USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina, V I pt 2 > Part 11
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Emissaries were continually passing from the Loyalists to the fort, which was being strengthened by new works, so as to make its capture difficult. Under these circumstances the people of the Cape Fear clamored for a new convention ;
1775 --
468
THE MECKLENBURG RESOLT'ES, 1775
1775
July C. R., X, 92
and the committee wrote to Johnston that "some enterpris- ing men wished to make an effort to take the fort, but were afraid of having their conduct disavowed by the convention." The committee thought that a number of men should be raised and kept in pay for the defence of the country, and that a convention alone could do that.
C. R., IX, 1235 Johnston calls the convention
On May 31st, Howe, Harnett, and Ashe, knowing of the death of Colonel Harvey, wrote urging Johnston to convene a convention as soon as possible, and in this request the New Bern committee concurred. But the Assembly was expected to meet on July 12th, and Johnston deemed it best to wait. When the Assembly was prorogued, he delayed no longer, and on July 10th issued a call for a convention to be held at Hillsboro on August 20th ; and he recommended a larger representation of the people, not less than five, so that each county elected at least five deputies, and the inequality of representation which had so long been a matter of vari- ance between the old and the new counties came to an end. Elections were held for the convention, but the committee at Wilmington could not wait for the body to assemble. They concluded that Captain Collett should not be suffered to remain in the fort, and communicated that opinion to the officers and committees of the neighboring counties. A great many volunteers immediately collected. On July 15th Colonel Robert Howe set out with a detachment for Fort Johnston, and the committee resolved that as many men as would voluntarily turn out should be despatched to join them, and that the officers of the several companies in New Hanover should immediately equip those willing to go on that service. On the 16th Colonel Ashe, in command, sailed from Wilmington.
C. R., X, 114
C. R., X, 93
Martin retires to the Cruizer
C. R , X, 97, 102, 108. 132
Rumors of this intended movement led Captain Collett hastily to evacuate the fort, the governor himself taking refuge on the sloop-of-war Cruiser, and he directed the stores, small arms and ammunition to be transferred to a transport that lay in the harbor, the heavy guns to be dis- mounted and the fort dismantled. On the same day Colonel Ashe, in the name of the people, addressed a letter to Gov- ernor Martin, informning him of the purpose to carry the cannon away from the fort. But Ashe also had another
460
FORT JOHNSTON TAKEN AND BURNT
purpose. The design to seize the arms and munitions at the fort being defeated by the quick action of Governor Martin, July it was in contemplation by the use of fire-rafts to drive the Cruiser and the transport from the river, or burn them, and preparations were made to that end: but that design was eventually abandoned.
The New Hanover detachment joining Howe at Bruns- wick, the entire force. amounting to some five hundred men, proceeded to Fort Johnston, and on the night of July 18th took possession of the fort, to which Ashe set fire, burning it so far as it was destructible : and the next day he burned the dwelling and outhouses belonging to Captain Collett, who was so obnoxious because of his conduct, especially his efforts to entice the negroes from their masters. The ring- leaders of this savage and audacious mob, wrote Martin, c. R., X, were Ashe and Harnett. 109
On the return of the men from the fort, they were met by a detachment of some three hundred volunteers from Bladen, who had turned out at a minute's warning. There was no hesitation. All were equally resolved. But the movement was hasty, and the fort speedily destroyed. Such was the first positive act in the way of military operations in the drama of the Revolution in North Carolina. The flames of Fort Johnston cast a lurid light throughout the province, and another impulse was given to popular action. From that date Governor Martin, expelled from the soil of the prov- ince, remained on shipboard. From his vessel he beheld with varying hopes and fears the progress of the Revolu- tion. The action of Mecklenburg greatly disturbed him. How far would the example be followed by other counties in annulling British authority and establishing an indepen- dent government? He was anxious to hear from the in- terior, from the back country, where he hoped for so much aid, and where he supposed the people were attached to himself personally. He was disheartened by advices that the "people of Bladen were pursuing the example of Meck- 100 lenburg," and that in the seacoast counties the people had chosen military officers, and were frequently assembling in arms. But a considerable body of Germans. settled in Mecklenburg, gave him comfort by sending a loyal declara-
1775
July 18,:775
The Revolution progresses
C. R., X,
470
THE MECKLENBURG RESOLVES, 1775
1775 C. R., X, 131 July
tion "against the very extraordinary and traitorous resolves of the committee of that county." And the news from Anson was encouraging. There the clashing among the people was, even at that early date, so violent and bitter as to be incipient civil war, and Colonel Cotton continued to send assurances of the steadfast devotion of a large number of Loyalists.
