The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-09-17

the North Carolina military institute,
Charlotte, to go north n get bids for
supplying the state with military arms
and equipments. (This list and all the
facts as to Lees trip. ETC., have been
published in this correspondence. The
list was prepared by D.. H. Hill n c.
c. Leo
Governor Ellis daily sent to the leg
islature messages transmitting resolu-
| tons adopted by various states north.
south, cas- and west. New York state
sent some resolutions very strongly
backing the general government Min
gled with these resolutions were ordi-
nances of secession as rapidly as they
were adopted.
January 18th David S. Reed was APP
pointed a commissioner to represent the
state at a convention of delegates at
Washington February 4th- .
George Davis, Ex-Governor Moorehead.
Thomas Ruffin and d. NJ. Barringer
were similarly commissioned The
next day Mat. W. Ransom. J.. L. Bridg-
ers and David l.. Swain were commits
stoned delegates 10 a convention at
Montgomery.
January 30th L. NJ. Gillian placed his
mill property, a twenty horse power
engine, at the states disposal for the
manufacture of fire arms or munitions.
rendering it free of charge. 1t was at
| High Point. The governor in thank
ing him, said: II am happy to find We
have noble spirits here in North Caro-
lima who are willing to make personal
| sacrifices for the good of their coun-
try. / would gratefully accept your Of
fer had I the power to do SO. but as
| yet the legislature has not determined
upon establishing a mandatory of
arms"
February LIST, the governor issued a
proclamation calling for the election of
delegates to a state convention to be
held February 2sth.
February 18th, a message from Geor-
| gia was sent by the governor to the
| legislature, b~espeaking for the messen-
ger from that state, Samuel Hall, the
highest consideration.
February 18th, in message No. IL. the
| governor sent in the proceedings Of the
secession convention at Montgomery,
together with a copy of the confeder-
| ate states constitution.
February 18th, a commission was is
| sued to Thomas L. Clingman as United
| States senator.
February 18th the governor offered
1000 reward for James r. S. Chapman,
the murderer of Matte Penix in Gull
ford county. Chapman was caught in
| Indiana. RequisitiOn was made for
him and he was brought back. He shot
the woman with a shot gun in 1856. In
those days rewards We're large
Under date Of February 9th Barrin-
ger, Reid, Davis, Ruffin and Morehead,
the special commissioners to Washing
ton, made their report. They met Feb
ruary 4th and from day to day there
after. Twenty-one states were repre-
scented. The result vas the adoption
by a majority Of seven sections as
amendments to the United States con-
stitution, n presenting them to con-
gress, then in session. The commits
sioners told the governor they could
not anticipate what disposition congress
would make of the matter.
March 14th official proclamation an
%nouncing the vote on the question of a
state convention was made. 1t was a
close vote, 46, 400 for and 46, SOB against,
the majority against being only 1874.
There were only eighty-four counties
dl ludt llIlle, ne ~"
The next entry in the letter book is
marked "telegraphic," and dated
Washington, April Is, 1861: call made
on you by tonight's mail for two regi-
ments of military for immediate SER
vice" Signed Simon Cameron, secre-
tary of war.
Governor Ellis at once replied: Your
| I;cnotoh &c rooaiuo1 o,S If oon,1ina
which it's extraordinary character leads
me to doubt, 1 ave to say in reply that
I regard the levy of troops made by the
administration for the purpose of sub
jugating the states of the south as in
violation Of the constitution and as a
gross usurpation of honor. I can be
no party to this wicked violation of the
laws of the country and to this war
upon the liberties Of a free people. You
can get no troops from North Carolina.
April 18th by proclamation the gov
ernor called the legislature to meet
in special session May LIST. He closed
by saying: United action in defence
Of the sovereignty of North Carolina
and of the rights Of the south becomes
now the duty of all.
April 14th Franklin Harrington, of
Pitt, was %pardoned in order that he
might join a volunteer company then
being formed.
April 18th Captain NJ. D. Grafton, Of
the Goldsboro Rifles, was ordered to
occup FIT. Macon, to pursue a peaceful
policy and act only on the defensive,
the governor saying the measure was
solely for self-defense. On the same
day Colonel Cantwell vas directed to
occupy Fort Caswell and Colonel John
H. Cook to occupy the Fayetteville ar
senal. AS to the latter Cool vas di-
rected to use force if necessary and to
give notice if more men or material
were needed.
April Goth Colonel c.. G.. Tew who vas
at FIT. Macon, was placed in command
of it, n directed to take charge of all
munitions of war arriving in Beaufort
harbOr; to allow no troops other a
those of this state to remain near there
and to permit no works to be thrown