The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-12-16
MN. SPARKS THIRD LECTURE.


eaitV muir last evening Win oihhdhh oou
fashionable audience, and many were oblig !
ed to leave from the imposslblllty Of obtain /
iae a seat. OF the lecture itself, of course,
il is superfuous to speak in terms of praise.
Mr.. SPARKS said II had long been sub.
leci Of curious INQUIRY at what time the
idea originated OF declaring the colonies IN
dependent. Mr.. Chalmers asserts that the
subject was had IN contemplation many
Years before the Revolution, aud even SO
far back as the first settlement Of the colo.
MES but, while the lecturer would not call
in question the honesty of Mr.. Chalmers as
historian, he considered tina, Mr.. C.s
preiudices. aud bis opposition TO the lnie
rests of the COLONIES untitled him 10 be an
impartial Judge. Mr.. Sparks cited coaver
salions and letters N DR.. Franklin and
Jemes Gus, while in England, IN which
they stated distinctly that the colonies had
no lnteuuon Of seyenDg their eonnexlon
with the mother country, aud Indignantly
repealed the accusation that such was their
Ultimate object. 1t is impossible 10 show,
\saId Mr. s. from any documen, or con-
yersatlon whatever, that The idea of indie.
peudence was contemplated before the pas
sage of the Stamp Act After that perod
the acts Of the British Government we're Of
such a nature as led the colonies TO ihlnk
that they might at leugth be driven TO take
this course. But down 10 the last hour,
the leaders 10 the movements which were
making 10 the colonies did not hold out the
idea of Ultimate Independence 10 the PEG.
pie. Even so late as l775, no letter or
other document can be found which 6eclar
ed independence TO be expedIent or proper.
A redress Of grievances was oil that was
demanded, and TO this alone they seemed
10 bend their efforts. Whatever might
have been the secret feeling OF the Leading
spirits Of the day on this subject, II vas OBJ
viously wise policy TO abstain from any
ayowal Of isientlon TO Dissolve the connex.
ion Of the colonies with Great Britain; aud
under the circumstances IN which they
were placed, and the many wrongs hey
suffered, it is singular fact that II such
was their intention, they kept It SO long
confined to their own bosoms. We seek
in vain from the date Of the Stamp Act to
the battle of Lexington, for any thing
which indicated final Independence TO BE-
their purpose.
In IVA pamphlet appeared II En-,
gland, written by john Carter, 10 which he
strongly urged Parliament TO declare The
American colonies free and independent
as, he argued, II was impossible 10 retain
them IN allegiance 10 the British Crown
Ia fact, such was the conclusion of many
shrewd men IN the mother country. DE-.
Tucker also published pamphlet, IN which
he proposed line Of action ~ the colonies,
but being a man Of much warmth OF tenn
per, and bet omlng lrriatod on finding thai
The colonies Offered from him IN the vie8
he took Of the subject, he al length propos.
cd to Parliament TO cut Of the colonies from
their connexIon, and force them 10 be lnde
pendent, as they we're unworthy TO be sub
iects Of the Crown.
JOSIAH Quincy, who vas in London in
1774, writes that 10 conversations be had
with Dr. Franktn a, that time, he found
Franklin warmly 10 favor Of Independence
and strongly DESTROYS that the colonies
should take decisive measures Tor that OBJ.
ject.
At the first Continental Congress the
subieci was not touched or alluded to-
About this time a British officer wrote TO
Washington, complaining that the people
were beginning to turn their minds to
such purpose. Washington replied that
no such design was contemplated bu;
still the people would not consent TO give
up their valued rights, Or submit 10 oppfes
sive acts Of The British ministry, let the
consequences be what they would.
Mr.. JAY, John Adams, Jefferson, and
Madison all declared that the colonies did
not desire independence. Some there we're,
doubtless, who looked 10 q dual appeal to
arms but generally the desire was 10 bring
about redress Of grievances, 10 obtain sal.
isfacilon for the many wrongs they had suf.
fered, and 10 produce a change 10 the poll.
CT Of the British ministry aud this they
hoped to accomplish without resort to
measures vhIch should BRING the two
countries into actual collision, and result ia
a dlsmenbeTneHi Of their coauex.on. Bul
subsequent eveuls-tha rejection Of their
petitions, and the scorofuI aud naughty
manner 10 which all their oyeftures we're
treated-a, length opened their eyes
They became convinced that but one alter.
native was left them, unless they could con
sent TO give up all for which they were
coutendIng, and quietly submit themselves
as humble vassals Of the ktn2, under a
bondage which their rebellion would render
tenfoId more calling than before.
Congress wisely sbsiained from taking
the lead 10 the matter, allowing the people
themselves 10 take The first action upon the
subject. Gen. Greene, a proud name in
American history, took bold and decisive
stand, and openly and strongly urged the
colonies 20 declare themselves independent
Of the British Government
The first public manifestation By the
People on this subject was 10 Meckenburg
county, North Carolina. Alter the battle
Of Lexington, few patriotic spirits IN TINS
county we're IN the habit Of meeting togeih.