14. What had been the hope of many of our people? How was the
news of secession received?
15. What occurred on June 9th? Who succeeded Governor Ellis?
16. What seizures were made by North Carolina authorities?
17. What are the thoughts upon this period?
CHAPTER LV.
THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
A. D. 1861.
The people of North Carolina loved the Union of States that
had been in such large part constructed by the heroism and
wisdom of their own fathers. They well knew its value to
themselves under an unbroken Federal Constitution; they knew,
too, the danger incurred in the attempt to absolve them selves
from further Federal connections. But they knew, also, their
rights under the Constitution, and were fully determined neither
to surrender them nor to aid in the subjugation of their sister
States. As the State had entered the Union by action of a
convention of her own people, she now resolved to leave it in
the same manner.
2. For more than a month before the memorable 20th day of May,
1861, when the secession ordinance was passed, troops were
volunteering and being received by Governor Ellis from many
portions of the State. The first ten companies were embodied in
a regiment, of which Major Daniel H. Hill was elected colonel by
the commissioned officers. They were at once sent to Yorktown,
in Virginia.
3. On June 9th, General Benjamin F. Butler, who was in command
of the United States forces at Fortress Monroe, in Virginia,
sent a column of troops up the peninsula for the purpose of
ascertaining the possibility of reaching Richmond, which city
had recently become the Capital of the Southern Confederacy.
Early the next morning the Federal advance became confused in
the darkness and two of their regiment, fired upon each other.
4. At Big Bethel, on the 10th, they found the regiment of
Colonel Hill supporting a battery of the "Richmond Howitzers."
There were also present two infantry and three cavalry companies
belonging to Virginia. This force was assailed by the Federal
army, but the attack was repelled and the assailants retired in
disorder to Old Point Comfort. Only one Confederate soldier was
killed in the action, and that was private Henry Wyatt, of
Edgecombe county. He belonged to Captain J. L. Bridgers'
company, and was the first Southern soldier slain in the war
between the States.
5. The whole affair was insignificant, both as to the number
engaged and the results achieved, but was hailed as a happy omen
by the South. North Carolina, with all her deliberation in
taking part in the struggle, was thus to afford the first martyr
of the South, and was present with her troops to arrest the
first Federal invasion of Southern soil.
6. On the 18th and 21st days of July occurred much greater and
more serious conflicts at Manassas and Bull Run, also in
Virginia. Another Federal army, commanded by General Irvin
McDowell, and numbering more than forty thousand men, left
Washington with orders to attack the Confederates under General
G. T. Beauregard. The Fifth, Sixth and Twenty-first Regiments
of North Carolina troops were present, and gallantly aided in
the Federal defeat.
7. Colonel Charles F. Fisher was especially valuable in the aid
he rendered in restoring a ditched train to the track, and thus
making possible the timely approach of the reinforcements under
General E. Kirby Smith, which so speedily resulted in the flight
of General McDowell's army. It is mournful to add, that, after
performing this signal service, and after gallantly capturing
the celebrated Rickett's Battery, Colonel Fisher was slain in
the battle. He fell at the head of his regiment, beyond the
battery and still in pursuit of the enemy. This memorable
victory was very grateful to the South, but it did not delude
the people into the belief that the war was at an end; it was
useful, too, in that it gave them time to prepare for the
greater conflicts still to come.
8. It had been hoped by Mr. Lincoln and his advisers that all
Southern opposition would be overcome in ninety days, but at
Bull Run and Manassas they were convinced that only by a great
and prolonged struggle were such adversaries to be subdued. The
short periods of enlistment were abandoned by both sides, and
the winter was spent in preparation for a gigantic struggle in
the spring.
9. It was early seen in North Carolina that fortifications were
necessary at Hatteras for the defence of the many broad waters
covering so large a portion of the eastern counties. A small
sand-work, known as Fort Hatteras, with an outlying flank
defence, called Battery Clark, was the only reliance for the
protection of Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds.
10. Before these weak defences a large Federal fleet appeared on
August 27th, 1861, and by means of its superior armament, lay
securely beyond the range of the guns mounted in Fort Hatteras,
while pouring in a tremendous discharge of shot and shell. The
Federals having effected a landing on the beach, and most of the
caution being dismounted in the fort, it was thought best by
Colonel W. F. Martin, on the 29th, to surrender the fort.
11. In two days' operations the whole tier of eastern counties
was thus laid bare to the incursions of Federal troops and
cruisers. There was great sorrow for the captured garrison, and
general alarm and uneasiness; but the spirit of resistance was
undaunted, and troops continued volunteering by thousands.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is the subject of this lesson? How did the North Carolinians
consider their departure from the Union?
2. What preparations for war were made by the State, even before
its secession? Who commanded the first regiment?
3. Relate General Butler's exploit.
4. Give an account of the battle of Big Bethel.
What Confederate soldier was slain?
5. What is said of this event?
6. Where were North Carolina troops next engaged in battle?
7. What signal aid was rendered by Colonel Charles F. Fisher?
What were the effects of this victory?
8. What did Mr. Lincoln learn from these battles?
9. At what point on the North Carolina coast were fortifications specially needed?
10. Describe the Federal attack on Fort Hatteras. Point out Hatteras on the map.
11. What was the result of the fall of Hatteras?
CHAPTER LVI.
THE COMBAT DEEPENS.
A. D. 1662.
1862.
By the fortune of war in the Revolution, as again in 1812, the
State was nearly always left with a small proportion of her own
troops to defend the home of their birth. So, also, when the
spring opened in 1862, though fully forty thousand men of the
State were under arms, they were to be found in Virginia and
South Carolina, except a small force left at Wilmington and
Roanoke Island.
2. This condition of affairs did not result, however, from any
indifference on the part of the general government to us, but
from the fact that the main strategic points were in other
States, and fortunate it was for North Carolina that this was so;
for whatever may have been the necessities of local defence, or
the evils incident to an unprotected coastline, or those
inseparable from its occupation by the enemy at various points,
they cannot be compared to the evils resulting from the prolonged
occupation of a State by large contending armies.
3. Roanoke Island was the only hope of defence for Albemarle
Sound and the many rivers flowing therein. To defend it, General
Henry A. Wise was sent with a small force to be added to the
Eighth and Thirty-first Regiments of North Carolina Volunteers.
He was sick on February 7th, 1862, when General Burnside, with a
great fleet and fifteen thousand Federal troops, sailed up
Croatan Sound and began the attack.
4. Colonel Henry M. Shaw, of the Eighth North Carolina Regiment,
was in command, and made a gallant but unavailing defence. The
Federals landed and moved up the island in the rear of the forts
which had been constructed to prevent the passage of vessels to
the west of the defences. The only recourse left was to abandon
the lower batteries and concentrate the Southern troops at a
point near the centre of Roanoke Island.
5. It was hoped that the morasses, indenting both shores and
leaving a narrow isthmus, would enable the small Confederate
force to defend that position; but the bravery and enterprise of
the enemy enabled him to turn both flanks, and nothing was left
Colonel Shaw and his command but to fall back to the northern end
of the island and there lay down their arms.
6. The battle had been bravely fought for two days, and the two
thousand Confederate prisoners and their gallant leader became
captives, but only after inflicting heavy loss upon the
assailants. The place was untenable against superior naval
appliances, and quite men enough had been sacrificed in view of
the impossibility of preventing its isolation by Federal fleets.
7. Very different were the defensive capacities of the city of
New Bern. It was immediately foreseen that this important place
would be next assailed, and with enough troops it would have been
an easy feat to have held it indefinitely, but whether its value
as a strategic point would have justified such a defence may be
doubted. The Confederate authorities entrusted its defence to
General L. O'B. Branch, who had no experience in military
affairs, and in whose command, like General Wise's, was not a
single regiment that had been under fire, though there were
skillful officers of lower rank who had seen much service in the
old army. On March 14th, General Burnside, with the army and
fleet so lately the victors at Roanoke, moved to attack the forts
which had been constructed just below the junction of Neuse and
Trent Rivers.
8. General Branch had in his command the Seventh, Twenty-sixth,
Twenty-seventh, Thirty-third and Thirty-fifth North Carolina
Regiments, a portion of the Nineteenth (cavalry), with Brem's and
Latham's light batteries and a small force of militia. These
were disposed along a line stretching from Fort Thompson, on
Neuse River, across the railroad to an impassable swamp, which
afforded abundant protection to his right flank.
9. The battle began at seven o'clock in the morning and raged
until noon. The Federal attacks were repeatedly repelled until,
by the fatal flight of the militia in the centre, the Confederate
lines were broken and a precipitate retreat ensued. General
Branch lost two hundred prisoners and seventy men killed and
wounded; and, besides these, all his guns and stores. He was
beaten in his first battle, when perhaps naught but defeat was
expected, but he soon won high reputation as a brave soldier and
skillful officer. Victory is not always possible to the best
generalship. He met, in a few days at Kinston, reinforcements
that would have enabled him to hold his ground at New Bern; but
like many other earthly succors, they came too late for real
benefit.
10. The fall of New Bern sealed the fate of the Confederate
forces at Fort Macon. Colonel M. I. White, with five companies
of the Tenth Regiment (artillery), endured the Federal
bombardment until the work was in danger of being blown up. He
surrendered the fort on April 26th, 1862. These disasters at
home were indeed calculated to dishearten, but the only visible
effect upon the people at large was to increase the numbers of
those who were still volunteering by thousands to defend North
Carolina and the Confederate States.
11. In the spring of 1862, General McClellan, the Federal
commander, having determined to make his advance on Richmond by
way of James River, and having made his preparations to that
effect, General Johnston transferred the Confederate troops from
Manassas to the peninsula between the James and York Rivers, thus
placing his army between McClellan and Richmond.
12. At Williamsburg occurred the first memorable conflict of the
year between the two great armies struggling on the soil of the
Old Dominion. In this conflict the charge of the Fifth North
Carolina Regiment, under Colonel D. K. MacRae, excited the
admiration and its terrible losses the sympathy of both friend
and foe.
13. In the bloody and glorious campaign in the Shenandoah Valley,
General T. J. Jackson grew immortal before the coming of
midsummer. The gallantry of the Twenty-first North Carolina
Regiment at Winchester, like that of the Fourth at Seven Pines,
was as conspicuous as bloody. In this latter battle, where so
many other men of the State were slain, the Fourth Regiment,
under Colonel George B. Anderson, lost four hundred and sixty-two
men, out of five hundred and twenty.
14. In the last days of June nearly all of the North Carolina
regiments and many Southern troops were concentrated around
Richmond, under the command of General Robert E. Lee, in place of
General Johnston, who had been wounded at Seven Pines. In the
week of battle which ended in the overthrow of the great
investing army of General McClellan, they lost thousands of their
bravest and best. Ninety-two regiments constituted the divisions
of Jackson, Longstreet, D. H. Hill and A. P. Hill. These were
the forces that drove the Federals to their ships; and forty-six
of these regiments belong to North Carolina. It may be safely
asserted that more than half the men actively engaged and
disabled during that terrible week were citizens of North
Carolina.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said or North Carolina's forces in the wars?
2. What is said of this condition of affairs?
3. What force was sent to defend Albermarle Sound?
4. Can you tell of Burnside's attack?
5. What was the conclusion of the engagement?
6. What is said of this battle?
7. To what point was attention next directed? What officer was
in command? When was the Federal attack made?
8. What composed General Branch's command?
9. Describe the battle.
10. What is said of the fall of New Bern? What fort was next
surrendered? Where is Fort Mason?
11. What military movements were made in Virginia?
12. What is said of the gallant charge of the Fifth Regiment at
Williamsburg?
13. What regiments are specially mentioned as participants at
Winchester and Seven Pines?
14. What is said of the events at this period?
CHAPTER LVII.
THE WAR CONTINUES.
A. D. 1862.
Amid the exultation that filled the hearts of the people of
North Carolina for the victories around Richmond, there was grief
in many families for heroes fallen in the discharge of duty.
Colonels Stokes, Meares, Campbell and C. C. Lee, like a great
host of their compatriots, were gone to come no more. It seemed
that the superior numbers and resources of the United States
forces were to prove powerless before the fiery onsets of the
Confederate troops.
2. In the month of August, 1862, Zebulon B. Vance, of Buncombe,
then Colonel of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, was chosen Governor of
North Carolina over William Johnston, of Charlotte, who had been
of late Commissary-General of the State. By an ordinance of the
Convention, Colonel Vance entered upon his duties as Chief-
Magistrate on September 8th, 1862. He was to evince great zeal
in the discharge of his official duties.
3. The first Maryland campaign, which occurred in the fall of the
year, was the next event of general interest. In the battles
fought in that memorable campaign the North Carolina regiments
won great reputation, but a terrible loss of life. General
Branch was killed and General Anderson received wounds at
Sharpsburg of which he soon died, and left grief in many hearts
for their untimely end. Colonel C. C. Tew also fell in the same
great battle, and increased the grief of his people at the loss
by the mystery of his fate. He disappeared amid the storm of
conflict, but exactly how and when was never known.
4. In North Carolina there had been comparative quiet through the
spring and summer months. The Federal garrisons at Plymouth and
New Bern were watched by small bodies of Confederates, but no
fighting occurred except in Plymouth, which town was taken and
held for a few hours by Colonel Martin, with the Seventeenth
Regiment, and then abandoned because of the Federal gun-boats.
5. On Blackwater River, just below Franklin, in Virginia, there
was a gallant conflict of a few cavalrymen under Lieutenant
Thomas Ruffin, of the Fourth Cavalry, and a Federal double-ender.
The crew were all driven from deck and the ship lay at the mercy
of the assailants until her consorts came up the stream from
below and shelled the victors from their prey.
6. By the 1st of December the Federal army, this time under
command of General Burnside, was confronting General Lee at
Fredericksburg, Virginia. On the 13th, Burns attempted to carry
our lines, but after repeated and desperate assaults and terrible
slaughter, withdrew his troops. It was this battle that Marye's
Heights won its bloody fame. The gallantry of the enemy,
especially of Meagher's Irish Brigade was magnificent.
7. Simultaneously with the attack of General Burnside of the army
of General Lee at Fredericksburg, the South Carolina Brigade of
General Evans, then stationed at Kinston, North Carolina, was
surprised to see a few mounted Federal soldiers make an attack
upon the position then held by them. The Federals were driven back
and pursued in the direction of New Bern. Suddenly the South
Carolinians found themselves confronted by more than twenty
thousand foes.
8. In the speedy retreat that ensued, General Evans was unable to
burn the bridges across the river, and effected escape with some
loss. He was, the next day, reinforced and awaited General
Foster's approach on the road leading to Goldsboro. But the
Federals were seeking to intervene between that place and the one
occupied by Evans. All Tuesday morning (December 16th) the
masses of the Union troops were seeking to cross Neuse River at
White Hall; they were bravely met there by General Beverly H.
Robinson who, with the Eleventh, Thirty-first, Fifty-ninth and
Sixty-third Regiments, and Battery B, Third North Carolina
Battalion, withstood all their attacks and inflicted severe loss
on the baffled invaders. The contest lasted for eight hours
during which General Foster persisted in his efforts to drive off
the Confederates, so that pontoons could be laid forming a bridge
across the stream, in place of the one burned the night before.
9. Failing to cross Neuse River at White Hall, General Foster
marched in the evening for Goldsboro, and, having reached the
bridge of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, succeeded in burning
it, in spite of the gallant efforts of General Clingman and his
brigade to prevent.
10. General Foster retired in great precipitation to New Bern,
and the burned bridge was his only trophy in an expedition which
seemed so threatening at its inception.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the feeling concerning the victories around Richmond?
2. Who was chosen Governor in 1862? When did Colonel Vance enter
upon the duties of Chief-Magistrate?
3. What losses had North Carolina sustained in the battle of
Sharpsburg? What increased the grief of Colonel Tew's people?
4. What was the state of affairs in North Carolina during the
spring and summer of 1862?
5. Describe the engagement on Blackwater River?
6. Where was the Federal army confronting General Lee on December
1st? What occurred on the 13th?
7. Can you tell of the surprise at Kinston?
S. What was the further result of this affair?
9. What is said of the conclusion of this matter?
10. Where did General Foster go?
CHAPTER LVIII.
WAR AND ITS HORRORS.
A. D. 1863.
1863.
When the year 1863 had come upon the American States in their
bloody and wasting quarrel, there was nothing to indicate any
solution of the great controversy. Many bloody battles had been
fought, thousands of homes were saddened in the loss of brave and
true men, and yet both sides were as intent as ever upon carrying
on indefinitely the terrible and costly struggle.
2. Mr. Lincoln and the government at Washington said there should
be no peace until the seceded States returned to their
allegiance. Mr. Davis and the government at Richmond said, on
the other hand, that the seceded States were, of right, free and
independent States that had rightfully resumed their delegated
powers, and owed no allegiance to the Federal government.
3. It was hoped that England and France would recognize the
independence of the Confederate States; but beyond extending to
the Southern government the rights of belligerents, this trust
proved utterly fallacious. Confederate agents were received and
armed vessels allowed to enter their ports, but no aid was
extended to the Southern cause. The arrest of the Confederate
Commissioners, Messrs. Mason and Slidell, on a British mail
steamer, by a United States war vessel, was resented by England
and war seemed probable; but these Southern envoys were released,
and no aid came from abroad except in the ships that were bought
of private persons for the purpose of cruising against vessels
belonging to citizens of the United States.
4. Among the earliest measures adopted by the Federal government
was the blockade of the Southern seaports. Wilmington,
Charleston, Savannah, Mobile and Galveston were all watched by
armed ships that sought to exclude the vessels of all countries
from entering these harbors. Cruisers swarmed along the whole
Southern coast, and it became a matter of great peril and
difficulty to send out or bring in any commodity by way of the
ocean.
5. This soon led to a scarcity of salt, sugar, coffee, molasses
and everything which had been formerly imported from Europe or
bought of Northern merchants. Prices continually advanced as
such things became more scarce in the South. Wilmington is so
situated that an effective blockade there was almost impossible.
There were two inlets, and, therefore, two blockade fleets were
necessary, and even with this added difficulty the blockading
squadron could not prevent, on dark nights, the passage of swift
steamers that swept in and out of the Cape Fear River and brought
from Nassau and Bermuda what was most needed for the armies and
people.
6. Soon after his inauguration, Governor Vance, at General
Martin's suggestion, sent Colonel Thomas M. Crossan to England
for the purpose of procuring a ship to supply the wants of North
Carolina. Crossan had been a naval officer in the service of the
United States, and had judgment enough in such matters to select
one of the swiftest ships in the world. It was called the Lord
Clyde abroad, but that name was changed to the Ad-Vance, and the
vessel made many successful voyages before she was captured.
7. In the superior clothing and equipments of the North Carolina
troops were the wisdom and activity of the State government
manifested. And, too, not only were the necessities of our own
soldiers supplied, but large aid was extended to the troops of
other States. Besides this, cotton and woolen cards and many
other necessaries were brought in and distributed to the
different sections of the State. Salt was the most important of
all the domestic supplies excluded by the blockade. To procure
this indispensable article, private factories on the seacoast
were supplemented by others under State management; but these
proved insufficient to meet popular wants, and arrangements were
made to procure additional supplies from the salt wells of
southwestern Virginia.
8. It was early foreseen that in so great a struggle enormous
expenditures would become necessary; and to meet such
liabilities, it would be necessary for the Confederacy and the
individual States to use their credit in procuring supplies on
the faith of future payments. Many millions of dollars were to
be expended, and only Confederate and State obligations would be
available to meet such purchases.
9. Unhappily, the great supply of cotton then in the South was
not utilized by the authorities, and thus a solid basis of credit
was lost; and a favorite theory is, that had all the cotton been
promptly seized by the government and sent to foreign ports, the
depreciation of its funds would have been averted, but whether
this could have been done is, to say the least, by no means
certain. As it was, in 1863, both Confederate and State money
began to depreciate in value, and this depreciation once begun,
had no stop in its downward tendency.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the condition of the war in 1863?
2. What positions were taken by Presidents Lincoln and Davis?
3. From what countries had the South expected aid? What is said
of the arrest of Mason and Slidell?
4. What Southern cities were blockaded? What was the effect of
this blockade?
5. What is said of the port of Wilmington?
6. How did Governor Vance supply the wants of the people? What
is said of the Ad-Vance?
7. What supplies were brought in by the Ad-Vance? How was salt
obtained?
8. How did the Confederate government propose to obtain funds for
carrying on the war?
9. What was the cause of the great depreciation in the value of money?
CHAPTER LIX.
THE DEATH-WOUND AT GETTYSBURG.
A. D. 1863.
In spite of the great Federal success in acquiring territory
in North Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi and elsewhere, and
notwithstanding the increasing hardships everywhere felt, the
government and people of the Confederate States were still
undismayed and hopeful when the spring of 1863 permitted the vast
armies of the United States to resume active military operations.
No thought of submission was entertained by the Confederate
soldiers, and among the people at home only in rare instances
were individuals to be found who expressed hopelessness as to the
result of the war.
2. In North Carolina a period of inactivity succeeded the raid by
General Foster, which was only broken by the unsuccessful attack
on the town of Washington. General W. B. C. Whiting, who had
made reputation as a division commander in the Army of Northern
Virginia, was sent to assume charge of the Department of the Cape
Fear, with his headquarters in Wilmington. This city had been
fearfully ravaged by yellow fever in the fall of 1862, and had
now become all important to the Confederacy as a port. Other
Southern sea ports were almost totally closed by blockade, and
only at the Cape Fear was there left a hope of access.
3. Generals Braxton Bragg, D. H. Hill, Leonidas Poll, and
Benjamin McCulloh had all risen to prominent commands and
conferred honor by their connections with the Old North State.
Among the younger officers, Generals Pender, Hoke, Pettigrew and
Ramseur had all won distinguished notice and promotion for
gallant and meritorious service.
4. Many thousands had been enrolled in the sixty-six regiments
and ten battalions of North Carolina mustered in the Confederate
service, and, though mourning was in many households, recruits
were constantly going to fill the gaps occasioned by deaths on
the field and in the hospitals. Dr. Charles E. Johnson had been
succeeded as Surgeon General of the State by Dr. Edward Warren.
Drs. E. Burke Haywood, Peter E. Hines, W. C. Warren and others of
the leading physicians were placed in charge of great hospitals
at Raleigh and other cities in the State. North Carolina
sustained a similar institution at Petersburg, in Virginia. Of
the latter the excellent lady, Miss Mary Pettigrew, a sister of
the general of the same name, became matron; and, like another
Florence Nightingale, cheered the sick and dying with her elegant
presence.
5. General Burnside lost his place by his disaster at
Fredericksburg, and was followed in command of the Army of the
Potomac by General Joseph Hooker. This gallant commander was as
signally beaten at Chancellorsville on May 2d and 3d. No battle
of any age conferred greater honor upon the victors; but in the
loss of Stonewall Jackson the South was deprived of a leader
whose place could not be supplied. North Carolina was never more
gloriously vindicated than on this famous field, and ex-Governor
Graham, who was then in Richmond, said, a few days afterwards, in
the Confederate States Senate, that half the men killed and
wounded at Chancellorsville belonged to North Carolina regiments.
6. So astonishing was the result of this battle, and so crushing
its effects upon the Federal authorities, that General Lee again
resolved upon an invasion of the North. The invasion proved a
failure, and after several severe battles General Lee was forced
to return, with his defeated army, to Virginia. It was on that
last dread day, the 3d of July, at Gettysburg, that he discovered
that even his incomparable infantry could not accomplish
everything he desired.
7. Thirty thousand of the bravest and best, who had so long made
the Army of Northern Virginia unconquerable, were lost to our
cause forever. Among the North Carolinians, Generals Pender and
Pettigrew, Colonels Burgwin, Marshall and Isaac E. Avery were
slain, and a host of subalterns likewise perished.
8. Another great disaster happened at this time in the surrender
of Vicksburg, Mississippi, with the army there under command of
General Pemberton, involving as it did the occupation of so large
a portion of the Confederacy. These great losses, occurring as
they did on the same day, and so vitally affecting our strength,
were never retrieved, and from that day Southern fortunes waned,
with occasional flickerings of hope, until the close at
Appomattox.
9. But many gallant struggles were yet to be made. On different
fields the great forces of the Union were to be bravely repelled,
but the ranks of General Lee's army were so much thinned that it
became daily more impossible to confront the increasing horde
that gathered against it from all civilized nations. But the
policy of attrition and exhaustion was not to be seen in full
force until the next year.
10. During the month of June, Colonel Spear's cavalry raid in
Hertford and Northampton counties was driven back by General M.
W. Ransom, and, beyond this, there were no movements of a hostile
character in the State limits during the year.
QUESTIONS.
1. In what condition was the South in 1863?
2. How was the port of Wilmington specially important to the
Confederacy? Who was in command at this place?
3. What North Carolinians are mentioned as having risen to
prominence?
4. How many regiments had the State furnished up to this time?
Who succeeded Dr. Charles E. Johnson as Surgeon General of the
State? What doctors had charge of the hospitals? What noble
woman is mentioned, and what is said of her?
5. What fierce battle was fought on May 2d and 3d? What did
Governor Graham say of the North Carolina troops at
Chancellorsville?
6. Upon what did General Lee resolve after the victory? What was
the result of the invasion?
7. How many Southern soldiers were lost on this occasion? What
North Carolinians are named among the slain?
8. What other great disaster happened at this time? How did it
affect the Southern cause?
9. What is said of Lee's army?
10. What raid was driven back by General Ransom?
CHAPTER LX.
GENERAL GRANT AND HIS CAMPAIGN.
A. D. 1864.
1864.
The fourth year of the great war opened on North Carolina with
grief in almost every family; still, with diminished hopes and
increased exertions for the general defence, they looked forward
to a campaign which they well understood was to be decisive of
their fortunes. Perhaps not even General Washington was so
trusted and beloved by the American people in the Revolution as
was General Robert E. Lee by those of the South in the closing
years of the struggle.
2. In his genius and capacity they felt sure they had the very
highest human leadership, and in his splendid career and
spotless renown they all took pride, as conferring reflected
credit upon themselves. So noble, unselfish and wise, he had
become the idol of his own people and the admiration of his
foes. At the outbreak of the war he had declined the command of
the Federal armies, because he believed it was his duty to take
part with his own people.
