Lenoir County, NC - Richard Caswell Newspaper Articles

                         ~~~~~~~~~~

Newspaper articles across the country that mention Richard Caswell, 
Father of our State. 

Contributed by Sloan Mason and typed for posting by Christine Grimes 
Thacker.

Essex Journal 4/12/1776
 
   Intelligence from North Carloina, Extract of a letter from Brigadier 
General JAMES MOORE, in the continetal service to the honorable 
CORNELIUS HARNETT, Esq; President of the Provindial Council, North 
Carolina, dated Wilmington, March 2, 1776.
  "On the earliest intelligence that the tories were collecting  and 
embodying at Cross-Creek, which I received on the ninth of February, I 
proceeded to take pro-ie—on of Rockfish Bridge, with in seven miles of 
Cross Creek, which I considered as an important port. This I effected 
on the fifteenth, with my own regiment, five pieces of artillery, and a 
part of the Bladen militia; but as our numbers were by no means equal 
to that of the tories, I tho't it most adviseable to intrench and 
fortify that pass, and wait for a reinforcement. By the nineteenth I 
was joined by Col. LILLINGTON with one hundred and fifty of the 
Wilmington minute men, Colonel KENON with two hundred of the Duplin 
militia, and Colonel ASH with about one hundred of the volunteer 
independent rangers, making our number then in the whole about eleven 
hundred, and from the best information I was able to procure, the tory 
army, under the command of General M.DONALD, amounted to about fourteen 
or fifteen hundred. On the twentieth they marched within four miles of 
us, and sent in by a flag of truce, the Governor's proclamation, a 
manifelto and letter from the General, copies of which, together with 
another letter, and my answers you have enclosed. I then waited only 
until Col. MARTIN and Col. THACKSTON, who I had certain intelligence 
were on their march, should get near enough to cut off their retreat, 
and determined to avail myself of the first favourable opportunity of 
attacking them. However, contrary to my expectations, I learnt on the 
twenty first, that they had the night before, and that night crossed 
the N West river, at Campbelltown, with their wole army, sunk and 
destroyed all the boats, and  taken their  _cute the most direct way to 
negro head point, I then dispatched an express to Col. CASWELL, who was 
on his march to join us with about eight hundred men, and directed him 
to return and take prossession of Corbert's  ferry over Black River, 
and by every means in his power, to obstruct, harass, and distress them 
in their march; at the same time I directed Col. MARTIN and Col. 
THACKSTON to take possession of Cross Creek in order to prevent their 
return that way. Colonel LILLINGTON and Col. ASH I ordered, by a forced 
march, to endeavour if possible to reinforce Col. CASWELL, but if that 
could not be effected, to take prossession of Moore's Creek  bridge, 
whilst I proceeded back with the remainder of our army to cross the 
North West at Elisabeth town, so as either to meet them on their way to 
Corbert's ferry, or fall in their rear and surround them there, On the 
twenty third I crossed the river at Elisabeth Town, where I was 
compelled to wait for a supply of provisions till the twenty fourth at 
night, having learnt that Col. CASWELL was almost entirely without. 
Just when I was prepared to march, I received an express from Col. 
CASWELL, informing that the tories had raised a flat, which had been 
sunk in Black river about five miles above him, and by erecting a 
bridge had passed it with their whole army. I then determined as the 
last expedient to proceed immediately in boats down the N. West river 
to Dollison's landing, about sixty miles, and take possession of 
Moore's Creek bridge, about ten miles from them, at the same time 
acquainting Col. CASWELL of my intentions, and recommending to him to 
retreat to More's (sic) Creek bridge, if possible bit if not, to follow 
on in their rear. The next day by four o'clock we arrived at Dollison's 
landing, but we could not possibly march that night for want of horses 
for the artillery, I dispatched an express to Moores Creek bridge, to 
learn the situation of affairs there, and was informed that Colonel 
LILLINGTON, who had the day before taken his stand at the bridge, was 
that afternoon reinforced by Col. CASWELL, and that they have raised a 
small breastwork, and destroyed a part of the bridge.
  " The next morning, the 27th, at break of day, an alarm gun was 
fired, immediately after which, scarcely leaving our people a moment to 
prepare, the tory army, with Captain Mac CLEOD at their head, made 
their attack on Col. CASWELL and Col. LILLINGTON, and finding a small 
intrenchment next the bridge on our side empty, concluded that our 
people had abandoned their post, and in the most furious manner 
advanced within thirty paces of our breast-work and artillery, where 
they met a very proper reception. Capt. M'CLEOD and Captain CAMPBELL 
fell within a few paces of breast work, the former of whom received 
upwards of twenty balls thro' his body; and in a very few minutes their 
whole army was put to fight, and most shamefully abandoned their 
General, who was next day taken prisoner. The loss of the enemy in this 
action, from the best accounts we have been able to learn, is about 30 
killed and wounded; but as numbers of them must have fallen into the 
creek, besides many more that were carried off, I suppose their loss 
may be estimated at about 50. We had only two wounded, one of which 
died today. This Sir, I have the pleasure to inform you, has happily 
terminated a very dangerous insurrection, and will, I trust, put an 
eflectual check to toryism in this country.
  " The situation of affairs at this place made it necessary for me to 
return here, which, at the special request of the committee, I did last 
night with my regiment, The large requisitions made by the men of war, 
who now lie just below the town, gave the inhabitants reason to 
apprehend every thing that could be suffered from their disappointed 
vengeance, however, the committee have spiritually determined rather to 
suffer the worst of human evils than afford them any supplies at all, 
and I have no doubt we shall be able to prevent them from doing any 
great injury.
  " In order to lessen as much as possible the expence incurred by this 
expedition, I sometime ago directed Colonel MARTIN to disband all the 
troops under his command except 1000, including the regulars, and with 
those secure the persons and estates of the insurgents, subject to your 
further orders, and then to proceed to this place, unless otherwise 
directed. However, as I do not think the service just now requires such 
a number of men in arms, I shall immediately direct him to disband all 
except the regulars, and with those to remain in and about Cross-Creek  
until futther orders."

******************
   
Independent Chronicle 4-9-1778- Caswell
WILLIAMSBURG, March 7,  

From N. Carolina we learn, that Governor CASWELL had made up five 
thousand Volunteers at the head of whom he was to march to reinforce 
General WASHINGTON in a few weeks.
  A frigate of thirty guns, from France, is just arrived in North-
Carolina, deeply laden with all sorts of necessaries for the army.


*****************
     
Connecticut Courant-5-26-1788 

Newbern, (N. Carolina) April 16. 

