The week previous to the election, I was riding in company
with Major Murfree, who has already been introduced to the reader, and with Dr.
Garvey, a warm-hearted and energetic Irishman, several miles in the interior
from Winton, where we noticed a paper pasted against a tree, which read as
follows : " Notice !— On Wednesday next, at three o'clock, all persons
desirous of hearing the new Constitution explained, by Elder B— t, are
requested to attend his church in the Woodlands, 17th March 1788." The time appointed was only two days previous
to the election. We felt indignant, at what we deemed an insidious attempt to
deceive the community; and we determined to be present, in order to counteract
his movement. On our arrival, we found a horse hitched to every tree about the
church, and the interior of the building crowded. We pressed our way to seats,
a little distance from the pulpit. B— t had
been some time at his nefarious work, explaining the Constitution to suit his
unhallowed purposes. He frequently cast a suspicious and disconcerted eye at
our pew. He then began to explain the object of the ten miles square, as the
contemplated seat of the Government. "This, my friends," said the
preacher, "will be walled in or fortified. Here an army of fifty thousand,
or, perhaps, a hundred thousand men, will be finally embodied, and will sally forth,
and enslave the people, who will be gradually disarmed." His absurd assumption set our blood
in fermentation, strongly excited already by party feeling. We consulted a moment,
and agreed to possess ourselves of the seat directly under the pulpit, and make
an effort to discuss the subject, or break up the meeting. We arose together,
Garvey with the Constitution in his hand, supported by Murfree on his right and
myself on his left. Garvey turned towards B— t, and said, in a loud voice: —
"Sir, as to the ten miles square, you are" — here he was interrupted
by a general movement and buzz, which instantly swelled into a perfect uproar.
At this crisis, we were in a most critical situation, and only saved from
violence, by the personal popularity of Murfree, who was universally beloved.
We were glad to pass out with the torrent, get to our horses, and be off. We
attained our object, however, — the meeting was dissolved.
The next day, Garvey and myself planned and executed a caricature
; and, as it was a new exhibition among the people, we hoped it would have a
good effect at the polls. A clergyman was represented in a pulpit, dressed in
his bands, with a label proceeding from his mouth, having this inscription: — "
And lo, he brayeth!" This we committed to some resolute fellows, with
instructions to post it Caricatured, up at the door of the court-house, at the
opening of the polls ; they engaging to defend and protect it. Some of B— t 's
friends, stung to the quick by the sarcasm, attempted to pull it down. Our
gallant band defended it. A general battle ensued. This obstructed, as we
desired, the voting. Candles were lighted in the court-house ; these were extinguished
in the melee, and both parties, in great confusion, were left in the dark,
literally as well as politically. I embraced the opportunity of taking French
leave. B— t gained the election, to our great annoyance ; and the Constitution
was rejected for that year, by North Carolina.
—Men and Times of the Revolution or Memoirs of Elkanah Watson (New York, 1856) 301-303.
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