3. Ex-Governor Thomas Bragg had been for some time in the
Cabinet of President Davis, as Attorney-General. He resigned
the position and was no more in public life. Since 1854, when
he had left the Bar to become the Governor of North Carolina, he
had been continually growing in public favor, and now returned
to the leadership of his profession. No lawyer in our annals
has been more respected or successful. In the Confederate
States Senate the polished and eloquent George Davis, of
Wilmington, and W. W. Avery, of Burke, had served until the
latter was succeeded, in 1862, by W. T. Dortch, of Wayne; and, a
year later, Mr. Davis was succeeded by ex-Governor Graham; and
later still, Mr. Dortch was succeeded by Thomas S. Ashe, of
Anson, who did not take his seat by reason of the dissolution of
the Confederate government.
4. In the midst of the great struggle there was, of course, a
great diminution of attention to matters of education. Governor
Swain, with a remnant of the faculty, remained at Chapel Hill,
and, with a few boys too young for service, yet retained the
name and semblance of the University. Professors Hubbard, James
and Charles Phillips, Hepburn, Smith, Fetter and Judge Battle
were still on duty at their old posts, but Professor Martin was
Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment, and almost all the students
were enrolled as soldiers of the Confederate army. The
sectarian colleges, male and female, were nearly all closed, and
even in the common schools there was small interest manifested
amid the blood and excitement of the time.
5. Many of the ablest ministers of the gospel left their
churches and were faithful chaplains in the army. Great
religious interest was awakened by them among the men who were
so bravely battling in Virginia, and many thousands were
converted and added to the churches during the revivals in the
camps.
6. The recapture of Plymouth, in Washington county, on April
20th, 1864, was one of the most brilliant and successful affairs
of the war. The youthful and gallant Brigadier General R. F.
Hoke was sent by General Lee, in command of a division, with
which he surrounded the strong fortifications and took them by
assault, capturing more than three thousand prisoners. The help
of the iron-clad Albemarle was very efficacious on this
occasion, and her combat at the mouth of Roanoke River, a few
days later, was one of the most stubborn naval engagements on
record. Single-handed, Captain Cook fought and defeated a
strong fleet of double-enders, and drove them, routed, from the
scene. This expedition of General Hoke secured his promotion,
and was in marked contrast with that of General Pickett against
New Bern a few weeks before; the only incident of which,
creditable to the Confederates, was General Martin's well-fought
battle at Shepardsville.
7. When the spring opened, tidings came from the Wilderness of
fresh battles in that region, which had been made famous the
year before. General U. S. Grant had been made Commander-in-
Chief of all the Federal armies, to assume the direction of
affairs in Virginia. With the vast numbers at his command, he
resolved upon such strategy as fell with fearful results upon
his army, but it weakened the reduced ranks of the Confederates
at the same time. General Grant lost more men in his march from
the Rapidan to the James River than General Lee had confronting
him, but it mattered not, for still fresh Federal thousands
poured in to fill the places of those who fell at the
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and the minor combats.
On our side, however, there were none to take the places of
those who were killed.
8. In this terrible campaign, which was not ended even when
General Grant began the siege of Petersburg, the North Carolina
regiments were fearfully reduced. Generals Ramseur, Daniel and
Godwin, together with Colonels Andrews, Garrett, Brabble, Wood,
Spear, Blacknall, C. M. Avery, Jones, Barbour and
Moore were among those who sealed their faith with their blood.
9. No battle of the war was more brilliant in its particulars
and results than that of Reams' Station, fought on August 24th,
1864. General W. S. Hancock, of the Federal army, had seized
and fortified a position, from which General Lee ordered
Lieutenant-General A. P. Hill to dislodge him. So stern was
Hancock's resistance that two bloody assaults had been repelled,
when the privates of Cooke's, MacRae's and Lane's North Carolina
brigades demanded to be led to the attack in which their
comrades had failed. Their officers complied; and, with
seventeen hundred and fifty muskets in the charge, they took the
works and captured twenty-one hundred prisoners and thirteen
pieces of artillery. *
*The North Carolina cavalry regiments were also greatly
applauded by General Hampton for service on the same occasion.
10. In the steady depreciation of Confederate and State money
was the greatest calamity of all. The cry of distress from
famishing women and children was increasing in volume, and the
State and county authorities were finding it more and more
impossible to meet, by public charity, the pressing wants of
their people.
11. The pay of Confederate soldiers in the ranks was $15 and $17
per month, in "Confederate money." During the latter days of the
war flour sold for $800 per barrel; meat $3 per pound; chickens
$15 each; shoes (brogans) $300 per pair; coffee $50 per pound;
tallow candles $15 per pound. It may be easily imagined how
great was the suffering in the South when it is remembered that
numbers of soldiers' wives were almost entirely dependent upon
the pay of their husbands for support. There were relief
committees throughout the State, but the great scarcity of
provisions made them almost helpless.
12. Almost all the white men in North Carolina were in the ranks
of the different regiments and battalions mustered into the
Confederate service. Their families were largely dependent upon
the pay they received as soldiers. When the Confederate money
became worthless, want and suffering appeared in every section,
and unhappy wives were clamorous for their husbands' return to
avert starvation at home.
13. The suffering families were ever in the minds of the
dauntless men who were away facing the enemy, for a direr foe
was thinning the blood and blanching the cheeks of wife and
child. Therefore, many a hero turned his back on the scenes of
his glory and incurred personal ignominy, and sometimes the
punishment of death, for desertion.
14. The case of Edward Cooper was in point. He was tried by
court-martial for desertion. He declined the aid of a lawyer to
defend him, and, as his only defence, handed the presiding judge
of the court the following letter, which he had received from
his wife:
"My Dear Edward: I have always been proud of you, and since your
connection with the Confederate army I have been prouder of you
than ever before. I would not have you do anything wrong for
the world, but before God, Edward, unless you come home, we must
die. Last night I was aroused by little Eddie's crying. I
called and said, "What is the matter, Eddie? " And he said, "O
mamma, I am so hungry." And Lucy, Edward, your darling Lucy,
she never complains, but she is growing thinner and thinner
every day. And before God, Edward, unless you come home, we
must die. YOUR MARY."
15. General Cullen Battle and his associate members of the court
were melted to tears. Although the prisoner had voluntarily
returned to his command, they found him guilty, and sentenced
him to death, but recommended mercy. General Lee, in reviewing
the case, approved the finding but pardoned the unhappy
artilleryman, who was afterwards seen by General Battle,
standing, pale and bloody, as he fired his last round into the
retreating Federals. He then fell dead at his post in battle.
QUESTIONS.
1. What year of the war have we now reached? What is said of
North Carolina's hopes?
2. What tribute is paid to General Robert E. Lee?
3. What is said of ex-Governor Bragg? What changes were made in
the Confederate States Senate?
4. What is said of educational matters at this period?
5. How were the ministers of the gospel faithfully performing their duties?
6. Can you describe the capture of Plymouth by General R. F. Hoke's
command?
7. Where was the principal fighting in the spring of 1864?
What is said of Grant's campaign?
8. What losses had North Carolina sustained in this campaign.
9. Describe the battle of Reams' Station. What North Carolina
troops captured General Hancock's position?
10. What is said of the depreciation of the Confederate currency?
How was it affecting the people?
11. What was the pay of Confederate soldiers? Mention the prices
of some of the necessaries of life.
12. How were the soldiers' families suffering?
13. What is said of the terrible struggle of the women and children?
14. Can you mention the case of Edward Cooper?
15. What was the verdict of the court-martial? What was the
ending of this sad case?
CHAPTER LXI.
NORTH CAROLINA AND PEACE-MAKING.
A. D. 1864 TO 1865.
In 1864 Colonel Vance was re-elected Governor of North
Carolina. At his first election he was personally very popular,
was a soldier in the field, had been in actual battle, had been
by no means a strong "Union" man in the earlier portions of the
year 1861, and, indeed, in May of that year, was in camp at the
head of his company. Mr. Johnston, his opponent, was a
secessionist, but neither popular nor a soldier, and
comparatively but little known to the mass of the people, except
in his own immediate section of the State. Everybody of every
shade of opinion had the fullest confidence that Colonel Vance
would do his whole duty. There was no expectation that Mr.
Johnston would be elected, nor any serious effort made in his
behalf.
2. In his course as Governor such strenuous support was given to
the Confederate States that when his term of service approached
conclusion, and a new election was to be held, a few men who had
been among his most zealous friends two years before, but who now
opposed the determined attitude of the Confederacy and of North
Carolina, were found opposing his continuance as Governor.
3. These comprised a small fragment of the people, and William W.
Holden, of Wake, was their candidate, and this was all the
opposition Governor Vance had. Mr. Holden was the editor of the
Standard, a newspaper that had, in years past, been extreme in
Southern proclivities, and he had advocated and signed the
Ordinance of Secession, but of late he had advocated North
Carolina's withdrawal from the Confederacy and the making of
separate terms with the powers at Washington.
4. Governor Vance and the people, except the handful of Holden's
followers, both in and out of the army, opposed this project as
dishonorable and unjust to their compatriots of other States.
They held that North Carolina's fortunes were inseparable from
those of the other Southern States, and that she must share their
fate, whatever that might be.
5. About this time several propositions looking to overtures to
Mr. Lincoln for peace were communicated to Governor Vance from
certain members of the Confederate Congress from other States,
but he refused to take any part in such a scheme. He was re-
elected by an overwhelming majority, after a thorough exposition
of his views by many addresses both to the people at home and to
the North Carolina soldiers in their camps.
6. As General Grant day-by-day massed fresh thousands of troops
before Petersburg, and the Confederate resistance grew more
feeble in the Shenandoah Valley, the conference which took place
at Old Point Comfort was arranged to no purpose. After a mighty
struggle, the South, in utter exhaustion, was soon to lay down
the arms that had been so bravely wielded.
7. The importance of Wilmington to the waning fortunes of the
Confederacy had long been evident in the closing of other
seaports by blockade. General Whiting was an able and
experienced engineer, and his main defence, Fort Fisher, on New
Inlet, was pronounced by General Beauregard as almost
impregnable. Forts Caswell and Holmes, at the mouth of Cape Fear
River, and the numerous works fringing both banks of the stream
from Wilmington to the ocean, had apparently rendered hostile
approach from that direction a thing almost impossible to any
naval expedition.
8. On December 25th the same General Butler who had been at the
capture of Fort Hatteras in 1861, came with an army which was
borne in a great fleet commanded by Admiral D. D. Porter. This
vast armada, carrying six hundred of the heaviest cannon modern
science has been able to construct, opened fire upon Fort Fisher.
9. The fort was reinforced by a few companies from other portions
of General Whiting's command, and later, the division of General
Hoke arrived from Petersburg and took position in the intrenched
camp at Sugar Loaf, four miles distant up the river. General
Braxton Bragg had been for some time in command of the department
and was present on this occasion.
10. All day, on that Christmas Sabbath, a fiery storm of shot and
shell was rained upon the fort, which answered slowly and
deliberately from its different batteries. In the midst of the
bombardment, General Butler landed his army on the peninsula
above the land-face of the work, but upon inspection of its
strength he grew hopeless of his undertaking, and on the night of
December 26th, having re-embarked his force, the fleet returned
to Beaufort.
1865.
11. There was much joy and relief in this evident Federal
confirmation of the reported impregnability of the great work,
and congratulations went around among the Confederates over this
defeat of the costly undertaking of the invaders. General Bragg
withdrew Hoke's Division and all the force at Sugar Loaf, except
Adams' light battery and the cavalry, with the intention of
attacking the garrison of New Bern.
12. He was signally interrupted in this undertaking, when, on the
night of the 12th of January, 1865, Colonel William Lamb
telegraphed from Fort Fisher that the fleet had returned and the
troops were disembarking for a renewal of the attack. General
Bragg hurried Hoke's and all other available commands back to the
rescue, but found the Federal army in complete possession of the
ground between the fort and intrenched camp. Upon a
reconnaissance, the Enemy were found too strongly posted to be
assailed.
13. The great fleet opened fire upon the land-face, and having
dismounted all but one of the twenty-two heavy guns defending
that flank, on the evening of the 15th, General Terry by signal,
changed the fire of the fleet to the sea-face batteries. The
three Federal brigades that had worked their way close up, sprang
forward in a charge that resulted in the capture of seven
traverses and four hundred prisoners. The assailants lost their
three commanders and five hundred men. It was a fatal blow. The
Federals could not be dislodged, and, after brave and unavailing
combat within the works, Fort Fisher was taken; and its garrison,
numbering two thousand men, became prisoners of war. General
Whiting and Colonel Lamb were both badly wounded, and the former
soon died of his injuries.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of the re-election of Governor Vance in 1864?
2. What course had Governor Vance pursued? What is said of the
approaching election?
3. Who was Governor Vance's opponent? What measures were being
advocated by Mr. Holden and his followers?
4. How did Governor Vance and the people consider these measures?
5. What proposition had certain members of the Confederate
Congress communicated to Governor Vance, and how had he received
them? What was the result of the election?
6. Where was General Grant placing fresh troops? What was the result?
7. What is said of Wilmington and its defences?
8. What occurred on December 25th, 1864?
9. Describe the attack on Fort Fisher.
10. What was the conclusion of the attack?
11 How did the state receive the news of this Federal failure?
What forces were removed from Fort Fisher?
12. Describe the preparations for renewal of attack on January 12th.
13. Give an account of the engagement. What was the sad result?
CHAPTER LXII.
THE WAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE.
A. D. 1865.
1. With the fall of Fort Fisher the fate of Wilmington was
sealed. With the Federal troops in such a position the port was
most effectually closed. The last connection of the beleaguered
Confederacy with the outer world was thus broken, and North
Carolina, with beating heart, listened to the approaching
footsteps of countless invaders. General Lee, who had been made
General-in-Chief of all the Southern armies, selected General
Joseph E. Johnston to command in North Carolina.
2. General Bragg's forces having retired from Wilmington, met the
corps of Major-General Schofield in an ineffectual engagement at
Kinston on March 8th, and retired upon Goldsboro. This
command, with the troops lately in Charleston and Savannah, the
remnant of the Army of Tennessee and Hampton's Division from
Virginia, soon made an army of twenty-five thousand men, under
the command of General Johnston.
3. Against him were coming, from South Carolina, the great army
under General W. T. Sherman; from Wilmington, the corps of
General Terry, and from Kinston, the army of General Schofield.
In addition to these overwhelming forces, another column was
approaching from the west, under General Stoneman.
4. As this great array gathered toward Raleigh as a common focus,
the first conflict was between the division commanded by General
Hardee and the army of General Sherman at the hamlet of
Averasboro. After a stubborn fight, Hardee withdrew, and, having
joined General Johnston, the latter collected fifteen thousand
men at Bentonsville, in Johnston county, on March 19th, and
awaited Sherman's approach.
5. General Sherman, on that day, made six successive attacks upon
Johnston's left, composed of Hoke's and Cheatham's divisions and
the late garrisons on the Cape Fear. The Federal assaults were
all repelled, and, at the order for our troops to advance, three
lines of the enemy's field works were carried and several
batteries captured. This success, however, was not bloodlessly
effected.
6. General Sherman withdrew to Goldsboro to meet Schofield and
Terry, and Johnston halted near Smithfield to await developments.
With such a force it seemed impossible that he would be able to
meet the combined strength of the three, armies assembling at
Goldsboro, but the result at Bentonsville had greatly elated his
troops, and they resolutely awaited General Sherman's return to
the shock of arms.
7. After so much bloodshed the end of hostilities, however, was
near at hand. General Sheridan, with heavy cavalry
reinforcements, having assailed the right flank of General Lee's
defences at Petersburg, after hard fighting, succeeded in winning
a decisive battle at Five Forks on the 28th of March. The loss,
of the six thousand Confederates made prisoners on that day was
fatal to longer hold on the thinly-manned lines around the city
that had been so long and nobly defended.
8. On the morning of the 2nd of April, in the general assault,
General Lee's lines were pierced in three places, General A. P.
Hill was slain, and, at nightfall the doomed Army of Northern
Virginia began its famous retreat. After incredible hardships,
having fought their way to Appomattox Court House, the small
remnant of the heroes who had for four years so dauntlessly held
their ground against all comers, were enveloped in the masses of
pursuing hosts, and, on April 9th, at the command of their
beloved leader, they there laid down their arms.
9. General Lee was never greater or more loved or more reverenced
thanin the hour of his fall. He had not taken part in the
struggle to gratify ambition or for love of war; but in the
conscientious discharge of sacred duty. Into that struggle North
Carolina had sent more than a hundred and fifty thousand of her
sons, and to them all he was ever the ideal of the soldier, the
gentleman and the Christian. At his command they laid down their
arms, returned to their homes and in time renewed their
allegiance to the United States.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the effect of the fall of Fort Fisher?
2. What occurred at Kinston? What was the size of General
Johnston's army?
3. What great forces were marching against Johnston?
4. Where was the first conflict between these armies? When was
the battle of Bentonsville fought? Point out Averasboro on the
map. Bentonsville.
5. Can you tell something of the fight at Bentonsville? What was
done by the Federal and Confederate commanders after this battle?
6. What occurred at Petersburg?
7. How did the battle result?
8. What took place at Appomattox?
9. What is said of the great General Lee?
CHAPTER LXIII.
CONCLUDING SCENES OF THE WAR.
A. D. 1865.
When General Johnston became aware of General Lee's retreat,
he was informed that his next duty would be to effect a junction
of his forces with those withdrawn from Petersburg. In
accordance with this object a movement was begun at Raleigh,
April 10th. The army, Governor Vance accompanying it, having
passed the capital, ex-Governors Graham and Swain, accompanied by
Surgeon-General Warren, met General Sherman at the head of his
vast army a few miles from Raleigh and asked him to protect the
city.
2. General Sherman and his accumulated army of more than a
hundred thousand men entered the capital city on April 13th, and
encamped near it. As the advance, under General Kilpatrick,
moved up Fayetteville street, a Confederate cavalryman,
Lieutenant Walsh, of Texas, before his flight, halted near the
State House and fired several times at Kilpatrick and his staff.
His horse falling in his effort to escape, he was captured and
taken before Kilpatrick, who ordered him to be immediately
hanged. This outrageous order for the murder of a Confederate
prisoner of war was speedily obeyed.
3. General Johnston was soon apprised of General Lee's
capitulation, and, after conference with President Davis at
Greensboro, he resolved to end the war by surrender of his army.
To this end, having communicated with General Sherman, they met
on April 18th, at the house of a Mr. Bennett, near Durham, and
agreed upon conditions of surrender, subject to the approval of
President Lincoln. Most unhappily for the Southern people, Mr.
Lincoln never had an opportunity to express his opinion
concerning this military convention; for he having just been
assassinated at Washington by John Wilkes Booth. Andrew Johnson,
the Vice-President, had become President in his place.
4. Mr. Johnson was a North Carolinian by birth. He had lived in
Raleigh until be reached manhood and then emigrated to Tennessee,
where he became a very prominent citizen. When the war came on
he adhered to the Federal side, and was very bitter and harsh, in
his hostility to the South. He was rewarded for his course by
election to the Vice-Presidency of the United States in 1864. In
the violent excitement which followed upon the killing of
President Lincoln, Mr. Johnson would not sanction the liberal
terms of surrender which General Sherman had granted to General
Johnston, although General Sherman had been in conference with
the deceased statesman just previous to his death, and was
following his directions as to the treatment of the conquered
South.
5. Notwithstanding this refusal of the President of the United
States to carry out the agreement of the military commissioners,
the army of General Johnston was surrendered at Greensboro on
April 26th, 1865, and sent home on parole on like terms with the
Confederate troops at Appomattox.
6. General Schofield was made military Governor of North
Carolina, and his first official act was a proclamation declaring
freedom to the slaves in the State. After two centuries of
servitude, these people were at last delivered from their
bondage. It is difficult at this day to say who were the more
blessed in this deliverance--the slaves or their masters.
7. It was a hard thing for men who had been reared in the South
to realize that their principal property, guaranteed to them as
it was, in the fundamental law of the land, was founded in
injustice; and still harder was it to accept poverty on the
strength of a sentiment. Human nature is selfish in all regions,
and, that Southern men should have clung to their property is no
more than what their opponents would have done had the
circumstances been exchanged. It will be difficult for posterity
to understand what a mighty revolution in the domestic life of
the people was involved in this single act of an army officer.
[NOTE--In the State election of 1860 the total vote polled was
112,586--the largest that had ever been polled. North Carolina
furnished to the Confederacy over 150,000 men, or quite as many
soldiers as she had voters, during the four years of the war.
The total number of troops furnished by all the States of the
Confederacy was about 600,000, and it will be seen that North
Carolina furnished one-fourth of the entire force raised by the
Confederate government during the war. At Appomattox North
Carolina surrendered twice as many muskets as did any other
State, and at Greensboro more of her soldiers were among the
paroled than from any of her sister States. North Carolina's
losses by the casualties of the war were largely over 30,000 men
--Our Living and Our Dead.]
8. The slaves had been looking forward with hope, since the
beginning of the war, that freedom might be in store for them,
yet almost all of them had remained in quiet subjection at their
homes while the war was progressing. It seemed hard for them to
realize, for some time, that they were at last the masters of
their own movements. As a general thing, they continued quietly
at labor on the farms of their former owners until the crops that
were growing were complete in their tillage, or, as they
expressed it, "laid by."
9. Governor Vance was soon arrested and imprisoned in the "old
capitol" at Washington. President Davis was also captured and
imprisoned. Mr. Johnson appointed Vance's late political
antagonist, W. W. Holden, Provisional Governor, and, at the same
time, removed from office every State and county official in
North Carolina. For some weeks no officer with civil powers was
to be seen, and to the commanders of the many Federal posts alone
could the peaceful have looked for protection against violence
and fraud.
10. No man ever had so great an opportunity for fixing himself in
the esteem and affection of the people as Governor Holden had
during his administration as Provisional Governor, and no man
ever so completely threw golden opportunities away. Had he risen
to the full height of a patriot, his name would today be a loving
household word in every section of the State. But he did not,
and such opportunities rarely occur twice to any man.
11. His career had not been an uneventful one. Of humble origin,
he had, by dint of his own work and his own brains, carried
himself to the control of the Democratic party in the State. He
was not satisfied with the position of the editor of the chief
organ of the dominant party, and the pecuniary profits that then
resulted from such a position, but desired to be made Governor of
the State. He was defeated for the nomination by Judge Ellis
before the Democratic State Convention at Charlotte, and from
that period dates his downward career. He advocated the Douglas
movement, and then supported Breckinridge and Lane. He voted for
and signed the Ordinance of Secession, declaring he intended to
preserve as an heirloom in his family the pen with which he
attached his name to the ordinance; and then he became the head
and front of the Union element in the State during the war. At
the close of the war, as we have seen, he was made Provisional
Governor by President Johnson.
12. No man knew better than Governor Holden that on our side the
war was entirely at an end when the troops laid down their arms,
and that when the people of North Carolina renewed their
allegiance to the Federal government, they intended to stand to
it honestly and faithfully. None better than he knew that they
desired nothing so much as to set themselves to the task of
rebuilding their fallen fortunes. He knew, too, that they were
well aware that before this could be done, civil government, with
all its varied machinery, must be re-established, and that in all
that was right and proper for a people so situated, they were
ready to aid him in doing this. The returned soldiers, too,
especially felt that of them some recognition was due for the
honorable terms and respectful treatment accorded to them at
Appomattox and Greensboro.
13. In such mood it would have been an easy task for a ruler who
was both patriot and statesman to re-establish Federal authority
in North Carolina. It was simply impossible to punish all who
had fought against the Federal government. It was quite as
impossible to expect the many who had fought against it to take
part in punishing the few. Amnesty and oblivion on one side,
renewed allegiance and strict observer of the laws on the other,
plainly constituted the true solution of the problem.
Unfortunately, the partisan prevailed over the patriot. Instead
of granting amnesty and oblivion, treason was to be made odious
and traitors to be punished. Instead of making the path easy
back to the Union, it was constantly blocked up in every possible
way by both State and Federal authority. Of course an era of
bitterness began, which the long imprisonment of Mr. Davis, the
judicial murders of Mrs Surratt and Henry Wirz, the
protracted exclusion of the Southern States from all
participation in the general government, and the harsh policy of
reconstruction, daily served to intensify.
QUESTIONS.
1. What movement did General Johnston attempt after the surrender
of General Lee? What men met General Sherman's army in behalf of
the city of Raleigh?
2. When did Sherman's army reach Raleigh? What event is
mentioned?
3. What was done by Johnston after learning of Lee's surrender?
What occurred at Washington City?
4. What is said of President Andrew Johnson? How did he act
concerning Johnston's surrender?
5. When and where did General Johnston surrender?
6. Who became military Governor of North Carolina? What was his
first official act? What is said of the freedom of the slaves?
7. How is the question of slavery further considered?
8. How had the slaves acted during the war? How did they receive
the news of freedom?
9. What befell Governor Vance? To what office was W. W. Holden
appointed? What was the condition of civil affairs in North
Carolina?
10. What is said of Governor Holden?
11. Can you tell something of his life?
12. How should Governor Holden have viewed the situation?
13. What would have been the proper course to pursue towards
North Carolina?
CHAPTER LXIV.
REFITTING THE WRECK.
A. D. 1865 TO 1867.
1. When the bulk of the vast armies that had effected the
overthrow of the Confederacy was marched northward and disbanded,
the full extent of the ruin that had been wrought was at last
realized. So many Federal troops had been collected in North
Carolina that their subsistence and depredations had consumed
nearly all the food in the State, and the utmost scarcity was
disclosed in broad districts contiguous to the line of march and
occupation by General Sherman's great armies.
2. Grief for the ruined South, the desolated homes and slain
kinsmen was further supplemented by the pangs of want and hunger.
Famishing men and women were forced to solicit rations of the
Federal officers. Aid was given generally to needy applicants,
upon their taking the oath of allegiance to the United States.
3. In the liberation of the slaves ruin was brought upon the
banks and other fiscal corporations of the State, and, as a
consequence, the endowments of the University and the colleges
were, to a great extent, forever lost. Even the large Literary
Fund, by which the whole system of common schools was sustained,
being invested in similar securities, also disappeared in the
general bankruptcy.
