Newhanover-Statewide County NcArchives News.....Wilmington Reacts to Stamp Act 1765 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com August 9, 2008, 1:34 pm The North Carolina Gazette 1765 WILMINGTON REACTS TO THE STAMP ACT From: The North Carolina Gazette - Nov. 20, 1765 Wilmington, Nov. 20, 1765 On Saturday, the 19th of last month, about seven of the clock in the evening, near Five Hundred People assembled together in this Town, and exhibited the Effigy of a certain Honorable Gentleman; and after letting it hang by its neck for some Time, near the Court-House, they made a large Bon- fire with a Number of Tar -Barrels, Etc. and committed it to the Flames. The reason assigned for the Peoples' Dislike to that Gentleman was, from being informed of his having several Times expressed himself much in Favour of the Stamp Duty. -- After the Effigy was consumed, they went to every House in the Town, and bro't all the Gentlemen to the Bonfire, and insisted upon their drinking, "Liberty, Property, and no Stamp Duty; and Confusion to Lord B-TE -- [BUTE], and all his adherents," giving three HUZZAS at each Toast --. They continued together until 12 of the clock, and then dispersed, without doing any mischief. And, On Thursday, the 31st of the same month, in the evening, a great number of People again assembled, and produced an Effigy of Liberty, which they put into a Coffin, and marched in solemn procession with it to the Church-Yard, a Drum in mourning beating before them, and the Town Bell, muffled, ringing a doleful knell at the same time; But before they committed the Body to the Ground, they thought it advisable to feel its Pulse; and when finding some Remains of Life, they returned back to a Bonfire ready prepared, placed the Effigy before it in a large Two-Arm'd Chair, and concluded the Evening with great rejoicings, on finding Liberty had still an Existence in the Colonies. Not the least Injury was offered to any Person. On Saturday, the 16th of this inst., WILLIAM HOUSTON, ESQ., Distributor of Stamps for this Province, came to this Town; upon which three or four hundred people immediately gathered together with Drums beating and colours flying and repaired to the House the said Stamp-Officer put up at, and insisted upon knowing, "whether he intended to execute his said Office, or not?" He told them, "He should be very sorry to execute any Office disagreeable to the People of the Province." But they are not content with such a Declaration, carried him into the Court-House, where he signed a Resignation satisfactory to the Whole. As soon as the Stamp-Officer had comply'd with their Desire, they placed him in an Arm Chair, carried him first around the Court-House, giving three HUZZAS at every corner, and then proceeded with him round one of the Squares of the Town, and sat him down at the door of his Lodgings, formed themselves in a large circle around him, and gave him three Cheers: They then escorted him into the House, where was prepared the best Liquors to be had, and treated him very genteely. In the Evening a large Bonfire was made, and no person appeared in the Streets without having Liberty in large Capital Letters in his Hat. -- They had a large Table near the Bonfire, well furnished with several Liquors, where they drank in great Form, all the favourite American Toasts, giving three Cheers at the conclusion of each. The whole was conducted with great Decorum, and not the least Insult offered to any Person. IMMEDIATELY, after, the appointed Stamp Officer had comply'd with their commands, they call'd upon MR. A. STEUART, the Printer -- (who had not printed the Gazette for some weeks before the Act took place, it having pleased God to afflict him with a dangerous Fever) when he appeared, they ask'd him, if "He would not continue his Business as heretofore? -- and Publish a Newspaper?" He told them that "As he had no Stamp, paper, and as a late Act of Parliament FORBID the Printing of any other, he could not. -- He was then positively told, that, "If he did not, he might expect, the same Treatment as the Stamp Men; and demanded a positive Answer: -- MR. STEUART then answered, "That rather than run the Hazard of Life, being maimed, or have his Printing Office destroy'd, that he could comply with their Request, "but took the Whole for Witness, That he was compelled thereto." His Excellency, our Governor, has been for some Time past very ill of Health; but we have the Pleasure to say, that he is now recovering. Circular Letters were sent last week by the Governor, to the Principal Inhabitants in this Part of the Province, requesting their Presence at his Seat at Brunswick on Monday last; where, after Dinner, his Excellency conferr'd with them concerning the Stamp Act: The Result of which shall be in our next. We hear from Newbern, that the Inhabitants of that Place, try'd, condemn'd, hang'd and burn'd, DR. WILLIAM HOUSTON in Effigy during the Sitting of their Superior Court. -- MR. HOUSTON, however, thinks that there was too much of the Star-Chamber Conduct made use of, in Condemning him unheard; especially as he had never solicited the Office: Nor had he then heard that he was appointed Stamp Officer, -- at Cross-Creek, 'tis said, they hang'd his Effigy and McCARTER'S together (he who murder'd his Wife); nor have spar'd him even in Duplin, the County where he lives. We are told that no Clearances will be granted out of our Port, till a Change of Affairs. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/newhanover/newspapers/wilmingt680nnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ncfiles/ File size: 5.9 Kb