Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-03-16
COLONIAL HISTORY OF NO. CAROLINA.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES BY COLONEL
Gu1LFoRD DUDLEY.

asa ANTIQUE motions of the manual exer-
else as then practised, in order to put them in
to the attitude for firing; several faggots
charged with cumbustible matter, and lighted.
were hurled by some dexterous hands to the
top of the column, which soon kindled into
blaze, and as soon as the fire and black con-
densed smoke occasioned by the tar, began to
ascend, which seemed almost TO reach the
clouds, the troops with their officers at their
proper posts were ordered TO fire volley with
blank cartridges. feu de joie fashion, from right
to left and from left to right. uttering loud
huzzas at every volley and this firing was
kept up until the pyramid gradually burnt
down, dripping the tar in profusion from bar
rel TO barrel. until it descended TO the ground,
where spreading itself in streams over large
surface, last of all caught in blaze which as
cended as at the top on heavy column of
fire and black, some of perhaps 80 or 90 feet
diameter, to a great height as before, and at
last consumed itself for want of more fuel
Whilst these sports and rejoicings were going
forward on the lawn, the merchants and others
of the more wealthy and hospitabe inhabi-
tants had provided some Hhds and barrels of
rum and other spirits which were deposited On
the first parade ground, with one end upward
and the heading knocked out F.; TO which place
the troops were then marched, followed by
the numerous spectators all shouting and huz-
zaing till they reached the spot. Barbacued
meats and other viands were also prepared
in great abundance, and every body who chose
Toasted, and all upon free cost. This pleasing
and alluring exercise of feasting, and merri-
ment being over, every body retired to their
homes in town aid country, after joyous
day spent as above described, without any riot
or tumult, but all in good humor with them
selves and the world. Thus much for the
Stamp Act and its repeal.
have already told the reader how the Duke
of Grafton as prime minister, and Charles
Townshend, the new chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, came into power, who Immediately
procured the passace of bill for granting
new duties in the colonies, to wit on glass,
paper, painters colors and tea. The heat of
opposition which bad subsidized upon the re-
peal of the former impost was now revived
with additional ardour, by the same principle
exhibited in its new form. AS might have
been expected, the new duties gave rise to a
second association for suspending importa-
tons of British manufactures. Uniformity in
this measure was promoted by the Massachu-
sets assembly, whose activity and persever-
ing firmness excited the marked displeasure of
the crown. They were ordered to rescind
their resolutions, and on their refusal were
dissolved.
During the administration of Governor Try
on, in North Carolina, a splendid palace for
his residence was begun in Newbern, the Seat
of the royal government in that province
The sum of EOS, 200 current money, equal to
So $50 dollars, was voted by the House OF
Burgesses for that establishment i'll the first in
stance This sum being gradually expended.
and the building unfinished, another call
was made on the House of Burgesses at their
next Session for a new appropriation, which
with some difficulty was obtained, perhaps to
the amount of $4,000 more, and the work pro-
crossed. But even this additional sum was
found insufficient for SO splendid building
with all its Offices, and Governor Tryon, with
the assistance of the influence of his council,
always obedient to the wishes of the Govern
or, and the mandates of the crown, who Joint
ly constituted the upper branch of the Provin-
cial Government, obtained from time to time
new grants, until the sums amounted to R40,-
900 or 100, 900 dollars-an immense sum for
North Carolina to raise at that early period,
which though extensive as to its territory, was
nevertheless deemed the poorest Province, ex-
cept Georgia, in British America This enor.
nous sum appropriated for the accommoda-
ton of one man "a creature of the crown and
his family, extorted by degrees from the peo-
pie, (whilst many wealthy and virtuous sub
| jects lived in tenements not costing $4,000
created many murmurings and much discon-
tent, throughout the Province, especially
among her hardy sons from Hillsborough, as
| far as her settlements extended to the West
whilst the people below, who possess
ed of more wealth and considerable black
population were better able to pay exorbitant
taxes, quietly acquiesced under these oppres-
sions. To add to these dscontents, the peo-
pie in the upper districts loudly complained Of
expressions in another form, arising from the
corruption and laxity of the Royal Govern.
ment as exercised in this Province. AS all
appointments TO Office emanated from the Go
vernon, who was the Kings substitute, he was
in the habit of appointing Sheritfs in the diff
ferent counties, who if they we're not already
his servlle creatures, were most likely to be
come SO in order to retain an Office, the gift o
the Royal Substitute, and that without taking
sufficient security, if any, for the faithful dis
charge of the duties of his office, and TO
his punctuality in accounting at the Trea
sury Office for the public taxes, and othe
fees always collected by him, and besides ma
king other alledged exactions not warranted b,
him of his own accord. 1t so happened, a
might have been expected, that many of Ties
Sheriffs, pulled up by the pride of office, an
the temptation of extravaganty squanderin
what was not their own, often failed and alb
seconded with what of the public money tina
remained in their hands. These taxes ono
collected already, because the Provincial &c
vernment could not do without its annual Re
venues, were again levied or eXtorted fror
the people and that through the negligence c
misrule of the Governor. Another grievanc
also these hardy people loudly complained O
was the exhorbitant and illegal fees the clerk
of the Courts and the lawyers exacted fror
those whose misfortune it was to be involve
in law suits, which if not paid without, wa
sure to be levied and collected by execution
without the smallest chance of escape, unles
they prevented it by force of arms; and thes
men driven to despair by the acts of these
censed knaves and oPpreSsors, at last had II
course to acts of resistance and violence, tn
dernier resort of the oppressed everywhere
= This at last, after a forbearance of three {
: four years, brought about that state of insu
;, rection, which in North Carolina was so en-
d phatically called the :" Regulation" Thes
e Regulators as they styled themselves, evt
e rywhere apprehended the obnoxious Sheriff
l. Clerks of Courts, and lawyers, some of who
n they severely chastised with stripes and othe
d wise maltreated, in many places, such for il