USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina, V I pt 2 > Part 6
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*At Wilmington the inhabitants gave Flora McDonald a public reception and ball; she was received at Cross Creek with great demonstration, martial music and the strains of the pibroch.
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CHAPTER XXV MARTIN'S ADMINISTRATION, 1771-75-Continued.
Organized resistance .- The Committee of Correspondence .- Will- iam Hooper .- The Wilmington meeting .- The cause of Boston the cause of all .- Parker Quince .- The first convention .- The counties organize .- Governor Martin's proclamation .- The conven- tion held .- The resolution .- Non-importations .- Tea not to be used. -The revolutionary government .- Committees of Safety .- In- structions to delegates .- Governor Martin's attitude .- Goes to New York .- The Continental Congress .- The revolution pro- gresses .- Cornelius Harnett .- The Edenton tea party .- Governor Martin returns .-- The Transvivania colony .- The second convention called .- Proceedings on the Cape Fear .- John Ashe .- Robert Howe. -The Regulators disaffected .- The Highlanders .- Enrolled Loyal- ists .- The Assembly and the Convention .- John Harvey presides .- The American Association signed .- The governor's address .- The house replies resolutely - The Assembly dissolved .- The last appear- ance of Harvey .- North Carolina at court .- Thomas Barker .- Governor Tryon .- North Carolina favored .- The battle of Lexing- ton .- Martial spirit aroused .- The governor questioned by Nash. -He is alarmed .- The negro insurrection .- He seeks refuge at Fort Johnston.
Organized resistance
To the dissatisfied colonists was imputed by the advisers . of the king, from the very beginning of the controversy, a purpose to sever their connection with the mother country ; but while that idea doubtless occurred to the minds of philo- sophic students as a remote possibility, it was not at all enter- tained by the people at large, who, born British subjects, had neither inclination nor purpose to change that relation. Among those who were casting their eye to the future was C. R., IX, William Hooper. Writing April 26, 1774, to James Iredell, 985 he said : "The colonies are striding fast to independence, and ere long will build an empire upon the ruins of Great Brit- ain," but yet he was not agitating for a separation at that time.
The plan proposed by Harvey for the people to convene an assembly did not at once materialize; but when the port
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of Boston was closed, in North Carolina as in every other part of America. there was a storm of indignation ; and the proposition was revived.
S. R., XI, 245. 246
June
The cause of Boston the cause of all
On June 9th the Committee of Correspondence received sundry letters and papers from the northern colonies respect- ing the oppressive proceedings against Boston. These. the next day. they sent forward to the committee of South Carolina, saying that they could only express their indi- vidual sentiments, but believed that the inhabitants of the whole province concurred with them : that they thought that the province ought to consider the cause of Boston as the cause of America : that they should concur and co-operate in measures agreed on by their sister colonies; that it was expedient that deputies should be appointed to adopt measures ; and that if assemblies could not meet, they should pursue the laudable example of the house of burgesses in Virginia-meet and form associations and put a stop to all commercial intercourse with Great Britain.
Movement for 3 convention
Some ten days later. on June 21st, the committee replied to the communication from Virginia, expressing the same senti- ments as in their letter to South Carolina. Agreeing to the call of a general congress, they said: "As this cannot be effected but by a convention of the representatives of the several provinces, we think that the conduct pursued by the late representatives of Virginia is worthy of imitation when the governors shall decline to convene the people in their legislative capacity. . . Should not our Assembly meet on July 26th, to which time it now stands prorogued, we shall endeavor in some other manner to collect the representatives of the people." These communications were signed by John Harvey. Edward Vail. Robert Howe. John Ashe, Josephi Hewes, Sam Johnston, Cornelius Harnett and William Hooper.
Hooper was especially concerned for the distresses of his kinspeople and friends. among whom he had been reared at Boston. and doubtless was a moving spirit in subsequent proceedings : but the general sentiment that the time had come for action was shared by Harvey and the other mem- bers of the Committee of Correspondence, and doubtless by the inhabitants generally.
