The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-09-20
CHAPTER ".
the resources of North Carolina
ana the Continental Congress for
carrying on the war.

NoAi hhS OH Tie war.
The economic and fiscal condition
OF North Carolina before the Reyolu-
ton has been considered in detail in
the first chapter of his paper. 1t was
seen that on the eve of the struggle
Tor Independence. the credit of the
colony was almost a negligible quality.
There was little commercial inter
course with the other olonies or for
elgn nations. The paper money was
totally discredited. The provincial
OVernmen had broken faith with the
pubic regarding the redemption of the
paper issues time and time again. The
Colony was entering the war with a
bankrupt treasury. Such was the con-
dltion of fiscal affairs in North Caro-
lima on the eve of the Revolution. But
there was another matter of Sc
nous importance that arose which was
political in its nature, Vet its influence
was strongly ielt in cxery department
or governmental activity.
The disaffection OF a large number
OF the inhabitants had a very impOr-
tant bearing on the financial relations
of the State and the government of the
Confederation because of the fact that
they refused absolutely to pay any
taxes whatsoever. They also refused
to furnish any men or supplies for
the war and the State was forced to
compel them to assume their share of
the burden. To do this not ONLY took
men from the continental service who
should have been fighting under
Washington, but it required a large ex-
penditure of money which was sorely
needed by the continental treasury.
The Tory element was a continual
menace to the security Of North Caro-
lima throughout the whole war. In
1881, when Wilmington was in the
possession of the English, the entire
State was overrun by the Tories who
captured and turned over to the Brit
ish one of the State one Of
the delegates to the Continental Con-
gress and ever the chief executive Of
the State, Governor Burke. Under
such conditions the whole government
was completely demora1ized. The eX-
perience of the Continental govern
ment was much the same as that If
North Carolina. Philadelphia was
captured BY the British forces. and
Congress was obliged to find another
meeting place. As a result the gov
ernmental functions were more or loss
deranged. The question might hc
asked, "How did the Colonies manage
to struggle through the war under
such conditions?" The student of fl
nance cannot help being amazed at
their being able to accomplish what
they did under circumstances 50 dis
couraging. The various means en-
ployed by Congress and Nortn Caro-
lima in raising funds for carrying OF
the war which resulted in the achieve
ment of independence will be the sub
ject of consideration in this chap
ter.
In the same month in which the
First Continental Congress met at
Philadelphia, committees were ap-
pointed in North Carolina for the pur-
J pose of corresponding with the Provin-
cial Assembly and the General Con
+ nd - coo h . +
the resolution Of these two bodies
were enforced. The conditions were
such in North Carolina that it was
early recognized that every resource
must be carefully husbanded, and that
the people must practise a good deal
of self-abnegation if the Colony was
to make any material contribution to
he cause Of Independence. AS a
means to this end the freeholders of
Rowan county passed he following
resolutions:
sResoIyed That every kind Of lux
ury. dissipation and extravaganza
ought to be banished from among US
0Resolved, That manufactures ought
To be encouraged by opening SubScr1p-
tons for that purpose, or by any other
proper means.
sResoIyed. That the African trade is
Injurious to this Colony, obstructS the
population of it by freemen, prevents
manufacturers and other useful emil
grants from Europe from setting
: among US, and occasions an annual IN
crease in the balance Of trade against
the Colonies.
4 few weeks later much the same
action was taken by the delegates to
the Continental Congress. They
pledged themselves to fru-
gality. and industry. and pro
note agriculture. arts and manufac-
5 tures al this country especially that
t of wool: and will discountenance and
discourage every specie of ~extrava-
gance and dissipation. especially all
h~orse-racing. and all kinds OF gambling
cock-fiehting. exhibition Of shows,
nlavs and other expensive diversions
and entertainments: and on the death
of any relation or friend, none OF US
or any of our families will go into
any further mourning-dress, than a
HACK crape or ribbon on the arm or