From his first arrival at the fort, Governor Martin con- trived to maintain some correspondence with the loyal ele- ment in the interior, and it being apprehended that he was organizing the Highlanders, the Wilmington committee early forbade any intercourse with him except by their permission. On July 3d, it being reported that Allan McDonald in- tended to raise troops to support the government, the com- mittee addressed him on that subject, requiring him to desist : and Joseph Hewes wrote emphatically on July 8th : "If the governor attempts to do anything he ought to be seized and sent out of the colony : so should" Judge Howard.
C. R., X, 86
Dunn and Boote
C. R., X. 93, 136, 134, 306, 673-679
Communications had been addressed by the governor to staunch friends in the interior to enroll loyal adherents and to sign association papers. Letters of that tenor had been received by John Dunn and Benjamin Booth Boote, two influential Loyalists at Salisbury. On July 18th they were put under guard by the Rowan committee, were examined, arrested, and, under the orders of Colonel Alexander Martin ( then judge), Adlai Osborn, Colonel Spencer and Colonel Polk, they were, at the close of July, conveyed by a detach- ment of light horse to South Carolina, where they were confined by the South Carolina authorities. A year later, while they were on parole, Boote took the oath as a supporter of the American cause, and Dunn became a good patriot. But in 1780 Boote joined Cornwallis's forces on the invasion of South Carolina.
C. R., X, 127
At the time of the arrest of these men. August Ist, the Rowan committee ordered that one thousand volunteers be immediately embodied in that county, elect their staff officers and be ready at the shortest notice to march out to action. In Anson the zeal of Colonel Spencer, Wade and their asso- ciates was irresistible, and Colonel Cotton and his loval militia were overpowered. Disheartened at the turn of
471
IT'HIG SUCCESSES
affairs, Cotton, with several of his most devoted friends. it out to report to the governor. and reached the Cruiser on August 13th, bearing evil tidings of their discomfiture. On their attempted return they were apprehended by the vigilant committeemen in Bladen, and subsequently, under stress of circumstances, took the test oath and submitted themselves to the authority of the congress.
At the end of July, it being learned that the governor The himself intended going into the back country, the Wilming- ton committee advised the committees of the different counties of his design, and requested them to keep a strict lookout and arrest him. The unremitting activity of the patriots, however, rendered such a movement too hazardous : but still it was the cherished purpose of Governor Martin C. R., X, to penetrate into the interior and marshal the Loyalists, and, 124 confident of his military prowess, try conclusions with the rebels.
1775 -
governor to be arrested
CHAPTER XXVII
THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76.
The spirit of resistance .--- Martin's proclamation .- The Congress .- The leaders .-- The conditions .- The people divided .- Efforts to gain the Regulators .- Proceedings of Congress .- Franklin's confed- eration .- Independence not the object .-- The first batralions .--- The minute men .- County courts .- The test .-- The money of the Revolu- tion .- To provide necessaries .- Congress adjourns .- Enlistment of troops .-- The safety of Wilmington .- The plan of subiugation .- Arrival of Highlanders .-- Provincial council .- Tories and Whigs .-- The Indians placated .- The Scovellite :.-- The Snow Campaign .- Howe marches against Dunmore .- Norfolk destroyed .- Armmed ves- sels built .- The ministerial troops .- In England.
The spirit of resistance
In the meantime the spirit of resistance was nourished August, 1775 by men like Hewes, who declared that "the powers of gov- ernment must soon be taken into the hands of the people." "The administration," said he, "has even tried to let loose the Indians on our frontier, to raise the negroes against us, . . and have sent a formidable army to cut our throats, and then abuse us with the names of rebels and cowards." "I consider myself now over head and ears in what the ministry call rebellion. I feel no compunction for the part I have taken, nor for the number of our enemies lately slain in the C. R., X, 8~ battle at Bunker's Hill. I wish to be in the camp before Boston, though I fear I shall not be able to get there till next campaign."
