The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-04-28
Iron TIE cnARLorrr .ounN,L.l


2
To The Editor sfths Charlotte Journal.
DEAR Sir: Every incident calculated TO de.
yelope the patriotism aud love Of liberty and lra
tired Of British Tyranny and oppression in the
citizens of old Mecklenb. r. who were the first
to declare Independence OF the Mother country,
must he interesting TO every lover Of his country,
who have any degree of pride to see the lau.
rels entwined around the old North State; who
I for correct principles will bear comparison with
the most enyiable State in the JHioa.
/ The incident alluded TO. was the destruction
/ Of quantity Of Gun Powder, Flnts, Blankets,
4 &c. which were being conveyed from Charlotte
10 liiilsboTo, for the purpose of subjugating the
regulators. About the year l77l, date not fully
reeollected) a quantity of Gun Powder, Flints
aud Blankets were brought on from Charleston,
>. e., and as the tunes were a little squally ii
was thought prudent by the agent, Col Moses
Alexander, TO store il in Charlotte until more
favorable opportunity offered Of sending them
on TO ilIllsboro, the place where they were need
cd by Gov. 1ryon TO subdue that spirit Of revolt
got up against the Governor for his tyranny and
oppression as Governor Of the province of North
Carolina. Aiter some time, Col. Alexander
thought he saw favorable opportunity of con.
yeylHg them safely to his Exceency, he there
fore procured two or three wagons 10 transport
them with as much secrecy possible; but in de.
hance Of all the prudence and secrecy of which
he was in possession, the news got abroad and
ten or twelve young men assembled in the neigh
borhood Of Rocky River Church, in what is now
the Comfy Of Cabarrus ,then part of Mecklen.
burg where they formed plan for their destruc.
tion-they bound themselves in a solemn oath TO
keep secret, they BACKED themselves and were
so completely disguised that the father Of two of
the young men did not recognise them when met
on the road on his return from mill The old man
had gone to mill that day with the only horses
they owned aud the boys were left on foot but
having 10 90 the same road Gu which their fliher
was 10 return, they met him and told him they
must have the horses-tbey laid the bags of meal
on the side Of the road ana took the horses some
eight or nine miles 10 what was called Phifer's
Hill, (the present residence of Mrs Long on the
Salisbury road, 3 miles west of Concord, where
they found the wagons encamped, they told the
wagoners to remove the horses out Of danger,
they rolled ont the powder, stove the Kegs, tore
Tie Blanket 10 rlbands, piled all in mass they
made train and Col Jas. White fired a pislo!
into the train, the explosion was heard to great
distance. As soon as the news came TO the Gov
errors ears he issued his proclamation granting
free pardon TO any of the parry who would turn
Kings cyidcnce-two Of the men who wc.c half
brothers, TO wit: Joshua lady and james Ash.
more, unknown to each other set of full speed
the Governors clemeucy and reached Alexan.
cer's SO near the same time 10 Ostle each other
on the threshold of the house-when they made
knoSn their errand, Alexander observed to them
that according to the Governors proclamation
they were both pardoned, but says he " lou are
the first that ought 20 be hanged" Col. Alex
ander sent out patrols 10 scour the country to
take them and amongst those patrols were one
of his brothers who very efficient in using
oil the means in his power 10 secure their escape
At one time the patro! came up to 4 field where
d number Of these men were harvesting, Danl.
Alexander The one alluded to- soon he per.
ceived them gave them signal By the wave O.
his hand TO fly, they ;nmediltey took thei-
horses and fed AZ every direction. The patrol
pressed one of the black boys SO closely that he
jumped his horse l6 feet down perpendicular
bank into Rocky River and turned round and
dared them for cOwardy dogs 10 come on, this
man was of the name Of Robert Davis. At an.
other timo one of the black boys named Caruthers
lay sick at the house of his ilthcrlnlaw, when
the patrol surrounded The house ,there were four
or fye of the patrol along at that time, this same
Danl. Alexander being placed al one door wits !
pered unto old Mrs. White the motherin.law I
that if there were any of the black boys in the |
house they might pass out and he would not see
hem-he then returned TO the other door and /
,Ot W d uIspute Will tne oluef patrol Inc old
ady gathered her fire shovel and passed to and
70 through the house striking on the floor TO pre-.
'ent Caruther's feet from being heard on the floor
Until he got TO the door-he by that means made
lis escape. They were obliged 10 lay out and Sc.
rete themselves for long time. When the
Governor found they could not be caught he is.
ued his proclamation in which he promised that
they would return and submit themselves to his
emcncy they should be pardoued. They set of
or IIillsboro and when within short distance
# the place they found out that it was a strata.
EN- he had laid to seize them-they turned about
nd fed to the state Of Georgia where they re.
Iaincd until he was removed, they then return.
d and were never moested afterwards, Thus
gu see in this transaction opposition to Brit. q
ii Tyranny developed which burst forth in Dec. t
iraton Of Independence in the old North State I
luch earlier than by Congress, notwithstanding
hos. jefferson rdcu!es the idea US romantic Of \
ne Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Of 4
lay 20lh, l115. Yours, &c.
A WIG OF ROCKY RIVER.