The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-10-11
THE WAR OF THE REGULATION.
An Historical Sketch Iy tie Hon. ID. L. Srain,
being the substance of his address before the
NJ c. Educational association IA June last.
CONTINUED. !


CONTINUED
Col. Tryon convened his Council on the I'd April,
1868, announced the death of his predecessor, OK
hibited his commission as Lieut. Governor, took
the oaths of Office, and Immediately issued proc
lamaton, continuing the appointces of Governor
Dobbs in Office until his pleasure should be further
known. The King appointed him Governor,
Captain General and Commander-in-Chief on the
10th July He produced his commission before
the Council on the Goth December, and on the fol-
lowing day issued a proclamation dissolving the
General Assembly. He dextrously availed him
self of these successive vcissitudes and changes OF
the government. and subsequent less substantial
pretexts, 70 cvade meeting of the Assembly, and
prevent the expression of legislative will In relation
to the Stamp Act.
He met the Assembly for the first time in Will
mington, on the Sd May. After brief but favor
able reference to the administration of his prede-
ccssor, and a recommendation of strict inquiry into
the state of the provincial finances, he remarked,
'that he instructed to request the passage OF
bill making better provision for orthodox cler-
gy." He insisted on the propriety and necessity
of establishing clergyman in each parish, whose
salary should be paid out Of the public treasury.
He intimated the hope that his preference for an
establishment, and the established Church of En-
gland would not give rise to the suspicion that he
was an enemy to liberation. He assured them
that he was the earnest advocate of religious lber-
ty, but remarked that che had never known tOe-
ration urged in any country, argument to
exempt dssenters from their share of the support
of the established church"
The following extracts from the Governors cor
respondcncc. not merely present authentic and in
terestng information with respect to the early his
tory of the Episcopal Church, but show fully and
clearly the views which Influenced the first, and in
its ultimate consequences, the most important act
of his administration.
He had been so short time in the Province,
had enjoyed so little opportunity of observing for
himself that his mistakes with reference to the
comparative numbers Of the several religious de-
nominations, matters of no very great surprise.
Mr.. Whitfield, it will be perceived, travelled
through the Province, and preached in Whining
ton, in the spring of 1865. He is not supposed,
however, to have formed any separate religious So
cieties, and the Wcsleyans, IA religious communi
ty, had at that time organization within our
borders. The BaptiSts then, now, were a nu-
merous and influential body of Christians. Shubal
Stearns we'll known clergyman, planted church
on Sandy Greek, as caIly as 1755, which, about
this time, numbered six hundred and six members.
He was the immediate neghbOr Of Herman Illus
band, and surrounded by the earliest and most
thorough going Regulators Next, if, indeed less
numerous, were the Presbyterians, to whom, a
body the Governor comedies, on all occasions, a
high character for intelligence and conservatism.
Caruthers and FOOte furnish all the information
that can be desired with reference to their ante
revolutionary history, and 0bviate the necessity of
entering into it infinitely at present. The
Quakcrs were probably third in point of numbers.
The Epscopaans were mainly confined to the mar
thine districts, and were rarely found in the rural
settlements of the interior. They were then, as at
present, wealthy, intelligent and influential; but
perhaps not more numerous than the New Lights,
SO frequently the object OF the Governors reproba-
ton and scOrn. The latter seemed to h ave sprung
into existence under the influence of Mr.. Whit
fields ministrations, from Maine to Georgia They
ultimately united themselves with the Baptists,
and constituted most Jealous and efficient branch
of that denomination. They seem to have been,
at all times, active opponents of the established
church, and earnest advocates Of political reform.
The Honorable Society for the Propagation Of he Gospel IN
Foreign Parts:
"BRUNswIcK, 81 July l7G5.
GAS this province has received considerable advanta
from the missionaries your Society have sent among
the inhabitants information of the present state
of religion in this colony may not be unacceptable to
you. Every sect of religion aboundS here except the
Roman Catholic, and by the best information can get,
PresbyterianS and who call themselves New
Lights, mot of the flock of Mr. Whtfed but Superior
Lights, from New England, appear in front. These New
Lights live chiefly i'll the maritime countess the Pres
byterians settled mostly in the back westward
counties; though the Church OF England reckon, at
present to have the majority of all other scctS; and
when sufficient number of clergy exemplary in their
lives, orthodox in their doctrine, persuade them
selves to come into this country doubt not but the
larger number OF every sect would come over to the
established religion. can hear but OF five clergymen
in this province four of whom have missions
from the Society. The Rev. Mr.. Reed, of New
Berne in Craven county; Mr.. Earle, Edenon, in
ChOwan county; Mr.. Stewart, of Bath, in Beaufort
county Mr.. MOir, Itincrant Missionary. had an op
portunity in tour made through part of the province
to the above gentlemen, and must observe think
the three first well settled and established and be-
leve them regular in the discharge of their duty.
speak particularly of Mr.. Reed, much
OF him at the General Assembly. held ut New Berne.
really esteem him man of great worth. As this cOun
try is settled than 200 miles to the westward
of NJ. MOirS residence do not think the Province
ceveS any benefit from him itinerant missionary
for under that general license of preaching everywhere
he seldom breaches anywhere. This report have from
some gentlemen in his neighborhood the town of
Halifax. do not represent him immoral man.
but should think it advisable he might be fixed
parish agreeable to the incoSed Act of Assembly, the
purport of which is the great inducement of troub-
ling the Society with this letter Many efforts have
been made to obtain good clergy in this Province
but trial has been often cOwged with Obec
tons Incompatible with the rights of the Crown and
the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, they have proved fruit
less This Act, however atter myself is free from
material objection and therefore beg leave to
commend to the consideration of the Society the
advantages that will to his Maestys sub
jcctS by happy establishment of religion here. AS
have pledged my endeavorS get decent clergymcn
in this Province, earnestly hope for further
from the Society," by the increase of the
If only for term of till gentlemen
coming over might reimburse themselves the expense
of their voyage and first settling here; which is