history of our State. The stream of iramigrants to
the far West, that had begun before the Revolu
tion, continued in increased volume. In sheer
desperation the people were abandoning their
fields and making new homes in the wilderness—
the population of the State was at a standstill.
Such was the condition when the Assembly met
in 1831. Members were distracted, rent asunder
by factions. There were five parties represented,
fighting among themselves about issues regard
ing the rebuilding of the Capitol and alteration
of the constitution. After a two day discussion,
the Assembly of 1831 refused to rebuild.
A year passed, and the ruins of the old State-
house still marked the site of the former Capitol.
The Legislature could not meet in the Governor’s
Mansion, as that was outside the city limits. To
move the capital a convention was necessary, and
the Legislature was not favorable to a conven
tion.
At the session of November 1832, the As
sembly, by a vote of 35 to 28 in the Senate and
73 to 60 in the House, resolved to rebuild on the
old site, and $50,000 was appropriated for that
purpose.
After the foundations were laid, the work
progressed more slowly, and it was so expensive
that the appropriation was exhausted. The legis
lature at the next session appropriated $75,000
more. To do the stone and finer work many
skilled artisans were brought from Scotland and
other countries. The Building Commissioners
contracted with David Paton to come to Raleigh
and superintend the work. Mr. Paton had come
from Scotland the year before. He was architect,
designer and builder of the Capitol.
Ihe Legislature was compelled to make ap
propriation for the work from time to time. Much
money was saved in the construction, because the
State-owned quarry furnished all the stone for
the building.
In the summer of 1840 the work was finished.
At last, after more than seven years, the sum of
$531,674.46 was expended. As large as that sum
was at the time, when the State was so poor and
when the entire taxes for State purposes was less
than $100,000, yet the people were satisfied. The
building had been erected with vigorous economy,
and it was an object of pride to the people.
One hundred and ten years have left this build
ing with undying memories. It was finished the
year Henry Clay was set aside as the Whig leader
and his place given to General Harrison. Four
years l:.ter Henry Clay spoke from the western
portico; but like Webster and Calhoun, the presi
dency was denied him. The voices of other great
men have also been heard within this Capitol.
Here, too, our great jurists—Gaston, Ruffin,
Pearson and their associates—held their sessions
and brought fame to North Carolina.
The North Carolina State Capitol finished in 1840.