Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-04-16

tic affection, and of the purest private morals
Ambition, PRIDE disappointed aspirations unbalanced
of the strongest and most muscular minds the country
has ever seen.
A native OF Orange county, n. c., Mr.. Benton was 76
years of age on the 18th of last month He abored to
the last at his Abrdgement of the Debates of Congress-
SANDER.
BSg~The last Fayetteville Observer called attention to
an imputaton upon the revolutionary patriotism Of
Wilmington, contained in letter from Gov. Rutledge
reproduced in the April number of RsscWs Magazine
published in Charleston S. C. The annexed communi-
cation has since been placed at disposal by gentle
man of this place. to whom the good fame of his native
town dear, and whose tastes and studies especially
qualify him for the duty which he successfully dschar
ge If there be warmth Of feeling in his vindcaton Of
his native town and State it is surely natural under the
circumstances We know that few men place higher
estimate upon the many noble qualities of Southern
neghbOrs than does correspondent while at the same
time no one has less tolerance for that too prevalent
tone Of arrogant assumption which SEXES upon
nearly every opportunity to claim for themselves
all the credit and to ignore or depreclate the
claims of North Carolina and North Caroinians In
deed in the eyes Of of the superarrogant chvaly
there but State worthy of the Carolina name-they
speak of their own State Carolina with qualifying
term We happy to say that these gentlemen do not
comprise the whole State of South Carolina the half
Ori-nor the tenth part of it. We knoaO this, but still
these hghtaking individuals have the power of keeping
up o certain show of speaking for the State and the
ability to excite prejudice and to do injustice
For the Journal
In letter written by Gov. Rutledge from HlsbOrO, N.
Co. February 10th, 1884, that appears in Russes Magazine
S tha Of
Wilmington About II days ago. 300 400 British troops
took possession of Wilmington Six of the towns people
left it, the rest received the enemy with three Huzzas.
Now, it is hardly possible that Ruedge, at remote
point twelve days after the event. could be accurately
sessed of the facts.
Fortunately for the good fame of Wilmington, we have
narrative of its capture by eyewitness equally emf
nent with utedge patriot, and his superior scho
and writer In letter to Judge Irede dated February
18th, 1871, William Hooper states The enemy are about
$50 strong commanded by Major Craig late Major and AID
utant to Gen. Burgoyne escorted by certain Dubois
FrenChman of the of Treville, who left Wilmington
and Charleston about three weeks ago. The troops
escorted by the Blonde, of SO guns the Delight of
guns Otter l6 guns and two three gaes, bearing
Is Founders. II lbs. and 1G lbs. The whole feet make
about eighteen i'll number"
That small, unfortfed town. unprotected by single com
pany of soldiers and taken by SURPRISE should have
dered scarcely amatter of wonder butt very astonish
ing that Hooper should have omitted suppressed gn
cant an incident as the three huzzas"
Macaine and other patriots equally silent as to
important tdc The story heard for the first time
North Carolina.
Is it not barely possible that Rutedge mortified
too ready submission of his State glad have 9th
er participate i'll the shame Do not the records Of the
create more than suspicion that South Caronans had
ready for reports dscredabe to people, and looked
upon them not with generosity and affection but with jeal
ousy! In spirit of selfshness they prompt to avail
of l,utc
grateful return. When the enemy attacked Suivans Is
land detachment of North Carolina Regulars aided Col
Thompson and his South Carolina Rangers repe two
eral attempts at Judgement upon the Island while the 9th
er troops from North Carolina not actually engaged
dered important service by their The General
Lee, said of them: know which corps have thu
greatest reason tobe pleased WITH Mughenbergs Vrgnans
the North Carolina trOOps-they both equally alert
Jealous and spirited Now how did generous South Caro-
lima requite the service? In letter to Irede dated Dec
l7th 177S Hooper states Our troops go to the South
ward return; soldier made farmer lost thu
South CarOinans will requite heretofore they viii
take advantage of the necessities of our when they
amongst them and by supplying wants which they can very
hldely excite, they will entrap all countrymen into
their Regiments. Gen. Chas Lee, in letter to the
Board of Ordnance and War, Savannah Aug 24h, I776
says: boats, wagons horses, drugs clothing skins
necessaries-euen de refreshments, such fruit gar
den stuff wanted for soldiers no price being regua
ted, the eXtorton is monsrous. The Virgnians anC
North Caromians are so much of temper with Charles
ton on this head that should it be again attacked and the
assistance of these troops be again requisite afraid
shall find dangerous repugnance in them to march, whe1
ordered Early in the war; the successive promotions in
the Continental Line of Generals Moore and Howe over So
Carolina rivals had excited the dispeasure of that State
Now not these facts sufficient to convict South Carroll
mans of unriendly feeling to North Carolina? Are tbex
not sufficient to set them aside witnesses against North
Carolina patriotsm But not to press this view Of
the subject charaby, simply suppose, that Rut
LEDGE like all exes in Distress credulous and has
lylistened to- and repeated an idle story.