Agreeably to the resolve of the General assembly, the freeman of the 
county of Dobbs met at the court house in Kingston, on the last Friday 
and Saturday in March, in order to elect persons to represent them in 
convention at Hillsborough; on the third Monday in July next; 
accordingly, RICHARD CASWELL, JAMES GLASGOW, JOHN HERRITAGE, BRYAN 
WHITEFIELD and BENJAMIN SHEPPARD, esquires, were candidates supposed to 
be in favor of the federal constitution ; JACOB JOHNSON, MORRIS 
WESTBROOK, ISAAC GROOM, ABRAHAM BAKER and ABSALOM PRICE, were 
candidates supposed to be opposers of the federal constitutions ;-- the 
whole number of votes were 372 ; at sunset on Saturday the poll was 
closed, and the sheriff  proceeded to call out  the tickets ; 282 
tickets were called out, the hindmost in number on the poll of the 
anti-federalists had 155 votes, the foremost in number of the 
federalies, had only 121, and the tickets coming out fail in favor of 
the anti-federalists the other party seemed fully con___ they should 
lose their election, and appeared to be much exasperated at the fame, 
especially colonel B.SHEPPARD, who with sundry others cast out many 
aspersions  and very degrading and abusive language to the others 
candidates, or any person on their part, without so much as one 
provoking word. At length colonel B. SHEPPARD went upon the bench where 
the sheriffs, inspectors and clerks, were attending their business, and 
swore he would beat one of the inspectors who had been peace_bly and 
deligently attending to his business, and having a number of  clubs 
ready prepared, the persons holding the candles were suddenly knocked 
or pushed down and all candles in the Court-House were instantly put 
out ; many blows were heard to pass, (but it being dark they _id the 
most damage to the federalists). The antifederal candidates being 
unapprised of such violent assault, and expecting better treatment, 
from men who wish to wear the character of gentlemen; were in no 
posture of defence, and finding their lives in danger, though; it most 
adviseable to ___ privately in the dark, but one of them (to wit) ISAAC 
GROOM, was overtaken in the street, by a party of their men consisting 
of twelve or fifteen – with clubs, who fell on him and much abused him, 
insomuch that he was driven to necessity of mounting his horse and 
riding for his life ; the sheriff  also related that in the time of the 
riot in the Court-House, he received a blow by a club ; and that the 
ticket-box was violently taken away.

**************

Massachusetts Spy or American Oracle of Liberty-5-29-1777

   Newbern, (North Carolina,) April 27, By his excellency RICHARD 
CASWELL, esquire, Governor Captain-General, and commander in Chief, in 
and over the said State.
  A Proclamation. 
  Whereas I have received information that divess merchants, and 
others, subject to the king of Great-Britain, who are obliged to depart 
the common wealth of Virginia, in consequence of a resolve of the 
General Assembly thereof, for pushing in execution the Statute of the 
27th of Edward III, are about to remost into this state to abide or 
sojourn; and whereas such persons, while they remain __, may have 
frequent opportunities of seducing and corrupting the minds of the 
people holding; correspondence with, and giving intelligence to the 
enemy;  I have thought proper, by and with the advice of the Council of 
State of issue this Proclamation, hereby forbidding all such merchants 
and others, subjects of the King of Great-Britain from coming within 
the limits of this state to abide or sojourn on pain of  imprisonment. 
And I hereby require the several Justices of the Peace within this 
state to make diligent inquiry within their respective counties for, 
and cause all such merchants, and other subjects of the said King, who 
shall remove into this state, to be apprehended, and conveyed to the 
goal of the said district, thereto remain in close confinement until 
the General Assembly of this state shall take order thereon.
    GIVEN under my hand and seal at Arms at Newington, the 15th day of 
February, in the Year of our Lord, 1777, and in the first Year of our 
independence.   RICHARD CASWELL, By his excellency's command, J. 
GLASGOW, Sec. of the State. GOD Save the STATE.

**********

Norwich Packet Weekly Advertiser -    4-22-1776

Newbern, (North Carolina) March 8.   Last night arrived in town from 
the camp, Colonel RICHARD CASWELL. The signal services he has rendered 
his country by the total defeat of the Scotch army under the command of 
General M'DONALD, induced the committee of the town of Newbern, to 
present him with an address which was this day done by the Chairman of 
the committee, attended by the principal gentlemen of the town.

*************

New Jersey Gazette pg 1   9-13-1780

Philadelphia, September 12, Extract of a letter from General GATES, to 
the President of Congress, dated Hillsborough, August 20, 1780. "Sir, 
In the deepest distress and anxiety of mind, I am obliged to acquaint 
your excellency with the defeat of the troops under my command. I 
arrived with the Maryland line, the artillery, and the North Carolina 
militia, on the 13th instant, at Rugely, 13 miles from Camden; took 
post there, and was the next day joined by General STEPHENS, with 700 
militia from Virginia; Col. SUMPTER, who was at the Waxaws with 400 
South-Carolina militia; had, the Sunday before, killed and taken near 
300 of the enemy, who were posted at the Hanging Rock. This, and other 
strokes upon the enemy's advanced posts, occalioned their calling in 
all their posts to Camden. The 15th, at day-light, I reinforced Col. 
SUMPTER, with 300 North-Carolina Militia, 100 of the Maryland line, and 
two 3 pounders from the artillery, having previously ordered him down 
from the Waxaws, and directed, as soon as the reinforcements joined 
him, that he should proceed down the Wateree, opposite Camden, 
intercept any stores coming to the enemy, and particularly, the troops 
from Ninety-Six, who were likewise withdrawn from that post. This was 
well executed by Col. SUMPTER, as his letter enclosed will Shew.
  "Having communicated my plan to the General officers, in the 
afternoon of the 15th instant, it was resolved to march at night, to 
take post in a very advantageous situation, with a deep creek in front, 
7 miles from Camden; the heavy baggage, &c. being ordered to march 
immediately by the Waxaw road. At ten the army began to march in the 
following order.-Col. ARMAND's legion in front, supported on both 
flanks by Col. POTTERFIELD's regiment, and the light infantry of the 
militia, the advanced guard of infantry, the Maryland line, with their 
artillery in front of the brigades, the North-Carolina militia, the 
Virginia militia, the artillery, &c. and the rear guard. Having marched 
about five miles, the legion was charged by the enemy's cavalry, and 
well supported on the flanks, as they were ordered, by Col. 
POTTERFIELD, who beat back the enemy's horse, and was himself 
unfortunately wounded; but the enemy's infantry advancing with heavy 
fire, the troops in front gave way to the first Maryland brigade, and a 
consusion ensued, which took some time to regulate. At length, the army 
was ranged in line of battle, in the following order; General GIST's 
brigade, upon the right, with his right close to a swamp, the North-
Carolina militia in the center, and the Virginia militia, with the 
light infantry and POTTERFIELD's corps upon the left; the artillery 
divided to the brigades, and the first Maryland brigade as a corps 
__reserve, and to cover the cannon in the road, at a proper distance in 
the rear. Col. ARMAND's corps were ordered to the left, to support the 
left flank and oppose the enemy's cavalry. At day-light the enemy 
attacked and drove in our light party in front, when I ordered the left 
to advance and attack the enemy; but to my astonishment, the left wing  
and North-Carolina militia gave way. General CASWELL and myself, 
assisted by a number of officers, did all in our power to rally the 
broken troops, but to no purpose; for the enemy coming round the left 
flank of the Maryland division, completed the route of the whole 
militia, who left the Continentals to oppose the enemy's whole force. I 
endeavoured, with General CASWELL, to rally the militia at some 
distance, on an advantageous piece of ground; but the enemy's cavalry 
continuing to harass their rear, they ran like a torrent, and bore all 
before them. Hoping yet that a few miles in the rear, they might 
recover from their panick, and again be brought into order, I continued 
my endeavour, but this likewise proved in vain.
  "the militia having taken to the woods, in all directions, I 
concluded with General CASWELL, to retire towards Charlotte. I got here 
late in the night, but reflecting that there was no prospect of 
collecting a force at that place, adequate to the defence of the 
country, I proceeded with all possible dispatch hither, to endeavour, 
to fall upon some plan of defence, in conjunction with the legislative 
body of the state, I shall immediately dispatch a flag to Lord 
CORNWALLIS, to know the situation of our wounded, and the number and 
condition of the prisoners in his hands.
 (There was more but did not copy on this file)

