The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-18

NN the sandy bank of North Car
olina the flag of England was
~ first displayed in the United
States Roanoke Island. between Pal
mco and Albemarle Sounds, afforded
the landing places to the first ex-
pedition sent out under the auspices
of Sir Walter Raleigh in 1884 The
fragrance as they drew near the land,
says Amadas in his report. was as II
they had been In the midst OF some
delicate garden abounding in all man
ner of odoriferous flowers SUCH, no
doubt, 1t seemed to them during the
first summer of their residence in 1854,
and Notwithstanding the disastrous
termination of that and succeeding ex-
pedtions, the same maritime section of
North Carolina has presented its pc
culiar features of attractiveness to
many generations which have since
arisen there and passed. away.
At what time settlements were first
permanently made within the present
limits of North Carolina, has not been
clearly ascertained. In 1922 the secre-
tary of the colony of Virginia trav-
eled overland to Chowan river and de-
cribed In glowing terms the fertility of
the soil, the salubrity of the climate
and the kindness of the natives.
In 1868 Sir William Berkeley, gov
ernor of Virginia, Visited the infant
settlement on the Chowan and being
pleased with its evident sign of pros
perity and increasing Importance, ap-
pointed William Drummond the first
governor of the colony of North Caro-
lima.
Drummond was, a Scotch Presbyte-
rian and inheriting the national char
acteristics of the people. was prudent,
cautious and deeply impressed with the
nf 1iharfU Such the niOnear
settlements and such was the first
governor of North Carolina.
At the death of Governor Drummond
In 1867. the colony of North Carolina
contained about 1000 inhabitants.
Great announcement was held forth to
immigrants from abroad and settle
ments steadily increased. They were
allowed to form a representative gov
ernment with certain limitations and
thus degree of popular freedom
which, it seems, was not intended to
be permanent, was conceded and had
an important influence in producing
the results which we now enjoy.
First Assembly
The first assembly that made laws
for North Carolina convened in the fall
of 1869. Here" says Bancroft, was
a colony of men scattered among for
ests, hermits with wives and children
resting on the bosom of nature In
perfect harmony with the wilderness OF
their gentle cline. These planters were
men led to the choice of their residence
from hatred of restraint Are there
any whohoubt mans capacity for self
government? Let him study the history
of North Carolina. Its inhabitants
were restless and turbulent in their
imperfect submission to government
imposed from abroad; the admnistra
tion of the colony was firm, humane
and tranquil when they were left to
take care of themselves. Any govern
ment but one of their own was oppres-
give."
Important event after another fol-
lowed one another in those stirring
times. One of great historic impor-
tarce occurred during the administra-
tion of Governor Tryon. on May 16, 1771.
The battle of Almance was fought 1t
is here deemed necessary to go into a
detail of circumstances that led up to
that conflict Suffice to say. the Reg
ulators, as they were called. suffered
greatly by heavy exactions by way OF
taxes from the governor to the lowest
subordinate officer.