Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-02-29

North Carolina had been backward IN pubhc mani
fesatons OF this character but be trusted that new
dav in this respect had dawned upon this County
and upon the State at large. Other States had
brought forward more prominently the deeds of their
revolutionary ancestors, while North Carolina had
been remiss and thus the historian had not done JUS
tce 10 the part she had taken. The oak in the
hollow OF which the Charter of the Colony OF Con-
necticut was bid to preserve Ii from beng taken
away by tyranical king, preserved with care
and respect--snuff boxes and other mementoes were
made from it, If The old Bridge over Moore's Creek
| had been in Connecticut every inch OF lis umoer
vouh have been preserved. 1t is time that the men
of North Carolina should do justice 10 the deeds OF
their ancestors and the position and character
of their State.
Mr. Ashe alluded briefly, yet clearly, TO the posi-
ton of things prior to the breaking out OF the reVo
luton--to the early stand in favor of liberty and IN
dependence taken by the people of North Carolina
to their resistance IL the tea-duy and the stamp act
to the seizure OF the Stamps at Old Fruns"lck'
and the action of the citizens in compelling the Stamp
Agent not only to destroy those in his hands, but al
en- o nromise never again to act in the capacity of
agent in such matter. He then proceeded to touch
upon two points upon which the histories SO Tar writ
len had fallen into error and done ustlce. In
very interesting work by Mir. Caruthers 1t is SAID
that The tories settled the west side OF the Cape ear,
from the sea-shore TO the head waters of the rVe-
The counties of Baden and Brunswick should not
be included in this They had bore their full snare
of the struggle on the side of the PATRIOTS and the
names of their men stood high in the roll OF the he
roes of the revolutionary times in North Carolina
&c
the anccedent circumstances and the resulting con-
sequences of that battle. Donald Mcdonald, Allan
Mcleod and Others had received the Royal commls-
sion TO raise the British standard among the Hghand
clans settled near the centre of the State, and embody
two or more Highland regiments, who were to coop
aran with REGULAR force sent from the North to Will
minston. and thus crush the popular cause In
North Carolina. General James Moore, an exceed
ngIv able officer determined 10 Illustrate this design
The Highanders were at Cross Creek. Moore en-
trenched himself at Rockfsh, some seven miles
below, on the West side of the Cape Fear
Mcdonald and Mcleod marched down on their way
to form junction with the troops TO meet them
here. but finding Moore in their way, they crossed
over TO the cas-, side. Moore ordered Coils. Lillng
ton, Caswell Ashe, and we think, Kenan, to dispute
win tnem Inc passage vi Dh0h 1el'0l "V NOA'o'' y
Ferrv They crossed above, where Newklrks
Bridge now is. The next stand TO be made was at
Moore's Creek Bridge where Ashe aud Ellington ar
rived on the Goth of Feb, and took up their ground
That evening Caswell arrived aso but yielded the
command TO Ellington, who Mr.. Ashe contends was
the real hero of Moores Creek, although the Cont
mental Congress only mentions Moore and Caswell IN
the resolutions of thanks, under the impression, no
doubt, that Caswell was the superior and command
ing officer.
The battle of Moores Creek freed the patriots of
North Carolina from the impending and portentous
dangers hanging over them at home, and left them at
liberty to Join ia the general struggle of the colonies,
and her sons were found in the ranks Of the Ameri
can army, doing good and honorable service in every
section Of the country
Much Of the interest of Mr. Ashes remarks arose
from the fact that he Was cognizant of many of the
facts by direct tradition from those who knew, and
who took part in the stirring events of the revolution.
Mr.. Davis spoke of the early manifestations of the
spirit of liberty in North Carolina-of the differences
between the provincial assemblies and the Royal
Governor, Martin-of the grievances of which the
representatives Of the peop pie complained of the large
amount of money collected TO redeem the paper cur
rency, some four thousand pounds than was re-
qured for that purpose-of the refusal of the Gov
to sanction act appropriatng this money for
the purposes Of the Colony Again, of the difficulty
in regard TO the Attachment Law, by which the pro-
pe1ty of nonresident debtors could be attached by
process of law in North Carolina. Gov. Martin re-
fused his assent to this, SO that Enlishmen here
would actually have 10 be sued in the British Courts
in certain cases. Again, there was difficulty about
the Southern boundary.
Mr.. Davis alluded in eloquent terms TO the stand ia
ken by the assembly and by the convention called by
the people without the sanction of the Royal authority
To the driving off of Martin who forced to take
refuge board ship Of war. TO the destruction OF
the stamps, which he said exceeded the doings Of
| the Boston Tea-Party, far event could eX.
coed another. The of Boston went at night, anG
= in disguise, to prevent recognition The men O.
Cape Fear, led by John Ashe, went openly, in broae
daylight, and without disguise, and they were mer
weIl-known. He exhibited document to show tina
associations had existed here against taxed tea Ions
before the Boston movement. He conceded will
Mr.. Ashe in assigning to Ellington the position 0
the actual commander, and therefore of the hero O
the day at Moore's Creek. He exhibited small
silver crescent worn on the occasion by Ellington
the visor of his cap, bearing the inatia!s of hi
name and the words 6 Liberty or Death" The mel
Of old Mecklenburg said Mr.. Davis, sent forth til
first Declaration of Independence, the soil of Ney
Hanover won the first victory of the Revolution
We cannot and do not pretend to give all the point
touched upon by Mr.. Davis, and even those TO whic
we have alluded, are some of them, fear, incor