Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-03-23

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country, at least, were left in State of anars
chy. The late Captain of the Town CompaL
ny, however, lost no time in converting The
citizens of the place and its vicinity. who had
formerly composed his command, and after
making short harangue, proposed that they
should form themselves into an independent
company, and elect their own officers, in def
ance OF all regal authority. This proposition
was highly relished and acceded 10 by all the
company, few excepted, who were Scotch
merchants and their clerks, when thew pro-
ceeded to head them, and most of their late
subatern officers, and Immediately went into
a course OF rigid training. But being some-
what deficient in the knowledge of Military
r tacticks, at this period. Robert Washington
was invited from Virginia, for the purpose of
disciplining this corps. He had served as a
British sergeant during the whole of the pre-
ceding War, and was well skilled in the man.
ual exercise and the various evolutions intro.
ducea into the Prussian armies by Frederick
the Great, whilst he had been previously train
ed in the antiquated discipline of Bland, an.
English author And thus, as the writer Of
this narrative believes and then understood:
was formed the first Independent Company in
America.
North Carolina, like her neighbor, Virginia;
and the other Provinces, had her Committee OF
Correspondence also in 1774, for the purpose
of lntercommuncation, and as soon as it was
determined to hold a general Congress at Phil
adelphia, in September of that year, appointed
her Delegates to attend that meeting. These
were Joseph Hewes, of Edenton, Viruous
man and an old and highly respectable mer-
chant, of great experience in merchantie COM
merce; Richard Caswell, of Dobbs County, in
the District of Newbern. very respectable
lawyer, and William Hooper, of Hillsboro,'
also a lawyer, and the most-pleasing speaker
| had ever seen at any bar.
The General Congress accordingly
met at Philadelphia, on the 9th of September;
IA, all the provinces being duly represented
except Georgia, which, for prudential reasons.
approved OF by the other colonies. declined
sending delegates at this time. The first thing
they did, was to enter into non-importation
agreement, whereby all commercial intercourse
between Great Britain and the Colonies was sus-
pended 1t was recommended TO the people to
discontinue the use of Tea, their favorite bever-
age, and merchants were forewarned not to sell:
1t was recommended TO the people also, to in
crease their focks Of sheep, killing lamb but
sparingly and then those of the least profitable
kind. They pettioned the crown for redress
of grievances, and drew an Address TO the peo-
pie OF Great Britain, ga production of the fn-
est pen in America" These virtuous and en-
lightened men continued their labors from day
TO day, for the general welfare OF all the pro-
vinces, with great moderation and ability, IN
til the 26,h of October, when they adjourned
to meet again on the 10th of May ensuing,
l775. In the mean time, North Carolina re-
elected the same Delegates. Messrs. HewesS
Caswell and Hooper, to attend this meeting,
and the House of Bergesses adjourned their
session TO meet again at Hillsborough, about
the 1st OF June-a measure unprecedented in
> the annals OF that Province, strongly opposed
by Governor Martin and his adherents, who
seemed 10 be alarmed at the idea of leaving
The Palace al Newbern, and going so far into
, the interior, to transact public business. How%
ever, as nothing had been done at that session
which met the Governors wishes, and as he
was, as ! have before said, rather of tempo
rizing disposition. and willing to keep the AS
sembly in good humor, he consented to meet
them there, at the time appointed. But in the
meantime the affairs of Lexington and Concord
had happened, on the 10th OF April, rs, and
the lives of our people destroyed by actual
hostilities, being thus wantonly destroye by
the British. Not only this Province, but all
America, was thrown into an increased fer
ment. The House of Burgesses, however,
true to their appointment, met at Hilisboro,'
but the aspect of affairs al this crisis, so alarm
ing TO his Excellency, caused him to pause,
and the longer he deliberated upon the awful
subject of hazarding his sacred person among
the hardy sons of the West, more than 200
miles from his palace, the more his mind be-
came bewildered and panic struck, and instead
OF. repairing 10 Hillsborough, according To
promise. with his council, faithful adherents,
and advisers, who, in imitation of the British
House of Lords, constituted the upper house
OF our Legislature, he flew off in a tangent of
more than 80 degrees from the point in ques-
ton, and with his whole household, while the
Assembly was impatently waiting his appear
ance, in order to begin business. and hastily
repaired to Wilmington, where he got on board
of Kings ship lying at that place. or few
miles thence, below the Flats, where he was
safe and thus abd'cated the government over
which he presided. Tyrants, despots, and
their substitutes, always evince a cowardly
heart, in proportion to their acts.
AS soon as this maneuvre was known at
Hilsborough, the Assembly took the reins OF
Government into their own hands, and evin-
ced 10 the world that they could legislate for
themselves, without the assistance of the Roy
al substitute and his council, usually compo-
sed of creatures of the Crown, selected for
their pliability to its measures.
Assembly at Hillsborough Finding they had
happily got rid of the Royal authority, in the
manner above mentioned, they proceeded to
take into consideration the state of the Colo
ny, and their obligations to the other Provin-
ces of mutual cooperation in this i1eipient
stage of our considerations, and instead of e.
nactlng statute laws, proceeded TO something
more substantial and requisite in the present
posture of affairs. Among their first acts was
to raise two regiments of regular troops; the
command of the first was given 10 Col. James
Moore, of the North West of Cape Fear, and
the other to Col Robert Howe, OF Brunswick
below Wilmington. And considerable sum
OF paper money was voted to be issued Tor the
purpose of enlisting men, and TO pay other ex-
penses of Government. They also so organI+
zed the Militia as TO raise some Regiments OF
minute men, and appointed, the Colonels-a
species of regular troops, who voluntarily en-
rolled themselves, without receiving bounty
or any other pay, except
FRESH BEEF MUTTON &c. &c.