**********

Freemans Journal-7-18-1781

  Abingdon, June 2, 1781. This day at a meeting of militia officers in 
Washington county Virginia, the following address was proposed and 
agreed to be presented on behalf of the whole: To the hon. Major-
general RICHARD CASWELL.
  WHIST we feelingly regret the necessity of your retiring from your 
habitation, to avoid the cruelty and ravages of a vindictive foe, the 
implacable enemy  to freedom; it is with peculiar satisfaction, that we 
welcome one of the first citizens, and first patriots of America, to 
make the country of the mountain-men, an asylum. America has made 
various and gallant efforts against the common enemy; She has fought 
She has suffered and bled, and although not always victorious, and her 
resources lessened, yet her spirit remains, and she must finally gain 
her liberties.  Our situations in life, and the many difficulties we 
have had to struggle with, on account of the hostile attempts of the 
savages, hath deprived us of all the luxuries and most of the 
elegancies of life; but we trust you will find satisfaction in 
partaking of the plenty of plain-fare with which our settlement abound; 
and enjoy safety, from the unanimity, zeal, and military turn of the 
mountain-militia.
  Signed by order and in behalf of the officers, ARTHUR CAMPBELL, Col. 
of the militia.

Second article the same date           

 To which his honour was pleased to return the following answer: To the 
officers of the militia of Washington county, Virginia.
  Gentlemen, Permit me to return you my most sincere thanks for your 
polite address transmitted me by col. CAMPBELL.
  Your expressions are truly flattering, whilst they shew the 
benevolence of your disposition. Luxuries I was never fond of, and 
although a stranger to the gentlemen who inhabit the mountains, I have 
no doubt but I shall be fully satisfied in residing among them.
  I know America has fought has suffered and bled, that her resources 
are lessened; but they are not exhausted, and I hope her spirit with 
her freedom and liberties, will continue to latest period.  I am happy 
in being informed by you, gentlemen, that unanimity prevails in the 
mountain militia; that, together with their zeal and military turn, 
will add much to the security of the country.  RICHARD CASWELL. Head of 
Holstein, 10 June 1781.

**********

Royal Gazette -7-5-1780 

  Our last accounts from North-Carolina are that a few days after the 
receipt of the re_ec_ion of Charlestown arrived at Newbern, the capital 
of the province, the rebels were struck  with amazement, as they 
imagined the place was impregnable; that as soon as Lord CORNWALLIS 
moved towards Cape Fear, the _ot ones with Govnor CASWELL fled to the 
back country ; in consequence of which removal many of hose that were 
formerly in office had taken the lead in public measures, and almost 
all the inhabitants were wishing for their old constitution.  
  The Resaljation (sic) cutter, Capt. CAMERON, of this port, the 15th 
of June, off Chesapeak, fell in with a fleet of 25 sail from Virginia 
for Old France, under convoy of a French 54 gun ship, He followed them 
for four days, but to no purpose, the weather being very moderate, they 
kept close to their convoy.
  The three men lately executed at Washington's camp were, JOHN 
CLAWSON, formerly of Woodbridge, a worthy young man named HUTCHINSON, 
from Morris-Town, and a LUDOVIC LACY, of Suffex.
  There was a fourth person in company whom the above three were taken 
in Mr. VEAL's barn, but he was shot after he had delivered himself up 
to the party that came to take him. Mr. VEAL, in whose barn they were 
found, was carried to the place of execution, and would also have been 
executed; but the poor men  ____ him before they were sent out of the 
world.  

*************

Royal Gazette-9- 13-1780

  " The enemy at Lynch's Creek abandoned their post last night, on out 
taking our present __, where we formed a Junction with Major General 
CASWELL division of militia, Colonel SUMPTER, with some of the 
inhabitants of our state, supported by a party of Michlenburgh militia, 
has exerted himself (?) mesitorously (hard to read); his party, as 
well as General RUTHERFORD's have had some successful skirmishes with 
the enemy's parties, and we have a report today which seems pretty well 
founded, that he yesterday defeated the New-York volunteers and a party 
of tories, at the Hanging Rock ; our affairs on the whole,  __ a 
prospercus aspect."
  Another letter from the same quarter mentions, 1000 of the South-
Carolina militia having joined General GATES since he entered that 
State, and that desertions from the enemy were very considerable.
 
*************

Pennsylvania Mercury 12-31-1789
   
  On Tuesday of the 10th inst. __, at Fayetteville, North-Carolina, the 
most Worshipful and Honorable RICHARD CASWELL, Esq. Speaker of the 
Senate, and Grand Master of the Masons of that State ; a gentleman who 
has uniformly distinguished himself as a firm friend to the liberties 
of his country. He was a member of the first Congress, in 1775, and has 
repeatedly been elected Governor of that State.—He was many years a 
member of the Legislature, and ever ranked amongst the first Patriots 
and best of Men. His remains were entombed with all the Honors due to 
so distinguished a character, & the General Assembly of that State have 
determined to go into mourning one month.

*************

Pennsylvania Packet - 6-22-1782

North-Carolina 

  On the 22nd of April the general assembly of this state, being 
convened at Hillsborough, the honourable ALEXANDER MARTIN, esquire, 
late speaker of the senate, by them was chosen governor for the ensuiay 
year.
  On Thursday following, the commons and senate being met in the 
conference chamber, the honourable RICHARD CASWELL, esquire, speaker of 
the senate, presented the governor with the following address:
 To His Excellency ALEXANDER MARTIN, Esquire,
   Governor, Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the 
state of North-Carolina.
  On Monday last the general assembly proceeded to the choice of the 
chief magistrate to preside in the executive department of the 
government of this state, when you, sir, was elected to that high and 
important office by joint ballot of both houses.
  The many great and fortunate events achieved in the course of the 
last year by the military skill of general WASHINGTON, count de 
ROCHAMBEAU and general GREENE, the gallant conduct of the officers and 
the bravery of the troops of the united states, and of our illustrious 
ally, have entirely changed the face of affairs. The clouds which over-
cast the political horizon of America are dispersed, and joy and 
smiling hopes of future success have succeeded in the place: yet much 
remains to be done to effect the completion of our wishes, and 
establish the independency of the united states on a solid basis. 
  In a happier hour you are elected by the voice of your country, 
successor to our late, worthy and able governor; and it gives us 
peculiar pleasure to have at the head of the executive department, a 
gentleman on whose ability, firmness and integrity we can rely with the 
utmost confidence.
  We assure you, sir, that nothing shall be left undone on the part of 
the legislature, which may tend towards the general good and to make 
your administration easy, happy and honourable. 
  To you, therefore, sir, as the first executive magistrate of this 
state, we comitt and deliver the bill of rights and the constitution, 
the one ascertaining the civil and political rights of the freemen of 
this country, the other giving existence to your office and the present 
happy form of government: that the same under your guardian care, may 
be preserved inviolate, supported, maintained and defended, we present 
you with this sword, as an emblem of that power and authority with 
which you are invested for the defence of the state and the rights and 
liberties of the people.
                                      RICHARD CASWELL, Sp. S.
                                      THOMAS BENBURY,  Sp. C.

