The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1851-04-30

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10 ze Edii~ effLs Hillssspsgl Rse~dsrs
Sik: Ii is much to be regretted, that
the state Of North Carolina has never
possessed good historian. Thence il
has happened. that her eminent patri-
ots. in the cabinet and in the field, are
unnotieed and unknown and thence
it is. that the most interesting incidents
connected with their lives. are irretriey.I
ably lost.
This State certainly had her full por-
tion Of men Of talent, when she was
British colony. during her revolutions
airy contest. and even after that event
ful period. forming an epoch from about
l7s7 to 1890. Many Of these enjoyed
the advantages ola liberal education.
but many were indebted. for their stores
OF knowledge, to the exertions Of yigo-
rous intellect. ayailing itself Of books
Of experience in the transaction Of bu-l
siness. and of extensive intercourse
with enlightened society. The speci-
mems Of genius, which appeared in the
prints and pamphlets of the epoch al
luded 10, were either lost In the ordi-
nary casualties OF peace, or DESTROYED
during the ravages Of the revolutionary
war. Yet these, important as they
might seem, are not to be compared
with the eloquence Of the Bar and of
the Senate.
How much Is il to be dcplored. that
means were not adopted to preserve
memorials which would cast splendor
over the annals Of the State which
would enable us to do justice to names
that once adorned her literary and po-
litical circles; aud above alt, to those
illustrious patriots who planned and
achieved her independence
The bold and animated discussions,
which occupied our provincial assem-
blies, which shook our popular meet.
ings, our conventions, and our state as
semblles. during the progress Of the
revolution, and the angry and obstinate
debates which succeeded the ratifca.
tion of the treaty of peace, were con.
signed to oblivion. All the actors in
these memorable and anxious scenes
have sunk into the grave; and we hav,
now nothing to assist us in forming al
estimate Of their moral worth and intel
lectual greatness, but imperfect hint
and broken outlines. caught from tn
representations Of those who have re
ceived them by transmission, and who's
second hand intelligence may be sus
pected Of being embellished by partial
ity, or distorted by prejudice.
| have, sir, been involuntarily led in
to this train Of reflections, by the pub
lication Of the proposals for compilin,
the lives Of the signers Of the Declara
tion of independence. 1t is natura
that native citizen Of North Carroll
ma should feel a solicitude that the de
legation from his state, whose name.
are subscribed to that instrument
should be treated with consideration
due to their high political career, and
to their successful exertions in the
cause Of civil liberty. The merits o.
PENN and the worth Of HEwEs are en-.
titled to historical notice, yet ! am Al
a loss, after the lapse Of so many years
! where to seek for the incidents of theil
lives, which preceded that ever memo
rable act that has immortalized theil
names. OF WILLIAM HOOPER, who wa:
the head or efficient member Of that de.
legation, some traditionary accounts
have come to my knowledge. These,
endeavored to preserve for the pur.
pose Of composing, at some convenient
season, volume of memoirs. The un-
dertaking is, however, too much for my
ability; and is certainly incompatible
with my business, and my numerous
engagements.
The fame ofthis distinguished states.
man has suffered more from the inju,
ries Of time and neglect than that ol
any Of his competitors. His political
life comprehended a wider extent ol
the exigencies and emergencies Of the
times than that Of any Of them and
his various talents were kept continu.
ally in action. Instead, therefore, oi
attempting to write memoirs of his life,
l have resolved to commence the hum.
Bile task Of furnishing sketches for the
assistance Of his biographer. These
sketches, written amid the hustle oi
business and under the weight of ma.
ny cares, shall appear, in series ol
numbers, in your journal. There seems
to me, sir, to be peculiar propriety in
selecting the columns Of your journal,
for the occurrences Of the life of Will
liam Hooper, The tomb of the patriot
is the shrine where offerings should be
made to his memory. The town Of
Hillsborough was his last and chosen
residence. There he enjoyed years Of
the purest domestic felicity; and there
his warmest friendships were cement-
ed by social intercourse. There he
poured forth the last fervours of his &C.
MUS; and there he last awakened emo
tions Of delight and admiration. In.
deed, sir, this is ground which, even i
it had not been the residence of the
signer Of independence, ought to BE-