GOVERNOR ARTHUR DOBBS.
A. D. 1754 TO 1765.
King George selected Major Arthur Dobbs, as Governor of North
Carolina; and at New Bern, on November 1, 1754, he entered upon
the discharge of his duties. He was a man of high temper, and
very obstinate in support of his views, but devoted to whatever
he believed his duty demanded. His greatest fault was filling
public offices with members of his own family and a disposition
to make jobs for his own benefit.
2. Governor Dobbs soon visited the new county of Rowan, which was
established in 1753, and included in its area most of the western
portion of North Carolina and a part of Tennessee. He found
Presbyterians under Rev. Hugh McAden, and Baptists under Rev.
Shubal Stearns, establishing churches and laying the foundations
of towns in a region where, but a few years before, no white
people were to be seen.
1757.
3. Colonel Hugh Waddell, of Brunswick, was put in command of
troops raised in North Carolina for the French and Indian war.
He had started to join General Braddock's column, but just
previous to the fatal battle on Monongahela River was recalled by
Governor Dobbs to repel the attack of the Cherokees on Old Fort.
This stronghold was built amid the western mountains to overawe
the Indians and as a refuge for the settlers.
4. Governor Littleton, of South Carolina, by his bad management,
had most wantonly provoked the Over-hill Indians into this
condition of hostility. His foolish and unnecessary interference
and cruelty had converted these usually peaceful neighbors into
sufficient hostility to make it easy for French emissaries to
obtain their active aid against the English settlers.
5. Captain Dennie, with his company, was also besieged at Fort
Tellico. Colonel Waddell made haste with his battalion and drove
off the Cherokees, burning their lodges and destroying all the corn
he could find. Another battalion remained with General Forbes,
as North Carolina's contingent in the expedition against Fort Du
Quesne. These things occurred in 1757.
6. In England the administration of the Duke of Newcastle over
American and foreign affairs terminated, and the first William
Pitt succeeded to his place. In every portion of the world
mighty consequences resulted from this arrangement. The fleets
and armies of Great Britain were animated with the zeal and
patriotism of that great statesman.
1759.
7. Of all the victories of the year, none was so important to
America as that of General Wolfe over the French at Quebec. It
broke the power of France in the Western Continent, and stopped,
in a great measure, the war waged by Indians upon the frontier
settlements.
8. At no period has the population of North Carolina increased
relatively so fast as during these years now under consideration.
Up to the death of Governor Johnston it had amounted to no more
than thirty thousand souls, but since that time had more than
doubled. In 1754 the exports amounted to sixty-one thousand five
hundred and twenty-eight barrels of tar, twelve thousand and
fifty-five barrels of turpentine, seven hundred and sixty-two
thousand staves, sixty-one thousand five hundred and eighty
bushels of corn, besides much tobacco, pork, beef and other
commodities.
9. The most discreditable thing in Governor Dobbs' administration
was his effort to procure the General Assembly to locate the
provincial capital on his farm, called "Tower Hill." This was
the place where the Indians had been defeated by Colonel James
Moore in 1712. He failed in his scheme, and Snow Hill, as the
place is now called, never became the capital of North Carolina.
10. He was often at variance with the Legislature, or more
properly, the House of Assembly, concerning the courts and
judges. He wished things arranged to suit certain men in London,
and the House resolved that this should not be done, and North
Carolina was left, in the end, with no judges but the justices of
the peace.
11. Even before this there was much complaint concerning the
extortions of public officers. Although the people were very
poor, the agents of the King and Earl Granville made them pay
enormous license and poll taxes. Francis Corbin, one of the
King's agents, was dragged from his home in Chowan to Enfield,
then in Edgecombe county, to compel him to repay the sums which
he had unlawfully exacted. He gave bail and promised to return
the illegal tribute, but instead of complying he brought suit
against the men who had seized him. The matter terminated in a
riot, in which some of the chief friends of Governor Dobbs were
concerned.
1765.
12. The Governor, being old, and weary of contests with the House
of Assembly, at length asked for leave of absence; but died at
his place on Town Creek, in Brunswick county, before sailing for
England. He was devoted to his sense of duty to the King, and
was in many ways deserving of public respect.
QUESTIONS.
1. Who tools the oath of office of Governor in 1754? Can you
give some traits of his character?
2. What visit was made by Governor Dobbs? How was the new county
of Rowan becoming settled?
3. Who was put in command of the North Carolina troops? How was
he prevented from joining General Braddock? Find Old Fort on
the map.
4. Who had incited the Indians to the proposed attack on Old
Fort?
5. Give an account of Colonel Waddell's expedition-against the
Indians.
6. What noted man in England had charge of American affairs?
What effect had his administration upon every portion of the
world?
7. What great victory was gained in America at this period? What
good resulted to the whole country from this victory?
8. What had been the increase of population in North Carolina?
Can you name some of the exports?
9. Where did Governor Dobbs endeavor to have the capital of North
Carolina located?
10. What trouble did the Governor have with the Legislature?
With what result?
11. Of what extortions did the people complain? How was Francis
Corbin treated, and why?
12. What is said of the close of Governor Dobbs' life?