4. When the Provisional Governor had entered upon the discharge
of his official duties, North Carolina was reduced to a small
supply of cotton as the sum of her available means to discharge
the current expenses of the new government, and even that was
seized by the agents of the United States, and to Governor
Holden's appeals for its release, the Secretary of the Treasury
and President Johnson proved deaf and inexorable.
5. Judges Pearson and Battle were re-instated in their places of
Supreme Court Justices, but Judge M. E. Manly was replaced by
Edwin G. Reade, of Person. By orders from Washington, a
proclamation was issued for an election of a Convention to
restore the State to its former relations. This body met October
2nd, 1865, and selected Judge Reade as its president. Ordinances
were passed repealing and declaring null and void the secession
ordinances of May 20th, 1861, abolishing slavery and invalidating
all contracts made in furtherance of the late war.
1866.
6. In the same election, Jonathan Worth, of Randolph, was chosen
over Governor Holden as Chief-Magistrate. The State was
apparently resuming its self-government, and was soon to show
that some spirit was left in the people. They refused to ratify
the ordinances of the late Convention by a decided majority; and
while accepting the situation and submitting in all quietude to
the authorities imposed, they were yet resolved to take no part
in these constrained reformations.
7. The general government had been for four years declaring the
Ordinances of Secession, passed by the several States, null and
void. It had been repeatedly announced that no State could thus
sever her connection with the Union; but when the legally elected
Senators and Representatives from North Carolina reached
Washington, they found that this doctrine was reversed, and were
told that they could not take part in national legislation until
Congress should restore the Southern States to their lost
privileges.
8. In the Southern elections that were held, every man was
required to take oaths of allegiance and for the support of the
amended Federal Constitution. Some refused to attend the polls
and a few left the country for foreign lands. A vast majority
were resolved to support the Union in good faith, but, unhappily,
this was not so understood by the men who controlled at Raleigh
and Washington. They were impressed with the belief that only
hostile sentiments actuated Southern white men, and, therefore,
the proper policy was to confer political power upon the negroes,
and in that way establish a new system of rule and social life in
the Southern States lately in revolt.
1867.
9. This was a great and cruel mistake in policy. It was not only
impossible of execution, but necessarily entailed trouble and
suffering on both races thus put in antagonism. It could not be
expected that white people would quietly submit to the domination
of negroes who had so recently been their slaves, even if such
rulers had been equally intelligent and socially respected. When
the race feeling was added to the late subjection and present
ignorance of the negroes, it was the most futile and abortive
scheme ever proposed in America, and was at war with all the
precedents and spirit of the great Republic.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the condition of the State after the departure of
Federal troops?
2. How were the people enduring mental and bodily suffering?
3. What had become of the various educational funds?
4. What was the only means by which North Carolina could meet the
expenses of the State government? What became of the small
supply of cotton?
5. What changes did Governor Holden make in the Supreme Court?
What orders did the Governor receive from Washington? What was
the Work of the Convention?
6. Who. was chosen to succeed Governor Holden? What political
opinions were expressed by the people in their votes?
7. What inconsistencies were observed in the management of
affairs at Washington?
8. How did the men of the South feel concerning the laws of Congress?
9. How are the events of this period considered?
CHAPTER LXV.
GOVERNOR WORTH AND PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
A. D. 1867 TO 1868.
President Andrew Johnson, as has already been stated, was
born and reared in the city of Raleigh. He went to Tennessee
after reaching manhood, and, though blessed with small
advantages as to early culture, devoted himself to political
life. He is said to have mastered the rudiments of education
with his wife's help. His native ability soon gave him position
as a politician and eventually great popularity and control over
the Tennessee people.
2. He soon relaxed in the severity of his feelings toward the
late Confederates, and thereby incurred the resentment of the
leaders in the party which had elected him Vice-President. In
the bitterness of the mutual recriminations, between him and his
late friends in Congress, there was, unhappily, evil to result
to North Carolina and the South; for to the old resentments
against the South was added a desire in many men to thwart the
President who had become their ally.
3. Governor Worth had ever been marked as a public man by the
utmost devotion to the Federal Union. He had constantly opposed
the doctrine and necessity of secession. He was now to show his
wisdom and attachment for the State of his birth. As Governor,
he was continually pressed to secure legal protection for the
people against the interference of military commanders and
courts-martial, which were constantly intruding upon the
jurisdiction of the State courts.
4. The whole system of education in the common schools had
perished in the loss of the Literary Fund. The University still
continued its ministrations, but with a diminished faculty and
patronage. The colleges, male and female, belonging to the
different religious denominations, were re-opened and generally
were slowly regaining their former efficiency.
5. Among the first enactments by the Legislature after the war,
was the law allowing negroes to testify against or for white
parties in courts of justice. This was a great change in our
law, but was now necessary for their protection, as they no
longer had masters to care for them.
6. The agriculture of the period was rapidly advancing in the
perfection of its details. Concentrated fertilizers were coming
into general use and the area of cotton culture was immensely
expanding. The farms were about equally divided as to the style
of their management. The best farmers still hired their "hands"
and superintended the details of operation in person, but many
leased their lands to laborers and furnished the teams and
supplies needed by the tenants.
7. Under the sensible and moderate rule then seen in the State,
prosperity seemed rapidly returning, but as the United States
Congress still refused to allow any representation in that body,
there was great and increasing uneasiness as to the terms that
would be finally exacted from the South in the proposed
reconstruction measures.
1868.
8. Early in the year 1868 a convention, so-called, was held to
frame a new Constitution under the Reconstruction Act of
Congress. The election for the delegates was held under General
Canby's orders, and the returns were sent to him at Charleston.
Upon his order the Convention met and upon his order its delegates
were seated and unseated.
9. In the latter part of April the Constitution thus framed was
submitted to such of the people as were allowed to vote, at an
election held as before, under General Canby's order, and by
him, in Charleston, South Carolina, the returns having been sent
to him there, declared to have been adopted. It is now
generally known as the "Canby Constitution." In June, by order
by telegram from General Canby, Governor Worth, who had been
elected Governor by the people in 1866, was turned out of his
office and Governor Holden put in his place. The only authority
for this and other outrages was the might of Federal bayonets.
10. The Legislature elected under the recently adopted
Constitution met on the 1st of July, 1868. It was comprised
largely of negroes and of men from the North who had lately come
to North Carolina. These latter were popularly known as
"carpetbaggers," and as a class were mere birds of prey who came
here for plunder. As might have been expected, the legislation
of such a body was both corrupt and injurious. Ignorant of the
resources of the State, of its people and their necessities, it
would have been a miracle almost, no matter how honest, had
their legislation not been harmful. Unfortunately, there was
added to gross ignorance the most unblushing corruption and
wanton extravagance. Many millions of debt, in the shape of
"Special Tax Bonds," as they were called, were attempted to be
fastened upon the State by this Legislature, but the people have
persistently refused to recognize them.
11. The Convention and elections of 1868 will ever be
remembered. The act of Congress, passed on February 20th, 1867,
was in vain vetoed by the President. It was made the law of the
land, and under its provisions, while twenty thousand white men
of North Carolina were deprived of the right to vote, that
privilege was extended to every colored male in the State who
had attained the age of twenty-one years.
12. The year closed with great apprehensions to all classes.
The new State government possessed neither the confidence nor
the affection of the people, and in the pandemonium of bribery
and corruption there was justification for the fears of men,
who, in corrupt and reckless appropriations and corrupt and
reckless expenditures, foresaw ruin to all material interests of
the State.
12. In Robeson county, life and property were so insecure that
extraordinary measures were adopted to extirpate the bandits who
slew and plundered as if no legal restraints were left in the
land. The story of Henry Berry Lowery and his "Swamp Angels"
will ever stand as a convincing proof of the incompetency of the
government of that day or of its wanton disregard of its duties
to its citizens.
QUESTIONS.
1. Where was President Andrew Johnson born? To what State did
he go? To what profession did he devote himself? How is he
said to have mastered the rudiments of education? What position
did his native ability give him?
2. How did his feelings toward the South undergo a change? What
did he incur thereby? How did this affect North Carolina and
the South?
3. What is said of Governor Worth?
4. In what condition were the institutions of learning at this period?
5. What legislation is mentioned favoring the colored people?
Why was this now necessary?
6. How were agricultural matters progressing? How were the
farms conducted?
7. What was the general condition of the State?
8. For what was the Convention of 1868 held?
Under whose order was the election for delegates held?
9. When was the Constitution thus framed submitted to the people?
How is this Constitution now known? How was Governor Worth removed from office,
and who was put in his place?
What was the authority for this and other high-handed measures?
10. When did the Legislature of 1868 meet, and of whom was it composed?
What is said of this Legislature? What is said of the "Special Tax Bonds"?
11. What is said of the Convention and elections of 1868?
12. In what condition were public affairs?
13. What is said of Robeson county, and Henry Berry Lowery
and his "Swamp Angels"?
CHAPTER LXVI.
THE RESULTS OF RECONSTRUCTION.
A. D. 1868 TO 1870.
There was in North Carolina great indignation at the result of
the enforced changes wrought in the polity of the State by means
of the various congressional enactments. Strangers from other
States, and men entirely unused to legislation, had effected many
alterations in our government and laws. It was to be expected
that such things, done in such manner, would prove distasteful to
a proud race that had so lately withstood so stoutly on the field
of battle, and so long, such superior numbers.
2. Among the many unnecessary changes that were rendered more
distasteful by the harsh manner of their accomplishment, were
those made by Governor Holden and his party at the State
University at Chapel Hill. This venerable institution, which had
given education to many men of renown, was taken in hand, and,
with a new management and a new faculty, made up of carpetbaggers
and unsuitable native North Carolinians, re-opened its doors.
Its late president, ex-Governor David L. Swain, had died shortly
after his removal, his colleagues in the Faculty had dispersed in
search of new homes, and silence had usurped the halls so long
thronged by students from many States. The village of Chapel
Hill, depending on the existence of the University for its
support, became almost deserted. No less than thirty of its best
families removed within two years. The people of North Carolina
refused to patronize the new organization, and the institution
was for seven years prostrate.
3. The changes did not stop with the University. The judges of
all the courts had been, since 1776, elected by the Legislature.
This was altered, so that they were in future to be selected by
the votes of the people. The name of the lower branch of the
General Assembly, so long known as the House of "Commons," became
that of the "Representatives." The meeting of the Assembly was
made annual instead of biennial, and the pay of the members and
State officials largely increased. Our county government system,
too, was changed, and so was the mode of electing magistrates, who
had hitherto been elected by the Legislature. In future they
were to be elected by the people. In many portions of the State
the effect was to put the white race at once under the domination
of the black race. Bitterness and great excitement were the
inevitable results. But of all the innovations, none, perhaps,
was so startling as that made in the procedure and practice of
the courts. It was distasteful both to client and counsel, but
to the older lawyers it was especially objectionable.
1869.
4. The distinguishing event of this year in North Carolina was
the appearance, in various parts of the State, of well-organized
bodies of horsemen, commonly called Ku-Klux, who rode about at
night in full disguise and punished crimes that the law had
failed to punish. The mystery attending their coming and their
going, the silence they preserved in their marches, the disguises
they wore, coupled with the terrible punishment they inflicted,
struck terror into the hearts of men with guilty consciences.
5. These midnight riders were doubtless in their origin the
natural outgrowth of the condition of society that had prevailed
in North Carolina for some time past--that is to say, they were
originally nothing more nor less than local mutual protective
associations, with little form about them and but little more
secrecy. The first step having been taken in that direction, the
next followed as a matter of course. Next came associations to
prevent future crime by punishing past crime. These
organizations were more complex in their character and of wider
range in their operations.
6. The condition of society was very bad, but not worse than
might have been expected under a government which, obnoxious in
its creation, daily became more hateful in its conduct. Negro
suffrage had just become a reality. Spies and eavesdroppers were
everywhere catching up men's words and watching men's actions for
report to the government at Raleigh. Corruption and
licentiousness stalked openly in the legislative halls and sat
unblushingly on the judicial bench, while in the Executive office
was a Governor ready to obey the behests of his party at any
cost. It was an era of extravagance, bribery, corruption,
oppression, licentiousness and lawlessness. Of the negroes,
ignorant slaves but yesterday, with all their passion stirred to
the utmost, large numbers blindly believed that freedom and
suffrage would make them masters tomorrow were it not for the
native white race. First suspicious, then sullen, then
aggressive, they soon came under the bad teaching of the men who
were their leaders, to regard the native white men as their born
enemies. The result was the murder of men, the outraging of
women, the burning of barns and other like destruction of
property, then of vital importance, for the law had no terror for
an evil doer who had friends at court or in the Executive
chamber. It is but just to the negroes, however, to say that it
is not believed that if they had been left to themselves they
would have acted as they did, but that they were influenced to
bad deeds by bad white men, who used them as tools to accomplish
political ends. Under such circumstances as these, good citizens
felt that they were tried beyond human endurance, and justified
themselves to their own consciences for taking the law into their
own hands.
7. The evils the Ku-Klux came to cure were indeed unbearable; but
it must be said, also, that while the disease was desperate, the
remedy was fearful. It is a fearful thing for men to band
themselves together in secret and take the law into their own
hands, and nothing but the direst necessity and the gravest
emergency can ever justify it. Inseparable from every such
organization, and this proved no exception to the rule, is the
danger of its easy perversion to the gratification of personal
malice or the improper punishment of petty offences, and this
alone ought to be warning that in such a remedy lies terrible
danger.
8. Governor Holden quailed before the Ku-Klux, and from his
guarded house issued proclamation after proclamation, but they
would not down at his bidding. When winter came and with it the
Legislature, Senator Shoffner, of Alamance, at the instance of
the Governor, introduced a bill into the Senate, in its terms
conferring upon the Governor the right to declare any and every
county in the State to be in insurrection, and to recruit and
maintain an army whenever he saw proper. In other words, the
bill sought to confer upon the Governor the power to declare
martial law at will. Of course this was unconstitutional.
1870.
9. The Shoffner bill was ratified on the 29th of January, 1870.
On the night of the 26th of February, Wyatt Outlaw, a negro, was
hung in the county town of Alamance, by the Ku-Klux. On the 7th
of March the county was declared to be in a state of
insurrection. Federal troops were sent there, but beyond eating
their rations they had no occupation, for quiet and good order
prevailed throughout the county.
10. A striking fact, true of every place during these unhappy
times, is that whenever white Federal troops were sent to a
troubled section, whether in Alamance, Caswell, Orange or
elsewhere, there was straightway an end of trouble. The law-
breakers were awed into good behavior, and those who in self-
protection had forced, in their own judgment, to take into their
own hands the administration of justice, of course had no further
occasion to do so.
11. Governor Holden, however, seemed not to be satisfied with the
Shoffner bill, for on the 10th of March he wrote* to the
President, asking that stringent orders be sent to the commanding
general, and stating that if "criminals could be arrested and
tried before military tribunals and shot, there would soon be
peace and order throughout the country. The remedy," he said,
"would be a sharp and bloody one, but indispensable as was the
suppression of the rebellion." The 14th he wrote to the members
of Congress from North Carolina**, beseeching them to induce
Congress to author the President to declare martial law in
certain localities, so that he might "have military tribunals, by
which assassins and murderers can be summarily tried and shot,"
and telling them at the same time that he could not have such
tribunals unless the President was authorized to suspend the
habeas corpus.
*For letter in full, see Governor's Letter-book, page 328.
**For letter in full, see Governor's Letter-book, page 329.
12. At the time when the Governor was so anxious thus "summarily"
to try and shoot people, not a single man had been killed in
Caswell, and only one in Alamance. It might be borne in mind,
too, that the men whom he refers to, and whom he afterwards
arrested as assassins and murderers, were among the best men in
all the land, many of them venerable for age as well as respected
for personal integrity and Christian character.
QUESTIONS.
1. How did our people take the many changes in State polity?
2. What was done with the University?
3. How was the manner of electing judges changed? What was the
effect of this change?
4. What secret organization was formed at this time?
5. What is said of the Ku-Klux?
6. Can you tell something of the condition of society?
7. How are the doings of the Ku-Klux considered?
8. What was done by the Governor in regard to the Ku-Klux?
9. What occurred in Alamance county?
10. What was the general effect produced by the Federal troops?
11. What was the next step taken by Governor Holden?
12. Who were the men arrested by order of the Governor?
CHAPTER LXVII.
THE RESULTS OF RECONSTRUCTION--Continued.
A. D. 1868 TO 1870.
On the 21st of May, John W. Stephens, then a Senator from
Caswell county, was secretly murdered in an unused room in the
courthouse at Yanceyville. A large concourse filled the house
when the deed was committed, the occasion being a Democratic
political gathering, and Stephens was seen and talked to at the
meeting, being there as a spectator. Strange to say, however, it
is a mystery to this day as to who committed the crime.
2. It was insisted by Governor Holden and his party that Stephens
had been murdered by the Ku-Klux. This however, was as stoutly
denied, and the assertion added that, as Stephens was an object
of derision and contempt rather than of hatred, there was neither
desire nor cause to put him to death.
3. Meanwhile, Congress had refused to confer upon the President
the power to declare martial law, and the August elections kept
drawing near. A new Attorney-General and a new Legislature and
new Congressmen were to be elected. The Governor and his party
were therefore compelled to rely on the Shoffner bill alone.
4. State troops, as they were called, were now recruited, and, on
the 21st of June, George W. Kirke, a brutal ruffian of infamous
character, and known to be such, who had commanded a regiment of
Federal troops during the war, was brought from his home in
Tennessee and commissioned Colonel. This man Kirke, in his public
posters calling for recruits, the original of which was found in
Governor Holden's own hand-writing, appealed to his old comrades
to join him, saying that "the blood of their murdered countrymen,
inhumanly butchered for opinion's sake, cried to them from the
ground for ensconce."
5. On the 8th of July, the county of Caswell was declared to be
in a state of insurrection. Meanwhile, however, a company of
Federal troops had been stationed at Yanceyville, and had found
use for neither ball nor bayonet, and in both Alamance and
Caswell the courts were open and not the slightest obstruction to
any process of the law.
6. On the 13th of July, Kirke having organized his regiment, was
ordered to take command of the counties of Alamace and Caswell.
In a few days more than a hundred citizens of Alamance and
Caswell were arrested and imprisoned by Kirke and his
subordinates. In some instances persons thus seized were hung up
by the neck, or otherwise treated with great brutality. Among
there prisoners were many men who had been for years of the first
respectability as citizens, and were known and honored in every
portion of the State.
7. Application was speedily made to Chief-Justice Pearson for a
writ of habeas corpus, that Adolphus G. Moore, and others thus
imprisoned, might know the cause of their detention and receive
the protection of the laws. Judge Pearson granted the writ, but
when it was served on Kirke, he directed the messenger to inform
the Chief-Justice that such things "had played out," that he was
acting in accordance with Governor Holden's orders, and he
refused to obey the command of his Honor. The lawyers of the
imprisoned men then asked for further process of the Judge to
punish Kirke for his disregard of his orders; but Judge Pearson
passed over his contemptuous message as the "flippant speech of a
rude soldier," and held that his powers were exhausted, as the
Governor had ordered Kirke to seize the men, and the judiciary
could not contend with the Executive, and in this he was
sustained by the other members of the court.
8. The conspiracy against the Constitution, the laws and the
liberties of the people developed rapidly, now that the highest
judges in the State had declared the courts of the State to be
impotent. The military tribunals that the Governor failed to get
from Congress in March, he now proceeded to organize under the
Shoffner act. The court was to consist of thirteen members,
seven of whom Governor Holden selected from among his own
partisans in the militia and six he left to Kirke to select from
the officers of his command. * The 25th day of July was first
selected for the meeting of the court, and then the 8th of
August. [!] It was a terrible state of affairs. The Chief
Executive of the State was daily making his preparations for
holding a drum head court-martial to try the best men in all the
land, tie them to stakes and shoot them like dogs, while the
judiciary, standing in sight and in hearing, declared itself
helpless!
*For full letter, see Impeachment Trial, Volume I, page 238.
[!]For full letter, see Impeachment Trial, Volume II, page 1147.
9. Fortunately, Chief-Justice Pearson and those who sat with him
were not the only judges in North Carolina. There proved to be
at least one judge who did not think his powers exhausted. That
judge was George W. Brooks, Judge of the United States District
Court for North Carolina, and application was accordingly made to
him for a writ of habeas corpus. He came to Raleigh, and was
told by the Governor that if he interfered civil war would ensue;
but Judge Brooks was inflexible, and, on August 6th he ordered
Marshal Carrow to notify Colonel Kirke that in ten days his
prisoners should be brought before his Honor at Salisbury.
10. Governor Holden then appealed to President Grant, informing
him of the situation; and the President, after advising with the
Attorney-General, replied that the authority of Judge Brooks must
be respected. Kirke accordingly brought a portion of his
prisoners as ordered, to Salisbury, and as no crimes were alleged
for their detention, they were all set at liberty.
11. As soon as Governor Holden was informed of the decision of
the President, he sent a messenger in haste to the Chief Justice,
who thereupon came to Raleigh, and the prisoners who had not been
brought before Judge Brooks at Salisbury were carried before him
and the other Judges of the Supreme Court at Raleigh.
12. But it was Judge Brooks who broke the backbone of this great
conspiracy against the government of North Carolina. No man ever
lived on our soil who deserved to be held in more grateful
remembrance by the people of North Carolina than he. Whatever
others may have done in building up the State, it was he that
saved her Constitution and her laws and the liberties of her
people. The scenes of horror that would have been witnessed but
for his timely interference cannot be thought of, even now,
without a shudder. It is greatly to be hoped that the
Legislature will speedily erect a suitable monument in the
capitol square in token of the gratitude of the people for whom
he did so much.
QUESTIONS.
1. What occurred at Yanceyville on May 21st?
2. Who were accused as the murderers of Stephens? Upon what
ground was this denied?
3. What had Congress done concerning martial law?
4. What man was put in charge of the state troops? Where was
Kirke from, and what was his character?
5. What was the condition of affairs in Alamance and Caswell counties?
6. Give an account of Kirke's exploits in these counties?
7. To whom did the people apply for aid? With what result?
8. What was next done by the Governor?
9. To what judge did the people next go for protection? What did
Judge Brooks do?
10. What was Governor Holden's next step? Where were Kirke's
prisoners taken?
11. Where were the prisoners then carried?
12. What tribute is made to Judge Brooks? What are the
reflections upon this matter?
CHAPTER LXVIII.
THE IMPEACHMENT OF GOVERNOR HOLDEN.
A. D. 1870 TO 1872.
The election of 1870 resulted in a great triumph for the
people. Opponents of the administration were elected to the
Legislature in overwhelming majorities, and a determination to
bring Governor Holden to trial for his crimes against the
Constitution and liberties of the people was at once apparent.
2. Nothing can be more important; in a civilized government than
protection to the liberties of the people. Nothing is truer than
that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," Even in the
royal government of England, for more than two centuries the King
has had no power to deprive a citizen of the right to be heard in
the courts, when restrained by legal process or otherwise.
Neither there nor in America could anything but foreign invasion
or positive insurrection justify even Parliament or Congress in
suspending the right to this palladium of civil liberty.
3. Upon motion in the House of Representatives, the Legislature
having assembled, a committee was appointed to inquire into the
facts, and soon, articles of impeachment were presented to the
Senate, charging the Governor of the State with the commission of
"high crimes and misdemeanors."
1871.
4. By the terms of the State Constitution, this worked a
disability in Governor Holden; and Tod R. Caldwell, of Burke,
then Lieutenant-Governor, assumed control of the Executive
Department.
5. In a court of impeachment in North Carolina, when the Governor
is on trial, the Chief-Justice is the president of the body. The
members of the Senate are triers and the House of Representatives
act as prosecutors in behalf of the people, and a two-thirds vote
is required to convict.
6. Thus, with Judge Pearson presiding, there was a long and
deliberate examination as to the charges made against the Chief-
Magistrate of North Carolina. After hearing the testimony
presented both by the accusers and by the respondent, Governor
Holden was convicted of the charges made against him, deprived of
his office, and declared incapable of holding any further honor
or dignity in the State.
7. Such a trial has been seen but in this single instance in all
the history of the State, and it attracted considerable attention
in its progress. It involved great and important issues, and was
happily followed by peace and quiet in every portion of the
State.
8. After eight years' absence, a delegation was again seen in the
Federal capital representing the State of North Carolina in the
Congress of the United States. For two years past her members of
Congress had been allowed to participate in the national
legislation, and thus an ignominious disability had at last been
removed from her Federal relations. A mighty convulsion, that
had stirred the nation to its depths, was being slowly hushed
into calm by the adoption of wiser and more peaceful methods. A
broader nationality was coming alike to the Northern and Southern
people, and the wounds of the war were fast healing in the lapse
of time.
9. The census of 1870 showed vast improvement in many departments
of human industry. North Carolina, in the many alterations
wrought by the war, was learning the wisdom of diversifying the
pursuits of the people. Slowly public attention was being turned
to the opening of new industries. The Western North Carolina,
the Raleigh & Augusta and the Carolina Central Railroads were
opening up a new era in the history of such interests in the Old
North State.
10. With a greatly extended area of production in cotton, there
was, besides, an enormous addition, of railroad profits from the
increase both of travel and freights. As the railway lines
lengthened to the west, it was found that they would repay the
cost of construction, and each of the rival political parties
pledged itself to the completion of the great Western Road which
was to pierce the extreme mountain barriers and find outlets into
Tennessee, both at Ducktown and the Warm Springs, in Madison
county.
11. Slowly this great dream of the wise men of the past
approaches the day of its accomplishment. A half century has
gone by since Dr. Joseph Caldwell and Governor Dudley first
impressed this scheme upon the public mind as a work of the
future.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the result of the election of 1870? Upon what was
the Legislature determined?
2. Can you tell what is said about protection of the liberties of
the people?
3. What was done by the House of Representatives?
4. How did these charges affect the Governor? Who assumed
control of the Executive Department?
5. Who constitutes a court of impeachment in North Carolina, and
what vote does it take to convict?
6. Who presided at the trial of Governor Holden? How did the
trial terminate? What was the punishment?
7. What is said of this great trial? What did it involve? By
what was it followed?
8. What political changes were seen at Washington City? How was
the condition becoming better?