****************

Pennsylvania Evening Post  6-28-1782

North-Carolina 

  On the 22nd of April the general assembly of this state, being 
convened at Hillsborough, the hon. ALEXANDER MARTIN, esq. late speaker 
of the senate, by them was chosen governor for the ensuing year.
  On Thursday following, the commons and senate being met in the 
conference chamber, the hon. RICHARD CASWELL, esq; speaker of the 
senate, presented the governor with the following address:
"To His Excellency ALEXANDER MARTIN, esq; gov. capt. Gen. and commander 
in chief in and over the state of North-Carolina.
  "On Monday last the general assembly proceeded to the choice of the 
chief magistrate to preside in the executive department of the 
government of this state, when you, sir, was elected to that high and 
important office by joint ballot of both houses.
  "The many great and fortunate events achieved in the course of the 
last year by the military skill of general WASHINGTON, COUNT DE 
ROCHAMBEAU and general GREENE, the gallant conduct of the officers and 
the bravery of the troops of the united states, and of our illustrious 
ally, have entirely changed the face of affairs. The clouds which over-
cast the political horizon of America are dispersed, and joy and 
smiling hopes of future success have succeeded in the place: yet much 
remains to be done to effect the completion of our wishes, and 
establish the independency of the united states on a solid basis. 
  "In a happier hour you are elected by the voice of your country, 
successor to our late, worthy and able governor; and it gives us 
peculiar pleasure to have at the head of the executive department, a 
gentleman on whose ability, firmness and integrity we can rely with the 
utmost confidence.
  "We assure you, sir, that nothing shall be left undone on the part of 
the legislature, which may tend towards the general good and to make 
your administration easy, happy and honorable. 
 " To you, therefore, sir, as the first executive magistrate of this 
state, we commit and deliver the bill of rights and the constitution, 
the one ascertaining the civil and political rights of the freemen of 
this country, the other giving existence to your office and the present 
happy form of government: that the same under your guardian care, may 
be preserved inviolate, supported, maintained and defended, we present 
you with this sword, as an emblem of that power and authority with 
which you are invested for the defence of the state and the rights and 
liberties of the people.
                                      RICHARD CASWELL, Sp. S.
                                      THOMAS BENBURY,  Sp. C.

  "To which his excellency was pleased to make the following answer:
  "Gentlemen of the general assembly, The honours of government which 
you have been pleased to confer on me this day, demand my grateful 
acknowledgements, as I esteem them the highest testimonial of public 
confidence and regard this free country can shew a citizen; for which I 
beg leave to return you my humble and hearty thanks. At the same time 
mr. speaker of the senate, I thank you for the polite and handsome 
manner in which you have conveyed to me the sense of the general 
assembly.
  "Though called in the happier hour of our prosperity to this 
important station, happy should I be if I considered myself equal to 
this great task and the expectations of my country, at a time the 
duties of the executive are truly arduous, under the deranded situation 
of our public affairs, a circumstance ever attended and unavoidable in 
a cause like ours. A seven year war, prosecuted with unremitted rigor 
by one of the first powers powers in Europe, against us and our sister 
states, together with our own intestine commotions in her favor, have 
been causes sufficient to plunge us into many unforeseen difficulties 
and embarrassments, which, by the wisdom and pr_dence of your councils 
at this period, you are called upon to extricate us from, that this 
once flourishing state be restored to order and its former importance.
  " Though great was the task for these states, in union, to contend 
with a power to whom we were allied by the strongest ties of blood and 
policy, and divest ourselves from her interests and our own prejudices 
; yet smarting under the rod of tyranny from an unrelenting, parent, in 
the anguish of our struggles we have tore her from our hearts ; and our 
ardor has not been damped in supporting the rights of mankind ; but 
more and more, under every adversity, we have been stimulated in the 
pursuit  of freedom, and for this glorious prize have dared to 
encounter a nation who heretofore gave law to Europe and the ocean. 
Over whom, at length, by the assistance of our magnanimous ally, we 
have greatly triumphed; and, under the auspices of Almighty God, have 
raised our heads among the sovereign powers of the world.
  "In the achievements of the late great events by which the face of 
our affairs are changed, I am greatly sensible the military skill of 
gen. WASHINGTON and major gen. GREEN shine conspicuous, together with 
that of the celebrated counts de ROCHAMBEAU and de GRAFFE, whose 
gallant conduct, with the bravery of the officers and men, both of the 
American and French armies under their command, will be held in 
grateful remembrance by these United States to the latest ages.
  "Notwithstanding the machinations of Britain have been so often 
defeated; her generals, with whole armies, compelled to surrender 
prisoners of war to the arms of America and France; reduced to the 
humiliating necessity of supplicating succours from every court in 
Europe, which to her confusion have been fruitless; yet still she hath 
the madness to persist in a war that, by proper exertions against her, 
may at last bring her haughty power to the ground. British pride, long 
supported by riches and power, late drunk with the idea of the conquest 
of these states, with reluctance at last must bend to superior councils 
and force.
  "However flattering the events of war have been, it is necessary to 
be armed and prepared for the utmost efforts of this restless enemy, in 
subjugating this country to her domination. Our army must be completed, 
our revenues new modelled (sic) and raised on systematical principles, 
which have been well recommended to you by the honorable the congress, 
the superintendent of finance, and farther urged by my predecessor at 
the opening of this session, that I shall dwell longer thereon.
  "After those great objects that interest The federal body I beg leave 
to draw your attention to the more immediate concerns of the state.
  "Gentlemen of the general assembly," Your public credit calls for 
your immediate support at this favourable crisis. The widow and the 
orphan, deprived and robbed of the real value of their property, under 
the colour of our tender laws, by mercerary guardians and executors, 
with tears look up to you for justice and redress.
  "Many of our late revolted citizens having surrendered themselves to 
the justice of the state, supplicate for mercy, and offer to return 
their allegiance ; your interposition is necessary to discriminate the 
classes of those deluded people who may be the proper objects of 
clemency.
  "Let not rapine and licentiousness, under the garb of liberty, stalk 
a_cund, and triumph amongst us with impunity, revive your dormant laws, 
to chastise the offenders, and stamp them with infamy.
  "Your navigation and commerce are objects of great concern to this 
rising state. No longer permit your ports to be entered, and your 
maritime towns plundered by a banditti of villains, without opposition, 
but give them protection and the means of defence, Blessed with a 
temperate and happy climate, the various productions of our soil are 
cultivated with case; hence the streams of wealth, under your directing 
care, might flow upon us from a thousand springs. This may be the epoch 
in which, by wise regulations, you may lay the foundations of future 
greatness, when nations shall be crouding there sails into your 
harbours, courting your trade, and vieing with each other in the happy 
acquisition thereof.
  "The education of your youth demands your ferious attention. Savage 
manners are ever attendant on ignorance; Which, without correction in 
time, will sap the foundation of civil government. Those states who 
want knowledge and wisdom in their councils have generally fallen a 
prey to their wiser neighbours, or required their guardian. this will 
never be our fate while those seminaries of learning now established be 
farther supported by your authority, and others created where they are 
wanting.
  "These, with many other important subjects require your 
deliberations, which the urgency of your domestic affairs, perhaps, at 
present will not permit you to discuss. Happy shall I be, if I have 
suggested hints that at any time may be improved for the public good.
  "To be supported by legislative aid in the general defence, afford me 
great consolation; and I make not the least doubt, gentlemen,  under 
this high assurance, my administration will be easy, happy and 
honorable.
                                                 ALEX. MARTIN."

