American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-08-01
NECK. ENBuRGu DECLARATION OF INDEPEN
DENCE.
From the Boston Courier.

that the celebration OF TINS event was 10 take P'dee
ON The Goth Of the present month. II is curious
fact, that the citizens Of an interior county OF North
Carolina, we're the first to make formal Declare
lion OF Independence. But the fact is too well
established TO admit Of any doubt. The following
short account Of the event. is taken from an article
in the North american RerieU for January, 1871.
I, will be interesting 10 many readers at the presen'
time.
7, appears that early in the year l77o' a conven
ion was held in the town OF Charlotte, composed OF
,wo members from each Of the military companies
in Mecklenburg county The object oil the conVen-
ton was 20 take into consideration the existing state
OF things and to deliberate on the best measures LOT
resisting the encroachments which were making oy
a foreign enemy their liberties and properly.
Their deliberations soon terminated IN a unanimous
acreemen, to throw off all allegiance to The Govern
meot Of Great Britain, and declare themselves IN.
dependent. Resolutions 10 this effect we're passed
on the 18th OF May, more than thirteen months be-
fore the Declaration OF Independence by the Con-
Qress. ard they were on the same day publicly pro-
Claimed amids, The shouts and huzzas Of large
assembl, OF people,. The following extract is
taken from certificate, which has lately been pub
l,shed under the hands OF Tour persons, VINO were
pesent al the convention, and who are still living.
1--WE do further certify and declare, that in a few
day. alter the delegates adjourned, Captain James
lack of The town of Charlotte, was appointed to
carry the resolves to the President OF Congress, and
10 our representatives, one copy to each, and that
his expenses were to be paid by voluntary sub.
scrpon We know that Capt Jack executed the
trust, and returned with answers. both from the
President and our Delegates in Congress, expires
siye of their entire appreciation Of the course that
had been pursued and recommending continuance
in the same and stating that the time would soon
come when the whole continent would follow our
example"
In certificate which has lately been obtained
from Mr.. Jack, who is now living in Georgia, he
observes:
they were publicly proclaimed from the court hou e
door, in the town OF Charlotte, and received with
every demonstration of Joy by the inhabitants.
IL vas then solicited to be the bearer Of these
proceedings to Congress. set out in the following
month, and in passing through Salisbury. the gene
raj court sitting. At the request OF the cour,
handed copy OF the resolutions to Col. Cannon an
Attorney aud they were read aloud in open court.
Major William Davidson and Mr.. Avery, an Al.
torney, called on me the evening after and observed
they had heard Of but one person who did not ap
prove them"
From this statement we perceive, that the feelings
which dictated these resolutions were not confined
10 small space, but we're diffused throughout a
large portion Of the state. The second and third
resolves contained in the declaration will afford a
good specimen of the spirit by which the whole is
characterized.
Resolved, That We the citizens Of Mecklenburg
county do hereby dissolve the political bands which
have connected US 10 the mother country, and here
by absulve ourselves from all allegiance to the Brit
ish crown, and abute all political connection, con
tract, association. with tina, nation, which has
wan,only tramped on our rights and liberties and
inhumanly shed the innocent blood OF American
patriots at Lexington.
Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves
a free and independent people, are, and of right
ought to be, sovereign and self governing associa
ton, under the control OF no power other than hat
of God, aud the General Government of the Con
gress to the maintenance OF which independence
we solemny pledge to each other our mutual CO.
operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most
sacred honor"
The resolutions forming the Declaration OF In
dependence, were drawn up by DR.. Ephralm Bre
ward.
Several original documents relating TO this event
and signed by persons who took an active part in
the Mecklenburgh Convention, have been publish
ed within lew months past, in the Raleigh Regis
icr. They have been procured by the exertons o.
MIR. Joseph Gales, editor OF the Raleigh Register
the Hon. Nathaniel Macon Senator in Congress
and Col. William Polk, Of Raleigh, who pre-.
sent in Charlotte when the Declaration was read to
the people. This evidence We take to be such a.
must produce entire convclion and the fact which
it goes to establish, speaks for itself We leave il
to our readers to make their own reflections on the
patriotic zeal, and lofty spirit of freedom, which
glowed with much fervor in The bosoms of the
North Carolinians at period when almost ever,
other part of the country was yielding to despon
dency perplexed with anxious doubts or acting will
ilmld caution.
To the above account it needs only be added, tina
the representatives in the Mecklenburgh Conven
lion we're induced, that time, to take SO bold AM
decided step, by the news of the affair at Licking
ton, which had just reached them.
gentleman being rather hot pressed in compa