C. R., X, 145-150
Martin's proclamation
On August 8th Governor Martin issued a manifesto de- nouncing the leaders of the sedition and treason, and warn- ing the people against being seduced to their purposes. Particularly were Hooper, Hewes and Caswell. John Ashe and Robert Howe singled out for denunciation. His chief design was to appeal to the people to remain loyal. He
1775
473
BOTH SIDES SEEK SUPPORT
realized that the approaching convention was to be held at Hillsboro with the view of influencing the inhabitants of August the interior. and this effect he sought to counteract by skil- fully playing on the fears and hopes of the people. He dwelt on the faithful loyalty of those in the western counties. who had theretofore "resisted all the black artifices of false- hood, sedition, and treason," and who, upon his representa- tion, had "received the king's most gracious approbation and acceptance." Particularly he mentioned those in "Dobbs, Cumberland, Anson. Orange, Guilford, Chatham, Rowan, and Surry." who he declared had given him more "especial and public testimonials of their loyalty, fidelity, and duty"; but he tendered to all his Majesty's most gracious pardon on their return to their duty to their king: and he offered ample reward and encouragement to any who should deliver up to him the few principal persons who had seduced them to treasonable outrages.
The Provincial Congress*
Indeed. the efforts of the two contending parties were now anxiously directed to obtaining popular support. Samuel Johnston had counted on the influence the convention might exert, and to popularize that body he had urged the elec-
*The names Convention and Congress are often applied indiffer- ently to these bodies. It is to be observed that those of August, 1774, and April, 1775, called themselves conventions and were pre- sided over by a moderator. That of September. 1775, called itself a congress and elected a president. The first two claimed to be lawful meetings of the people, assembled for a legal purpose under the con- stitution. The object then was to remonstrate against an infringe- ment of constitutional rights. By September, 1775, the character of these bodies was changed. They were not mere lawful meetings of the people to remonstrate. They were revolutionary bodies, ordain- ing government and exercising administrative and legislative powers. Perhaps they took the name of congress to conform to a new Ameri- can system-making a difference between the former government and that then established. The authority of the British Government was no longer respected-that of the Continental Congress had taken its place. The people no longer claimed to be acting under the constitui- tion of the British Empire.
The Congress differed from the Convention in the manner of voting. In the Convention the members voted as in the Assembly, each casting a vote. In the Congress the counties voted, each county having a single vote, without regard to the number of deputies in attendance. In the Continental Congress cach colony had one vote ; in the Provincial Congress each county had a vote. and in the Pro- vincial Council each district had a vote.
17 ;-
C. R., X, 146
474
THE PROVINCLIL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1775 C. R., X. 165 August
tion of an increased delegation from each county, the number not being limited. Bertie had sent eleven delegates, Chat- ham ten. Dobbs, Wake, Rowan, Guilford, seven each ; Meck- lenburg. Tryon, Bute, New Hanover, six each; and the other counties five: the entire membership numbering one hundred and eighty-four. This enlarged representation re- sulted in the attendance of many men of the first capacity. who had not theretofore been employed in legislative business.
Sunday. August 20th, opened with the straggling hamlet of Hillsboro aglow with unusual excitement. Several stores, an insufficient court room, a dozen widely separated resi- dences, a church buil ling and a small inn for the wayfaring traveller constituted the village, where now were assembling the representatives of the people. At noon those members who had arrived assembled in the church, but immediately adjourned until the next day. On Monday, the 21st, at ten o'clock, one hundred and eighty-four delegates answered to their names, and Richard Caswell, just from the Con- tinental Congress, proposed Sammuel Johnston for president of the body, and Rev. George Micklejohn opened the con- gress with prayer.
Events had moved rapidly since the last convention in April-the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, the de- struction of Charlestown, the formation of independent com- panies, the organization of a continental army, the proceed- ings at Charlotte, the flight of the governor, the burning of Fort Johnston, and the expulsion of the royal governor from the soil of the province, and the cessation of the provincial legislature. The established government had ceased to exist. And so the convention was confronted with new conditions. No light was shed upon the pathway by past experience, but with resolution the members addressed themselves to the great questions presented for their consideration. It was the largest meeting of representative Carolinians that had ever assembled. The last convention was composed of but sixty- seven members ; this was near three times as numerous. The two previous revolutionary bodies had been called conven- tions ; this now assumed the name of the Provincial Congress. The others had not entered on legislative action; this pro-
475
PERSONNEL OF THE CONGRESS
posed to make hws to bind the people under the sanction of legitimate power, and to exert the authority of estab- August lished government.