  At the same assembly the honorable ABNER NASH, BENJAMIN HAWKINS, 
HUGN. WILLIAMSON and WILLIAM BLOUNT, esquires, were elected to 
represent this state in congress for the present year.


CHARLOTTE DAILY OBSERVER – 22 March 1903

 Local Pride Of  Southerners: Defects In A Geography noted.
How Northern Children Get Wrong Impressions of the South - RICHARD 
CASWELL's Name Not In A Modern Encyclopedia - A Suggestion to the Sage 
of Chapel Hill-A St. Patrick's Day Dining to Judge Noal-Winston-Salem 
Social Affairs- Sir Walter Raleigh Entertainment.
Correspondence of The Observer
  Winston-Salem, March 20.- As The Observer pertinently remarked the 
other day, 'It looks as if the war is really over:" not that it has not 
been over since the 9th of April, 1865, for us Southern folks, for we 
always mean what we say and say what we mean, but now and then there 
comes from the fair-minded press of the North some stinging rebuke to 
narrow-minded sectionalism that makes even the most thin-skins 
Southerner feel "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell  
together unity." As hot-headed as the Southern people are, and as 
unrepentant as they should ever be of their part in the civil war, they 
have resolutely turned their backs on the dead issues of that struggle 
and set themselves to cultivating the arts of peace and the building up 
of national patriotism and prosperity. Even the older people of the 
South of to-day whose childhood was passed amid the stirring s____ of 
the 60s have ceased to remember with bitterness the bloody chasm that 
divided the North and South, and think of it now as a part of the great 
scheme, which under Providence, was to work out our national 
unification and the perpetuation of our liberties. We all think of the 
war as the means and perhaps the only means to this great end, and 
believing this, we keep alive the memories for only one purpose, and 
that is to teach the youth of the land that their pires (sic) were 
neither traitors nor rebels and that their lives and their deeds of 
matchless bravery are among the most glorious sacrifices ever laid upon 
the alter of constitutional liberty.
   We have buried the tomahawk in good faith, and for us the war is 
over; nay, more, we have given up more, entirely than is meet or is 
quite necessary, the old-time Southern ways an ___ of life. We have 
recast our social and perhaps our moral economics. The ideal social 
life under the old regime is utterly a thing of the past and in 
passing, it took much that was of vital force to character and racial 
integrity. We are rapidly becoming an amalgamation of money-getters 
grafted on the old pleasure-loving stock and what we may eventually 
come to be is not in sight, but all of this is by the way, and merely 
intended to show how unquestionably the war is over as far as the South 
is concerned.
  Of course when the G. O. P. and the G.A.R. get specially splenetic 
and shoot off more venom than we think becoming we do get a bit 
excited, but as we reserve for ourselves the liberty of speech, so we 
must accord it to others. Even the Weeks affair didn't rile any of us a 
great deal, for everybody knew just was behind it all, and that the 
Kansas weakling left to himself, would inevitably come to grief more 
effectually  than if we answered a fool according to his folly.
  Such matters as these we look for, and are prepared to treat them 
with dignified silence, but there are some things about which we cannot 
be quite so philosophical: these hurt us more than we care to admit and 
they are matters, too, for which, we ourselves, are largely to blame. A 
sample of them came my way the other day I chanced to be teaching Tarr 
and McMurry's geography, which, as an up-to-day text-book excellent in 
methods, is just what one would like, if it did not make so many 
demands upon the loyal Southerner's patience and forbearance. It was 
telling of ocean commerce, good harbors, etc., and in bringing the 
matter home to the child's ___, reminded them that even the oranges and 
bananas they ate must have come through the great ports New York, 
Boston, Philadelphia or San Francisco. Of course it may be a small 
thing to notice, but these children were distinctly impressed by the 
fact that not one of the seven or eight excellent harbors along the 
Southern coast was mentioned, and the more so because they well knew 
their bananas never saw New York. Such statements were either unfair or 
inaccurate. They wanted at once to know why they couldn't have come by 
Norfolk, Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, or Mobile, I do not think 
Southern children acted or felt differently from the way in which New 
England children would have acted or felt under similar circumstances; 
the point is, children, no more than grown people, like to be ignored, 
and the Southern child's pride in his section is certainly not fostered 
by such omissions.
   The same excellent text-book furnished another noteworthy instance 
in which Southern local pride and patriotism were decidedly sat upon. 
Of the six or seven clear-cut pictures illustrative of Southern 
industries, scenes, products. Etc., three of them were devoted entirely 
to negroes, one to Indians, and the others to nothing in particular. It 
is rather humiliating to the average white child of the South to see 
his own section represented and himself to the youth of other sections 
__ the setting for the jewel in the Ethiopian's ear. We have plenty of 
typical and essentially Southern scenery which would be infinitely more 
distinctive and characteristic than groups of negro children sitting on 
cotton bags or negro women cutting sugar cane. Of course Southern 
teachers can set the Southern youth right on these subjects and all of 
them should do so, but the difficulty is Northern children get wrong 
impressions of the South, which may influence one way or the other 
their whole lives.
  The other day when idly turning the leaves of Johnson's splendid 
encyclopedia which the Appleton's have bought out and brought up to the 
present time, I received a distinct blow through my State and sectional 
pride in finding that RICHARD CASWELL, the first Governor of North 
Carolina under the constitution, the hero of the battle of Moore's 
Creek, the president of the Provincial Congress at Halifax which formed 
the present State Constitution of North Carolina, a delegate to the 
convention that formed the Federal constitution, (an honor which he 
declined, but with the extraordinary authority given him by the General 
Assembly he was allowed to appoint his substitute,) a member of the 
State Convention that ratified the Federal constitution, in short. 
RICHARD CASWELL, the Soldier and statesman, the peer in unselfish, 
devotion and service to his country  of any who fought in the 
Revolution, the counterpart of WASHINGTON in so many notable ways, has 
no place in an encyclopaedia (sic), which professes to be what its name 
implies.
  One CASWELL appears herein, but he is a Baptist clergyman, who for 
sometime was president of Brown University. Our RICHARD CASWELL is not 
mentioned. It is high time for us to redeem our worthless from such 
unworthy treatment. The Appletons are still revising their 
encyclopaedia(sic), and have __, huatling agents in North Carolina, 
seeking buyers for the new editions. If we cannot erect a monument to 
RICHARD CASWELL's virtues and patriotic services, we may at least have 
his name and some of his deeds preserved in this popular encyclopaedia, 
and I move that Dr. KEMP P. BATTI_, the sage of Chapel Hill and the 
finest student of State history within its limits, be requested to 
write a sketch of RICHARD CASWELL and present it to the Appletons with 
the compliments of the Old North State.
                            *  *   *

************

Pennsylvania Evening Post  2-13-1777

Williamsburg, Jan. 31, The Northampton privateers Capt. POWER, 
belonging to the Eastern Shore, has taken two prizes, one a ship from 
the Bay of Honduras, with mahogany, logwood,&c. and a sloop, from 
Mississippi, with staves and shingles.
  The brave Col. RICHARD CASWELL, who effectually broke up the North-
Carolina insurgents, is appointed Governor of that state, and arrived 
at Newbern the 13th instant, where he-was received with all possible 
marks of distinction.