419
THE FIRST PROVINCIAIL CONTENTION
Governor Martin, having on March 30th dissolved the Assembly, the next day issued writs for an election of new members, but informed the Earl of Dartmouth that he did not propose another meeting of the Assembly until the fall. And so the contingency arose requiring action by the people in their own behalf. On July 20st the inhabitants of the district of Wilmington held a general meeting, at which William Hooper presided as chairman, the purpose being to prepare the way for a convention of the people .* At that meeting a resolution was adopted appointing eight gentle- men of the Cape Fear to prepare a circular letter to the counties of the province, urging that deputies should be sent to attend a general convention at Johnston Court House on August 20th to adopt measures that would avert the miseries threatening the colonies ; and a resolution was adopted ex- pressing concurrence in holding a continental congress on September 20th. The voice of the meeting was "that we consider the cause of the town of Boston the common cause of British America."
Already the distresses of the indigent inhabitants of the closed port. whose business and industries were arrested and whose workmen were without employment, had appealed to the sympathies of the people of the Cape Fear, and liberal contributions of money and. provisions had been made, the ladies equally with the men manifesting their sympathy by generous donations. Parker Quince, a patriotic merchant, tendered his vessel to transport these contributions. himself going to deliver them. And now the meeting suggested that other communities shouldi make a similar demonstration of their sympathetic and patriotic interest.
At once North Carolina resounded again with the cry of "Liberty and Property." Meetings were held in various communities and provisions, contributed alike on the sea- board and in the interior, were sent to Boston by Edenton, Wilmington and New Bern ; and the counties responded with ardor to the circular letter of the Wilmington committee. The meeting was finally fixed to be at New Bern on August 25th. Every county except Edgecombe, Guilford,
*Governor Swain. in Appleton's Cyclopedia, attributed this move- ment largely to John Ashe.
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C. R., IX, 101€
A convention called
Contribu- tions sent to Boston
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Hertford, Surry, and Wake was represented by deputies selected at meetings of freeholders, the members of the Assembly being for the most part chosen as representatives in the convention. At these county meetings patriotic reso- lutions were adopted and committees of correspondence were appointed, which became the first nucleus of the power and authority of the respective communities in the manage- ment of local affairs in antagonism with the established government.
The voices of the counties
The discussions by James Iredell, Judge Moore and others, in the public prints and elsewhere, of the constitutionality of the courts by prerogative, which had been repudiated by the Assembly that spring, had brought forward anew the basic principles of the constitution, which now found ex- pression in the declarations of the counties. The people of Pitt resolved "that as the constitutional assembly of this colony are prevented from exercising their rights of pro- viding for the security of the liberties of the people, that right again reverts to the people as the foundation from whence all power and legislation flow." A clearer declara- tion of the sovereignty of the people and the sanction of government had not theretofore been made. Echoes of the same fundamental principles are to be found in most of the proceedings, and generally it was declared "that it is the first law of legislation and of the British constitution that no man be taxed but by his own consent, expressed by himself or by his legal representatives."
C. R., IX, 1030
C. R., IX, 1026
The resolves of Rowan contained a further sentiment : "That the African trade is injurious to this colony, obstructs the population of it by freemen, prevents manufacturers and other useful emigrants from Europe from settling among us and occasions an annual increase of the balance of trade against the colonists ;" and "that to be clothed in manu- factures fabricated in the colonies ought to be considered as a badge and distinction of respect and true patriotism."
C. R., IX, 1034
The freeholders of Granville resolved: "That those abso- lute rights we are entitled to as men, by the immutable laws of nature, are antecedent to all social and relative duties whatsoever ;" and "that by the civil contract subsisting be- tween our king and his people, allegiance is the right of
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THE PROVINCIAL CONTENTION MEETS
the first magistrate and protection the right of the people : that a violation of this compact would rescind the civil insti- tution binding both king and people together." The very frame and foundation of civil government had been exam- ined and was then declared. The common sentiment found expression in the Granville resolutions : "Blessed with free- dom. we will cheerfully knee the throne erected by our fathers. and kiss the sceptre they taught us to reverence," yet "as freemen we can be bound by no law but such as we assent to, either by ourselves or our representatives. That we de- rive a right from our charters to enact laws for the regulation of our internal policy of government, which reason and justice confirm to us. as we must know what civil institutions are best suited to our state and circumstances."