The leaders
Although the thirteen counties that might be allotted to the west sent some seventy deputies, the preponderance was still with the east, and the vote was taken by counties. But Person and Penn. the Martins, Polk. Avery and Spencer, John McKnitt Alexander. Moses Winslow. Kennon and Sharpe, Burke, the Williamses, Armstrong and Winston were strong and mighty leaders, speaking the patriotic senti- ments of the west. The northern counties and the eastern. as well as the Cape Fear section, also sent their most trusted and experienced men. Such a gathering of great North Carolinians, forceful and determined, had never before assembled to take counsel of their liberties. Although the venerated form of John Harvey was missed, there were Sam Johnston, the younger Harveys, the Nashes. Caswell, Howe, Hewes, Harnett. Hooper. the Joneses, the Moores, the Ashes, the Sumners, Kenan. Owen, Robeson. Guion, Bryan, Lamb, Jarvis : and, indeed, all the giants of that generation gath- ered there to secure and maintain the freedom of their coun- try. The future. full of personal peril, was veiled in obscur- ity, but their hearts were brave, their course determined, and they had at least some light from the assembled wisdom of the Continental Congress.
The conditions
As yet hope of reconciliation was still entertained, and they were to make a last appeal for their rights as British subjects, professing allegiance and disclaiming any desire for separation.
But war was flagrant, and every preparation was to be made for the inevitable conflict. Proclaimed rebels and traitors seeking independence, they were to organize resist- ance to internal and external foes, while still asserting that they sought only those chartered rights they had inherited from their fathers as subjects of Great Britain. The old gov- ernment having passed away, its head a fugitive. and the Assembly suspended, the congress was to ordain some gov-
3775 -
476
THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1775 August
ernment to preserve peace and order, to administer justice and to conduct military operations.
The people were divided. Large bodies not conversant with the causes of the revolt, strangers to the hopes and fears of America, not in sympathy with North Carolina, had but recently located in her borders, while many thousands of the older inhabitants held aloof, not comprehending that their liberties had been invaded and that the hour had struck to resist British aggression. It was the computation of Gov- ernor Martin that two-thirds of the inhabitants were yet loyal and would rally to the standard of the king. To sever these ties it was the part of Congress to demonstrate the im- potency of the British Government and to manifest contempt for the power and authority of its chief representative. C. R., X, 180 Among their first actions, therefore, was to denounce Gov- ernor Martin's recent proclamation and to order "that the said paper be burned by the common hangman."
In like manner, to counteract the blandishments and the threats of Governor Martin, who, through his emissaries, endeavored to persuade the Regulators that they remained liable to punishment unless pardoned by the king, and that their pardon could only be obtained by taking up arms against those who were defending American liberty, the congress at its first opening resolved that every one of the late insurgents ought to be protected, and that it would protect them from any attempt to punish them for engaging in the late insurrection ; and a committee, composed of Maurice Moore. Caswell. Thomas Person, Kennon, Locke, Rev. Mr. Pattillo, Hunt, Burke, Penn, and others, was appointed to confer with those inhabitants of the province who entertained any religious or political scruples, and to induce them to heartily unite with congress for the protection of consti- tutional rights. This committee was to influence not merely the Regulators, but the Quakers and others who had scruples preventing their active co-operation. Person alone had affiliated with the Regulators, unless, indeed, Memucan Hunt had done so : but Penn, although he had but lately come into the province, doubtless was a favorite with them ; and Judge Moore had in 1772 held as a judge that they were not liable to punishment under the riot act ; as "Atticus," had severely
C. R., X, 169
477
OVERTURES. TO THE DISAFFECTED
denounced Governor Tryon for his "inhuman conduct" in relation to Few and the other Regulators : had visited James August Hunter at his home and had sought "to get him into favor again, and had promised to do all that he could for William Butler"; and doubtless had been instrumental in inducing the Assembly to insist on embracing Hunter in the proposed act of oblivion, the contest between the council and the Assembly over his pardon leading to the failure of that measure. Locke. Kennon. Pattillo, and Burke were, in like manner. doubtless influential among those who were dis- affected ; while the addition of Caswell. Thomas Jones, and George Moore to the committee gave an assurance that the congress was not merely seeking to persuade, but that it would faithfully observe the obligations which it assumed to give every protection in its power to those who would co-operate with it.
