The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-02-07
1.-THE First Armed Resistance.

The following communication pub
lished in the Washington Cd. c. Star,
of Jan. 18th, explains itself:
TO the Editor of tho Eosning Star:
The honorable J. l.. NJ. Curry, lex min
lister to Spain) in his most admirable
address on the COLONIZATION of our
States with more particular reference to
Virginia and the Carolinas,' delivered
on the 9Th instant, before the District of
Columbia Society, Sons OF the American
Revolution of 177G, said among other
things, when speaking of North Carolina,
that the ''first armed resistance to a
British armed force had occurred in that
State" and, as some of the audience
seemed surprised and Others incredu-
IOus when the statement was made, |
have thought, at this time when so
much is being said, and so much search
for information concerning 1.-THE time
that tried mems SOULS" that perhaps,
in the interest of the rising generation
and for the information OF some Others,
it might not be amiss to call attention
to the facts in this particular case. On
the 2Sth OF November, 1865, the British
sloop-of-war Diligence, Capt. Phipps,
arrived at the mouth Of the Cape Fear
river with the stamps on board intended
for use in North Carolina, and proceeded
toward Wilmington; but when she
reached Brunswick (now no longer in ex
istence), eight miles up the river, she was
stopped and the captain was told by
Col. Hugh Waddell, at the head of the
militia, with arms in their hands, that if
an attempt was made to land the stamps
he would Immediately order his men to
fire upon theparties making the attempt.
The captain, leaving his vessel, went to
Wilmington, and after an audience with
Gov. Tryon, decided not to undertake to
land the stamps, boarded his vessel and
went to sea without further ado.
This took place more than ten years
before the Declaration of Independence,
more than nine years before the battle
of Lexington and more than eight years
before the Boston tea party. The driv
ing back of this twenty-two-gun sloop-
of-war took place in midday by party
of well-known citizens, whereas the at
tack on the unarmed merchantmen in
Boston harbor was done by disguised
men in the night, and yet the tea party
is blazoned in school histories and told
of at Fourth of July meetings, and the
other more gallant and daring act is ig-
nored or forgotten. j. q. I.
~
ident in Washington, who kindly sent
the above clipping comments as fol-
lows, incidentally touching upon other
matters, suggested by its reading, and
whether we may agree with him or
not in the opinion he holds we give him
the benefit of expressing them in this
connection. He says:
hn 10
come across the enclosed clipping in the
be news to you it is true history OF our
news OF interest to a great many of your
readers. [ am indeed proud to hail from
such q grand old commonwealth, that in
my humble opinion has carved for her
self a name far above her sister States,
but upon which name we have permitted
the dust of half centary to settle, until
it is almost undistinguishable to the
rest of the world. Yet | feel sure that
the storm between capital and labor
which is rapidly approaching will sweep
away the dust and the name NORTH
CAROLINA will be beacon light to her
sisters.
| have always held a different view
from the great majority Of our people
as regards immigration OF any kind into
her borders North Carolina for North Car
olinians and their posterity, for it is to-day
of all the States the most truly American
in the Union. SO let her remain. All she
needs is to be let alone and given On
equa chance.
| am sure you will not agree with me
when tell you that | honestly believe
one OF the worst things that could be
done for the coming generations of our
State is the inducing to it of Northern
| or foreign capital, for it would sooner
or later make slaves of the great ma
jority Of our now poor but free people,
and import masters for them. You
have striking example before you now
i'll the management of the Seaboard Air
Line system of railways.
wish you could have been here and
heard Tillman's speech in the Senate the
other day. The large daily papers of the
city denounce it, but he spoke to Ia
crowded chamber and galleries, and
there were hundreds and hundreds who
could nOtgain admittance. He held the
audience as few men have ever been
able to do and was frequently applauded
from the galleries. There have been ex-
ira copies Of the Congressional Record con-
tanning his speech struck off every day
since it was delivered and the supply is
| now exhausted. Will send you one as
soon us | can get it. The next few years
very interesting history
A man is never SO anxious about