9. What is said of industrial pursuits in North Carolina? Of
railroads? Can you trace the route of these railroads on the
map?
10. How was the State being agitated upon the question of
internal improvements?
11. What is said of the accomplishment of these improvements?
How long has it been since this scheme was impressed upon the
public?
CHAPTER LXIX.
RESUMPTION OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.
A. D. 1872.
In the years that had passed since the close of the war
between the States, the people of North Carolina had been
continually looking forward to the hour when the State should be
fully restored to its old relations with the Federal government.
In the consummation of the reconstruction policy, inaugurated and
carried out by Congress, this had been partially attained, but,
in the provisions of the Constitution adopted in 1868, there were
many particulars that were unsuited to the habits of the people,
and amendment was eagerly desired in this respect.
2. Political animosities were being softened by the lapse of
time, and general prosperity was fast extending to different
sections. Towns and villages were being built along the lines of
railroads, and cotton and other factories were constantly being
added.
3. Just previous to the outbreak of the late war the Masonic
Grand Lodge of North Carolina had reared at Oxford a large and
costly building, which was called "St. John's College," and was
intended for the education of young men. In 1872 this building
was devoted, by the fraternity that had erected it, to the
education of the orphan children of North Carolina. This noble
charity was placed in the care of John H. Mills, who has
abundantly justified the wisdom of those who were parties to his
being chosen for so responsible a place.
4. This school, which educates so many who would otherwise grow
up in ignorance and vice, is aided now by an annual appropriation
from the State and another from the Grand Lodge of Masons, but on
individual contributions of the charitable it is mainly dependent
for its support. Perhaps no other charity ever so much enlisted
popular sympathy in North Carolina, and none ever more richly
repaid the unselfish contributions of the people.
5. At the period now reached the University had ceased to be
attended as a college. Rev. Solomon Pool still remained its
President, but the buildings were silent, and the famous seat of
learning no longer held its proud position among American
institutions. Meanwhile, the denominational colleges were
vigorously at work, and were receiving a larger patronage than
formerly.
6. Among the female seminaries of the State a new and formidable
rival for popular favor arose--Peace Institute, at Raleigh. This
institution, like the Orphan Asylum, had originated before the
war, but, during the years of strife the building was used as a
hospital. It is controlled by the Presbyterians, and under their
excellent management it has become one of the best appointed and
most popular institutions in all the State.
7. In the nomination and re-election of General Grant as
President of the United States in 1873, there were many incidents
to show the alteration in Southern sentiment. The white men of
the South, as a general thing, voted in that contest for Horace
Greeley, of New York. He had been long identified with all the
movements that were specially obnoxious to Southern people, and
yet, after so many bitter differences in the fifty years past,
the old leader of the Abolitionists became the nominee of the
Democrats and received their votes for the Presidency.
8. This strange course was said by those who pursued it to be
dictated by the desire on their parts to show that they did not
harbor resentment toward old enemies, and were not now
disaffected toward the Union, but were willing for "the dead past
to bury its dead," and well might they pursue such a course.
With the close of the war had passed all reason for the existence
of another Republic. In the abolition of slavery the States had
become uniform in interest, and it was soon patent that it ought
to need only a little time to heal the breaches of the war and
restore concord to the two great sections of the mighty American
Commonwealth.
9. Unfortunately, however, the men who swayed the destinies of
the country were more partisans than patriots, and sought to
perpetuate the domination of their party more than the
restoration of peace and concord.
10. In the sober, second thought of the American people it is to
be hoped that patriotism will prevail. That hatred and
malevolence can continue indefinitely in the relations of the two
grand divisions of the Republic, is as impossible as it would be
unwise and wicked. Their destiny is too grand for the people of
America to think of marring it by a continuance of strife. Year
by year the traces of blood disappear from the face of the land,
and more closely grow the bands that make us a free and united
people.
QUESTIONS.
1. To what period had the people of North Carolina been looking
forward since the close of the war? What acts had somewhat
prevented the arrival of this state of affairs?
2. What is said of political animosities and the general
prosperity of the State? Of towns and factories?
3. What charitable institution had been opened by the Masons?
Who was put in charge?
4. What is said of the Orphan Asylum?
5. In what condition was the University? What is said of other
colleges?
6. What female school is now mentioned?
7. What political changes were seen in the Presidential campaign
of 1872?
8. What was said to have dictated this course? What was the
general position of the people since the close of the war?
9. What was the cause of sectional prejudices continuing to exist?
10. In what characteristics do the American people stand high?
Why should all sectional animosities be speedily removed?
CHAPTER LXX.
THE COTTON TRADE AND FACTORIES.
A. D. 1878.
1873.
Previous to the introduction of Whitney's cotton gins there
had been much attention bestowed by the people of the State upon
the cultivation of flax. This crop was never reared for
exportation, but for family use at home. Few of the ancient
spinning-wheels can now be found, but they were once abundant
and the manufacture of home made linen was common in North
Carolina. This was even more the case than is now the
preparation of woolen fabrics upon the handlooms of the families.
2. So soon as the lint cotton was cheaply separated from its
seed, the great question of its universal use was solved. It
could be so easily produced that no woolen or linen fabrics
could hope to compete with it in the markets of the world. The
good women of the State soon learned the economy of buying the
cotton warp of the cloth wove at the farmhouses, but it was long
before even this common domestic necessity was prepared for use
in the South.
3. The cotton yarns were, until about 1840, almost all spun in
New England and bought by the merchants in the large cities when
laying in their semi-annual supplies of goods for the retail
trade. The purchase of slaves and the cultivation of cotton so
completely absorbed the energies of our people that no one
invested capital in anything else, except, perhaps, some who
preferred real estate for such a purpose.
4. But even before the civil war and the liberation of the
slaves there were wise men who urged the propriety and profit of
cotton mills in the South. Since the war there has been an
immense development of this industry, and now the sound of the
loom and spindle may be beard throughout the State. Hundreds of
persons are employed in a single one of the cotton mills. In
this way not only the wealth but the population of the section
is increased by bringing in new settlers. The railways find
added employment, and in some cases private residences are seen
that are rural paradises in the beauty and comfort of their
appointments. There is, in some of the western counties, large
capital invested in mills for the manufacture of woolen yarns
and cloth, from which satisfactory profits are realized.
Another one of the important industries of the State is the
manufacture of paper. The daily and weekly newspapers of North
Carolina are now largely supplied with printing papers by the
mills of the State. The first paper mill in North Carolina was
erected near Hillsboro, in 1778; the second one was built at
Salem, in 1789, by Gotleib Shober.
5. North Carolina has ever been slow to change in the habits of
her people. The ways of their forefathers always seem best to
most of them until abundant example has shown the wisdom of an
innovation. Steam, however, is usurping a place in every
species of labor and motion. The great seines of Albemarle
Sound, the printing press, the cotton gin and nearly everything
else is now obedient to the tireless energies of this great motor.
6. When North Carolina shall have developed her system of
transportation so that the coal and iron mines shall be more
largely worked, and when, as now in Vermont, not only cotton but
woolen factories shall be found in every section where such
staples are produced; then, and not until then, will the
civilization of the State be complete. They who merely produce
raw material will ever be "hewers of wood and drawers of water"
to others who prepare such things for market.
7. Second alone in importance to the State at large, after the
cotton factories, are those devoted to the handling and
preparation of tobacco for the market. The western powers of
Europe had, for many years, realized immense revenues by means
of their imports and monopolies of the Virginia weed, before the
government of the United States ever realized a dollar from all
the vast production of this crop in the different States. So,
too, in North Carolina, enterprise and capital had remained
almost completely blind to the possibilities of the situation.
8. Though great quantities of tobacco had been grown in many of
the counties, and the soil and climate were suited to the
production of the finest and costliest grades, yet the farmers
were content to raise such as commanded but humble prices, and
but a small proportion of this was prepared for use in the
vicinity of its production. In a few villages and on some of
the farms were to be found small factories, which, with the
rudest appliances, converted into plugs of chewing tobacco such
portions of the crop of the neighborhood as could be probably
sold from itinerant wagons.
9. These vehicles were sent to the eastern counties and even to
portions of South Carolina and Georgia, to supply the farms and
country stores. This traffic continued until the strong arm of
the Federal government, by means of "Internal Revenue Laws," was
interposed between the peddlers and their ancient profits. The
bulk of the crop was sent, before this, to be manufactured at
Richmond, Lynchburg and Danville, in Virginia. The fine brands
of plug and all smoking tobacco used in North Carolina were
received from these cities.
10. If he who adds to the number of grass blades is a public
benefactor, then the creators of new industries and towns may
well claim consideration along with the warrior and statesman.
In many towns and vast productions are modern States enabled to
sustain the great and costly appliances of our new civilization.
With the railroad and factory come population and those
advantages that can never be enjoyed by the people who lack
numbers and wealth.
QUESTIONS.
1. What was a principle crop in North Carolina before the
cotton gin was invented? What is said of the cultivation of flax?
2. Why did the production of cotton so rapidly take the place of flax?
3. How did the people invest nearly all their means?
4. What can you tell of the various cotton factories?
5. Why have not our people entered more largely into this class of industry?
6. What better future prosperity is yet to be attained by the State?
7. What other great industry is now considered?
8. What had been the production in North Carolina?
9. What is said of the tobacco peddlers?
10. What sentiment animates the people of North Carolina?
CHAPTER LXXI.
PROGRESS OF MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT.
A. D. 1876 TO 1878.
1876.
In this state of advancement as to her material interests, North
Carolina again became excited in 1876 over the choice of new men
for Chief-Magistrates, both of the Republic and of the State.
2. After eight years of service as President of the United
States, General Grant was retired to private life, and Governor
Brogden, who had succeeded Governor Caldwell upon the death of
the latter in 1874, was also near the end of his service as
Governor of North Carolina. No Gubernatorial election was ever
more exciting to the State. It resulted in the choice of ex-
Governor Z. B. Vance over Judge Thomas Settle of the Supreme
Court.
1877.
3. In the complications which resulted in the seating of Governor
Hayes as President of the United States, there was such a change
effected that the Federal army was no longer employed to uphold
the reconstructed officials in Louisiana and South Carolina, and
the people of those States, at last, were left to the management
of their own affairs. With this consummation, so long and
devoutly wished, came that peace and contentment to all sections
which had been unknown since 1861.
4. The enormous increase in the amount and quality of cotton
grown in North Carolina since the late war has been dependent
upon the use of various fertilizers and other appliances of a
better cultivation of the soil. The old habit of educated men,
in committing their plantations and slaves to the management of
overseers, has been almost wholly abandoned. Many individuals of
the largest culture are now devoting their time and skill to the
discovery of improved methods in agriculture, and North Carolina
is reaping a golden harvest thereby.
1878.
5. No employment, except agriculture, exceeds in importance that
of the merchant. North Carolina is shut off from foreign
commerce by the sand barriers on the coast, Only at Beaufort, on
Old Topsail Inlet, can be found such an entrance to internal
waters as promises safety to the mariner who would approach with
his deep-laden vessel. But, while this has precluded the
possibility of great commercial activity in North Carolina, there
has not been a lack of men, at any period of our history, to
illustrate the dignity and importance of legitimate traffic.
Cornelius Harnett and Joseph Hewes were as conspicuous for
financial success as they were for patriotism during the
Revolution.
6. With the return of peace to the belligerent States, North
Carolina was commercially prostrate. The merchants and the banks
were almost all ruined in the general impoverishment of their
debtors. The supply of cotton which remained on hand at the
cessation of hostilities was about all that had been left, in the
general wreck, upon which trade could be again commenced with
parties at a distance.
7. Raleigh had never been recognized as a trade centre. A few
stores on Fayetteville street, between the State House and where
the Federal building now stands, were the representatives of
their class in the city. Cotton was very little grown in that
region of the State, and no market for its sale had even existed
nearer than Norfolk and Petersburg.
8. But this state of things was not to continue. Numbers of
young men, combining great energy and judgment with small
capital, came to the city and began the work of expanding its
trade and resources. It has not, like Durham, risen up in a few
years from almost nothing, but so great a change has been
wrought, that the story of its growth is one of the most striking
incidents in the State's history. The extension of the railway
lines has opened up new custom in many counties that had never
previously dealt with merchants of the place.
9. The development of commerce and manufacture is the great hope
of the "Old North State." The enterprise and capital of this and
other communities are seeking opportunities of investment, and
the day is fast coming when North Carolina will rival
Pennsylvania in the variety and excellence of her manufactures.
The "Cotton Exchange" of Raleigh is aiding very largely in
building up the business of the city to vast proportions. The
quantity of cotton sold in Raleigh has been rapidly increasing
annually since the war, and the receipts for the year 1880
amounted to over seventy-six thousand bales. In 1869 the entire
product of the State was only one hundred and forty-five thousand
bales.
10. In the towns and cities of North Carolina may be found a
considerable number of Israelites engaged in the various branches
of trade; and this class of our citizens has added no little to
the general growth and material prosperity of the State. They
have synagogues at Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, Goldsboro and
New Bern.
11. About the year 1878 the example of the Federal government and
that of certain Northern States induced the State Commissioner of
Agriculture to establish a fish hatchery at a mouth of Salmon
Creek in Bertie county. This establishment has hatched and
liberated a very large number of shad and other varieties of
fish, and valuable returns are seen in some of the rivers that
have been in this manner replenished with this savory and
abundant source of food. It has been satisfactorily demonstrated
by Seth Green, of New York, and other naturalists, that fish
which are spawned in fresh water and reared at sea almost
invariably seek the place of their birth in the spring, when they
reach maturity.
12. In addition to this artificial increase of the supply of
fish, there have been large additions made to the means of their
capture. The use of steam in the handling of the long seines
and the great weirs known as "Dutch Nets," have opened the
way to an indefinite increase of the amount taken, while the
use of ice and rapid transportation make it possible to
deliver the fish fresh in the markets of the Northern and
Western cities.
13. This trade is also supplemented in the same region by such
attention to the growth and sale of vegetables. All the
requirements as to position, soil and climate are abundantly filled
by the counties with alluvial soils along the seacoast. Heavy
crops of Irish potatoes and garden peas are reared on the same
land which, later in the year, supplies a second crop of cotton
and corn.
14. In the same eastern counties the products of the farms have
been increased by a large and rapidly extending area devoted to
the production of peanuts and highland rice. With the exception
of a limited supply of the former article, grown above
Wilmington, there was seen in other communities only a few small
patches for the use of the family, but with no design of sale or
shipment. In many eastern counties the fields of peanuts are, of
late year, almost as numerous as those of cotton. The same
history belongs to the highland rice. This great staple of
human diet is rapidly becoming a favorite crop, and mills for its
preparation are fast making their appearance in different
localities.
15. Nowhere else in the State has there been so great an increase
in trade as in the city of Wilmington. Many ships from foreign
ports began to visit Cape Fear River, and, from different cities
in other States, regular lines of steam packets were established,
which greatly facilitated the means of communication.
16. Repeated appropriations, but never in sufficient amount, were
made from time to time by the United States Congress for the
improvement of Cape Fear and other watercourses in North
Carolina. The closing of New Inlet is believed to be entirely
efficacious in the effort to deepen the approach by way of the
river's mouth. A stone barrier of great length and stability
shuts off the flow of water, except past Fort Caswell, and the
happiest results are already realized.
17. In the city of New Bern another shipping point of importance
had been largely developed in the years since the close of the
war. There, too, is the terminus of prosperous freight lines,
employing many large steam vessels, that yet ply regularly
between Neuse River and cities beyond the borders of the State.
A great trade in lumber and garden produce is improved by cotton
and other factories, that add largely to the population and means
of the city.
QUESTIONS:
1. How was the State excited in 1876?
2. What was the result of this election?
3. What is said of the events of the past few years?
4. How have the agricultural pursuits of the State been benefited?
5. What are the most important employments in a State? What are
some of North Carolina's commercial advantages?
6. What was the financial condition of the people at the close of
the war?
7. What is said of Raleigh as a trade centre?
8. In what way did trade matters begin to improve at the capital?
9. What else is said of North Carolina's commercial prospects?
What advantage has Raleigh derived from the Cotton Exchange?
10. What is said of the Israelites?
11. What new enterprise was inaugurated in 1878? What have been
the results of the hatchery? What fact has been proven
concerning fish?
12. What is said of the improvement in the means of catching fish?
13. What other species of trade is found in the eastern counties?
14. What is said of the production of peanuts?
15. Can you tell something of the growth and trade of Wilmington?
16. How has the navigation of the Cape Fear River been improved?
17. What other seaport city is now mentioned? What is said of
its commercial interests?
CHAPTER LXXII.
THE RAILROADS AND NEW TOWNS.
A. D. 1879.
1879.
The Raleigh & Gaston Railroad originally connected the two places
that gave name to the route. It was necessary in reaching
Raleigh from the Albemarle region to go to Weldon, and then, by
the Petersburg Railroad, the junction in Greenville county,
Virginia, gave access by a short line to Gaston. It was not
until about 1853 that the Raleigh & Gaston route was extended
directly down the Roanoke River to Weldon. This was a great
facility to both trade and travel on this important line, yet
twenty years elapsed in the progress of internal communication
before this short link could be added.
2. A great trunk line, extending east and west through the whole
length of the State, has long been a favorite scheme of many
statesmen in the effort to build up a seaport at Beaufort. But
in the progress of the late war it became all-important to the
Confederate government to tap the North Carolina Road at
Greensboro, in order that troops and military freights might be
speedily conveyed to Petersburg and Richmond by way of Danville.
3. The completion of the lines leading from Charlotte to
Wilmington, from Charlotte to Statesville, from Raleigh to
Hamlet, the Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley from Fayetteville to
Greensboro; and the Western North Carolina Road from Salisbury to
Asheville, and the Paint Rock branch, have enormously increased
the facilities for travel in the State. In addition to these
lines, new routes from Jamesville to Washington, from Rocky Mount
to Tarboro, from Norfolk to Elizabeth City and Edenton, from
Durham to Chapel Hill, from Henderson to Oxford, from Goldsboro
to Smithfield, have also been recently added to the railway
system.
4. The road from Winston to Greensboro has resulted in the
creation of a city alongside of ancient Salem which is, in every
respect the compeer of Durham in the swiftness of its growth and
the amount of its trade and manufactures. Winston, Durham and
Reidsville have arisen almost like magic, and are expanding into
such importance that Charlotte, Salisbury and Greensboro have all
felt the consequences of their growth in trade and population.
5. The city of Charlotte has greatly prospered and has become
important for its large trade and railway interests. Perhaps,
nowhere else in the State have the citizens of a city shown
greater enterprise. Its merchants, lawyers and editors have all
won the respect and admiration of other communities, and have
raised their city to such prosperity that it is now rapidly
becoming a rival of Wilmington and Raleigh, and taking place in
the front rank among North Carolina's emporiums.
6. One of the most remarkable scenes ever witnessed in North
Carolina was the famous centennial anniversary of the signing of
the Mecklenburg Declaration. It filled Charlotte with thousands
of visitors, among whom were the Governors of several States and
many other distinguished American citizens. Ex-Governor W. A.
Graham, Judge John Kerr, Governor Brogden and others delivered
orations, and the citizen-soldiers of the State were gathered to
do honor to an event "that had made Charlotte forever sacred to
history and song." This occurrence was, of course, on May 20th,
1875, and just one hundred years later than the concourse ordered
by Colonel Thomas Polk.
7. Fayetteville, Asheville and Statesville have also afforded
remarkable instances of thrift and expansion in the busy latter
years of our State's history. Now, besides being a favorite
resort as a watering place, supplements its summer festivities
with large numbers of visitors avoiding the rigors of winter
months elsewhere. It is becoming a railway centre and is fast
developing a large and lucrative trade.
8. The tendency toward the erection of manufactories and the
recent influx of foreign immigrants are happy auguries for the
continued prosperity and growth of towns in the State. The
wondrous diversity of products of the soil, the extent of the
forests and the richness of the mines, all combine to demonstrate
the ease with which the success of other American states can be
rivalled in our own.
9. Already the mountains have been pierced by the railway from
Salisbury. Other lines from Virginia, South Carolina and
Tennessee are being constructed, so that every portion even of
the mountainous region will soon be within easy reach of the
markets of the world. The Cranberry iron ores, the matchless
Mica quarries and the Corundum deposits are all being made
available to commerce, and will realize valuable returns for the
capital employed upon them.
10. Not the least remarkable among the new industries of the
western counties is the collection and shipment of Ginseng and
other valuable medicinal roots and herbs. A firm in Statesville
have been, for years past, employing large capital in this business,
which seems capable of indefinite extension. The preparation of dried
fruits is another lucrative addition to the resources of the same
region.
11. Years ago, attention was called to the fact that at certain
elevations in the mountains there was no frost to be seen at any
period of the year; and this immunity has been turned to valuable
account by the fruit growers, and now great orchards are found in
many parts of the westerns counties, and shipments of very fine
apples show the cultivation given to them.
12. North Carolina is not only the original habitation of the
Scuppernong grape, but also of the luscious Catawba. This
latter fine fruit, which has proven so valuable to the nurseries
of Cincinnati, is at home in this latitude.
13. Yadkin county was, before 1860, famous for the production of
a stronger beverage, derived from rye and corn. Since the war
many distilleries have been carried on in the State, in spite of
the government regulations that carry so many men as culprits to
the Federal prisons. The offenders, known as "Moonshiners," are
those who make and sell whisky without paying the United States
for a license in the trade. These transgressors of the law have
for years been hunted like Italian bandits or ferocious wild
beasts, and not unfrequently blood has been shed in defence of
the hidden distilleries and quite as often in attacking them and
their owners.
14. In February of this year the Secretary of State, Joseph A.
Engelhard, died, after a brief illness. In the death of Major
Engelhard, the State sustained a great loss. As a soldier he was
faithful, capable and brave. At once made a conspicuous leader
in the fierce struggles that followed the war by his control of a
prominent journal, he proved ever courageous, far-seeing and of
rare judgment. And to him, for the happy termination of those
terrible struggles, the State owes a deep debt of gratitude that
now, unhappily, she can repay only in honorable remembrance.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is the subject of this lesson? What is said of the
extension of the Raleigh & Gaston Railroad? Go to the map and
point out this road.
2. What favorite trunk-line has long been desired? What road was
specially important to the Confederate government? Point out
this road on the map.
3. What roads are mentioned as having been recently completed?
Point out these on the map.
4. What towns are now mentioned, and what is said of their
growth? Locate them on the map.
5. What is said of the prosperity of the city of Charlotte?
6. What is said of the centennial celebration at Charlotte? When
did it occur?
7. What mention is made of Fayetteville, Asheville and
Statesville? Find these towns on the map.
8. What have been the causes of the rapid growth of the towns in
the state?
9. What further prosperity is noticed?
10. What other industry is described? Can you tell anything of
this valuable production? (Teacher will explain).
11. What is said of the western fruit growers?
12. What excellent varieties of grape are natives of North
Carolina? What is said of the Catawba grape?
13. What mention is made of the manufacture of stronger liquors?
14. What State officer died at this period? What is said of Major Engelhard?
CHAPTER LXXIII.
LITERATURE AND AUTHORS.
A. D. 1880.
1880.
It would seem natural that the connection of Sir Walter Raleigh
with the history of North Carolina should have added to the
literary tendencies of a people blessed with such a godfather.
He was so full of genius and devotion to letters that a special
impetus ought thereby to have been given to the cultivation of a
similar spirit among those who were to inhabit the land of his
love. But, though Hariot, Lawson, and quaint Dr. Brickell were
moved by such a spirit, the muses have not made the Old North
State very remarkable in this respect.
2. North Carolina has always been, since its settlement, the home
of some highly cultivated people, but all the while the mass of
the population has possessed but little knowledge of books. This
fact has been a great discouragement to the production of
authors. Professions are not eagerly sought when not encouraged
by the sympathy and support of the public.
3. In the period just preceding the revolt from British rule,
Edward Moseley and Samuel Swann had been succeeded by men who
possessed better literary opportunities and were more devoted to
general culture than had been these two able and accomplished
lawyers. Moseley, with every requirement, could never bring to
any of his many controversies with Governor Pollok and others
such flowers of rhetoric as Judge Maurice Moore lavished upon his
famous "Atticus Letter."
4. That production was just such an attack upon Governor Tryon,
for his conduct toward the Regulators, as, a few years later,
immortalized the English writer who is to this day only known by
his signature, "Junius." When Judge Moore and his compeer,
Cornelius Harnett, were growing old, William Hooper, Archibald
Maclaine and the first James Iredell were young lawyers, who
travelled to all the Superior Courts in the State and mingled
belles-lettres largely with their inspections of Coke and the
new lectures of Dr. Blackstone.
5. No man or woman then in North Carolina wrote books, as a
profession, but the copious correspondence of that day, which yet
survives, and upon which fifty cents were paid as postage for
each letter, proves that, what was called "polite literature"
engaged much of their attention. They made fine speeches, and
Judge Iredell wrote a law book and frequent dissertation for the
newspapers; but, beyond this and an occasional pamphlet, no
literary tasks were undertaken.
6. Dr. Hugh Williamson was a man of similar habits. He was not
only a skillful physician, but served with credit as a college
professor and a member of the Convention at Philadelphia which
formed the Federal Constitution, and he was also a member of the
United States Congress. After ceasing to be a citizen of this
State, he undertook to write its history, but achieved very
moderate success as an author.
7. In the lapse of years, this task was again undertaken by judge
Francois Xavier Martin. He came from France when a boy, and
practiced law for seventeen years at New Bern. His compilation
of the statutes and history of North Carolina were invaluable
labors, and will ever render him memorable in our annals. His
dry statement of facts was generally correct, and he fell into
very few errors, considering that he was the first to attempt
anything like a full record of the State's history; and this was
accomplished in his new home in Louisiana.
8. Joseph Seawell Jones was a remarkable man in many respects.
He was brilliant in social life, and became well known to the
literary and fashionable circles of New York and Washington. His
love for North Carolina was intense, and the "Defence of the
Revolutionary History of the State of North Carolina" that he
wrote exhibits both talent and research. His infirmities of
temper impaired his judgment, but his memory should ever be
cherished in his native State for the services he rendered.
After the gay scenes of his early manhood he spent many years on
a Mississippi plantation. His last book was entitled "My Log
Cabin in the Prairie."