************

Charlotte News 12-29-1893

  The Newbern Journal says that Gen. R.C. GATLING, who succeeded the 
late Governor FOWLE as adjutant general of this State. In 18__, is no_ 
living at Fort Smith, Arkansas. He is now _6 years of age. One of his 
daughters is now a student at St. Mary's school at Raleigh.  Gen. 
GATLING is a grandson of Governor RICHARD CASWELL. He graduated at West 
point in the class with Gen. Robert E. Lee, and left the United States 
army in 1881(?).

*********

Daily Charlotte Observer-9-1-1895

THE BATTLE OF ALAMANCE.

Were the Regulators Patriots?
The Character of HERMAN HUSBAND - The High Carnival of His Followers in 
the Public Buildings of Hillsboro-Honored Names Among the So-Called 
"Tyranta"- Who Will Point Out Any Regulators Who Fought in the War for 
American Independence?
Written for the Observer.
  In last Sunday's issue of the OBSERVER there is an article on the 
insurrection of the Regulators, in which a gentleman suggests the 
erection of a monument on the battlefield of Alamance to those men who 
were killed "first in the great struggle for independence."
  It is an unfortunate state of affairs that North Carolina has never, 
with one exception, seen fit to perpetuate in stone the memory of her 
departed great ones. Hence the proposed shaft would not be likely to 
materialize even if it were desirable. But, putting this proposition 
aside, it may not be amiss to consider the character of the Regulators 
themselves.
  Their leader, one HERMAN HUSBAND, was expelled from the Colonial 
Assembly for publishing a libel against Judge MAURICE MOORE. After his 
return home he became a disturbing element in the community, and next 
we find his deluded followers, the "Regulators," engaged in the unique 
method of redressing their grievances by assaulting the judges who were 
appointed to hold court, taking possession of the public records and 
holding high carnival in the public building of Hillsborough. During 
all their riotous conduct HUSBAND stood manfully by them until the 
appearance of TRYON's army and then hastily took his leave. Being a 
Quaker he had religious scruples against fighting' And this, too, when 
he had been expelled from that sect of immorality. So much for Mr. 
HUSBAND.
  Referring to the battle of Alamance the historian, WHEELER, says it 
was the "first conflict of arms between the Royal Troops of England and 
the people of the Colonies." 
Another writer Waxeth poetic---
  "The rustle ploughman, at early morn, 
   The yielding furrow turns with heedless tread; Or tends with frugal 
care the springing corn. Where tyrants conquered and where heroes 
bled."

 Thus we have presented to us two passages which involve:
  Firstly, The character of the "Royal Troops of England" of "tyrants."
  Secondly, The character of those premature "patriots," or "heroes," 
who composed the forces collected by HUSBAND.
  Judging by the test of patriotism as set forth relative to these 
disturbances by most historians of our State we must consider among the 
"tyrants,' who composed the armies under TYRON and WADDELL on this 
occasion, and in 1768, such Revolutionary soldiers and statesmen as 
General FRANCIS NASH, who afterwards fell a Martyr to American liberty, 
in 1778, at the Battle of Germantown, and his brother, Governor ABNER 
NASH, next comes Major-General ROBERT HOWE, North Carolina's highest 
ranking officer in the Coutinental Line; then RICHARD CASWELL, 
distinguished alike as general and Governor; WILLIAM HOOPER, signer of 
the declaration of Independence, WILLIE JONES, president of the State 
Committee of Safety and member of the Continental Congress, Major-
General GRIFFITH, RUTHERFORD and JOHN ASHE, Brigadier General JAMES 
MOORE, and Brevet Brigadier Generals ALEXANDER LILLINGTON and THOMAS 
CLARK. In addition to these are RICHARD COGDELL, JOSEPH LEECH, THOMAS 
POLK, ALEXANDER OSBORNE, PHILEMON HAWKINS, Sr., JOHN HINTON, NEEDHAM 
BRYAN, and scores of other noted patriots too numerous to mention. Had 
it been the poet, instead of the historian, whose language above quoted 
sets these gentlemen down as "Royal Troops of England," we might 
consider it poetic license and let the matter drop, but not so as it 
is. They were Americans all, bound to the colonies by every tie of 
filial devotion. Which was forcibly shown by their conduct in after 
years. As well as on previous occasions.
  And now, turning from the conquering tyrants and bleeding heroes, and 
again casting our eyes toward the Revolution, which began only four 
years later, we seek in vain for Regulators serving the American cause. 
One historian, indeed, has gone so far as to say that General PERSON, 
of Granville county, was a "violent regulator," but this language 
probably overdraws the case. He doubtless did all that he consistently 
could in that line to check the evils complained of, but it takes a 
vivid imagination to connect the honored name of THOMAS PERSON with 
that class of Regulators in the county of Orange, who so brutally 
treated JOHN WILLIAMS, afterwards Judge WILLIAMS, and a still broader 
stretch of fancy is required to imagine him in sympathy with the band 
of incendaries who applied the torch to private dwelling, as was the 
case with Judge HENDERSON's property. If searched with a fine-tooth 
comb and microscope it is doubtful whether the rosters of our troops 
would reveal the name of one single person of prominence who had served 
in the insurgent army at Alamance. They were nearly to a man Royalists. 
Some writers virtually contend that the patriotism of these people was 
only exceeded by their __ety; that having been compelled to take the 
oath of allegiance after their defeat they were too conscientious to 
violate it. If such was the case they were superior to WASHINGTON 
himself, for that great patriot had held a military commission under 
English authority prior to the Revolution, and consequently sworn 
allegiance to the King.CASWELL and numerous other North Carolinians had 
taken similar oaths in filling civil as well as military posts, but the 
oppression of the mother country they properly considered a release 
from the obligation thereby as summed.
  Historians are fond of comparing the Regulators with those who 
resisted the Stamp Act. The difference was that the Stamp Act came from 
the highest law-making authority of the English government, and those 
who defied it were therefore resisting British oppression. The wrongs 
from which the Regulators suffered came from the misconduct of 
subordinate officers of the State government. It should be borne in 
mind the King of Great Britain and EDMUND FANNING were different 
individuals. General WADDELL, whose brilliant career was cut short by 
death just before the outbreak of the War for Independence, had already 
been among the first and foremost in opposing the enforcement of the 
Stamp Act, in 1765, as had also General ASHE. Yet at a later period 
these gentlemen did not hesitate, when called upon, to aid in 
vindicating the authority of North Carolina over the lawless element 
which sought by mob violence to strangle her courts.
  Alamance is often referred to by the enthusiastic writers of our 
State as the beginning of the War for Independence: but it is 
complimentary to the intelligence of their readers that they do not 
attempt to persuade them that the Regulators themselves even so much as 
dreamed of independence.
  For the information of  the public in general and himself in 
particular the writer of this article respectfully invites any person 
who can do so, to give the name of a single individual, out of the two 
thousand composing the army assembled at Alamance, who afterwards 
materially aided in the establishment of  American independence.
                     MARSHALL DeLANCEY HAYWOOD, Raleigh, N.C.

***********

Charlotte Daily Observer  11-30-1902
  
  Every contributed article to to-day's issue is well deserving of the 
attention of Observer readers, but we may take time only to call 
attention to the charming autobiographical sketch of Dr. WALTER PAGE, 
for securing which thanks are due to Mr. I.E. AVERY, to Mr. R.D.W. 
CONNOR's delightful study of RICHARD CASWELL's journey to attend the 
First Continental Congress to the entertaining story of travel in the 
Northwes by "X," who is a talented North Carolinian, formerly a fellow-
craftsman in State, journalism, to Mrs. MARGARET BUSBEE SHIPP's pretty 
story, and the strong poems, "The Falling of a Leaf," by Mrs. ELLEN 
FRIZELL WYCOFF, and "Post-Thanksgiving Quer_," by Mr. JOHN R. MORRIS.

