Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/320

 314 Southern Historical Society Papers.

[From the Daily Charlotte (N. C.) Observer, January 5, 1896.]

A SECRET SESSION DEBATE

OF THE

North Carolina Secession Convention of 1862.

Dr. Kemp B. Battle, a Delegate to the Convention, Makes Public for the First Time Proceedings of a Very Important Meeting of Our War-Time History The Debate Centered on What to Do With Our Slaves, Eastern North Carolina Having Been Captured by the Federals A Bitter Feeling Manifest in the Discus- sion Between Former Union Hen and the Secessionists.

The following paper was read before the North Carolina Historical Society, at Chapel Hill, at the meeting held November, 1895:

Roanoke Island was captured by an overwhelming Union force on the 8th of February, 1862. Hatteras had been in their possession since the 2Qth of August of the preceding year. All the counties of the State bordering on Albemarle Sound were exposed to their raids.

On the 22d of February, 1862, Mr. William S. Pettigrew, the dele- gate from Washington county to the convention of the State, usually known as the Secession Convention, appeared in his seat, and asked for a secret session, which was granted. I was one of the delegates from Wake county, and took rough notes of the ensuing debate, and will give its substance. I will first briefly describe the speakers.

Mr. Pettigrew, a brother of the distinguished general, J. Johnston Pettigrew, now* a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, was then owner of two of the most beautiful plantations in the South, Magnolia and Belgrade, large in area, fertile, surrounded by swamps, yet healthy. His numerous slaves were most kindly treated, re- ligiously trained, contented and happy. His manner of speaking was very deliberate, polished, earnest and most impressive.

Mr. Fenner B. Satterthwaite, member from Beaufort county, was a born orator. The most eloquent speech I heard in that body of great men was from him. He was one of the leaders of one of the strongest bars in the State.