9. Early in the present century the literary aspects of the State were
brightened by men who had attended as students on Dr.
Joseph, Caldwell's ministrations at Chapel Hill. His tendencies
were all so practical that scientific and mechanical development
was more encouraged than lighter subjects, but Hardy B. Croom,
Joseph A. Hill, Judge A. D. Murphey and Rev. Drs. William Hooper
and Francis L. Hawks were early distinguished for the elegance of
their literary acquirements.
10. Judge William Gaston left just enough literary memorials to
cause us to regret that he did not attempt more things of the
kind. His ode to Carolina, and certain orations, will never be
forgotten. Judge Robert Strange was also possessed of similar
gifts. Philo Henderson, Walker Anderson and Abraham F. Morehead
were largely gifted in poetic power. Each of them, at rare
intervals, indulged in compositions that show what might have
been accomplished had they been authors by profession and not
mere literary amateurs. The State, while possessing a number of
excellent musicians, has not produced many musical compositions
of special merit; but the two songs, the "Old North State," by
Hon. William Gaston, and "Ho! for Carolina," by Rev. William
B. Harrell, will ever remain favorites with our people.
11. Colonel John H. Wheeler and Rev. Dr. Calvin H. Wiley have
both executed tasks that will render their names household words
for ages to come. The historical contributions of the former are
of the greatest possible value and are highly prized in every
portion of the State. Rev. Drs. Hubbard, Foote, Hawks and
Caruthers, and ex-Governors Graham and Swain have each been large
contributors to the same cause. Rev. Dr. Charles F. Deems, Theo.
H. Hill and the lamented Edwin W. Fuller added much to the fame
of our writers. Professors Richard Sterling, William Bingham and
Brantley York have contributed excellent educational textbooks,
which do great credit to the talented authors. The recent
"History of Rowan County," by Rev. Jethro Rumple, is both
pleasing and valuable as a tribute to our local traditions.
12. In addition to the authors mentioned, there have been members
of the Bar of North Carolina who have produced legal works of
very great importance and value, not only to our own
practitioners, but also to lawyers of other States. The most
prominent writers of this class of literature were James Iredell,
Edward Cantwell, Benjamin Swam, William Eaton, Jr., B. F. Moore,
S. P. Olds, William H. Battle and Quentin Busbee, of former
years; followed, in later times, by William H. Bailey and Fabius
H. Busbee. These law books have been chiefly digests, revisals
and manuals of practice.
13. Gifted women have not been wanting amid these literary
people. Mrs. Cornelia Phillips Spencer, Mrs. Cicero W. Harris,
Mrs. Mary Mason and Mrs. Mary Bayard Clarke have made valuable
contributions to the literature of their era. In the case of
Miss Frances Fisher, under the assumed name of "Christian Reid,"
a most signal success is to be chronicled. She has given to the
press many excellent stories and established a national fame as a
novelist.
14. North Carolina has produced many able newspaper editors.
Joseph Gales and his two sons, Edward J. Hale, ex-Governor W. W.
Holden, Joseph A. Engelhard, William J. Yates, P. M. Hale,
William L. Saunders, S. A. Ashe, T. B. Kingsbury, R. B. Creecy,
Dossey Battle, C. W. Harris and other gifted men have wielded a
wide influence on the people of this State.
QUESTIONS.
Of what does this lesson treat?
1. Who is the first literary man known to North Carolina? What
is said of him? What others are mentioned in this connection?
2. What has been the general condition of literary matters in the
State? Why have so few professional authors been seen?
3. What is said of Samuel Swan and Edward Moseley? Who was
author of the "Atticus Letter? "
4. What mention is made of the "Atticus Letter? " Who were the
literary men of that period?
5. What is said of the correspondence of that day? What was the
extent of Judge Iredell's literary efforts?
6. What is said of the attainments of Dr. Hugh Williamson?
7. What other historians are mentioned, and what is said of them?
8. Tell something of the labors of Joseph Seawell Jones.
9. What produced an improvement in literary affairs early in the
present century?
10. What is said of the ode to Carolina and its author? What
writers of similar gifts are named? What is said of musical
compositions?
11. What is said of the literary efforts of Colonel Wheeler and
Dr Wiley? What other historical writers are mentioned who have
contributed to the State valuable series of school books?
12. What members of the Bar have produced legal works of great value?
13. Can you tell something of the gifted women of the State?
14. What prominent editors has the State furnished?
CHAPTER LXXIV.
THE COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS.
A. D. 1880.
As was intended by the men who framed the Constitution of North
Carolina at Halifax in 1776, the University of the State has long
held the leadership of such institutions in the Commonwealth.
The unfortunate and inexcusable interference of politicians with
its management during the years of reconstruction only resulted
in its temporary eclipse. The public refused it patronage when
the new managers had installed a strange faculty in the seats of
Governor Swain and his long honored coadjutors; but since the
restoration of the ancient order of things, prosperity has
returned both to the University and the beautiful village in
which it is situated.
2. Many useful reforms have been accomplished in its curriculum
and management. Perhaps never before was seen each devotion to
study and compliance with the rules on the part of the students.
The President, Dr. Kemp P. Battle, had been much identified with
the institution, before assuming charge of its fortunes. His
learning, combined with public experience, made him a wise ruler
of the literary community over which he was called to preside;
and the excellence of the new faculty is becoming every day more
evident in the scholarship and bearing of the young men who are
sent out from its halls.
3. Wake Forest College is the oldest of the sectarian colleges of
the State, and has long vindicated its usefulness among the
Baptist churches. Its first intended end was the education of
young men for the ministry, but this has been largely augmented
by the successes of its graduates in every other branch of human
usefulness in our midst. The councils of the State, and the
learned professions, have been greatly illustrated by men who
laid the foundations of their success by diligent application to
their duties while attending as students at Wake Forest.
4. In the recent death of Rev. Dr. W. M. Wingate, the institution
lost a president who had given long and signal service; but, in
his successor, Rev. Dr. T. H. Pritchard, perhaps even higher
executive qualities are seen. Wake Forest catalogue has latterly
contained about two hundred names of students, and, through the
munificence of certain friends, the college has received handsome
additions to the buildings and appliances.
5. Davidson College has also immensely developed in the last few
years. Not only in increased patronage, but in the grade of
scholarship a great advance has been achieved, so that few
institutions in America afford higher and more thorough
instruction than is now enjoyed by the young men who avail
themselves of the advantages here offered.
6. The same things may be said of Trinity College, under the
direction of Rev. Dr. B. Craven. The pulpits of the Methodist
churches in North Carolina have long borne evidence of the
literary and moral excellence imparted to the graduates, and in
many respects the whole State has been benefited and elevated by
contact with such men.
7. The female seminaries at Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh,
Murfreesboro, Thomasville, Wilson, Kittrell, Oxford and Louisburg
have also prospered in this era of general advancement among the
North Carolina schools. Large numbers of young ladies from other
States are sent to them for education, and, in the noble
emulation thus evolved, admirable instruction is obtained.
8. Among preparatory schools, that of Major Robert Bingham, at
Mebaneville, in Alamance county, is, by common consent, supreme
in North Carolina, and perhaps in the South, not only in number
of students, but in the excellence of tuition, discipline and
drill. On the catalogue of this institution will be found the
names of young men from almost every State in the Union, and even
some foreign countries are represented.
9. Other similar institutions have long flourished at Raleigh,
Oxford, Greensboro, Kinston, LaGrange, Oak Ridge and elsewhere,
and all of them are having a large influence for good upon the
young men of the State. The Normal Schools at Chapel Hill and
other towns have been largely attended by teachers, and great
interest is also manifested in the graded schools. At no
previous period has so much attention been bestowed upon matters
of this kind by the people of North Carolina.
10. One of the most prominent of the graded schools in the State
was organized at Raleigh in 1876, through the efforts of Capt.
John E. Dugger, and named the "Centennial Graded School." The
great success of this institution has led the citizens of other
towns in the State to establish schools of like character. There
are now to be found flourishing graded schools at Salisbury,
Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Wilson, Greensboro, Charlotte,
Wilmington, New Bern, Rocky Mount and Franklinton. Several towns
also contain excellent schools of this description for the
colored people, and their effectiveness is rapidly becoming
apparent.
11. Soon after the conclusion of the late war--in the month of
December, 1865--a colored school for both sexes was founded
through the exertions of the Rev. H. M. Tupper, at the State
capital, and called the "Raleigh Institute." On account of large
donations from Elijah Shaw, of Massachusetts, and Jacob Estey, of
Vermont, it was, in 1875, changed in name; the male school then
became "Shaw University," and the female department was called
"Estey Seminary." Spacious and well-built edifices were reared
on different portions of the grounds, and hundreds of colored
pupils have been in attendance since its foundation.
12. In a different section of the city exists another seminary of
similar character for the colored people, founded in 1867, by the
Rev. Dr. James Brinton Smith. This is called "St. Augustine
Normal School and Collegiate Institute." It has been for some
years under the charge of Rev, John E, C. Smedes, and is under
Episcopal patronage. Though not so largely attended as Shaw
University, it is still of great benefit to the race it was
intended to educate, and in this way is also a blessing to the
community at large. Another excellent school for the colored
people is located in Fayetteville, and others are to be found in
various sections of the State.
13. Ever since the close of the late war, the colored people of
North Carolina have shown a remarkable unanimity in their efforts
to procure education for themselves and their children. In this
desire they have been nobly aided by the white men and women, and
their progress has been rapid. It is the belief of all that only
in enlightened public sentiment can safety be found for our peace
and liberties; and thus the State is doing all that can be
effected for the culture and mental improvement of all classes of
its population.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is this lesson about? What was the intent of the Halifax
Constitution concerning the University? What is said of this
institution during the years of reconstruction? When was it re-
established?
2. How has the University been benefited by its new management?
3. What is said of the success of Wake Forest College?
4. Tell something of its management.
5. Give an account of the progress of Davidson College.
6. What is said of Trinity College and its work?
7. What female seminaries are now mentioned? What has been the
result of their labors?
8. What have been the peculiar successes of the Bingham School?
9. Where are other fine schools for boys to be found? What other
schools are mentioned?
10. What is said of the graded schools?
11. Give an account of the Raleigh institute for colored people?
By what name is this institution now known?
12. What is said of the St. Augustine Normal School? Where are
other excellent schools for the colored people to be found?
13. What is said of the efforts of the colored people to secure
education? How have they been aided in their efforts?
CHAPTER LXXV.
CONCLUSION.
A. D. 1881.
In the financial prostration consequent upon the late war, a
large debt was due from North Carolina to creditors who held the
bonds of the State. That portion of these bonds which had been
issued before the war was considered an honorable burden, that
should be discharged by such payment as might be fixed by
agreement between the State and the bondholders.
2. In this way a compromise was effected, and new bonds have
been issued, which embrace a large portion of what was honestly
due from the State to her creditors. For those which were made
in defiance of the terms of the Constitution, and appropriated
almost entirely by dishonest officials, no provision has been
made, and doubtless, will never be.
3. When, in 1876, the great quadrennial contest for the
Presidency of the Union again recurred; it was rightly
considered one of the most momentous crises that had yet
occurred in American history. The great issue was as to the
continuance of State governments. The recent habits of General
Grant in his dealing with Southern Commonwealths had virtually
ignored their separate existence. In the strange and
unprecedented action of Congress that resulted in the seating of
Governor Hayes as President, the Federal troops were withdrawn,
and the people of the States left to administer their own
affairs, and State governments were recognized.
4. Ex-Governor Vance was this year elected over Judge Thomas
Settle to the Chief-Magistracy, as has already been stated.
General M. W. Ransom and ex-Judge A. S. Merrimon were sent to
the United States Senate, in the place of John Pool and General
J. C. Abbott. Through the efforts of our Congressmen, many
needed appropriations by Congress have been secured to North
Carolina, and their result is specially noticeable in the great
improvement of the ship channels of the Cape Fear and other rivers.
5. Upon the election of Governor Vance to the United States
Senate, February 8th, 1879, he was succeeded by Lieutenant-
Governor T. J. Jarvis. The latter had served as a captain in
the Eighth North Carolina Regiment in the late war, and
subsequently, as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Chief-
Justice Pearson died in 1878, on his way to attend the session
of the Supreme Court at Raleigh. W. N. H. Smith was appointed
by Governor Vance as Chief-Justice in the place of Judge
Pearson. At the next election by the people, Judge Smith, with
John H. Dillard and Thomas S. Ashe as Associate Justices, was
elected without opposition. Judge Dillard having resigned in
1881, Judge Thomas Ruffin was appointed his successor.
6. The public charities of the State have been enlarged and
elevated in their ministrations. The recent adoption of the
Orphan Asylum at Oxford as a recipient of the State's bounty,
the erection of a colored Deaf and Dumb Asylum, the erection of
an hospital for the insane of the colored race, and the great
building at Morganton for additional accommodation to white
lunatics, are only a portion of the recent humanities
inaugurated by the General Assembly.
7. Perhaps in no other respect is so much physical improvement
possible as in the development of the mining interests of the
State. Capital from abroad is flowing in, and from many
counties fresh discoveries of mineral deposits are leading to
the establishment of companies and firms for the purpose of
working such mines. No other State of the Union presents such a
variety of these rich and beautiful gifts of nature. The recent
discovery, in the western part of the State, of a new gem,
called the "Hiddenite," is attracting general attention and
increasing the influx of visitors to the romantic scenery of the
mountains.
8. For years past, it has been evident to intelligent observers
that no bar exists to illimitable progression, both to North
Carolina and the great American Republic, except in the
senseless and cruel sectional hostilities. If the people, North
and South, could only be induced to surrender their mutual
distrust and aversion, thereby would disappear the last danger
left to the American people.
1881.
9. God has blessed them year by year with over flowing barns.
They are already one of the most numerous and wealthy of all
nations; and yet, with so many blessings, sectional hatred had
become the ruling emotion in countless breasts. Amid such a
state of affairs, General James A. Garfield became President of
the United States. On the 2d day of July he was shot down in
Washington by an assassin. The news of this crime, when flashed
over the electric wires, carried sorrow to the whole civilized
world--and of all the cities of the Union, Raleigh was the first
to express, by public meeting, the indignation of her people at
the deed. In the weeks of the President's subsequent agony, as
he lay battling with death, the hearts of the American people
were strangely drawn together in the presence of this common
national calamity.
10. When, on September 19th, it was announced that the long and
painful struggle was ended, and the smitten statesman was at
last eased of his agony by death, such grief was seen in all
America as had never before been witnessed. In the presence of
such a death all cries of dissension ceased to be heard, and
every party and race united in the general mourning.
11. The people of North Carolina, with one accord, desire that
such a spirit may continue to animate the American people. As
they were the first of all the States to urge the independence
of America, so may they ever be found sustaining the
Constitution and the Union that guarantee its perpetuity.
QUESTIONS.
1. What is said of the State at this period? What portion of
this debt was considered an honorable burden?
2. How was a compromise effected in 1879? How does the State
consider the unconstitutional debts?
3. What is said of the Presidential contest of 1876? What was
the great issue? How had General Grant acted towards the
Southern Commonwealth? What followed the seating of Governor
Hayes as President?
4. What changes had been made in 1876 in North Carolina public
officers? What appropriations from Congress has North Carolina
received through efforts of her Senators?
5. Who succeeded Governor Vance? Who became Supreme Court Judges?
6. What mention is made of the public charities?
7. What tends greatly to the physical improvement of the State? What is said
of North Carolina's mineral wealth?
8. What has retarded the State's progress?
9. What was the condition of this sectional feeling during the late Presidential
campaign? What calamity befell the country on July 2d, 1881? How did the
news of this event affect the whole world?
10. When did President Garfield die? What are the concluding
reflections upon this great national calamity?
11. What is the sincere desire of every true North Carolina patriot?
APPENDIX.
REMARKS.
The Constitution of North Carolina is an important instrument to
the people of the State. It contains all the fundamental
principles of our State government, and ought to be carefully
read and studied by every citizen of North Carolina.
In order that the boys and girls who study this history may more
thoroughly understand the meaning and provisions of the State
Constitution, a series of "Questions" has been prepared with
great care by a distinguished citizen of the Commonwealth who is
well acquainted with the subject.
The pupils will become better informed on this subject if only
short lessons are given to them for preparation. About one page
of the text will be sufficient for a lesson if properly studied,
and by this means a much greater amount of information will be
retained than if larger space is rapidly passed over.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. PREAMBLE.
WE, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to
Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of nations, for the
preservation of the American Union, and the existence of our
civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our
dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us
and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof,
and for the better government of this State, ordain and
establish this Constitution:
ARTICLE I. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
That the great, general and essential principles of liberty and
free government may be recognized and established, and that the
relations of this State to the Union and government of the
United States, and those of the people of this State to the rest
of the American people may be defined and affirmed, we do declare:
SECTION 1. That we hold it to be self-evident that all men are
created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty,
the enjoyment of the fruits of their own labor, and the pursuit
of happiness.
SEC. 2. That all political power is vested in, and derived from,
the people; all government of right originates from the people,
is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for
the good of the whole.
SEC. 3. That the people of this State have the inherent, sole
and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and
police thereof, and of altering and abolishing their
Constitution and form of government whenever it may be necessary
for their safety and happiness; but every such right should be
exercised in pursuance of law and consistently with the
Constitution of the United States.
SEC. 4. That this State shall ever remain a member of the
American Union; that the people thereof are part of the American
nation; that there is no right on the part of the State to
secede, and that all attempts from whatever source or upon
whatever pretext, to dissolve said Union, or to sever said
nation, ought to be resisted with the whole power of the state.
SEC. 5. That every citizen of the State owes paramount
allegiance to the Constitution and government of the United
States, and that no law or ordinance of the State in
contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force.
SEC. 6. The State shall never assume or pay, or authorize the
collection of, any debt or obligation, express or implied,
incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave;
nor shall the General Assembly assume or pay, or authorize the
collection of any tax to pay either directly or indirectly,
expressed or implied, any debt or bond incurred, or issued, by
authority of the Convention of the year one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-eight, nor any debt or bond incurred, or
issued, by the Legislature of the year one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-eight, either at its special session of the
year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, or at its
regular sessions of the years one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-eight and one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, and
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine and one thousand eight
hundred and seventy, except the bonds issued to fund the
interest on the old debt of the State, unless the proposing to
pay the same shall have first been submitted to the people, and
by them ratified by the vote of a majority of all the qualified
voters of the State, at a regular election held for that purpose.
SEC. 7. No man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or
separate emoluments or privileges from the community but in
consideration of public services.
SEC. 8. The legislative, executive and supreme judicial powers
of the government ought to be forever separate and distinct from
each other.
SEC. 9. All power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws,
by any authority, without the consent of the representatives of
the people, is injurious to their rights, and ought not to be
exercised.
SEC. 10. All elections ought to be free.
SEC. 11. In all criminal prosecutions every man has the right to
be informed of the accusation against him and to confront the
accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and to have counsel
for his defence, and not be compelled to give evidence against
himself, or to pay costs, jail fees or necessary witness fees of
the defence, unless found guilty.
SEC. 12. No person shall be put to answer any criminal charge,
except as hereinafter allowed but by indictment, presentment or
impeachment.
SEC. 13. No person shall be convicted of any crime but by the
unanimous verdict of a jury of good and lawful men in open
court. The Legislature may, however, provide other means of
trial for petty misdemeanors, with the right of appeal.
SEC. 14. Excessive bail should not be required, nor excessives
fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishments inflicted.
SEC. 15. General warrants, whereby any officer or messenger may
be commanded to search suspected places, without evidence of the
act committed, or to seize any person or persons not named,
whose offence is not particularly described and supported by
evidence, are dangerous to liberty, and ought not to be granted.
SEC. 16. There shall be no imprisonment for debt in this State,
except in cases of fraud.
SEC. 17. No person ought to be taken, imprisoned or disseized of
his freehold, liberties or privileges, or outlawed or exiled, or
in any manner deprived of his life, liberty or property but by
the law of the land.
SEC. 18. Every person restrained of his liberty is entitled to a
remedy to inquire into the lawfulness thereof, and to remove the
same, if unlawful; and such remedy ought not to be denied or
delayed.
SEC. 19. In all controversies at law respecting property, the
ancient mode of trial by jury is one of the best securities of
the rights of the people, and ought to remain sacred and
inviolable.
SEC. 20. The freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks
of liberty, and therefore ought never to be restrained, but
every individual shall be held responsible for the abuse of the
same.
SEc. 21. The privileges of the writ of habeas corpus shall not
be suspended.
SEC. 22. As political rights and privileges are not dependent
upon, or modified by property, therefore no property
qualification ought to affect the right to vote or hold office.
SEC. 23. The people of the State ought not to be taxed, or made
subject to the payment of any impost or duty, without the
consent of themselves, or their representatives in General
Assembly, freely given.
SEC. 24. A well regulated militia being necessary to the
security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and
bear arms shall not be infringed; and, as standing armies in
time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be
kept up, and the military should be kept under strict
subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. Nothing
herein contained shall justify the practice of carrying
concealed weapons, or prevent the Legislature from enacting
penal statutes against said practice.
SEC. 25. The people have a right to assemble together to consult
for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to
apply to the Legislature for redress of grievance. But secret
political societies are dangerous to the liberties of a free
people, and should not be tolerated.
SEC. 26. All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship
Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences,
and no human authority should, in any case whatever, control or
interfere with the rights of conscience.
SEC. 27. The people have the right to the privilege of
education, and it is the duty of the State to guard and maintain
that right.
SEC. 28. For redress of grievances, and for amending and
strengthening the laws, elections should be often held.
SEC. 29. A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is
absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.
SEC. 30. No hereditary emoluments, privileges or honors ought to
be granted or conferred in this State.
SEC. 31. Perpetuities and monopolies are contrary to the genius
of a free State, and ought not to be allowed.
SEC. 32. Retrospective laws, punishing acts committed before the
existence of such laws, and by them only declared criminal, are
oppressive unjust and incompatible with liberty, wherefore no ex
post facto law ought to be made. No law taxing retrospectively
sales, purchases, or other acts previously done, ought to be
passed.
SEC. 33. Slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than for
crime whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall
be, and are hereby, forever prohibited within the State.
SEC. 34. The limits and boundaries of the State shall be and
remain as they now are.
SEC. 35. All courts shall be open; and every person for an
injury done him in his lands, goods, person or reputation, shall
have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice
administered without sale, denial or delay.
SEC. 36. No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any
house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war but
in a manner prescribed by law.
SEC. 37. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to
impair or deny others retained by the people; and all powers not
herein delegated remain with the people.
ARTICLE II. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 1. The legislative authority shall be vested in two
distinct branches, both dependent on the people, to wit: A
Senate and a House of Representatives.
SEC. 2. The Senate and House of Representatives shall meet
biennially on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in
January next after their election; and when assembled shall be
denominated the General Assembly. Neither House shall proceed
upon public business unless a majority of all the members are
actually present.
SEC. 3. The Senate shall be composed of fifty Senators,
biennially chosen by ballot.
SEC. 4. The Senate Districts shall be so altered by the General
Assembly, at the first session after the return of every
enumeration by order of Congress, that each Senate District
shall contain, as near as may be, an equal number of
inhabitants, excluding aliens and Indians not taxed, and shall
remain unaltered until the return of another enumeration, and
shall at all times consist of contiguous, territory; and no
county shall be divided in the formation of a Senate District,
unless such county shall be equitably entitled to two or more
Senators.
SEC. 5. The House of Representatives shall be composed of one
hundred and twenty Representatives, biennially chosen by ballot,
to be elected by the counties respectively, according to their
population, and each county shall have at least one
Representative in the House of Representatives, although it may
not contain the requisite ratio of representation; this
apportionment shall be made by the General Assembly at the
respective times and periods when the districts for the Senate
are herein before directed to be laid off.
SEC. 6. In making the apportionment in the House of
Representatives, the ratio of representation shall be
ascertained by dividing the amount of the population of the
State, exclusive of that comprehended within those counties
which do not severally contain the one hundred and twentieth
part of the population of the State, by the number of
Representatives, less the number assigned to such counties; and
in ascertaining the number of the population of the State,
aliens and Indians not taxed shall not be included. To each
county containing the said ratio, and not twice the said ratio,
there shall be assigned one Representative; to each county
containing twice but not three times the said ratio, there shall
be assigned two Representatives, and so on progressively, and
then the remaining Representatives shall be assigned severally
to, the counties having the largest fractions.
SEC. 7. Each member of the Senate shall not be less than twenty-
five years of age, shall have resided in the State as a citizen
two years, and shall have usually resided in the district for
which he is chosen one year immediately preceding his election.
SEC. 8. Each member of the House of Representatives shall be a
qualified elector of the State, and shall have resided in the
county for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding
his election.
SEC. 9. In the election of all officers, whose appointment shall
be conferred upon the General Assembly by the Constitution, the
vote shall be viva voce.
SEC. 10. The General Assembly shall have power to pass general
laws regulating divorce and alimony, but shall not have power to
grant a divorce or secure alimony in any individual case.
SEC. 11. The General Assembly shall not have power to pass any
private law to alter the name of any person or to legitimate any
person not born in lawful wedlock, or to restore to the rights
of citizenship any person convicted of an infamous crime, but
shall have power to pass general laws regulating the same.
SEC. 12. The General Assembly shall not pass any private law,
unless it shall be made to appear thirty days' notice of
application to pass such a law shall have been given, under such
directions and in such manner as shall be provided by law.
SEC. 13. If vacancies shall occur in the General Assembly by
death, resignation or otherwise, writs of election shall be
issued by the Governor under such regulations as may be
prescribed by law.
SEC. 14. No law shall be passed to raise money on the credit of
the State, or to pledge the faith of the State, directly or
indirectly, for the payment of any debt, or to impose any tax
upon the people of the State, or to allow the counties, cities
or towns to do so, unless the bill for the purpose shall have
been read three several times in each House of the General
Assembly, and passed three several readings, which readings
shall have been on three different days, and agreed to by each
House respectively, and unless the yeas and nays on the second
and third reading of the bill shall have been entered on the journal.
SEC. 15. The General Assembly shall regulate entails in such
manner as to prevent perpetuities.
SEC. 16. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings,
which shall be printed and made public immediately after the
adjournment of the General Assembly.