*************

Charlotte Sunday Observer 10-1-1922

KINSTON MASONS MAY ERECT SHRINE TEMPLE
                       ----*---
Special to The Observer.

   KINSTON, Sept.30- The Masonic organization here are again 
considering erection of a temple to house the several branches in the 
city, Estimates of the cost have not been made, and there has been no 
definite move toward locating a site, it is understood, through 
procural of funds is said to offer no obstacle.  Talk recently has 
centered upon a five –story building, ample for all fraternity purposes 
and with room to spare for officers. If the Masons build in the near 
future, their leaders state, they will erect one of the handsomest 
temples in eastern Carolina.
  Included among the organizations here are St. JOHNS lodge #4, St. 
PAUL's commandery of the Knights Templar, and CASWELL chapter No. 3_. 
The chapter was named in honor of Richard CASWELL, head of North 
Carolina Masonry several generations ago, who was also a continental 
general and first constitutional governor of the State. The movement  
to build a temple originated  with the Shrine club, which has a large 
membership.

*********

Charlotte Observer -7-13-1920

EASONABLY RAPID GROWTH GIVES KINSTON 9,771 SOULS

Old Timers Mind When It Was Only a Village; Tobacco Is Given the 
Credit.
Special to The Observer.

  Kinston, July 12- Announcement of the population of Kinston today as 
9,771 brought to mind to many the fairly rapid growth of the town 
during the past three decades.  In 1900 Kinston was a village. In 1910 
its population increased to 6, 995. During the decade Kinston had 
passed Goldsboro, Wilson and Washington and other towns, Kinston is a 
"new-old" town. Arthur DOBBS, colonial governor, gave consent to the 
founding of "Kinston" in 1762. Richard CASWELL was an original trustee. 
In 1849 the town of "Kinston" was incorporated, with John PEEBLES, John 
F. WOOTEN, Pinckney HARDEE, James W. COX and W.C. LOFTIN as 
commissioners. The families of all five are prominent here today.
  Tobacco built Kinston. There was a tobacco warehouse here in 1790, 
but the town was not much of a market. Culture of the weed became a 
lost art, and it was not until 28 or 30 years ago that it was revived. 
Many million dollars are invested in the business here now, with cotton 
milling as the second industry and lumber manufacturing probably the 
third. The first railroad was built in 1856-57, when the "Mullet road," 
the Atlantic and North Carolina, was constructed. There are now four 
rail lines into the city. Kinston is situated on navigable water, but 
river traffic is almost nil.
  With the advent of the tobacco business the town experienced its 
first boom. The larger part of Kinston has been built during the last 
20 years, and the newness of its residential districts gives it the 
appearance of being one of the brightest and best kept towns in the 
south.

***********

Charlotte Sunday Observer 12-3-1916

PUBLIC OPINION

What the People Have to Say on  Current Events.

NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY.

      Connor' Contribution on the Revolutionary Leaders,
  North Carolina State Normal and Industrial College Historical 
Publications Number 11, Revolutionary Leaders of North Carolina, By R. 
D.W. CONNOR, Secretary North Carolina Historical Commission: Lecturer 
on North Carolina History, State Normal College, Issued under the 
Direction of the Department of History, W.C. JACKSON, Editor.
To the Editor of The Observer:
  No greater service to the public or to scholarship can be rendered by 
our colleges than by fostering the cause of the State history. In 1897 
Trinity began the publication of the Trinity College Historical Society 
and the University established the James SPRUNT monographs in 1900. 
These modest publications have carried news of North Carolina's 
development in the past to a host of libraries in other sections and 
abroad, have stimulated ambitious college students to think and to 
write, and have identified the institutions they represent with 
learning that is productive. Their larger importance is realized when 
we remember that the gentleman of the old school, who from patriotic 
motives is always interested in his State's history, is rapidly 
becoming a figure of the past and that the patronage of local history 
must depend more and more on the younger generation which passes 
through our colleges. It is therefore highly to be commended that the 
cause is being presented to our young women. In 1914 the Historical 
Publication of the State Normal was established, the second volume, 
Revolutionary Leaders of North Carolina, by Mr. CONNOR, is just from 
the press and it deserves a high place in the State's historiography.
  The author occupies a unique place as essayist and biographer. In 
days gone by too much of our biographical writing emphasized personal 
qualities and distinctions achieved by the subject of the biography 
without correlating his individual experience with the movements of his 
age; and our general histories are by no means free from this trait. In 
recent years there has been a tendency to emphasize institutional, 
economic and political forces to the relative exclusion of the personal 
element. Mr. CONNOR strikes a happy medium. He has the rare faculty of 
presenting large movements of epochal significance through the lives of 
individuals. In the publication under notice around  John HARVEY, 
Cornelius HARNETT, Richard CASWELL and Samuel JOHNSTON are centered 
some of the great issues that convulsed  North Carolina from 1765 to 
1790 so that their lives become the biography of political life of the 
State. The res pubilca which they so ably served becomes their own 
eulogy, yet no record of personal achievements is omitted. 
  For the specific task Mr. CONNOR is well fitted. He has long been 
interested in the Revolutionary period.  His volume on Cornelius 
HARNETT is likewise the best history of the Revolutionary movement and 
was awarded the Patterson Cup a few years ago. His essays on John 
HARVEY and Samuel JOHNSTON are well known to readers of the North 
Carolina Booklet. As practice makes perfect, revision and condensation 
add strength and grace, and the chapters on these leaders in the State 
Normal Publication reach the high water mark of biographical writing. 
Ranking with them is the essay on CASWELL.
  An interesting feature of Mr. CONNOR's work is his command of little 
used sources. As secretary of the Historical Commission he has 
systematically gathered material relating to North Carolina in the 
collections and libraries in other States. Considerable data of this 
nature is used in the chapters on HARVEY and HARNETT, notably 
information derived from The Boston Evening Post, The South Carolina 
Gazette, and The Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, 
Those illustrate the close relations between North Carolina and the 
other Colonies during the period of revolutionary agitation. One 
wonders how much new information might be gained from a search of 
English archives concerning the attitude of the British Government 
toward North Carolina throughout the colonial period: in fact here lies 
one or more unexploited topics in our past.
   A spirit of impartiality runs through the essays. Action speaks 
their own approval or disapproval. An exception however is the writer's 
attitude toward Willie JONES, the rival of Samuel JOHNSTON. All must 
agree that JONES objections to the Federal Constitution were "political 
hobgoblins" in their literal sense, that the better argument was made 
by JOHNSTON. But JONES' ideal was more nearly the ideal of his age than 
that of JOHNSTON, and his objections were also prophetic. Gradually as 
the years passed, the importance of the Federal Government increased, 
that of the States declined. The protection of property rights by the 
constitution and the Government, so essential then, often became a 
menace thereafter. In fact many North Carolina Federalists swung over 
to JONES' party in the years after 1790. It is also true that JOHNSTON 
won in the matter of ra__fication: but JONES also won, for the 
Fayetteville convention met after the new government went into 
operation and after the first ten amendments had been proposed to 
Congress by MADISON.
  As history has for its subject so vast a theme as the growth of 
mankind, all historical writing has its limitations. In Mr. CONNOR's 
Revolutionary Leaders there appear to the reviewer but two. One is the 
omission of the long dispute between North Carolina and the Crown, 
which really dates from 1729, and which furnishes the background for 
revolt. The other is the evident limitation of space which prevents the 
inclusion of a few of the live issues between 1776 and 1789, such as 
the currency, the proscription of the loyalists, and the policy toward 
western lands. However the evident purposes is not to be all inclusive 
but to simulate, since the essays were originally used as lectures. As 
such they are admirable and should be widely useful.

