Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-09-07
TESTIMONY TO GALLANTRY.
Communicated to The National Intelligencer.l
Executive DEPARTMENT,

Communicated to the National Infringement
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Raleigh, Aug. 49, 1881
SIR: have this day received from Capt A.. j. Law
renee Chinese flag, taken by you in an assault upon
the barrier forts in the Canton river in November,
1856 by the forces of the United States ships San
Jacinto, Portsmouth, and Levant as present in
your name to the State of North Carolina.
Having been apprized of your desire to make this
disposition of the flag, the last General Assembly,
by resolutions authorized me to receive it from you
in behalf of the State and at the same time 70 ex-
press to you the high appreciation of that body of
your gallantry the occasion referred to, and of
this evidence of your veneration for the State of
your birth.
Believing that I cannot discharge this pleasing
duty in a more acceptable manner than by transmit
ting these highly complimentary resolutions, here
with enclose copy of them as transcribed from the
statute-book.
These resolutions, am we'll assured, are none the
less expressive of the sentiments of the people of
the State than of their representatives who enacted
them; for they have ever manifested lively pleas
ure at the honorable distinctions achieved by the
sons Of North Carolina in every department OF the
public service Every distinguished action of the
citizen proves useful to the State in the example it
affords to the youths of the country, who are thus
apprizcd of the gratifying rewards that ever awaita
faithful discharge of duty.
This flag, so calamity taken hy you in the MAIN
ta,ance of the rights and protection of the persons
of American citizens in distant land, will be placed
among the valued treasures of the State, and will
be looked upon by posterity, impressing all who
may see it with the sentiments of esteem in which
arc held the brave conduct of the faithful soldier in
the service of his country; and to our youths, to
whom from time to time the story of its capture
may be narrated, will be told that it is trophy for
which the State is indebted to one of her courage
our CONC rhO ontprnd he of the country
when a mere boy, and who, without the aid of for
tune or the influence of powerful friends, won his
way to honorable distinction by his own upright
department and gallant spirit. Thus, sir, will val
liable lesson be taught them, exciting in their bos-
oms a laudabe ambition to emulate like honorable
actions.
Trusting that your career will prove o e of con-
tinued usefulness to the country and distinction to
yourself have the honor to be- very respectfully,
JOHN W. ELLIS.
Lieut. JOHN julius GUTHRIE, U. S. Navy.
Resolutions authorizing the Governor of the State
to receive flag rendered to the State of North
Carolina by Lieut.. Guthrie, of the U. S. Navy.
Whereas, John Julius Guthrie, a lieutenant in
the United States Navy and native of the State of
North Carolina official duty at the National
Observatory, Washington D. c., did, on the Goth
day of November, 1856, capture and carry off as
trophy of war Chinese flag from the first of four
barrier forts captured in combined engagement by
the San Jacinto, Portsmouth, and Lcvant on the
part of the American naval force and other vessels
under the command of Rear Admiral Seymore, on
the part Of the English, in the Canton river:
And whereas the chastiSement inflicted that
occasion was in defence of American and English
citizens residing in that locality and had the happy
effect of securing to them immunity from violence
and insult to their persons and property:
And whereas said Lieut.. Guthrie has been intlu-
ced by his friends in the city Of Raleigh and else
where to express willingness to tender this flag to
his native State with desire that she would accept
it as an humble evidence of filia sentiments and af
. fectionate recollection Therefore
Resolrcd That the Governor of the State be au-
thorizcd and requested to accept the flag thus ten
dered by Tient Guthrie at such time and place and
III sui, Nay aiiu may appear SUITABLY and
proper.
Rfsolred further, That he be requested in behalf
Of this General Assembly, to express to Lieut. Guth-
rie its high appreciation of his gaantry tina.
casion and this evidence of his veneration for the
State of his birth
Resolred thirdly, That the Governor be further
requested to make such disposition of the flag, when
received, as he may think this trophy of her son
deserves.
Ratified February Is, 1859.
True copy from the original
GRAHAM Dawes, Private Secretary.
Raleigh, August %, 1859.