The springs of patriotism were yielding now the first streams that. uniting and swelling, in the course of time became the mighty current that swept America into the stormy seas of revolution.
On August 12th Governor Martin, greatly concerned at the proposed revolutionary congress, convened his council and issued his proclamation enjoining all of his Majesty's subjects from attending any illegal meetings, and command- ing every officer in the province to aid and assist in dis- couraging and preventing them : and especially in prevent- ing the proposed meeting of deputies at New Bern. But nevertheless the convention was held, and the governor liad the mortification of observing that all the members of his council except James Hasell freely mixed with the members, giving them aid and countenance, and apparently being in full sympathy with them.
At the meeting of August 25th* John Harvey was chosen moderator. Hewes. one of the standing Committee of Cor- respondence appointed by the last Assembly, presented let- ters received by that committee from the other colonies, and it was thereupon resolved to appoint three delegates to attend the general congress to be held at Philadelphia. There was much rivalry among some of the members to secure these appointments. William Hooper, who was one of the leading C. R., IX, members and to whose pen the resolutions adopted by the 1063
*A similar convention was held by Virginia on August Ist.
1,74 -
C. R., IX. IC20
C R., IX, 1056
Aug. 25,1774
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MARTIN'S ADMINISTRATION, 1771-75
1774 l'he dele- gates to the Continental Congress
convention are attributed, was the first selected, and with him were Joseph Hewes and Richard Caswell.
C. R., IX. 1061
Perhaps remembering how Parliament had yielded to the demands of the colonists and their friends in Great Britain eight years earlier. the provincial leaders may have con- ceived that now similar influences would again prevail. and that the mission of deputy to the general congress would be only a temporary employment. Thus it may be that for personal reasons this honorable post was particularly sought by those selected-Hooper, deeply interested on behalf of his Boston kindred : Hewes, largely concerned in his mercantile firm at Philadelphia : and C'aswell. desirous of revisiting his old home in Maryland wearing the high honors he had won in Carolina. But in any aspect. the selections were well made. They were among the foremost men of the province, possessing abilities equal to the station. Of the lofty devo- tion of Hooper and Hewes there could be no doubt: and although Governor Martin conceived the idea that Caswell was going with the current against his inclinations and judg- ment, yet he. too, gave every piedge of devotion and zeal, urging his son to take his musket and. exposing the secrets of his heart. declared that he would shed his last blood "in support of the liberties of my country." That Caswell sprang at once into the group of the most influential leaders and made a lasting impression on his associates in the Conti- nental Congress is beyond question. Indeed, it is to be doubted whether any other colony sent a delegation of superior merit to that body, whose amazing excellence ex- torted the admiration of the world !
C. R., IX, 1250
The intolerable acts
Declaring themselves "his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects," the deputies entered into resolutions of the most positive character. They asserted that any act of Par- liament imposing a tax on the colonies was illegal and un- constitutional : that the Boston port act was a cruel infringe- ment of the rights of the people: that the act regulating that province was an infringement of the charter ; that the bill empowering governors to send persons to Great Britain for trial will tend to produce frequent bloodshed. And in the way of enforcing a redress of grievances, the convention resolved that after January 1, 1775, they would import or
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STEPS IN REVOLUTION
1774
Muy neither East India goods nor goods of British manu- Hicture ; nor would they export any products of the country ; Non-impor- For should any slaves be imported or brought into the prov- tation ince; and after September toth they would not suffer any East India tea to be used in their families, but would consider il persons not complying with this resolve as enemies of the Retaliatory measures country.
The revolutionary government
The convention then laid the foundation for a revolution- ary government by providing that at every future meeting the counties and towns shall be represented, and recom- mended that a committee of five should be chosen in each C. R., IX, county to take care that the resolves of the congress should 1047 be properly observed, and to act as a committee of corre- pondence. These later became known as Committees of Safety.