**********

Charlotte Observer    5-20-1916
  
The Revolution in North Carolina in 1775

Transylvania, Craven, Anson and Mecklenburg

Proof, from absolutely contemporaneous documentary evidence, that the 
of the Battle of Lexington actually did reach Charlotte on May 19th, 
1775. The arrival of this news precipitated the Declaration of 
Independence on May Twentieth, Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Five.
                               ______
  Prof. Archibald HENDERSON has established beyond the slightest 
question of a doubt, with the introduction of the proofs herewith 
shown, that the date and priority of Mecklenburg Declaration of 
Independence are now clearly substantiated. – 
                     Ed. Note.
                    ~~~~~~~~~~
 From early youth I have cherished an unflagging interest in the 
history of this county of Mecklenburg, where my great-great-
grandfather, Moses ALEXANDER, settled in the early years of the 
eighteenth century, faithfully served the people as their first High 
Sheriff, and in later years gave himself freely to their service as 
Colonel of the County Militia to the day of his death in 1772. Had his 
life not been cut short, perhaps fate would have trust upon him the 
duty of issuing that clarion call in the first days of the month of 
May, 1775, which fell to the lot of his successor, Colonel Thomas Polk. 
The fact that I have no relationship, even in a remote degree, to any 
of the actors in the scene commemorated here tonight, clarifies my 
vision of all prejudice, I trust, and enables me, without suspicion of 
partisanship, to examine the classic problem with the effort to pluck 
out the heart of its mystery.
   I.
  During recent years it has been my privilege to make extended 
researches in historical archives in Wisconsin, Virginia, Kentucky, 
Tennessee, and South Carolina, as well as in my native State, with 
especial reference to events transpiring in North Carolina in the year 
1775. And daring as the act may seem, I have taken my courage in my 
hands and come here tonight, emboldened by the discoveries which 
illuminate and transfigure the events of that annus mirabilis. My theme 
is the "The Revolution in North Carolina in 1775," and the four great 
events which express and embody that revolutionary spirit in my 
research are identified with Granville, Craven, Anson and Mecklenburg. 
These events, singularly enough, all transpired in May 1775: all are 
illuminated with new and hitherto unpublished material; and all, each 
and every, express and embody the very genius of the Revolution.
  Like a Crusader with flaming cross, stirring to irrepressible 
enthusiasm the ardent loyalty of a people, came a rider—a rider from 
bleeding Lexington in far- away New England. This courier, as in mad, 
hot haste he galloped southward upon his continental ride, bore in his 
hand no flaming cross, but only a simple letter, eloquent in its 
simplicity. And yet—this news was the electric spark which in its train 
set aglow the patriotic spirit of a people, and culminated in the 
fulgurant fire of Mecklenburg.  At break of day, on the morning of 
Wednesday, April 19, 1975, Major PITCAIRN halted his six companies of 
royal infantry on the village green in front of the meeting-house at 
Lexington. Drawn up to bar his progress were Captain John PARKER and 
the immortal minute men, seventy in number, Spartan in their courage. 
In reply to PITCAIRN's haughty command "Disperse, you rebels, 
disperse!" came PARKER's classic command to his men : "Stand your 
ground, don't fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, 
let it begin here" The first straggling shots were followed by a 
general discharge from the English line: the minute men broke their 
ranks- and the mad shots  fired here and at Concord  were soon to echo 
through a continent—"heard round the world."
   Without delay, the committee of Public Safety of Watertown, near ten 
of the clock, on this fateful day, dispatched in hot haste express 
riders to all points of his compass, bearing this significant message: 
" To all friends of American Liberty, be it known that this morning 
before break of day a  Brigade consisting of about 1,000, or 1,200 men 
landed at Phips farm at Cambridge and marched to Lexington where they 
found a company of our Colony Militia in arms, upon whom they fired 
without any provocation, and killed 6 men and wounded four others. By 
an express from Boston we find another Brigade are now upon their march 
from Boston supposed to be about 1,000. The bearer, Isarel BISSEL, is 
charged to alarm the country quite to Connecticut and all persons are 
desired to furnish him with fresh horses as they may be needed.- 
Signed: Palmer, one of the Committee of Sy."
  This dispatch was certified by the committees of the towns through 
which it passed: Worcester, Brooklyn, Norwich, New London, Lyme, 
Saybrook, Killingworth, East Guilford, Guilford, Branford, New Haven, 
Fairfield, New York, Elizabethtown, Princeton and Trenton; and on 
Monday, April 24, about five o'clock in the afternoon, an express rider 
arrived at the city tavern in Philadelphia. The news quickly spread 
over the city, and the next morning, swayed by intense feeling, the 
people assembled in public meeting, as if by by common consent, at the 
State House. The first tap had been sounded in the grand march of 
independence: the time for organizing, arming, and if need be for 
taking the field had come at last!
  "Sunday evening (April 30), " wrote Richard CASWELL to his son on May 
11,"we arrived at Petersburg in Virginia, where we met the express with 
an account of a battle between the King's troops and the Bostonians" On 
May 6, the express reached New Bern, North Carolina. The moment is 
prophetic: it strikes the first clear note of that revolutionary 
uprising in this colony which was to find its patriotic culmination in 
the historic action of Mecklenburg patriots on May 20, 1775.
  II.
  The Colony of North Carolina, upon which this trilling news of 
Lexington fell like a thunder clap, had already signalized its 
revolutionary spirit in the epochal meeting at Wilmington, on July 21, 
1774—a meeting justly termed epochal, in that it was the first movement 
to provide for a revolutionary government, and that the delegates 
elected were the first elected by the people in any providence in the 
assertion of the right of moversignty of the people. Even the doubting 
JEFFERSON could say no less of North Carolina than this: No State was 
more fixed or forward." The record will show that this was a grave 
understatement of the case: for North Carolina stands pre-eminent as 
"First to withdraw from British trust In Congress they the very first 
Their independence they declared."
  
  The first overt movement in North Carolina defy the British rule and 
to act in contravention of royal proclamation proceeded, appropriately 
enough, from the ancient county of Granville, For it was Granville that 
gave birth to George SIM's "Nutbush Paper," which I recently discovered 
and published in the American Historical Review—the famous "Nutbush 
Paper," which gave rise to the action and tyranny under royal rule, 
known as the Regulation-grim precursor of Revolution. And it was 
Granville that set the high mark for the rest of the colony, on August 
15, 1774, in its thorough-paced Americanism—its instructions declaring 
"that those absolute rights which we are entitled to as men, by the 
immutable laws of nature, are antecedent to all social and relative 
duties whatsoever; that by civil contract subsisting between our king 
and his people, allegiance is the right of the first magistrate, and 
protection the right of the people; that a violation of this compact 
would rescind the civil institution binding both king and people 
together.

______________________________________________________________________

Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Sloan Mason - slomas7@comcast.net
______________________________________________________________________