A similar committee was appointed to confer with the Scotchmen who had so lately arrived in the province, of whom more than one thousand had reached the Cape Fear within the past few months, and explain to them the nature "of our unhappy controversy": and still another committee, Judge Moore. Hooper, Caswell, Hewes, and Howe, was ap- pointed to present the controversy in an easy, familiar style to the inhabitants of the province.
These efforts were not without avail. Quickly following the appointment of the committees. there was a conference held with the chiefs of the Regulators. They had some scruples about the oath administered to them by Governor Tryon ; but some of them at once signed the test or associa- C. R., X, tion, others from time to time gave in their adherence, and 243 others still agreed to neutrality, so that as early as Septem- ber 9th apprehensions of danger from them were no longer entertained.
By the middle of October Governor Martin realized the C. R., X, 266 success of these endeavors, and wrote to the Earl of Dart- mouth : "According to my information, a committee was appointed by this Provincial Congress to gain over the late insurgents in the western counties, who had heretofore made to me the strongest professions of their loyalty and duty to the king and of their resolution to support his Majesty's
1775
C. R., X, 173, 174
+78
THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1775 C. R., X. 265, 266
government. as also to treat with the Cherokee Indians ; and my intelligence runs that this committee received assurances from the former that they would observe a strict neutrality, but I can learn nothing of its success with the Indians."
In like manner, the efforts to influence the Highlanders were attended with good results. Governor Martin continued : "I have heard, too. . . with infinitely greater surprise and concern, that the Scotch Highlanders, on whom I had such firm reliance, have declared themselves for neutrality"; and this result he attributed to Farquard Campbell, "who has been settled from his childhood in this country, is an old member of the Assembly, and has imbibed all the Ameri- can popular principles and prejudices."
Nor was the pulpit silent. Ministers of the gospel urged their flocks to stand for their rights. In Guilford, David Caldwell. the leading Presbyterian of the prov- ince, from the pulpit raised a powerful voice for unity of purpose and co-operation in maintaining American liberty. Succinctly and graphically he portrayed existing conditions and eloquently urged the duties of patriotism. "We petitioned," said he. "his Majesty in a most humble manner to intercede with the Parliament on our behalf. Our petitions were rejected, while our grievances were increased by acts still more oppressive, and by schemes still more malicious, till we are reduced to the dreadful alternative either of immediate and unconditional submission or of re- sistance by force of arms. We have therefore come to that trying period in our history in which it is manifest that the Americans must either stoop under a load of the vilest slavery or resist their imperious and haughty oppressors : but what will follow must be of the utmost importance to every individual of these united colonies. . . . If we act like the sluggard, refuse, from the mere love of ease and self- indulgence, to make the sacrifices and efforts which the cir- cumstances require, or. from cowardice or pusillanimity, shrink from dangers and hardships, we must continne in our present state of bondage and oppression . . . until life itself will become a burden ; but if we stand up manfully and unitedly in defence of our rights, appalled by no dangers and shrinking from no toils or privations, we shall do valiantly.
Caruthers's Caldwell, 283, 284
479
THE EXHORT.ITIONS OF C.ILDIVELL
1775
Our foes are powerful and determined on conquest : but our cause is good. and in the strength of the Lord, who is August mightier than all. we shall prevail. . . . If I could portray to you . . . the results of your conduct in this great crisis in your political destiny : or if I could describe . . . the feel- ings which you will have of self-approbation, joy, and thank- fulness, or of self-reproach. shame, and regret, according to the part you act-whether as men and as patriots, or as cowards and traitors-I should have no difficulty in persuad- ing you to shake off your sloth and stand up manfully in a firm, united. and persevering defence of your liberties. . . . We expect that none of you will be wanting in the discharge of your duty. or prove unworthy of a cause which is so important in itself, and which every patriot and every Chris- tian should value more than wealth, and hold as dear as his life."
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