SEC. 17. Any member of either House may dissent from, and
protest against, any act or resolve which he may think injurious
to the public, or any individual, and have the reason of his
dissent entered on the journal.
SEC. 18. The House of Representatives shall choose their own
Speaker and other officers.
SEC. 19. The Lieutenant-Governor shall preside in the Senate,
but shall have no vote unless it may be equally divided.
SEC. 20. The Senate shall choose its other officers, and also a
Speaker (pro tempore) in the absence of the Lieutenant-Governor,
or when he shall exercise the office of Governor.
SEC. 21. The style of the acts shall be: "The General Assembly
of North Carolina do enact"
SEC. 22. Each House shall be judge of the qualifications and
elections of its own members, shall sit upon its own
adjournments from day to day, prepare bills to be passed into
laws; and the two Houses may also jointly adjourn to any feature
day, or other place.
SEC. 23. All bills and resolutions of a legislative nature shall
be read three times in each House before they pass into laws;
and shall be signed by the presiding officers of both Houses.
SEC. 24. Each member of the General Assembly, before taking his
seat, shall take an oath or affirmation, that he will support
the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the
Constitution of the State of North Carolina and will faithfully
discharge his duty as a member of the Senate or House of
Representatives.
SEC. 25. The terms of office for Senators and members of the
House of Representatives shall commence at the time of their
election.
SEC. 26. Upon motion made and seconded in either House, by one-
fifth, of the members present, the yeas and nays upon any
question shall be taken and entered upon the journals.
SEC. 27. The election for members of the General Assembly shall
be held for the respective districts and counties, at the places
where they are now held, or may be directed hereafter to be
held, in such manner as may be prescribed by law, on the first
Thursday in August in the year one thousand eight hundred and
seventy, and every two years thereafter. But the General
Assembly may change the time of holding the elections.
SEC. 28. The members of the General Assembly for the term for
which they have been elected, shall receive as a compensation
for their services the sum of four dollars per day for each day
of their session, for a period not exceeding sixty days; and
should they remain longer in session, they shall serve without
compensation. They shall also be entitled to receive ten cents
per mile, both while coming to the seat of government and while
returning home, the said distance to be computed by the nearest
line or mute of public travel. The compensation of the
presiding officers of the two Houses shall be six dollars per
day and mileage. Should an extra session of the General
Assembly be called, the members and presiding officers shall
receive a like rate of compensation for a period not exceeding
twenty days.
ART1CLE III. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 1. The Executive Department shall consist of a Governor,
in whom shall be vested the supreme executive power of the
State, a Lieutenant Governor, a Secretary of State, an Auditor,
a Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, and an
Attorney-General, who shall be elected for a term of four years,
by the qualified electors of the State, at the same time and
place, and in the same manner as members of the General Assembly
are elected. Their term of office shall commence on the first
day of January next after their election, and continue until
their successors are elected and qualified: Provided, that the
officers first elected shall assume the duties of their office
ten days after the approval of this Constitution by the Congress
of the United States, and shall hold their offices four years
from after the first day of January.
SEC. 2. No person shall be eligible as Governor or Lieutenant-
Governor, unless he shall have attained the age of thirty years,
shall have been a citizen of the United States five years, and
shall have been a resident of this State for two years next
before the election; nor shall the person elected to either of
these two offices be eligible to the same office more than four
years in any term of eight years, unless the office shall have
been cast upon him as Lieutenant-Governor or President of the Senate.
SEC. 3. The return of every election for officers of the
Executive Department shall be sealed up and transmitted to the
seat of government by the returning officers, directed to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall open and
publish the same in the presence of a majority of the members of
both Houses of the General Assembly. The persons having the
highest number of votes respectively shall be declared duly
elected; but if two or more be equal and highest in vote for the
same office, then one of them shall be chosen by joint ballot of
both Houses of the General Assembly. Contested elections shall
be determined by a joint ballot of both Houses of the General
Assembly, in such manner as shall be prescribed-by law.
SEC. 4. The Governor, before entering upon the duties of his
office, shall, in the presence of the members of both branches
of the General Assembly, or before any Justice of the Supreme
Court, take an oath or affirmation that he will support the
Constitution and laws of the United States, and of the State of
North Carolina, and that he will faithfully perform the duties
appertaining to the office of Governor to which he has been elected.
SEC. 5. The Governor shall reside at the seat of government of
this State, and he shall, from time to time, give the General
Assembly information of the affairs of the State, and recommend
to their consideration such measures as he shall deem expedient.
SEC. 6. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves,
commutations and pardons, after conviction, for all offences
(except in case of impeachment), upon such conditions as lie may
think proper, subject to such regulations as may be provided by
law relative to the manner of applying for pardons. He shall
biennially communicate to the General Assembly each case of
reprieve, commutation or pardon granted, stating the name of
each convict, the crime for which he was convicted, the sentence
and its date, the date of commutation, pardon or reprieve, and
the reasons therefor.
SEC. 7. The officers of the Executive Department and of the
public institutions of the State shall, at least five days
previous to each regular session of the General Assembly,
severally report to the Governor, who shall transmit such
reports, with his message, to the General Assembly; and the
Governor may, at any time, require information in writing from
the officers in the Executive Department upon any subject
relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall
take care that the laws be faithfully executed.
SEC. 8. The Governor shall be Commander-in-Chief of the militia
of the State, except when they shall be called into the service
of the United States.
SEC. 9. The Governor shall have power, on extraordinary
occasions, by and with the advice of the Council of State, to
convene the General Assembly ? ? into? ? extra session by his
proclamation, stating therein the purpose or purposes for which
they are thus convened.
SEC. 10. The Governor shall nominate, and by and with the advice
and consent of a majority of the Senators elect, appoint all
officers, whose offices are established by this Constitution,
and whose appointments are not otherwise provided for.
SEC. 11. The Lieutenant-Governor shall be President of the
Senate, but shall have no vote unless the Senate be equally
divided. He shall, whilst acting as President of the Senate,
receive for his services the same pay which shall, for the same
period, be allowed to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives; and he shall receive no other compensation
except when he is acting as Governor.
SEC. 12. In case of the impeachment of the Governor, his failure
to qualify, his absence from the State, his inability to
discharge the duties of his office, or, in case the office of
Governor shall in anywise become vacant, the powers, duties and
emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the Lieutenant-
Governor until the disabilities shall cease, or a new Governor
shall be elected and qualified. In every case in which the
Lieutvaant-Governor shall be unable to preside over the Senate,
the Senators shall elect one of their own number President of
their body, and the powers, duties and emoluments of the office
of Governor shall devolve upon him whenever the Lieutenant-
Governor shall, for any reason, be prevented from discharging
the duties of such office as above provided, and he shall
continue as acting Governor until the disabilities are removed,
or a new Governor or Lieutenant-Governor shall be elected and
qualified. Whenever, during the recess of the General Assembly,
it shall become necessary for the President of the Senate to
administer the government, the Secretary of State shall convene
the Senate, that they may elect such President.
SEC. 13. The respective duties of the Secretary of State,
Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction and
Attorney General shall be prescribed by law. If the office of
any of the officers shall be vacated by death, resignation or
otherwise, it shall be the duty of the Governor to appoint
another until the disability be removed or his successor be
elected and qualified. Every such vacancy shall be filled by
election at the first general election that occurs more than
thirty days after the vacancy has taken place, and the person
chosen shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired
term fixed in the first section of this Article.
SEC. 14. The Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer and
Superintendent of Public Instruction shall constitute, ex
officio, the Council of State, who shall advise the Governor in
the execution of his office, and three of whom shall constitute
a quorum; their advice and proceedings in this capacity shall be
entered in a journal to be kept for this purpose exclusively,
and signed by the members present, from any part of which any
member may enter his dissent; and such journal shall be placed
before the General Assembly when called for by either House.
The Attorney-General shall be, ex officio, the legal adviser of
the Executive Department.
SEC. 15. The officers mentioned in this Article shall, at stated
periods, receive for their services a compensation to be
established by law, which shall neither be increased nor
diminished during the time for which they shall have been
elected, and the said officers shall receive no other emolument
or allowance.
SEC. 16. There shall be a seal of the State, which shall be kept
by the Governor, and used by him, as occasion may require, and
shall be called "the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina."
All grants and commissions shall be entered in the name and by
the authority of the State of North Carolina, sealed with the
"Great Seal of the State," signed by the Governor and
countersigned by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 17. The General Assembly shall establish a Department of
Agriculture, Immigration and Statistics, under such regulations
as may best promote the agricultural interests of the State, and
shall enact laws for the adequate protection and encouragement
of sheep husbandry.
ARTICLE IV. JUDICIAL. DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 1. The distinctions between actions at law and suits in
equity, and the forms of all such actions and suits, shall be
abolished; and there shall be in this State but one form of
action for the enforcement or protection of private rights or
the redress of private wrongs, which shall be denominated a
civil action; and every action prosecuted by the people of the
State as a party, against a person charged with a public
offence, for the punishment of the same, shall be termed a
criminal action. Feigned issues shall also be abolished, and
the fact at issue tried by order of Court before a jury.
SEC. 2. The judicial power of the State shall be vested in a
Court for the trial of Impeachments, a Supreme Court, Superior
Courts, Courts of Justices of the Peace, and such other courts
inferior to the Supreme Court at may be established by law.
SEC. 3. The Court for the trial of impeachments shall be the
Senate. A majority of the members shall be necessary to a
quorum, and the judgment shall not extend beyond removal from
and disqualification to hold office in this State; but the party
shall be liable to indictment and punishment according to law.
SEC. 4. The House of Representatives solely shall have the power
of impeaching. No person shall be convicted without the
concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators present. When the
Governor is impeached, the Chief-Justice shall preside.
SEC 5. Treason against the State shall consist only in levying
war against it, or in adhering to its enemies, giving them aid
and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on
the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on
confession in open court. No conviction of treason or attainder
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture.
SEC. 6. The Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief-Justice and
two Associate Justices.
SEC. 7. The terms of the Supreme Court shall be held in the city
of Raleigh, as now, until otherwise provided by the General
Assembly.
SEC. 8. The Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to review,
upon appeal, any decision of the courts below, upon any matter
of law or legal inference. And the jurisdiction of said Court
over "issues of fact" and "questions of fact" shall be the same
exercised by it before the adoption of the Constitution of one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, and the Court shall have
the power to issue any remedial writs necessary to give it a
general supervision and control over the proceedings of the
inferior courts.
SEC. 9. The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction to
hear claims against the State, but its decisions shall be merely
recommendatory; no process in the nature of execution shall
issue thereon; they shall be reported to the next session of the
General Assembly for its action.
SEC. 10. The State shall be divided into nine judicial
districts, for each of which a Judge shall be chosen; and there
shall be held a Superior Court in each county at least twice in
each year, to continue for such time in each county as may be
prescribed by law. But the General Assembly may reduce or
increase the number of districts.
SEC. 11. Every Judge of the Superior Court shall reside in the
district for which he is elected. The Judges shall preside in
the Courts of the different districts successively, but no Judge
shall hold the Courts in the same district oftener than once in
four years; but in the case of the protracted illness of the
Judge assigned to preside in any district, or of any other
unavoidable accident to him by reason of which he shall be
unable to preside, the Governor may require any Judge to hold
one or more specified terms in said districts, in lieu of the
Judge assigned to hold the Courts of the said districts.
SEC. 12. The General Assembly shall have no grower to deprive
the Judicial Department of any power or jurisdiction which
rightfully pertains to it as a coordinate department of the
government; but the General Assembly shall allot and distribute
that portion of this power and jurisdiction, which does not
pertain to the Supreme Court, among the other courts prescribed
in this Constitution or which may be established by law, in such
manner as it may deem best; provide also a proper system of
appeals; and regulate by law, when necessary, the methods of
proceeding in the exercise of their powers, of all the courts
below the Supreme Court, so far as the same may be done without
conflict with other provisions of this Constitution.
SEC. 13. In all issues of fact, joined in any court, the parties
may waive the right to have the same determined by a jury; in
which case the finding of the Judge upon the facts shall have
the force and effect of a verdict by a jury.
SEC. 14. The General Assembly shall provide for the
establishment of Special Courts, for the trial of misdemeanors,
in cities and towns where the same may be necessary.
SEC. 15. The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by
the Court, and shall hold his office for eight years.
SEC. 16. A Clerk of the Superior Court for each county shall be
elected by the qualifier voters thereof, at the time and in the
manner prescribed by law for the election of members of the
General Assembly.
SEC. 17. Clerks of the Superior Courts shall hold their offices
for four years.
SEC. 18. The General Assembly shall prescribe and regulate the
fees, salaries and emoluments of all officers provided for in
this Article; but the salaries of the Judges shall not be
diminished during their continuance in office.
SEC. 19. The laws of North Carolina, not repugnant to this
Constitution, or the Constitution and laws of the United States,
shall be in force until lawfully altered.
SEC. 20. Actions at law, and suits in equity, pending when this
Constitution shall go into effect, shall be transferred to the
courts having jurisdiction thereof, without prejudice by reason
of the change; and all such actions and suits commenced before,
and pending at the adoption by the General Assembly of the rules
of practice and procedure herein provided for, shall be heard
and determined according to the practice now in use, unless
otherwise provided for by said rules.
SEC. 21. The Justices of the Supreme Court shall be elected by
the qualified voters of the State, as is provided for the
election of members of the General Assembly. They shall hold
their offices for eight years. The Judges of the Superior
Courts, elected at the first election under this amendment,
shall be elected in like manner as is provided for Justices of
the Supreme Court, and shall hold their offices for eight years.
The General Assembly may, from time to time, provide by law that
the Judges of the Superior Courts, chosen at succeeding
elections, instead of being elected by the voters of the whole
State, as is herein provided for, shall be elected by the voters
of their respective districts.
SEC. 22. The Superior Courts shall be, at all times, open for
the transaction of all business within their jurisdiction,
except the trial of issues of fact requiring a jury.
SEC. 23. A Solicitor shall be elected for each Judicial District
by the qualified voters thereof, as is prescribed for members of
the General Assembly, who shall hold office for the term of four
years, and prosecute on behalf of the State, in all criminal
actions in the Superior Courts, and advise the officers of
justice in his district.
SEC. 24. In each county a Sheriff and Coroner shall be elected
by the qualified voters thereof, as is prescribed for members of
the General Assembly, and shall hold their offices for two
years. In each township there shall be a Constable elected in
like manner by the voters thereof, who shall bold his office for
two years. When there is no Coroner in the county, the Clerk of
the Superior Court for the county may appoint one for special
cases. In case of a vacancy existing for any cause in any of
the offices created by this section, the Commissioners for the
county may appoint to such office for the unexpired term.
SEC. 25. All vacancies occurring in the offices provided for by
this Article of the Constitution shall be filled by the
appointments of the Governor, unless otherwise provided for, and
the appointees shall hold their places until the next regular
election for members of the General Assembly, when elections
shall be held to fill such offices. If any person, elected or
appointed to any of said offices, shall neglect and fail to
qualify, such office shall be appointed to, held and filled as
provided in case of vacancies occurring therein. All incumbents
of said offices shall hold until their successors are qualified.
SEC. 26. The officers elected at the first election held under
this Constitution shall hold their offices for the terms
prescribed for them respectively, next ensuing after the next
regular election for members of the General Assembly. But their
terms shall begin upon the approval of this Constitution by the
Congress of the United States.
SEC. 27. The several Justices of the Peace shall have
jurisdiction, under such regulations as the General Assembly
shall prescribe, of civil actions founded on contract, wherein
the sum demanded shall not exceed two hundred dollars, and
wherein the title to real estate shall not be in controversy;
and of all criminal matters arising within their counties where
the punishment cannot exceed a fine of fifty dollars, or
imprisonment for thirty days. And the General Assembly may give
to Justice of the Peace jurisdiction of other civil actions
wherein the value of the property in controversy does ? ? list? ?
exceed fifty dollars. When an issue of fact may be joined
before a Justice, on demand of either party thereto, he shall
cause a jury of six men to be summoned, who shall try the same.
The party against whom judgment shall be rendered in any civil
action may appeal to the Superior Court from the same. In all
cases of a criminal nature, the party against whom judgment is
given may appeal to the Superior Court, where the matter shall
be heard anew. In all cases brought before a Justice, he shall
make a record of the proceedings, and file the same with the
Clerk of the Superior Court for his county.
SEC. 28. When the office of Justice of the Peace shall become
vacant otherwise than by expiration of the term, and in case of
a failure by the voters of any district to elect, the Clerk of
the Superior Court for the county shall appoint to fill the
vacancy for the unexpired term.
SEC. 29. In case the office of Clerk of a Superior Court for a
county shall become vacant otherwise than by the expiration of
the term, and in case of a failure by the people to elect, the
Judge of the Superior Court for the county shall appoint to fill
the vacancy until an election can be regularly held.
SEC. 30. In case the General Assembly shall establish other
courts inferior to the Supreme Court, the presiding officers and
clerks thereof shall be elected in such manner as the General
Assembly may from time to time prescribe, and they shall hold
their offices for a term not exceeding eight years.
SEC. 31. Any Judge of the Supreme Court, or of the Superior
Courts, and the presiding officers of such courts inferior to
the Supreme Court, as may be established by law, may be removed
from office for mental or physical inability, upon a concurrent
resolution of two thirds of both Houses of the General Assembly.
The Judge or presiding officer against whom the General Assembly
may be about to proceed, shall receive notice thereof,
accompanied by a copy of the causes alleged for his removal, at
least twenty days before the day on which either House of the
General Assembly shall act thereon.
SEC. 32. Any Clerk of the Supreme Court, or of the Superior
Courts, or of such courts inferior to the Supreme Court as may
be established by law, may be removed from office for mental or
physical inability: the Clerk of the Supreme Court by the Judges
of said courts, the Clerks of the Superior Courts by the Judge
riding the district, and the Clerks of such courts inferior to
the Supreme Court as may be established by law, by the presiding
officers of said courts. The Clerk against whom proceedings are
instituted shall receive notice thereof, accompanied by a copy
of the causes alleged for his removal, at least ten days before
the day appointed to act thereon, and. the Clerk shall be
entitled to an appeal to the next term of the Superior Court,
and thence to the Supreme Court, as provided in other cases of appeals.
SEC. 33. The amendments made to the Constitution of North
Carolina by this Convention shall not have the effect to vacate
any office or term off office now existing under the
Constitution of the State, and filled, or held, by virtue of any
election or appointment under the said Constitution, and the
laws of the State made in pursuance thereof.
ARTICLE V. REVENUE AND TAXATION.
SECTION l. The General Assembly shall levy a capitation tag on
every male inhabitant of the State over twenty-one and under
fifty years of age, which shall be equal on each to the tax on
property valued at three hundred dollars in cash. The
commissioners of the several counties may exempt from capitation
tax in special cases, on account of poverty and infirmity, and
the State and county capitation tax combined shall never exceed
two dollars on the head.
SEC. 2. The proceeds of the State and county capitation tax
shall be applied to the purposes of education and the support of
the poor, but in no one year shall more than twenty-five percent
thereof be appropriated to the latter purpose.
SEC. 3. Laws shall be passed taxing, by a uniform rule, all
moneys, credits, investments in bonds, stocks, joint-stock
companies, or otherwise; and, also, all real and personal
property, according to its true value in money. The General
Assembly may also tax trades, professions, franchises and
incomes, provided that no income shall be taxed when the
property from which the income is derived is taxed.
SEC. 4. Until the bonds of the State shall be at par, the
General Assembly shall have no power to contract any new debt or
pecuniary obligation in behalf of the State, except to supply a
casual deficit, or for suppressing invasion or insurrection,
unless it shall in the same bill levy a special tag to pay the
interest annually. And the General Assembly shall have no power
to give or lend the credit of the State in aid of any person,
association or corporation, except to aid in the completion of
such railroads as may be unfinished at the time of the adoption
of this Constitution, or in which the State has a direct
pecuniary interest, unless the subject be submitted to a direct
vote of the people of the State, and be approved by a majority
of those who shall vote thereon.
SEC. 5. Property belonging to the State or to municipal
corporations shall be exempt from taxation. The General
Assembly may exempt cemeteries, and property held for
educational, scientific, literary, charitable or religions
purposes; also wearing apparel, arms for muster, household and
kitchen furniture, the mechanical and agricultural implements of
mechanics and farmers; libraries and scientific instruments, or
any other personal property, to a value not exceeding three
hundred dollars.
SEC. 6. The taxes levied by the commissioners of the several
counties for county purposes shall be levied in like manner with
the State taxes, and shall never exceed the double of the State
taxes; except for a special purpose, and with the special
approval of the General Assembly.
SEC. 7. Every act of the General Assembly levying a tax shall
state the special object to which it is to be applied, and it
shall be applied to no other purpose.
ARTICLE VI. SUFFRAGE AND ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE.
SECTION 1. Every male person born in the United States, and
every male person who has been naturalized, twenty-one years old
or upward, who shall have resided in the State twelve months
next preceding the elections, and ninety days in the county in
which he offers to vote, shall be deemed an elector. But no
person, who, upon conviction or confession in open court, shall
be adjudged guilty of felony, or any other crime infamous by the
laws of this State, and hereafter committed, shall be deemed an
elector, unless such person shall be restored to the rights of
citizenship in a man, nor prescribed by law.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the General Assembly to provide,
from time to time, for the registration of all electors; and no
person shall be allowed to vote without registration, or to
register, without first taking an oath or affirmation to support
and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and
the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent
therewith.
SEC. 3. All elections by the people shall be by ballot, and all
elections by the General Assembly shall be viva voce.
SEC. 4. Every voter, except as hereinafter provided, shall be
eligible to office; but before entering upon the discharge of
the duties of his office, he shall take and subscribe the
following oath: "I, --, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I
will support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the
United States, and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina
not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge
the duties of my office. So help me, God."
SEC. 5. The following classes of persons shall be disqualified
for office. First, All persons who shall deny the being of
Almighty God. Second, All persons who shall have been convicted
of treason, perjury, or of any other infamous crime, since
becoming citizens of the United States, or of corruption, or
malpractice in office, unless such person shall have been
legally restored to the rights of citizenship.
ARTICLE VII. MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.
SECTION 1. In each county, there shall be elected biennially by
the qualified voters thereof, as provided for the election of
members of the General Assembly, the following officers: a
Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Surveyor and five Commissioners.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners to exercise a
general supervision and control of the penal and charitable
institutions, schools, roads, bridges, levying of taxes and
finances of the county, as may be prescribed by law The Register
of Deeds shall be, ex officio, Clerk of-the Board of
Commissioners.
SEC. 3. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners first elected
in each county to divide the came into convenient districts, to
determine the boundaries mud prescribe the name of the said
districts, and to report the same to the General Assembly before
the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
SEC. 4. Upon the approval of the reports provided for in the
foregoing section, by the General Assembly, the said districts
shall have corporate powers for the necessary purposes of local
government, and shall be known as townships.
SEC. 5. In each township there shall be biennially elected, by
the qualified voters thereof, a Clerk and two Justices of the
Peace, who shall constitute a Board of Trustees, and shall,
under the supervision of the County Commissioners, have control
of the taxes and finances, roads and bridges of the townships,
as may be prescribed by law. The General Assembly may provide
for the election of a larger number of the Justices of the Peace
in cities and towns, and in those townships in which cities and
towns are situated. In every township there shall also be
biennially elected a School Committee, consisting of three
persons, whose duty shall be prescribed by law.
SEC. 6. The Township Board of Trustees shall assess the taxable
property of their townships and make return to the County
Commissioners for revision, as may be prescribed by law. The
Clerk shall be, ex officio, Treasurer of the township.
SEC. 7. No county, city, town or other municipal corporation
shall contract any debt, pledge its faith, or loan its credit,
nor shall any tax be levied, or collected by any officers of the
same, except for the necessary expenses thereof, unless by a
vote of a majority of the qualified voters therein.
SEC. 8. No money shall be drawn from any county or township
treasury except by authority of law.
SEC. 9. All taxes levied by any county, city, town, or township,
shall be uniform and ad valorem, upon all property in the same,
except property exempted by this Constitution.
SEC. 10. The county officers first elected under the provisions
of this Article shall enter upon their duties ten days after the
approval of this Constitution by the Congress of the United
States.
SEC. 11. The Governor shall appoint a sufficient number of
Justices of the Peace in each county, who shall hold their
places until sections four, five and six of this Article shall
have been carried into effect.
SEC. 12. All charters, ordinances and provisions relating to
municipal, corporations shall remain in force until legally
changed, unless inconsistent with the provisions of this
Constitution.
SEC. 13. No county, city, town or other municipal corporation
shall assume to pay, nor shall any tax be levied or collected
for the payment of any debt, or the interest upon any debt,
contracted directly or indirectly in aid or support of the
rebellion.
SEC. 14. The General Assembly shall have full power by statute
to modify, change, or abridge any and all of the provisions of
this Article, and substitute others in their place, except
sections seven, nine and thirteen.
ARTICLE VIII. CORPORATIONS OTHER THAN MUNICIPAL.
SECTION 1. Corporations may be formed under general laws; but
shall not be created by special act, except for municipal
purposes, and in cases where, in the judgment of the
Legislature, the object of the corporations cannot be attained
under general laws. All general laws and special acts, passed
pursuant to this section, may be altered from time to time, or
repealed.
SEC. 2. Dues from corporations shall be secured by such
individual liabilities of the corporation and other means, as
may be prescribed by law.
SEC. 3. The term corporation, as used in this Article, shall be
construed to include all association and joint-stock companies,
having any of the powers and privileges of corporations, not
possessed by individuals or partnerships. And all corporations
shall have the right to sue, and shall be subject to be
sued in all courts, in like cases as natural persons.
SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the Legislature to provide for
the organization of cities, towns and incorporated villages, and
to restrict their power of taxation, assessment, borrowing
money, contracting debts and loaning their credits, so as to
prevent abuses in assessment and in contracting debts by such
municipal corporations.
ARTICLE IX. EDUCATION.
SECTION 1. Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to
good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the
means of education shall forever be encouraged.