The convention gave directions to the deputies to the gen- eral congress based on an unchangeable purpose to defend thicir persons and property against all unconstitutional en- croachments, and authorized them to enter into an agree- ment that until there should be an explicit declaration and acknowledgment of colonial rights, there should be a cessa- tion of all imports and exports ; and to concur with the depu- ties from other colonies in any regulation or remonstrance that a majority might deem necessary measures for promot- ing a redress of grievances.
In view of the precarious health of Colonel Harvey, Sam- utel Johnston was empowered to convene the deputies of the province at such time and place as he should think proper. And so a positive step was taken toward the revolution that was impending, provision being made for the orderly assen- bling of deputies who should represent the people and exer- cise the power of government over those who would assent to be controlled by the resolutions of congress.
Governor Martin's attitude
The position of Governor Martin was now delicate in the extreme. He realized that the power of government had largely passed into the hands of the committees of corre-
.
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MARTIN'S ADMINISTRATION, 1771-75
1774
C. R., IX, 1053
spondence and the provincial Assembly, and was greatly mortified at the falling away from his support of the mem- bers of his council and other gentlemen whom he thought bound by the ties of duty and obligation to oppose the revo- lutionary faction. He. however, ascribed the condition of affairs in North Carolina to the personal ambition of aspirants for the treasuryship rather than to a more patriotic design. At the election for treasurers in 1772 Johnston had been defeated by Montfort and Ashe supplanted by Caswell. Caswell had been one of his judges appointed by prerogative, and the opposition to that court the governor attributed to a purpose to render Caswell unpopular in the interests of a combination between Johnston and Ashe-a conjunction which he regarded as extremely formidable to the interests of the country and productive of further and worse conse- quences. The convention having adjourned, and there being no other movement of the people on foot, Governor Martin, in September, because of ill health, left the province for New York; doubtless also he wished to confer with Governor Tryon. In his absence the administration devolved on James Hasell.
The Continental Congress
The action of the general congress was substantially on the lines indicated by the resolutions of the Provincial Con- vention of North Carolina. There were adopted resolutions of non-importation and non-exportation, which, being signed by the members on behalf of themselves and their constitu- ents, became an association paper, which they agreed "to ob- serve by the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and love of coun- try." It was recommended that committees should be chosen in every county and town to see to the observance of the association by the people, and that the committees of corre- spondence should be active in disseminating information.
The Association. Sept. roth
McRee's Iredell, I, 227
The post of deputy was one of honor, but also one of danger. On the adjournment of the congress. Hewes wrote to Iredell : "Our friends are under apprehension that admin- istration will endeavor to lay hold of as many delegates as possible, and have them carried to England and tried as rebels ; this induced the congress to enter into a resolve in
425
COMMITTEES OF SAFETY RULE
1774
such cases to make a reprisal. I have no fears on that head ; but should it be my lot. no man on earth could be better spared. Were I to suffer in the cause of American liberty, should I not be translated immediately to heaven as Enoch was of old?" Such was the general feeling-a spirit of sac- rifice and self-immolation. The fires of patriotism were indeed lighted, and an ardor to maintain the rights of America animated the inhabitants of every province.
The revolution progresses
During the fall and carly winter local committees con- vened the freeholders in the several counties of North Caro- lina, and, conformably to the resolutions of the provincial and continental congresses, standing committees of safety were appointed. The earliest proceedings of any committee that have been preserved are those of Rowan County. On September 23d the people there took action, led by William Kennon and Adlai Osborn, and doubtless the inhabitants of Mecklenburg County were equally forward under the influ- ence of Tom Polk. the Alexanders and Brevards. On Octo- ber 4th the freeholders of Pitt met. and on the same day there was a general muster of Colonel Bryan's regiment of militia in Johnston. At Halifax, Willie Jones, Samuel Wel- don and their associates on the committee in December de- clared Andrew Miller. a merchant of Halifax, under the ban for refusing to sign the association. In the Albemarle region, Johnston, Hewes, and Harvey directed events, while Richard Cogdell. Abner Nash. Alexander Gaston and other patriots took strong and zealous action at New Bern.
