[Dr Caruthers b Rowan Co NC Oct 26 1793 graduated Princeton 1817]
http://www.webroots.org/library/usablack/aslonc03.html
Anti-Slavery Leaders of North Carolina - Pages 58-74
Page 58
Dr. Caruthers was born in Rowan county, N. C., October 26, 1793. He graduated
from Princeton in 1817. It was, perhaps, while there that he shaped his views on
slavery. Here he met Mr. G. M. Stroud, author of "The Laws Relating to
Slavery."
From this work he took many of his facts, and it is possible that
Stroud had a
certain formative influence on the views of his friend.
A text was placed at the beginning of the book: "Let my people go that they may
serve me" (Exodus, 10: 8). The author stated that he should treat African
slavery as "viewed in connection with the covenant of redemption." Plainly, he
contended that the negroes should be free so that they might become Christians,
and that they could not become such in slavery. How he developed this thought is
gathered from the following abridgment of the Table of Contents:
. . . .
This is enough about a book that was never printed. Its author was not, strictly
speaking, an anti-slavery leader. He did not stand out as a teacher of
opposition to slavery. He was not a leader. But he wrote one of the strongest
arraignments of slavery in the abstract that ever appeared. His book was a
sermon expanded. Along with the manuscript I found a manuscript sermon on the
same text (Exodus, 10: 8), showing whence came the book. This book was not given
to remove slavery, but to cure the wound made by forcible emancipation. When the
South writhed in bitterness under its hard fate, it would have been a good thing
for its peace of mind if it could have been made to see that the extinction of
slavery was for the best. Had Dr. Caruthers lived his attempt in this direction
would, no doubt, have been delivered to the public. It would, perhaps, have
failed immediately. Ultimately, it would have reached those for whom it was
intended. Today most people in the South acquiesce in the conclusion that
slavery was an evil. But there are few who understand why it was an evil. No
better foundation for the study of present social conditions in the South can be
had than a complete survey of the conditions of Southern slavery. For such a
survey, Dr. Caruthers' work is of great value.
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Discovery of the Yosemite - Chapters XIX-XXI
http://www.webroots.org/library/usahist/dotyaiw7.html
"Colonel Caruthers and Angevine Reynolds, then of Stockton, came up to explore
and run a line of levels over the route."
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DISCOVERY OF THE YOSEMITE, AND THE INDIAN WAR OF 1851, WHICH LED TO THAT EVENT.
BY LAFAYETTE HOUGHTON BUNNELL, M.D., OF THE MARIPOSA BATTALION, ONE OF THE
DISCOVERERS, LATE SURGEON THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT WISCONSIN VOLUNTEERS.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1880-1892, by L. H. BUNNELL,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
CONTENTS: CHAPTER I.
Incidents leading to the Discovery of the Yosemite Valley--Major Savage
and Savages--Whiskey, Wrangling and War--Skinned Alive--A brisk Fight--
Repulse--Another Fight, and Conflagration ... 1
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"Colonel Caruthers ...of Stockton, came up to explore ...the route"
Page 301
CHAPTER XIX.
Engineering and History--Speculation and Discouragement--A New Deal--Wall
Street--A Primitive Bridge--First Woman in the Yosemite--Lady Visitors
from Mariposa and Lady Teachers from San Francisco--Measurements of
Heights--First Houses, and their Occupants--A Gay Party and a Glorious
Feast.
ALTHOUGH no visits were made during the year 1854 to the Yosemite Valley,
it was at this time that the existence of such a locality began to be
generally known outside of the limits of Mariposa county. Many of the
inhabitants of that county, however, were still incredulous of its being
any more remarkable than some other localities among the Sierras. As a
matter of early history, I will give a few details of occurrences
indirectly connected with the bringing of this valley to the attention of
the public as a wonderful natural curiosity.
During the year 1854 an effort was made by a party of engineers from
Tuolumne county, to explore a route by which water could be brought from
the South Fork of the Merced river into the "dry diggings." After a
reconnoissance, the route was pronounced too expensive to be profitable,
as the supply of water would be insufficient, unless the ditch should be
extended to the main river, which was not considered practicable.
Notwithstanding this adverse report, the Mariposa "Chronicle" continued to
advocate the practicability of the proposed plan, and made some effort to
induce capitalists to take an interest in the enterprise, claiming that
like
Page 302
investments had proved profitable in the northern mines. To test the
feasibility of such a project, Colonel Caruthers and Angevine Reynolds,
then of Stockton, came up to explore and run a line of levels over the
route. They brought with them, as engineer, Capt. Kiel, a practical
surveyor, and a most accomplished mathematician. Captain Boling, having
referred these gentlemen to me as one most likely to aid in their
undertaking, and practically familiar with that part of the country, I
joined them in their enterprise. We started our survey at the "Snow Creek"
divide. Col. Caruthers was enthusiastic over the prospect of success, as
we advanced, but after rounding the point at "Devil's Gulch," and while
Mr. Reynolds and myself were establishing a flag station on the opposite
side, the Colonel collapsed and ordered a discontinuance of the survey.
Not feeling satisfied with this decision, Mr. Reynolds and myself,
mutually agreed to complete the survey. Reynolds was a man of energy and
indomitable perseverance. He was the first to establish an express to the
Southern mines, and afterwards was for fourteen years successively elected
to responsible offices in Mariposa county. I handled the instrument, and
Mr. Reynolds acted as rodman. We continued the line up, passed all real
obstacles, and then Captain Kiel, who was quite an old gentleman,
completed the survey and mapped out the route. During this survey, Mr.
Reynolds and myself crossed the South Fork and explored along the divide.
We were within six or seven miles of the Yosemite, but did not go to it.
This was the only year since its discovery, that it was not visited by
white men. No Indians were seen by our party, during the time of this
survey.
The next season, 1855, the survey began by Caruthers, Reynolds and myself,
was pushed with vigor, and although the subject matter of extending the
ditch to the main
Page 303
. . . . . .
We leveled two lines down through the canyon,
Page 305
below the Yosemite, on to the divide of the South Fork. To cross the South
Fork without expending too much altitude, we found a long tunnel would be
required, besides a suspension of over 800 feet.
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J. W. Caruthers
ORIGIN OF THE STATE CONVENTION
Pursuant to a call originating in a ministerial conference at Bellevue,
January 30, 1867, delegates of Baptist churches met at Plattsmouth
September 16 to consider the propriety of organizing a Baptist general
association. The following brethren were duly accredited delegates from
the churches, ministers: J. W. Taylor, E. D. Thomas, I. C. Jones, L. B.
Wharton, W. J. Kermot, E. W. Hall, D. R. Goff and A. C. Miller; and
laymen: I. Hickey, J. W. Caruthers . . . .
http://www.webroots.org/library/usahist/honjsm26.html
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Barry Wetherington