SEC. 2. The General Assembly, at the first session under this
Constitution, shall provide by taxation and otherwise, for a
general and uniform system of public schools, wherein tuition
shall be free of charge to all the children of the State between
the ages of six and twenty-one years. And the children of the
white race and the children of the colored race shall be taught
in separate public schools; but there shall be no discrimination
in favor of, or to the prejudice of either race.
SEC. 3. Each county of the State shall be divided into a
convenient number of districts, in which one or more public
schools shall be maintained at least four months in every year;
and if the Commissioners of any county shall fail to comply with
the aforesaid requirements of this section they shall be liable
to indictment.
SEC. 4. The proceeds of all lands that have been or hereafter
may be granted by the United States to this State, and not
otherwise appropriated by this State or the United States; also,
all moneys, stocks, bonds, and other property, now belonging to
any State fund for purposes of education; also, the net proceeds
of all sales of the swamp lands belonging to the State, and all
other grants, gifts or devises that have been or hereafter may
be made to the State, and not otherwise appropriated by the
State, or by the term of the grant, gift or devise, shall be
paid into the State treasury; and, together with so touch of the
ordinary revenue of the State as may be by law set apart for
that purpose, shall be faithfully appropriated for establishing
and maintaining in this State a system of free public schools,
and for no other uses or purposes whatsoever.
SEC. 5. All moneys, stocks, bonds, and other property, belonging
to a county school fund; also, the net proceeds from the sale of
? ? estrays? ? ; also, the clear proceeds of all penalties and
forfeitures, and of all fines collected in the several counties
for any breach of the penal or military laws of the State; and
all moneys which shall be paid by persons as an equivalent for
exemption from military duty, shall belong to and remain in the
several counties, and shall be faithfully appropriated for
establishing and maintaining free public schools in the several
counties of this State: Provided, That the amount collected in
each county shall be annually reported to the Superintendent of
Public Instruction.
SEC. 6. The General Assembly shall have power to provide for the
election of Trustees of the University of North Carolina, in
whom, when chosen, shall be vested all the privileges, rights,
franchises and endowments thereof, in anywise granted to or
conferred upon the Trustees of said University; and the General
Assembly may make such provisions, laws and regulations from
time to time, as may be necessary and expedient for the
maintenance and management of said University.
SEC. 7. The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of
the University, As far as practicable, be extended to the youth
of the State free of expense for tuition; also, that all the
property which has heretofore accrued to the State, or shall
hereafter accrue, from escheats, unclaimed dividends, or
distributive shares of the estates of deceased persons, shall be
appropriated to the use of the University.
SEC. 8. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State,
Treasurer, Auditor, Superintendent of Public Instruction and
Attorney-General shall constitute a State Board of Education.
SEC. 9. The Governor shall be President, and the Superintendent
of Public Instruction shall be Secretary of the Board of
Education.
SEC. 10. The Board of Education shall succeed to all the powers
and trusts of the President and Directors of the Literary Fund
of North Carolina, and shall have full power to legislate and
make all needful rules and regulations in relation to free
public schools and the educational fund of the State; but all
acts, rules and regulations of said Board may be altered,
amended or repealed by the General Assembly, and when so altered
amended or repealed, they shall not be re-enacted by the Board.
SEC. 11. The first session of the Board of Education shall be
held at the capitol of the State, within fifteen days after the
organization of the State government under this Constitution;
the time of future meetings may be determined by the Board.
SEC. 12. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business.
SEC. 13. The contingent expenses of the Board shall be provided
by the General Assembly.
SEC. 14. As soon as practicable after the adoption of this
Constitution, the General Assembly shall establish and maintain,
in connection with the University, a Department of Agriculture,
of Mechanics, of Mining, and of Normal Instruction.
SEC. 15. The General Assembly is hereby empowered to enact that
every child, of sufficient mental and physical ability, shall
attend the public schools during the period between the ages of
six and eighteen years for a term not less than sixteen months,
unless educated by other means.
ARTICLE X. HOMESTEAD AND EXEMPTIONS.
SECTION 1. The personal property of any resident of this State,
to the value of five hundred dollars, to be selected by such
resident, shall be, and is hereby exempted from sale under
execution, or other final process of any court issued for the
collection of any debt.
SEC. 2. Every homestead, and the dwellings and buildings used
therewith, not exceeding in value one thousand dollars, to be
selected by the owner thereof, or in lieu thereof, at the option
of the owner, any lot in a city, town or village, with the
dwellings and buildings used thereon, owned and occupied by any
resident of this State, and not exceeding the value of one
thousand dollars, shall be exempt from sale under execution, or
other final process obtained on any debt. But no property shall
be exempt from sale for taxes, or for payment of obligations
contracted for the purchase of said premises.
SEC. 3. The homestead, after the death of the owner thereof,
shall be exempt from the payment of any debt during the minority
of his children or any one of them.
SEC. 4. The provisions of sections one and two of this Article
shall not be so construed as to prevent a laborer's lien for
work done and performed for the person claiming such exemption,
or a mechanic's lien for work done on the premises.
SEC. 5. If the owner of a homestead die, leaving a widow, but no
children, the same shall be exempt from the debts of her
husband, and the rents and profits thereof shall inure to her
benefit during her widowhood, unless she be the owner of a
homestead in her own right.
SEC. 6. The real and personal property of any female in this
States acquired before marriages and all property, real and
personal, to which she may, after marriage, become in any manner
entitled, shall be and remain the sole and separate estate and
property of such female, and shall not be liable for any debts,
obligations or engagements of her husband, and may be devised
and bequeathed, and, with the written consent of her husband,
conveyed by her as if she was unmarried.
SEC. 7. The husband may insure his own life for the sole use and
benefit of his wife and children, and in the case of the death
of the husband, the amount thus insured shall be paid over to
his wife and children, or to the guardian, if under age, for her
or their own use, free from all the claims of the
representatives of her husband, or any of his creditors.
SEC. 8. Nothing contained in the foregoing sections of this
Article shall operate to prevent the owner of a homestead from
disposing of the same by deed; but no deed made by the owner of
a homestead shall be valid without the voluntary signature and
assent of his wife, signified on her private examination
according to law.
ARTICLE XI. PUNISHMENTS, PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC CHARITIES.
SECTION 1. The following punishments only shall be known to the
laws of this State, viz.: death, imprisonment, with or without
hard labor, fines, removal from office, and disqualification to
hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under this
State. The foregoing provisions for imprisonment with hard
labor shall be construed to authorize the employment of such
convict labor on public works, or highways, or other labor for
public benefit, and the farming out thereof, where, and in such
manner as may be provided by law; but no convict shall be farmed
out who has been sentenced on a charge of murder, manslaughter,
rape, attempt to commit rape, or arson: Provided, That no
convict whose labor may be farmed out, shall be punished for any
failure of duty as a laborer, except by a responsible officer of
the State; but the convicts so farmed out shall be at all times
under, the supervision and control, as to their government. and
discipline, of the Penitentiary Board or some officer of this State.
SEC. 2. The object of punishments being not only to satisfy
justice, but also to reform the offender, and thus prevent
crime, murder, arson, burglary, and rape, and these only, may be
punishable with death, if the General Assembly shall so enact.
SEC. 3. The General Assembly shall, at its first meeting, make
provision for the erection and conduct of a State's Prison or
Penitentiary, at some central and accessible point within the
State.
SEC. 4. The General Assembly may provide for the erection of
Houses of Correction, where vagrants and persons guilty of
misdemeanors shall be restrained and usefully employed.
SEC. 5. A House, or Houses of Refuge, may be established
whenever the public interest may require it, for the correction
and instruction of other classes of offenders.
SEC. 6. It shall be required, by competent legislation, that the
structure and superintendence of penal institutions of the
State, the county jails, and city police prisons, secure the
health and comfort of the prisoners, and that male and female
prisoners be never confined in the same roots or cell.
SEC. 7. Beneficent provisions for the poor, the unfortunate and
orphan being one of the first duties of a civilized and
Christian State, the General Assembly shall, at its first
session, appoint and define the duties of a Board of Public
Charities, to whom shall be entrusted the supervision of all
charitable and penal State institutions, and who shall annually
report to the Governor upon their condition, with suggestions
for their improvement.
SEC. 8. There shall also, as soon as practicable, be measures
devised by the State, for the establishment of one or more
Orphan Houses, where destitute orphans may be cared far,
educated and taught some business or trade.
SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of the Legislature, as soon as
practicable, to devise means for the education of idiots and
inebriates.
SEC. 10. The General Assembly may provide that the indigent deaf
mutes, blind and insane of the State shall be cared for at the
charge of the State.
SEC. 11. It shall be steadily kept in view by the Legislature,
and the Board of Public Charities, that all penal and charitable
institutions should be made as nearly self-supporting as is
consistent with the purposes of their creation.
ARTICLE XII. MILITIA.
SECTION 1. All able-bodied male citizens of the State of North
Carolina, between the ages of twenty-one and forty years, who
are citizens of the United States, shall be liable to duty in
the militia; Provided, That all persons who may be averse to
bearing arms, from religious scruples, shall be exempt therefrom.
SEC. 2. The General Assembly shall provide for the organization,
arming, equipping and discipline of the militia, and for paying
the same when called into active service.
SEC. 3. The Governor shall be Commander-in-Chief, and shall have
power to call out the militia to execute the law, suppress riots
or insurrections, and to repel invasion.
SEC. 4. The General Assembly shall have power to make such
exemptions as may be deemed necessary, and to enact laws that
may be expedient for the government of the militia.
ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS.
SECTION 1. No Convention of the people of this State shall ever
be called by the General Assembly, unless by the concurrence of
two-thirds of all the members of each House of the General
Assembly, and except the proposition "Convention" or "No
Convention" be first submitted to the qualified voters of the
whole State, at the next general election, in a manner to be
prescribed by law. And should a majority of the votes cast be
in favor of said Convention, it shall assemble on such a day as
may be prescribed by the General Assembly.
SEC. 2. No part of the Constitution of this State shall be
altered, unless a bill to alter the same shall have been agreed
to by three fifths of each House of the General Assembly. And
the amendment or amendments so agreed to shall be submitted at
the next general election to the qualified voters of the whole
State, in such manner as may be prescribed by law. And in the
event of their adoption by a majority of the votes cast, such
amendment or amendments shall became a part of the Constitution
of this State.
ARTICLE XIV. MISCELLANEOUS.
SECTION 1. All indictments which shall have been found, or may
hereafter be found, for any crime or offence committed before
this Constitution takes effect, may be proceeded upon in the
proper courts, but no punishment shall be inflicted which is
forbidden by this Constitution.
SEC. 2. No person who shall hereafter fight a duel, or assist in
the same as a second, or send, accept, or knowingly carry a
challenge therefor, or agree to go out of the State to fight a
duel, shall hold any office in this State.
SEC. 3. No money shall be drawn from the treasury but in
consequence of appropriations made by law; and an accurate
account of the receipts and expenditures of the public money
shall be annually published.
SEC. 4. The General Assembly shall provide, by proper
legislation, for giving to mechanics and laborers an adequate
lien on the subject matter of their labor.
SEC. 5. In the absence of any contrary provision, all officers
of this State, whether heretofore elected or appointed by the
Governor, shall hold their positions only until other
appointments are made by the Governor, or if the officers are
elective, until their successors shall have been chosen and duly
qualified according to the provisions of this Constitution.
SEC. 6. The seat of government of this State shall remain at
the City of Raleigh.
SEC. 7. No person, who shall hold any office or place of trust or
profit under the United States or any department thereof, or under
this State, or under any other State, or government, shall hold or
exercise any other office or place of trust or profit under the authority
of this State, or be eligible to a seat in either House of the General
Assembly: Provided, that nothing herein contained shall extend to
officers in the militia, Justices of the Peace, Commissioners of
Public Charities, or commissioners for special purposes.
SEC. 8. All marriages between a white person and a negro, or
between a white person and a person of negro descent to the
third generation inclusive, are hereby forever prohibited.
QUESTIONS ON THE CONSTITUTION OF NORTH CAROLINA,
PREPARED BY HON. KEMP P. BATTLE., LL. D.
PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS.
1. When was the first Constitution of North Carolina adopted?
Answer--On December 18, 1776.
2. When was it first amended? Answer--In 1835.
3. When was it again amended? Answer--In 1854, 1861 and 1865.
4. When was a new Constitution adopted? Answer--In 1868.
5. Was there not a Constitution adopted in 1866? Answer--A new
Constitution was adopted in 1866 by the Convention of 1865-'66,
but the people voted it down.
6. Has the Constitution of 1868 been amended? Answer--Yes, it
was partially amended in 1874, and greatly amended by the
Convention of 1875. The people adopted these amendments in 1876-
-a hundred years after the adoption of the first Constitution.
7. Is there further amendment? Answer--Yes; in 1880
8. What is a Constitution? Answer--" The principles or
fundamental laws which govern a State." Another definition is:
"The body of rules and maxims in accordance with which the
powers of sovereignty are habitually exercised."
9. Is the Constitution of North Carolina the highest law?
Answer--No; the Constitution of the United States, and the laws
of the United States passed in pursuance thereto, are the
supreme law.
10. Is the Constitution of North Carolina higher than the Acts
passed by the General Assembly? Answer--Yes; acts contrary to
the Constitution are null and void.
11. Who decides whether acts are constitutional and binding or
not? Answer--The Courts.
12. Give a simple explanation of the Constitution of North
Carolina. Answer--It is a written document in which the people
of North Carolina have laid down their plan of government of the
State. It designates what officers are to make the laws, what
officers are to interpret the laws, and what officers are to
enforce the laws. It lays down laws for the guidance of these
officers. If any officer acts contrary to it he is liable to
punishment: It is the organic or fundamental law--the
foundation stone on which our State government rests. It guards
and enforces the liberties of the people. If officers are
allowed to disobey it, our liberties will be in danger. Hence
every citizen should understand it, so that he may watch the
officers and hold them to their duties.
13. Can it be changed? Answer--Yes; the people of the State can
change or amend it. The manner in which the people can change
it is prescribed in the Constitution itself, as will be seen
hereafter.
14. Can it be changed in any other way? Answer--Yes; if an
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, contrary to
any provision of the State Constitution, is made according to
law, the latter must yield.
PREAMBLE.
1. Who made the Constitution?
2. For what purpose was it made?
3. Is there recognition of God in it?
4. For what blessings is gratitude to God expressed?
ARTICLE I.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
1. For what purpose is this declaration made?
2. What fundamental truths are declared? Section 1. * (NOTE--
Most of the language of this section is taken from the
Declaration of Independence).
3. In whom is political power vested? Section 2.
4. For what good is government instituted? Section 2.
5. Who has the right to regulate the State government? Section 3.
6. Under what circumstances can the people change the form of
government? Section 3.
7. Are the people under any restrictions in changing the form of
government? If so, what? Section 3.
8. Has the State the right to secede from the Union? Section 4.
9. Is the American Union a confederacy of States, or a nation of
the people of the States? Section 4.
10. Is this State bound to prevent other States from seceding
from the Union? Section 4.
11. Is our allegiance first due to the United States or to North
Carolina? Section 5.
12. Can the General Assembly or a Convention of the people
release us from our primary allegiance to the United States?
Section 5.
13. Can the State pay a debt incurred in rebellion against the
United States? Section 6.
14. Can such a debt be collected in our courts? Section 6.
15. Does this prohibition apply to past as well as future debts?
Section 6.
16. Can the State pay for emancipated slaves? Section 6.
17. What debts are forbidden to be paid or assumed in any way
unless by a vote of the people? Section 6.
18. What majority must be had to sanction such payment or
assumption? Section 6.
19. Is there no exception to this? Section 6.
20. Can this vote be taken at a special election? Section 6.
21. By what name are most of the bonds mentioned in the answer
to question 17 known? Answer--Special Tax bonds.
22. Was this prohibition in the Constitution of 1876? Answer--
No; it was inserted by amendment submitted to the people by the
General Assembly of 1879, and adopted by the people in 1880.
23. What provision in regard to exclusive emoluments and
privileges? Section 7.
24. What provision in regard to the legislative, executive and
judicial branches? Section 8.
25. Can the Governor or Judges suspend laws? Section 9.
26. Who can suspend laws? Section 9.
27. What provision about election? Section 10.
28. What rights has one who is charged with a crime? Section 11.
29. If acquitted, does he pay the costs of his own witnesses,
&c. ? Section 11.
30. What modes of prosecution are prescribed? Section 12.
31. By whom must conviction be made? Section 13.
32. Where must the verdict be rendered? Section 13.
33. What right has the Legislature in regard to petty
misdemeanors? Section 14.
34. Can those accused of petty misdemeanors be utterly deprived
of right of trial by jury? Section 13. Answer--No; they must
have right of appeal and thus getting a jury.
35. What provision about bail? About fines and punishment?
Section 14.
36. What are "general warrants"? Section 15.
37. Are they allowed? If not, why not? Section 15.
38. What provision about imprisonment for debt? Section 16.
39. Repeat the section guarding the life, liberty and property
of citizens. Section 17.
40. From what great historical document is this section taken?
Answer--From Magna Charta--wrested from King John, A. D. 1215.
41. What rights has one restrained of his liberty? Section 18.
42. Should he have a speedy trial? Section 18.
43. In law suits about property, what kind of a trial is
declared best? Section 19.
44. What is said about trial by jury in controversies about
property? Section 19.
45. What is declared about freedom of the press? Section 20.
46. Can the press be lawfully used for libelous and immoral
publications? Section 20.
47. What provision about the writ of Habeas Corpus? Section 21.
48. What do you mean by the "privileges of the writ of Habeas
Corpus"? Answer--The right of one restrained of his liberty to
be brought before a Judge in order that the cause of
imprisonment may be inquired into and be dealt with according to
law.
49. Must a man own property in order to vote or hold office?
Section 22.
50. Why not? Section 22.
51. What safeguard against improper taxation? Section 23.
52. Did the people claim this when we achieved our independence
of Great Britain? Answer--Yes; the denial of this right was one
of the chief causes of the Revolutionary war.
53. Is the right to bear arms secured? Section 24.
54. What reason is given why the people should have this right?
Section 24.
55. Are standing armies allowed? Section 24.
56. Why should they not be allowed? Section 24.
57. Which should be superior, the civil or military power? Section 24.
58. Can the practice of carrying concealed weapons be
prohibited, and how? Section 24.
59. For what purposes may the people assemble together?
Section 25.
60. What is said of secret societies? Section 25.
61. What provision securing religions liberty? Section 26.
62. What provision about education? Section 27.
63. Why should elections be often held? Section 28.
64. What is necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty?
Section 29.
65. What provision in regard to hereditary privileges, &c. ?
Section 30
66. About perpetuities and monopolies. Section 31.
(See Article II section 15).
67. What are ex-post facto laws? Section 32.
68. Are they proper? Section 32.
69. What retrospective laws are forbidden? Section 32.
70. Are all slavery and involuntary servitude abolished?
Section 33.
71. What not abolished? Section 33.
72. What provision about the State boundaries? Section 34.
73. What provision about the courts? Section 35 and section 17.
74. What redress for injuries? Section 35 and section 17.
75. How shall justice be administered? * Section 35.
*Note--These words are from Magna Charta.
76. How are householders protected from quartering of soldiers?
Section 36.
77. Does the Declaration of Rights enumerate all the rights
possessed by the people? Section 37.
78. Who have the powers not delegated in the Constitution?
Section 37.
ARTICLE II.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
1. How is the legislative authority vested? Section 1.
2. When these two bodies meet according to law what is their
joint name? Section 2.
3. When is their regular meeting? Section 2.
4. How many members required in order to proceed to public
business? Section 2.
5. What name is given to this majority? Answer--Quorum.
6. How many Senators? Section 3.
7. How chosen? Section 3.
8. How often chosen? Section 3.
9. How are the Senate districts formed? Section 4.
10. Who are excluded from the count? Section 4.
11. When can a county be divided in forming a Senatorial
district? Section 4.
12. How are the members of the House of Representatives chosen?
Section 5.
13. What is the rule as to counties not having a hundred-and-
twentieth part of the population? Section 5.
14. How is the apportionment of Representatives made? Section 6.
15. What are the qualifications of a Senator? Section 7.
16. What of members of the House? Section 8.
17. How does the General Assembly elect officers? Section 9;
and Article VI, section 3.
18. How do the people vote for Senators and members of the
House? Sections 3 and 5; and Article VI, section 3.
19. What is the provision about divorce and alimony? Section 10.
20. What legislation is prohibited to the General Assembly?
Section 11. (See Article V, section 1).
21. How can the General Assembly pass private laws other than
those mentioned in sections 10 and 11? Section 12.
22. How are vacancies in the General Assembly filled? Section 13.
23. What laws must be read three times in each House, on three
separate days? Section 14. (See Article V, section 6).
24. Must the names of the members voting be entered on the
journal when these laws are passed? Section 14.
25. How must entails be regulated? Section 15. (See Article J, section 31).
26. What must be done with the journals of each House? Section 16.
27. When can a member have the reasons of his dissent entered on
the journal? Section 17.
28. Who chooses the Speaker and other officers of the House of
Representatives? Section 18.
29. Who presides in the Senate ordinarily? Section 16.
30. When has the Lieutenant-Governor the right to vote? Section 19.
31, What power has the Senate, independent of the House of
Representatives? Sections 20 and 22. (See Article IV, section 3).
32. When does the Senate choose a Speaker? Section 20.
In Article II, section 12, he is called President.
33, What is the style of the acts of Assembly? Section 21.
34. What powers has each House by itself? Section 22.
35. Can one House by itself adjourn to any future day, or other
place? Section 22.
36. How often must bills be read before becoming laws?
Section 23.
37. What else must be read three times? Section 23.
38. Who signs these bills and resolutions? Section 23. They
must be signed in the presence of the Houses.
39. What are bills called after such signatures? Sections 21 and 23.
40. What oath or affirmation must each member take? Section 23.
41. When must be take this oath or affirmation? Section 24.
42. When do the terms of office begin? Section 25.
43. When must the names of the members be entered on the
journal? Sections 14 and 21.
44. What is this proceeding termed? Answer--"Calling the yeas
and nays."
45. What time is designated in the Constitution for holding the
election of members? Section 27.
46. Can the General Assembly change this? Section 27.
47. Has the change been made? Answer--Yes; to the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November.
48. What authority determines the places of voting? Section 27.
49. What compensation do members receive, and how long?
Section 28.
50. What mileage? Section 28.
51. What do the presiding officers receive? Section 28.
52. What provision about compensation during extra session?
Section 28.
ARTICLE III.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
1. In whom is the supreme executive power? Section 1.
2. Who constitute the Executive Department? Section 1.
3. Who chooses these officers? Section 1.
4. How long do they serve? Section 1.
5. At what times and places are the elections held? Section 1.
6. When does their term of office begin? Section 1.
7. How long do they serve? Section 1.
8. What are the qualifications for the offices of Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor? Section 2.
9. Can they ever serve two terms in succession? Section 2.
10. To whom are all the returns of election sent? Section 3.
11. To what post-office? Section 3.
12. Before whom are they opened and published? Section 3.
13. Who must be declared elected? Section 3.
14. What is done in case of a tie? Section 3.
15. In such case how do the Houses vote? Section 3.
16. What must be done about contested elections? Section ? ?
17. What oath does the Governor take? Section 4.
18. Before whom taken? Section 4.
19. Where must the Governor reside? Section 5.
20. What duties has he to perform in regard to the General
Assembly? Section 5.
21. In what case can the Governor grant pardons, &c. ?
Section 6.
22. Can he pardon before the offender is convicted? Section 6.
23. Can he pardon one impeached? Section 6.
24. What is the Governor's duty in regard to pardons, &c., after
granted? Section 6.
25. What officers report to the Governor? Section 7.
26. What is done with these reports? Section 7.
27. Supposing the Governor desires information regarding the
duties of officers of the Executive Department, what can he
require? Section 7.
28. What is the greatest duty of the Governor? Section 7.
29. Who is commander-in-chief of the militia? Section 8.
30. Can the militia ever pass out of his authority? Section 8.
31. Under what circumstances can an extra session of the General
Assembly be called? Section 9
32. Who nominates officers not otherwise provided for in the
Constitution? Section 10.
33. To what body are the nominations sent? Section 10.
34. Can the Senate reject the nominations. Section 10.
35. What duty has the Lieutenant-Governor in regard to the
Senate? Section 11; and Article II, section 19.
36. Is he a Senator? Answer--No.
37. What is his compensation? Section 11; and Article II,
section 28.
38. Under what circumstances does the Lieutenant-Governor assume
the powers, &c., of the Governor? Section 12.
39. What is done when the Lieutenant-Governor cannot preside in
the Senate? Section 12.
40. Who succeeds the Lieutenant-Governor, and under what
circumstances? Section 12.
41. What is done if the Lieutenant-Governor loses the office of
Governor during the recess of the General Assembly? Section 12.
42. Who prescribes the duties of the officers of the Executive
Department? Section 13.
43. What is done in case of a vacancy? Section 13.
44. How long does the officer so appointed hold his office?
Section 13.
45. Who constitute the Council of State? Section 14.
46. What is done with their proceedings? Section 14.
47. Who is the legal adviser of the Executive Department?
Section 14.
48. Who establishes the compensation of these officers?
Section 15.
49. How is their independence secured? Section 15.
50. What is the seal of the State called? Section 16.
51. Who has charge of it? Section 16.
52. In what name are grants of lands, &c., issued, and how are
they authenticated? Section 16.
53. In what manner are commissions to officers, &c.,
authenticated? Section 16.
54. What department besides those heretofore named must be
established by the General Assembly? Section 17.
55. What laws must be enacted? Section 17.
ARTICLE IV.
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
1. What is done in regard to distinctions between actions at law
and suits in equity? Section 1.
2. Do the old forms of actions and suits remain? Section 1.
3. What is the name of the form of actions in use? Section 1.
4. What is the name of the actions prosecuted by the State for a
public offence? Section 1.
5. What is done with feigned issues? Section 1.
6. How is the fact at issue tried? Section 1.
7. In what courts is the judicial power vested? Section 2.
8. Can the General Assembly establish any courts? Section 2.
9. What is the court for trial of impeachments? Section 3.
10. How many Senators must be present? Section 3.
11. Who presides when the Governor is impeached? Section 4.
12. What sentence can the Senate inflict? Section 3.
13. Does the impeachment for a crime indictable in the courts
prevent prosecution in the courts? Section 3.
