Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-03-09

obedent Servant, JAS: WRIGHT.
The Earl Of DARTMOUTH, &c, &c.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE
AND COUNTRY JOURNAL.
TUESDAY, June 10, 1775.
EXTRACT. Charlotte ToUn, Mecklenburg Co.:
May 81, 1775.
This day the Committee of this County met
and passed the tolloWing Resolves:
Whereas, by an address 10 His Majesty by
both Houses of Parliament in February last
the American Colonies are declared TO be in a
state of actual rebellion, we conceive, that all
laws and commissions confirmed by and de-
rived from the authority of the King or Par
lament, are annuled and vacated, and the
former civil constitution of these Colonies fol-
the present wholly suspended. To provide.
in some degree for the exigences of this coun-
try in the present alarming period, we deem ii
proper and necessary to pass the following
Resolves, viz:
|. That all commissions, civil and military
heretofore granted by the Crown to be exer-
csed in these Colonies are null and void, and
the constitution of each particular Colony
wholly suspended,
H. That the Provincial Congress of each
Province, under the direction of the great Con.
! tinental Congress, is invested with all legis-
| latlve and executive powers within their re.
spective Provinces; and that no other legis-
Iative or executive power does or can exist, al
this time, in any of these colonies.
III. AS all former laws are now suspended
in this Province, and the Congress have MOI
yet provided others, we Judge it necessary fol-
the better preservation of good order, to form
certain Rules and Regulations for the interna
Government of this County, untl laws shall
be provided for us by the Congress.
| ". That the Inhabitants of this County dc
meet on certain day appointed by this com
mittee, and having formed themselves into
Nine companies Ito witty eight in the County
and one in the Town of Charlotte, do chust
Colonel and other military officers by virtue
of this choice, and independent OF the Crown
| of Great Britain, an former constitution O
this Province.
v That for the better preservation Of th'
peace and administration of Justice, each O
those companies do choose from their own DO
dy, two discreet Freehoders, who shall b.
empowered each by himself and singly, TO de
eide and determine all matters of controversy
arising within said company, under the sun
|
all controversies under the sum of forty shil
lings; yet so as that decisions may admit o
appeal to the convention of the Select Men o
the County: and also that any one of thes
men shall have power 10 examine and com
NIT 10 any confinement, persons accused o
petit larceny.
VI. That those two Select Men, thus cho
sen, do jointly and together chuse from tn
h~lI 0f {hair
properly qualified to act as Constables, VIII
VII. That upon the complaint of any per
sue his warrant, directed to the Constable
commanding him TO bring the aggressor be
fore him or them, to answer said complaint
VIII. That these Eighteen Select Men, thu
appointed, do meet every third Tuesday i
January, April, July and October, at tn
Court House in Charlotte, to hear and deter
mine all matters of controversy, for sums eX
ceeding forty shillings, also appeals and i
cases of felony, to commit the person or pei
sons convicted thereof to close confinement
until the Provincial Congress shall provid
and establish laws and modes of proceedin
in all such cases.
TX. That these Eighteen Select Men, thu
convened, do chuse Clerk, to record tn
transactions of said Convention, and that sal
Clerk, upon the application of any person c
persons aggrieved, do issue his warrant 10 on
, of the Constables of the Company to whic
the offender belongs, directing said Constabl
TO summons and warn said offender to appee
before the Convention, at their next sitting,
6 answer the aforesaid complaint.
X. That any person making complaint VI
, on oath, to the Clerk, Or any member of tt
Convention, that he has reason TO suspect th;
any person or persons indebted TO him in
q sum above forty shillings, intend clandestin
e ~ 10 withdraw from the County without pay
! ing such debt, the Clerk or such member shs
issue his warrant to the Constable, comman,
! ing him to take said person or persons I'M
This last paragraph is in Wright's own hand writin
ry or Clerk. Note by e. g.