The freeholders of Wilmington having appointed their Committee of Safety. on November 23d that body immedi- ately began to exert authority. Captain Foster informed the committee that a quantity of teas had been imported in the brig Sally by himself. Messrs. Ancrum, Brice, Hill and others, and the importers did not know how to dispose of it, and they desired the advice of the committee .* A letter was
*Extract from Letter Book of William Hill : "BRUNSWICK. July 26, 1774. "Messrs. KELLY & Co .. London, England :
"The tea. though repeatedly written for. is not come at all, but I need not find fault or make any objections now ; for the flame into
Tea at Wilmington
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MARTIN'S ADMINISTRATION. 1771-75
1774 -- addressed to Mr. Hill. making inquiry whether the tea might November not be regularly re-exported in the same vessel. To this inquiry Hill replied that. in the absence of the collector and the comptroller, he could not answer what they would de- termine ; but. said he, "The safety of the people is, or ought to be. the supreme law : the gentlemen of the committee will judge whether this law or an act of Parliament should. at this particular time, operate in North Carolina. I believe every tea importer will cheerfully submit to their determina- tion." Such was the sentiment that pervaded every breast-
which this whole continent is thrown by the operation of the Boston port bill will presently show itself in a universal stop to all inter- course between Great Britain and the colonies. . .. Though the want of the tea las for some time past been a serions hurt to mne yet 'tis now a lucky omission, as I am very doubtful our committee would have ordered it back. Bat I hate politics, and your papers are by this time filled with the resolutions of the different province -. town .. etc .. in America. It may not be amiss to say that they are sending large contributions from every port on the continent to Boston for the relief of the suffering poor." etc .. etc.
"BRUNSWICK, August 17, 1774.
"The tea I am as much surprised to see now as I have been dis appointed in the want of at these eleven months past. Had it come agreeably to my request. in july. 1773. it would have afforded a profitable sale: but it is now too late to be received in America. If I were ever so willing to take it. the people would not suffer it to be landed. Poison would be as acceptable. I hope you will not be surprised. therefore, to receive it again by the same ship. By this you will easily perceive how vastly mistaken your correspondents have been. in their opinion of disunion among the American prov- inces : and I can venture to as-ure you that North Carolina will not be behind any of her sister colonies in virtue and a steady adherence to such resolves as the Continental Congress now sitting at Philadel- phia shall adopt."
Mr. Hill added that he would "decline. until the present diffi- culties are happily over, further intercourse with Great Britain."
"BRUNSWICK. December 1. 1774.
"GENTLEMEN :
"The Mary luckily arrived two days before the importation limit expired : for. from and after this day, all goods imported from Great Britain are to be vendued-the first cost and charges to be paid to the importer : the profit, if any. to go to the relief of the sufferers by the Boston port bill.
"The tea of Ansrum & Company and Hewes & Smith was in- advertently landed: but they delivered it to the collector for the duties, and it is now lodged in the custom house."
"BRUNSWICK. June 3. 1775.
"The whole continent seenis determined, to a inan. to die rather than give up taxation to those over whom they can have no consti- tutional check.'
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THE COMMITTEE IN WILMINGTON
that the safety of the people was the supreme law, and that 1774 - -
the committees were to determine how far any aet of Par- November liament was to be operative. The people were asserting the supremacy of their will over the authority of the mother country.
At Wilmington the committee put a stop to horse racing, Rule of to parties of entertainment. to the importation of negroes, Committees Safety requiring them to be returned to the countries from which they had been shipped : forbade any increase in the price of goods, sold the cargoes of merchandise that were imported, paying the profit for the benefit of the Boston sufferers, and particularly took action to secure a supply of powder. Its leading spirit was Cornelius Harnett: but with him were associated not only the gentlemen of the country, but most of the merchants of the town. Throughout every part of the province there was similar action. The patriots were reso- lute. The merchants refused to receive any more tea shipped to them ; locked up their stock, never to be sold, and one even threw his stock into the river. Nor were the women indiffer- S. C. Gaz- ette, April 3, 1775 ent spectators of passing events. They sympathized with the ardor of their fathers. husbands and brothers, and were willing to make every sacrifice the situation demanded. At Wilmington they had contributed most generously for the Spirit of the women Boston sufferers, and doubtless in every community they were imbued with the same patriotism.
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