The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-05-13
CAPE FEAR HISTORY
The Manner I'm Which the Stamp Act
Was Resisted i'm North Carolina.

On the 9th Of June 1855 the honored
and beloved son OF the Cape Fear,
George Davis, addressed the two liter
airy societies OF the University of North
Carolina in part as follows:
When the Stamn Act was introduced
into Parliament, tho men of the Cape
Fear watched it's progress as men
watch h storm which they know is to
burst in fury on their heads; but they
watch without fear and with manly
hearts. When the news of it's passage
came across the-water, their Chevalier
Bayard, John Ashe, was Speaker of the
House. He boldly proclaimed to the
Governor that he would resist it into
death and that his people would stand
by him in the sacred cause Zones Def.
no Car, 2D. Did he miscalculate the
spirit Of his people? Had he read them
Alright? Let us see."
In the first OF the year 1866 the sloop
OF war Diligence, arrived in the Cape
Fear, bringing the stamps. The proc
.amation Of Governor Tryon announce
ing her arrival and directing all per-
sons authorized to distribute them to ap
ply to her commander, is dated the 9Th
or January in that year. Now look
what shall happen. She floats as gaily
up the river as though she came upon
an errand of grace, with sails all set.
and the cross of st. George Haunting
apeak, and her cannon frown upon the
rebellious little town of Brunswick as
she yaws to her anchor. People of the
Cape Fear, the issue is before you!
The paw of the lion is on your heads
the terrible lion OF England! Will We
crouch submissively, or redeem the hon
or that was pledged for you? Ye have
spoken brave words about the rights Of
the people. Have ye acts as brave?
| All, gentlemen, there were men in North
Carolina in those days."
Scarcely had the Stamp ship crossed
the bar. when Colonel d was
watching her from the land. He sent
a message to Wilmington to his friend
Colonel Ashe. And as she rounded to
her anchor opposite the custom house
at Brunswick, they stood upon the
shore with two companies OF friends
and gallant yoemen at their backs.
Beware John AsheI Hugh Waddell,
take heed! Consider we'll brave gen
tlemeI. the perilous issue that you
dare. Remember that armed resistance
to the Kings authority is Treason. In
his sByce. at Wilmington. but a few
miles off, the Wolf of Carolina" Name
given to Tryon by the Indians) is al
ready chatting against you. And know
you not that yonder, across the water,
England still keeps the Tower. the
Traitors Gate. the Scaffold and the
Axe? Full we'll they know but
They have set their lives upon the
crest,
And now must stand the hazard of the
die"
BY threats OF violence they intimidate
the commander of the sloop, and he
promises not to land the stamps. They
seize the vessels boat, and hosting a
mast and flag, mount it upon a cart,
and march in triumph to Wilmington.
Upon their arrival the town is illumi-
mated. Next day, with Colonel Ashe at
their head, the people go in crowds to
Governors house and demand of him
James Houston, the Stamp Master.
Upon his refusal to deliver him up,
forthwith they set about to burn the
house over his head. Terrified, the
Governor at length complies, and
Houston is conducted to the market
house, where, in the presence of the
assembled people he is mad to take a
solemn oath never to execute the du-
ties Of his office. Three glad hurrahs
ring through the old Market house and
the Stamp Act falls still-born in North
| Carolina. Zones, 24-25; Wheeler 1-51).
| And this was more than ten years be-
fore the Declaration of Independence,
and more than nine before the Battle
OF Lexington, and nearly eight years
before the Boston Tea Party. The de-
struction of the tea was done in the
night, but men in disguise. And his
tory blazons it, and New England
boasts of it, and the fame of it is world
wide. But this other act, more gallant
and more daring, lone in open day, by
we'll known men, with arms in their
hands and under the Kings flag who
remembers, or who tells of it? When
will history do justice to North Carroll
ma? Never, until some faithful and
loving son of her own shall grid his
loins to the task, with unwearied in
dustry and unf1inching devotion to the
honor of his dear old mother j. 5.