Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-11-08
NATIONA1 INTELLIGENCER.
MITES ON NEW BOOKS.


MITES ON NEW BOOKS.
HIsroRIcAL SKETCHES OF NORTH CAROLINA, from
1894 10 1851, compiled from original records,
o6fcia documents, and traditional statements,
tCith biographical sketches Of her distinguished
statesmen, jurists, laUyers, soldiers, d'Usnes,
&C., by JOHN HI. WHEELER, late treasurer OF
the State Philadelphia, Lippincott, Grambo
& Co., 1851.
The Rev. Mr.. FoorE, of Virginia, states in a re-
cent work that men will not be able TO under
stand North Carolina until they have opened the
treasures of history and become familiar with the
doings of her sons previous to the revolution and
during that painful struggle. Then will North Ca
rolina be respected as she is known"
We have perused these pages of Mr.. WHEELER
with unalloyed pleasure. He proves, by authority,
and an accurate map which adorns the first volume,
that North Carolina was the first State upon which
the Anglo-Saxon landed, in 1884.
He appears to have examined with much zeal,
industry, and commendable care every author and
authority on her history from that date to the pre-
sent. We were surprised as well as gratlhed to
see in the book (which has of course but just is
sued from the press) an excellent article, cor
rected and improved, copied from the National
Intelligencer, in which it appeared less than
three weeks ago, on the life of Governor JOHN
SEWER, who was distinguished in the early his
tory of North Carolina. By the aid of Hon.
GEoReE BANCROFT, late our Envoy in England,
the author has had access to the colonial records
in the Offices Of the Board of Trade and Plantations
in London, and presents to US many rare and rich
records, redoent with patriotism and valor, never
before published, illustrative of the early times OF
North Carolina. This of itself renders the work
invaluable.
The archives of his own State, which were open
ed to his examination by an act OF the Legislature,
have been eyiscerated, and the record OF names
which he presents, even to our own mind, revives
many a long-gone associate, and awaKes "snough's
that long have slept"
Then the author, who is a native of the State,
and for nearly quarter Of century associated
with her history, in either legislative or execu-
tive capactv presents to us dates of birth, lives
and character Of her sons without prejudice or par
tally
His materials have been rich and ample, and he
has made good use OF them.
His documents, procured from London, as to the
affairs Of the Regulation during the administration
of Governor Tyson, the bloody :" wolf OF Carolina,
prove that in l77l the first blood Of the coloniss
was spilled in North Carolina by the royal troops
Of England in defence Of liberty. M.
His documents, from the same source, place the
Mecklenburg declaration. In May, l77o, beyond all
question or cavl.
His portraits of Dave, Macon, Castor, and
others are true to life, and show that in this quiet
and unobtrusive State some gems Of purest ray
serene" have existed, and whose services and vir-
tues deserve eternal record.
This work, too, presents an original design by
the Author, curious and unique. In the second
volume is plate Of tree, on which every county
is laid down with legal accuracy and correctness.
This alone is worth the price of the work.
It's dedication to Hon. George Bancroft to
our neighbor and friend Colonel Peter Force, to
Hon. David L. Swain, President of the University,
and TO the young men of the State Of North Caro-
na is in good taste, concise, chaste, and beautiful
To the good old State Of North Carolina doubt
iess the work is most welcome; for, although
early settled full Of incidents Of patriotism and he
roic daring rich in mental and mineral wealth, less
is known Of her history than OF that Of any portion
&c our Republic. This work fills this hiatus in
our national history.
Not only to North Carolinians, but to her
sons who have swarmed from the parent hive
into tts verdant valleys Of the West this work
VIII show the patriotism Of their forefathers, and
.1c pure characters of their mothers.
We predict for it rapid circulation: Of this
there can be no question, if its success is commen-
syrate with its merits and the industry which has
been bestowed upon it.
The work can be procured, we understand, at
he bookstores in this city.