14. Can a less number than thirty-four Senators convict on
impeachment? Section 4.
15. What is the least number which can possibly convict? Answer-
-Two-thirds of a bare quorum--eighteen Senators.
16. What is treason against the State? Section 5.
17. In what modes can traitors be convicted? Section 5.
18. Can the punishment be made to extend to forfeiture of land
or goods? Section 5.
19. Can it extend to corruption of blood? Section 5.
20. What officers constitute the Supreme Court? Section 6.
21. Are they called Judges? Section 6, but see sections 18 and 31.
22. Where are the terms of the Supreme Court held? Section 7.
23. What is the jurisdiction of this Court on appeals? Section 8.
24. What jurisdiction over issues and questions of fact?
Section 8.
25. Over what courts has it control? Section 8.
26. What writs may it issue to effectuate this control? Section 8.
27. What are some of these writs called?
Answer--Mundamus, Procedendo, Certiorari, Recordari, &c.
28. What original jurisdiction has the Supreme Court? Section 9.
29. Can the Court issue execution against the State? Section 9.
30. What is done with the decisions of the Court in such cases?
Section 9.
31. Is the General Assembly bound to carry out the decision of
the Court? Section 9; and Article I, section 8.
32. Into how many districts is the State divided by the
Constitution? Section 10.
33. What chief town or towns in First District?
Answer--Elizabeth City, Edenton.
In Second District? Raleigh, New Bern.
In Third District? Wilmington, Goldsboro.
In Fourth District? Fayetteville.
In Fifth District? Greensboro, Durham.
In Sixth District? Charlotte, Monroe.
In Seventh District? Winston, Salisbury.
In Eighth District? Statesville, Morganton.
In Ninth District? Asheville.
34. Can the General Assembly change the number of districts?
Section 10.
35. How often in each county must the Superior Court be held?
Section 10.
36. Where shall be the residence of the Judge? Section 11.
37. Do the Judges preside always in the same district?
Section 11.
38. How often can a Judge preside in the same district?
Section 1
39. Is there any exception to this? Section 11.
40. Can the General Assembly deprive the Judicial Department of its
rightful powers, &c ? Section 12; and Article I, section 8.
41. What is allowable for the General Assembly to do ? Section 12.
42. Does this power extend to the Supreme Court? Section 12.
43. Can the General Assembly regulate appeals? Section 12.
44. What power has the General Assembly in regard to methods of
proceedings ? Section 12.
45. Are parties in a law suit bound to submit issues of fact to
the jury. Section 13.
46. What effect has the finding of the Judge in such case upon
the facts? Section 13.
47. What duty has the General Assembly in regard to courts for
citie and towns? Section 14.
48. Can these courts be allowed to try capital cases and other
felonies Section 14.
49. Who appoints the Clerk of the Supreme Court? Section 15. 50.
What is his term of office? Section 16.
51. How is the Clerk of a Superior Court appointed? Section 16.
52. When is the election ? Section 16.
53. What is the term of office? Section 17.
54. Who prescribes the salaries, fees, &c., of Judges, Clerks, &e.
Section 18.
55. How is the independence of the Judges secured ? Section 18.
56. What laws of North Carolina are in force? Section 19.
57. Where may these laws be found ?
Answer. -Same may be found in the acts of Assembly, State Codes, &c.
but besides these we have the "Common Law," inherited from our
ancestors, not found in any statute book.
58. Where are the principles of this " Common Law'" to be looked
for Answer. -In the reports of judicial decisions, writings of
eminent lawyers, &c.
59. Who can alter these laws? Article II, section 1.
60. What was done with actions and suits pending when the
Constitution went into effect ? Section 20.
61. How were these old suits to be-heard and determined ?
Section 20
62. Who appoints the Justices of the Supreme Court? Section 21.
63. When does the voting take place? Section 21.
64. What is the term of office ? Section 21.
65. How are Judges of the Superior Courts elected ? Section 21.
66. What is their term of office? Section 21.
67. Are they necessarily elected by all the voters of the State?
Section 21.
68. When are the Superior Courts open ? Section 22.
69. Is there exception to this? Section 22.
70. Who elects the Solicitors of the Judicial Districts? Section 23.
71. What is their term of office? Section 23.
72. What are their duties? Section 23.
73. Can a Justice of the Peace call on the Solicitor for legal advice?
Section 23.
74. How are Sheriffs and Coroners chosen ? Section 24.
75. What is the term of office? Section 24.
76. Who elects Constables? Section 24.
77. What are their terms of office? Section. 24.
78. Suppose there is no Coroner and one is needed. what is done?
Section 24.
79. Who may fill vacancies in the offices of Sheriff, Coroner and
Constable? Section 24.
80. Who fills vacancies in offices created under this Article not
specially provided for? Section 25.
81. How long do Judges, &c., so appointed, hold office? Section 25.
82. Suppose no election is held for such offices? Section 25.
83. Suppose those elected refuse to qualify? Section 25.
84. Suppose successors do not qualify? Section 25.
85. Is section 26 obsolete?
86. What jurisdiction have Justices of the Peace over civil actions?
Section 27.
87. Suppose the title to land is in question? Section 27.
88. Suppose the action is not founded on contract, where is it to be
tried? Section 27.
89. Of what criminal matters have they jurisdiction ? Section 27.
90. Who has power to regulate the fines and imprisonments?
Answer. -The General Assembly.
91. Can the General Assembly give jurisdiction to Justices of the Peace
over any other matters whatever? Section 27.
92. Suppose an issue of fact is joined before a justice, can he
decide it? Section 27.
93. Suppose either party demands a jury? Section 27.
94. Is not this provision for a jury of six violating Article I,
section 19? Answer---No; right of appeal is allowed.
Section 27.
95. Is appeal allowed in criminal cases also? Section 27.
96. Must the Justice write down the proceedings? Section 27.
97. What must he do with the record? Section 27.
98. Who fills vacancies in the office of Justice of the Peace?
Section 28.
99. Who fills vacancies in the office of the Superior Court
Clerk? Section 29.
100. Supposing the General Assembly to establish other courts,
who chooses the Judges and other officers? Section 30.
101. What is their term of office? Section 30.
102. For what may Judges be removed? Section 31.
103. What vote is necessary? Section 31.
104. What notice must be given? Section 31.
105. Supposing two-thirds of one House, and a majority not two-
thirds of the other House, vote for removal, what is the result?
Section 31.
106. For what can Clerks of Courts be removed? Section 31.
107. Who have the power of removal? Section 31.
108. What notice must Clerks have of proceedings against them?
Section 31.
109. Can the Clerks of the Courts inferior to the Supreme Court
appeal? Section 32.
110. Is section 33 obsolete?
ARTICLE V.
REVENUES AND TAXATION.
1. What is another name for "capitation tax"? Answer--"Poll tax."
2. Is the General Assembly bound to levy such tax? Section 1.
3. On whom must it be levied? Section 1.
4. To what amount must it be equal? Section 1.
5. What is the maximum capitation tax under this section? Section 1.
6. What is the maximum property tax? Answer--Sixty-six and two-
thirds cents on the one hundred dollars valuation.
7. What is the object of the "equation of taxes"? Answer--To
protect property from excessive taxation by those owning no
property, and vice versa.
8. Who can exempt from capitation tax, and for what reason?
Section 1.
9. To what purpose must the capitation tax be applied?
Section 2.
10. What is the maximum amount which can be applied to the
support of the poor? Section 2.
11. How must property be taxed? Section 3.
12. What has the General Assembly power to tax without being
compelled to do so? Section 3.
13. Can the income of a farmer from his lands be taxed? Section 3.
14. What provisions in regard to contracting new debts? Section 4.
15. Is the special tax to be levied when the bonds of the State
are at par? Section 4.
16. Supposing the bonds are not at par, in what cases are the
special taxes not required? Section 4.
17. What is necessary before the General Assembly can give or
lend the credit of the State to individuals or corporations?
Section 4.
18. What exception to the general rule? Section 4.
19. Does it require a majority of all the qualified voters to
sanction such loan? Section 4.
20. Can the General Assembly take stock in a corporation and pay
for the same by bonds of the State accepted at par? Section 4.
(The Supreme Court says they cannot).
21. What property the General Assembly cannot tax? Section 5.
22. What property does the General Assembly have power to exempt
to an unlimited extent? Section 5.
23. What property to a limited amount only? Section 5.
24. What is the limit? Section 5.
25. In what mode are county taxes to be levied? Section 5.
26. What is the limit of county taxation, for general purposes?
Section 6
27. Supposing the county desires to exceed this limit for a
special purpose? Section 6.
28. What must be observed in levying tax acts, i.e.,
"Revenue Acts"? Section 7.
29. Can tax money raised for one purpose be used for another?
Section 7.
ARTICLE VI.
SUFFRAGE AND ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE.
1. State the qualifications of an elector, i.e., a voter. Section 1.
2. What exception to this rule? Section 1.
3. Does the mere commission of an infamous crime disqualify?
Section 1.
4. What authority lays down the rule for restoration to rights
of citizenship? Section 1.
5. What step is requisite preliminary to voting? Section 2.
6. What oath is necessary to registration? Section 2.
7. What authority provides rules for registration? Section 2.
8. How do the people vote? Section 3.
9. How do members of the General Assembly vote in elections of
officers? Section 3; and Article II, section 9.
10. What is the general rule as to qualifications for holding
office? Section 4.
11. What oath does the officer take? Section 4.
12. What persons are disqualified? Section 4.
13. Does mere disbelief in an Almighty God disqualify, if such
disbelief be not expressed? Answer--No; the word "deny" is held
to mean assertion of disbelief by word, writing or otherwise.
(See Article I, section 26)
ARTICLE VII.
MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.
[Note--By authority conferred in section 14 of this Article the
General Assembly has materially changed its provisions (Laws of
1876-'77, chapter 141). The attention of the pupil will be
called to the most important of these changes.]
1. What county officers are to be elected? Section 1.
By act of 1876-'77, chapter 141, section 5, the Justices of the Peace
elect three, four or five County Commissioners. The Justices
may abolish the office of County Treasurer, and then the Sheriff
takes his place.
2. How often and when does the election take place? Section 1.
3. What are the duties of the County Commissioners by the
Constitution? Section 2.
4. How is this changed by act of 1876-'77: chapter 141?
Answer--By this act, section 5, the Commissioners cannot levy taxes,
purchase land, remove or designate new sites for county
buildings, contract or repair bridges, if the cost may be over
$500, or borrow money, or alter, or make additional townships,
without the concurrence of a majority of the Justices of the
Peace sitting with them. Moreover, by the same act the Board of
County Commissioners have the powers of the Township Trustees.
Section 6.
5. Who is Clerk of the Board of Commissioners? Section 2.
6. What duty, did the Commissioners of 1868 have? Section 3.
7. What is the name of the districts so formed? Section 4.
8. What powers did they have, and for what purpose? Section 4.
By act of 1876-'77, chapter 141, section 3, these powers are to
be under supervision of the Board of County Commissioners; and
the said Board can alter boundaries of said townships and create
additional ones.
9. Who constituted the Board of Trustees of the Township by the
Constitution, and by whom and when were they to be chosen?
Section 5.
10. How is this by act of 1876-'77, chapter 141?
Answer--By act of 1876-'77, chapter 141, the General Assembly
appoints three Justices for each township, who are divided in
three classes and hold their offices for two, four and six
years, but the successors of each class, as its term expires,
hold office for six years. For each township in which any city
or incorporated town was situated, one Justice of the Peace is
appointed by the General Assembly, and one for each one thousand
inhabitants of the city or town. When new townships are
created, the General Assembly, not being in session, the
Governor appoints until the next meeting of the Assembly.
11. What other officers were to be elected in the townships? Section 5.
12. How has section 6 been changed?
Answer--The Board of Commissioners appoint one Justice of the
Peace, or other suitable person, in each township, to list lands
and personal property therein. Laws of 1881, chapter 117,
section 1. The tax list is revised by the Board of County
Commissioners. Same; section 18.
13. What is necessary to enable a county or other municipal
corporation to contract debts, pledge its faith, or loan its
credit? Section 7.
14. What is necessary in order to levy and collect taxes more
than for necessary expenses? Section 7.
15. Will a majority of those actually voting be always sufficient? Section 7.
16. What is necessary to enable money to be drawn from county or
township treasuries? Section 8.
17. What is the rule of taxation in county and other municipal
corporations? Section 9; and Article V, section 6.
18. What exemptions are required? Section 9, and Article V, section 5.
19. What exemptions are allowed, and to what extent? Section 9;
and Article V, section 5.
20. Is section 10 obsolete?
21. Is section 11 obsolete?
22. Did all charters, &c., relating to municipal corporations,
become of no effect on the adoption of this Article? Section 12.
23. What debts are counties, &c., forbidden to pay, or levy
taxes for? Section 13.
24. What provision of this Article can the General Assembly
change or abrogate? Section 14.
25. What is section 7?
26. What is section 9?
27. What is section 13?
[NOTE--By Act of 1881, Chapter 200, "County Superintendents of
Public Instruction" are to be elected by the County Board of
Education and County Board of Magistrates in joint session. The
County Commissioners constitute the County Board of Education.
Same; section 15.]
28. Suppose the General Assembly should attempt to change either
of these sections? Answer--It would be the duty of the Courts
to decide their action invalid.
ARTICLE VIII.
CORPORATIONS OTHER THAN MUNICIPAL.
1. In what way may corporations be formed? Section 1.
2. In what case may they be created by special act? Section l.
3. Can charters of corporations granted under this section be
amended or repealed? Section 1.
4. How shall debts of corporations be secured? Section 1.
5. What authority has the right to prescribe rules for so
securing corporation dues? Section 2.
6. What is the meaning of the term "corporation" as used in this
Article? Section 3.
7. Can corporations sue and be sued like natural persons? Section 3.
8. On whom is the duty of organizing cities, towns and
incorporated villages? Section 4.
9. What powers should the General Assembly restrict? Section 4.
10. For what purpose are these restrictions? Section 4.
ARTICLE IX.
EDUCATION.
1. Why should schools, &c., be encouraged? Section 1.
2. What is the duty of the General Assembly in regard to public
schools? Section 2.
3. How must they provide such schools? Section 2.
4. What are the school ages? Section 2.
5. What charge shall be made for tuition? Section 2.
6. Are "mixed schools" allowed? Section 2.
7. Is it lawful to have the schools for one race superior to
those of the other? Section 2.
8. How shall the counties he divided for school purposes?
Section 3.
9. How long must the schools be maintained? Section 3.
10. What punishment do the Commissioners incur by failing to
comply with this? Section 3.
11. What funds are set apart for support of the schools? Section 4.
12. Can these funds be used for any other purpose? Section 4.
13. What officer has charge of these funds? Section 4.
14. What funds do the counties have charge of for school
purposes? Section 5.
15. How is the Superintendent of Public Instruction to know
about these county funds? Section 5.
16. Who provides for the election of Trustees of the University?
Section 6.
17. What is vested in these Trustees? Section 6.
18. Who has power to provide for the maintenance and management
of the University? Section 6.
19. What is the duty of the General Assembly in regard to
education at the University? Section 7.
20. What is their duty in regard to escheats, unclaimed
dividends and distributive shares? Section 7.
21. Who constitute the State Board of Education? Section 8.
22. Who are its officers? Section 9.
23. To what does the Board of Education succeed? Section 10.
24. What power of legislation has the Board? Section 10.
25. Is such legislation final? Section 10.
26. Who fixes the times of meeting of the Board? Section 11.
27. How many necessary for the transaction of business? Section 12.
28. Who provides for the contingent expenses of the Board? Section 13.
29. What departments in connection with the University must the
General Assembly establish? Section 14.
30. Can the General Assembly enact "compulsory education"?
Section 15.
31. Over what ages would this compulsory education extend? Section 15.
32. For what length of time? Section 15.
ARTICLE X.
HOMESTEADS AND EXEMPTIONS.
1. How much personal property is exempted from execution?
Section 1.
2. Who chooses this property? Section 1.
3. Is it exempt from execution only? Section 1.
4. What land is exempt, and of what value? Section 2.
5. Who selects the homestead? Section 2.
6. Can a lot in a city, &c., be set apart? Section 2.
7. Is the homestead liable for taxes? Section 2.
8. Is it liable for any other debt besides taxes? Section 2.
9. After death of the owner is the homestead exempt any longer?
Section 2.
10. If work is done on a homestead, is such homestead exempt
from the mechanic's or laborer's lien? Section 4.
11. Supposing the owner dies leaving a widow, but no children--
from what is the homestead exempt, and how long? Section 5.
12. What privileges does the widow enjoy, and how long? Section 5.
13. Is every widow entitled to such privileges? Section 5.
14. What becomes of the property of a woman marrying? Section 6.
15. Suppose she acquires property after marriage, does she or
her husband own it? Section 6.
16. What kind of property so belongs to the wife? Section 6.
17. Cannot such property be made to pay the husband's debts? Section 5.
18. Can she give her property away by will? Section 6.
19. Is her husband's assent necessary to the validity of her will? Section 6.
20. Can she sell or give away her property before her death? Section 6.
21. Is her husband's assent necessary to such sale, &c. ? Section 6.
22. Can her husband signify such assent "by word of mouth"? Section 6.
23. Can the husband insure his life for the benefit of his wife
and children and pay for the policy out of his own money, rather
than pay his creditors? Section 7.
24. What is done with the money when he dies? Section 7.
26. Can the owner of the homestead sell it? Section 8.
26. What is necessary to the validity of the deed? Section 8.
27. Suppose he is not married. Section 8.
ARTICLE XI.
PUNISHMENTS, PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC CHARITIES.
1. What are the punishments lawful in North Carolina? Section 1.
2. Can convicts be made to labor on public works, &c. ? Section 1.
3. Can convicts be hired (or farmed) out to individuals or
corporations? Section 1.
4. Can all convicts be farmed out? Section 1.
5. What authority prescribes the rules in regard to farming out
convicts? Section 1.
6. What convicts cannot be farmed out? Section 1.
7. Can those hiring convicts punish them as they please? Section 1.
8. For what can they be punished by the proper officer? Section 1.
9. Under whose supervision, &c., are these convicts? Section 1.
10. Can the General Assembly abolish capital punishment? Section 2.
11. For what offences can the punishment of death be inflicted?
Section 2.
12. What are the objects of punishment? Section 2.
13. What is the duty of the General Assembly in regard to a
penitentiary? Section 3.
14. For what may houses of correction be provided? Section 4.
15. For what may houses of refuge be established? Section 5.
16. How must the structure and superintendence of penal
institutions, &c., be arranged? Section 6.
17. What provision in regard to male and female prisoners? Section 6.
18. What is one of the first duties of a civilized State? Section 7.
19. What must the General Assembly do to carry out this duty? Section 7.
20. What are the duties of this Board? Section 7.
21. What must the General Assembly do for destitute orphans? Section 8.
22. What must the General Assembly do in regard to idiots? Section 9.
23. Can idiots be educated? Answer--Yes; they can be taught
many things of value to them and to others.
24. What other unfortunates are classed with idiots? Section 9.
25. What classes may be provided for at the expense of the
State? Section 10.
26. Has this section been changed since 1876?
Answer--By amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1880, the
word "may" was substituted for the word "must" in this section.
27. Should the penal and charitable institutions be made self-
supporting? Section 11.
ARTICLE XII.
MILITIA.
1. Who is liable to militia duty? Section 1.
2. Who are exempt? Section 1.
3. What duties has the General Assembly in regard to militia? Section 2.
4. Who is Commander-in-Chief of the militia? . Section 3; and
Article III, section 8.
5. For what may he call them out? Section 3; and see Article III, section 7.
6. What authority can make exemptions from militia duty? Section 4.
7. What other duty has the General Assembly in regard to the militia? Section 4.
ARTICLE XIII.
AMENDMENTS.
1. In what manner must a convention of the people be called?
Section 1.
2. What is the number of votes necessary in the Senate? Answer--
Two-thirds of fifty--thirty-four at the least.
3. What number in the House of Representatives? Answer--Two-
thirds of one hundred and twenty-eighty votes at the least.
4. What authority directs the manner of submission to the
people? Section 1.
5. What authority prescribes the day of meeting? Section 1.
6. Can a convention so called to alter the Constitution? Answer-
-Yes; it can amend the Constitution or make a new one.
7. What is a "restricted convention"? Answer--One in which the
General Assembly provides that the members shall confine their
action to certain specified matters, or shall refrain from
making changes in certain particulars. Some have doubted the
power of the General Assembly to bind the members in this way,
but it has been done several times in this State.
8. Can the Constitution be altered without calling a Convention?
Section 2.
9. By what vote must the proposed change pass the General
Assembly? Section 2.
10. Does this mean three-fifths of all the members of each
House? Section 2.
11. What is the least vote by which it could pass in the Senate?
Answer--Three-fifths of twenty-six--sixteen votes.
12. What is the least in the House of Representatives? Answer--
Three-fifths of sixty-one--thirty-seven votes.
13. What must then be done with the proposed amendment? Section 2.
14. Does it require a majority of all the qualified voters to
pass it? Section 2.
15. Which is the most, two-thirds or three-fifths?
ARTICLE XIV.
MISCELLANEOUS.
1. Supposing indictments to be pending at the adoption of the
Constitution, what is the rule in regard to their punishments?
Section 1.
2. What is the rule in regard to dueling? Section 1.
3. Is the challenger disqualified if the other party declines to
fight? Section 2.
4. Is the challenged party, who accepts the challenge,
disqualified if no fight occurs? Section 2.
5. Is the person who carries the challenge disqualified if no
fight occurs? Section 2.
6. Is it any offence against the laws of North Carolina for its
citizens to fight in another State?
Answer: No; but it is an offence to agree to go out of the State
for the purpose of fighting.
7. What is necessary to enable money to be drawn from the Treasury
of the State? Section 3. (See Article V, section 7).
8. What must be done with the account of receipts and expenditures?
Section 3.
9. What protection to mechanics and laborers must be given?
Section 4; and Article X, section 4.
10. What is the general provision in regard to terms of office?
Section 5.
11. Where shall be the seat of government? Section 6.
12. What is the rule in regard to double office? Section 7.
13. What exception to the general rule? Section 7.
14. What marriages are prohibited? Section 8.
16. What proportion of negro blood comes within the prohibition?
Section 8. Answer--One-eighth negro blood (octoroon) will prohibit.
*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, SCHOOL HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA ***
This file should be named 6080.txt or 6080.zip
Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed
editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US
unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we usually do not
keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance
of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing.
Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections,
even years after the official publication date.
Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til
midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement.
The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at
Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A
preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment
and editing by those who wish to do so.
Most people start at our Web sites at:
https://gutenberg.org or
http://promo.net/pg
These Web sites include award-winning information about Project
Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new
eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!).
Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement
can get to them as follows, and just download by date. This is
also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the
indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an
announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter.
http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext04 or
ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext04
Or /etext03, 02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90
Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want,
as it appears in our Newsletters.
Information about Project Gutenberg (one page)
We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The
time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours
to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright
searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. Our
projected audience is one hundred million readers. If the value
per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2
million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text
files per month: 1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+
We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002
If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total
will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end.
The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks!
This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers,
which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users.
Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated):
eBooks Year Month
1 1971 July
10 1991 January
100 1994 January
1000 1997 August
1500 1998 October
2000 1999 December
2500 2000 December
3000 2001 November
4000 2001 October/November
6000 2002 December*
9000 2003 November*
10000 2004 January*
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created
to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium.
We need your donations more than ever!
As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people
and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South
Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West
Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones
that have responded.
As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list
will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states.
Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state.
In answer to various questions we have received on this:
We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally
request donations in all 50 states. If your state is not listed and
you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have,
just ask.
While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are
not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting
donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to
donate.
International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about
how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made
deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are
ways.
Donations by check or money order may be sent to:
Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
PMB 113
1739 University Ave.
Oxford, MS 38655-4109
Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment
method other than by check or money order.
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by
the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN
[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154. Donations are
tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law. As fund-raising
requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be
made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states.
We need your donations more than ever!
You can get up to date donation information online at:
https://www.gutenberg.org/donation.html
***
If you can't reach Project Gutenberg,
you can always email directly to:
Michael S. Hart
Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message.
We would prefer to send you information by email.
**The Legal Small Print**
(Three Pages)
***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START***
Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers.
They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with
your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from
someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our
fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement
disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how
you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to.
*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK
By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept
this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive
a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by
sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person
you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical
medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request.
ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS
This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks,
is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart
through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project").
Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright
on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and
distribute it in the United States without permission and
without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth
below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook
under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark.
Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market
any commercial products without permission.
To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable
efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain
works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any
medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other
things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or
corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged
disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer
codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.
LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below,
[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may
receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims
all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including
legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR
UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of
receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any)
you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that
time to the person you received it from. If you received it
on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and
such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement
copy. If you received it electronically, such person may
choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to
receive it electronically.
THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS
TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or
the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the
above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you
may have other legal rights.
INDEMNITY
You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation,
and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated
with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including
legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the
following that you do or cause: [1] distribution of this eBook,
[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook,
or [3] any Defect.
DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"
You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by
disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this
"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg,
or:
[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this
requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the
eBook or this "small print!" statement. You may however,
if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable
binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form,
including any form resulting from conversion by word
processing or hypertext software, but only so long as
*EITHER*:
[*] The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and
does *not* contain characters other than those
intended by the author of the work, although tilde
(~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may
be used to convey punctuation intended by the
author, and additional characters may be used to
indicate hypertext links; OR
[*] The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at
no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent
form by the program that displays the eBook (as is
the case, for instance, with most word processors);
OR
[*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at
no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the
eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC
or other equivalent proprietary form).
[2] Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this
"Small Print!" statement.
[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the
gross profits you derive calculated using the method you
already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you
don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are
payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation"
the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were
legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent
periodic) tax return. Please contact us beforehand to
let us know your plans and to work out the details.
WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO?
Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of
public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed
in machine readable form.
The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time,
public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses.
Money should be paid to the:
"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or
software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at:
[email protected]
[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only
when distributed free of all fees. Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by
Michael S. Hart. Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be
used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be
they hardware or software or any other related product without
express permission.]
*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END*
