AFTER THE STORM.
A. D. 1815 TO 1821.
When hostilities ceased it seemed a great thing to the people
of North Carolina once more to enjoy the full benefits of trade
and commerce. British cruisers had made all foreign commodities
very scarce and costly. Salt had been made on the seacoast in
limited quantities, but of inferior quality. It was, therefore,
gratifying to the people to see the stores again filled with
goods of every description.
2. When this period of its history had been reached, the State
was divided into sixty-two counties. Each of these sent annually
to the General Assembly one Senator and two members of the House
of Commons. Edenton, New Bern, Wilmington, Fayetteville,
Hillsboro, Halifax and Salisbury were called "borough towns";
and, by virtue of this superior dignity, each sent, in addition
to the county members, a representative to the lower House of
Assembly.
3. The Moravian settlement at Salem had prospered, and though no
great numbers of that sect had come over from Europe, yet much
wisdom and thrift were seen in the affairs of Wachovia. A female
seminary of real excellence and great popularity had been founded
in 1804, and young ladies from all the Southern States were
receiving a good education in this retired and healthful region.
4. Raleigh then contained about eight hundred people:
Fayetteville twice as many. Wilmington and New Bern were the
largest and most important towns in the State, but were still
limited in population and trade. Edenton and Halifax had each
lost importance, and many villages were surpassing them both in
number of inhabitants and in extent of trade.
1819.
5. Dr. Joseph Caldwell had been, for many years, President of the
University. He came from New Jersey to make North Carolina his
future home, and gave the State of his adoption so laborious and
useful a devotion that his name will be cherished in its limits
so long as learning and patriotism are valued He was not only
making the college famous for the excellence of its appointments,
but internal improvement was advocated by him so intelligently
and zealously that the general apathy on the two great subjects
of education and intercommunication was passing away.
6. The churches were likewise providing for increased effect
among the people. The Methodist conference was each year adding
to the number of its churches and itinerant preachers. The
Baptists had added the "Chowan" as a coadjutor to similar bodies
known as "Sandy Creek" and "Kehukee" Associations.
7. The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, in 1816, perfected
its organization by the election and consecration of Bishop John
Stark Ravenscroft. He was a man of strong character and eminent
piety and usefulness. As a preacher, he was held in equal
reverence with another distinguished divine of that day, the Rev.
John Kerr, of Caswell, a leader among the Baptists.
[NOTE--In 1827, Dr. Caldwell delivered an exceedingly able address
before the Legislature, on the subject of railways, and a
considerable interest was awakened. The first railway in the
United States was built in 1826. This was in Massachusetts, and
was only two miles long. It was known as the "Quincey Railroad."
The first passenger railway was the Baltimore and Ohio road,
fifteen miles long, and was regularly opened in 1830. The cars
were drawn by horses until the next year, when a locomotive was
used.]
8. The Presbyterian Synod also contained many able and excellent
ministers. Rev. Drs. Samuel E. McCorkle, David Caldwell and
James Hall were greatly esteemed for their learning; and
devotion. This church was specially active and efficient in
refuting the teachings of the French atheists.
9. William Gaston and Bartlett Yancey were leaders among the
statesmen of North Carolina at this period. They were both
greatly distinguished for eloquence and ability. For purity of
character they had not been surpassed in all our annals. Another
James Iredell had arisen in Chowan county, and in Craven were
John Stanly and young George E. Badger. In Caswell appeared
Romulus M. Saunders, another young lawyer of fine abilities, who
became a distinguished citizen of the State.
10. The establishment of the Supreme Court, in 1818, on its
present basis, was largely the work of Bartlett Yancey. John
Louis Taylor, the Chief-Justice, with Leonard Henderson and John
Hall, as Associates, constituted a tribunal which was soon to win
the veneration of American lawyers.
1820.
11. This has been called the era of "Good Feeling" in American
politics. But the question of slavery in the Territories was
fast assuming a dangerous importance.
12. The Northern States objected to the admission of any more
slave States. The Southern would consent to no such prohibition.
The storm grew louder, until it was temporarily settled by the
"Missouri Compromise" of March 3d, 1820, which provided that
henceforward slavery should be forever forbidden north of the
parallel of 36° 60' The news of which, however, Mr. Jefferson
declared fell on his ears "like a fire-bell at night."
QUESTIONS.
1. What was the condition of North Carolina after the war of
1812?
2. How many counties were in North Carolina in 1815? What is
said of the representation in the General Assembly? What towns
had special privileges?
3. Give some account of the growth of the Moravian settlement at
Salem.
4. Give some description of various towns and villages.
5. What efforts was Dr. Joseph Caldwell putting forth for the
advancement of the State?
6. What growth was seen among the Methodist churches?
7. Who was at the head of the Episcopal Church? What is said of
Bishop Ravenscroft?
8. Who were the most eminent Presbyterian divines? What benefit
was derived from their labors?
9. Mention the political leaders.
10. Through whose efforts was the Supreme Court established? Who
were the Justices?
11. What was this period called?
12. What question was greatly agitating the people?