Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-05-18
THE STATE OF FRANKLIN.

FraDkT(O,
counties districts, and societies, and 10 ipnumerable
wonderfully smart children, but very manysSdo no
know that his name was adopted by a soVereigl
State, west of the Aleghanies. which seeded tEon
North Carolina in l7S4. and until l7ss-more ina.
three years-mantained its separate existence and
oover1mept There has been considerable conIro-
versy concerning the Tame OF this Sate' some con-
tending that it was not franklin o9t IdhhIdh"' OF
the land of freemen. This dispute mas been settled
nv Dr. J. G. NJ Ramsey, the historian OF tennessee
He shows conciusively that though the second con-
yeption of the seceders adopted the constitution in
which the new State was to be organized under the
name of Farmland, yet the third convention reject
ed il, and adopted In lis stead The constitution OF Inc
State of franklin.
We have been deeply interested in the details as
related by DR.. Ramsey, of the organization, separate
existence, and dissolution of this mounalneer State
Its seat was that portion of North Carolina, now
part OF Tennessee lying between the Alleghaniesand
the Cumberland mountains. The government OF
North Carolina then entirely under the control
of the middle and eastern sections OF that STATE ana
her western inhabitants had become dissatlsheo on
account of alleged delay in making arrangements nee
essary to their protection against the Indians. Inc
old State passed cedng these new settlements
TO the confederacy, but provided therein LOT the
maintenance of her jurisdiction, until the conIedera-
ted States should signify their acceptance OF Tue ter
ritory thus coded them. AT this time the hinges
of the confederation very loose, and everything
worked badly and slowly. Meanwhile, the terFitory
was exposed the inroads of the Indians, and be-
ginning TO take measures TOT lneU own ploteCtl"H
thew ended by resolving to form themselves into
independent State. John Sewer, afterwards MEM
Der of Congress, and the first Governor OF Tennessee
for twelve years. the first and only Governor oil
the State of franklin. His first gubernatoTial non
ors came rather in the shape of pack of troubles,
for during the whole term of his administrator re
was in contest with the Indians, with old Moth
Carolina, and with the disaffected at home who de-
sired reunion to the old State, and as male 10
the whole he was tried, partly tried for high trea-
SON. Ramsey's account of his rescue during the
trial may serve give some idea OF the bold spirit oil
the noble mountaneers of franklin. The detection
of Col. iptcn and of many others OF their leaders
who had returned TO their allegiance, and had dcceP-
ted Office under the old State, finally disorganized
the State of Frarkin and quietly restored the Jurs-
diction of North Carolina. But when 1t became
known to the people that Gov. SEWER tor his part In
the secession, be tried for treason, The noun
taneer spirit refused to permit it. He had been
surprised and suddenly carried TO Morganton, where,
it was thought he might be tried without fear of dis
turbance but the Franks had suffered with him, and
fought under, and loved him, and they were not the
spirits TO be quiet when he was in danger. They
therefore gathered together and the selected number,
armed to the teeth, Immediately commenced the Pur-
suit, OF which The manuscript Of William Smith, as
cited by DR.. Ramsey, gives the following BRET ac-
count:
alt was ascertaned that the trial was to take place
at Morganton and hither this daring band ben, their
eager steps. Their plan was TO obtain his release
by straiagem, and if that ailed the next step was to
fire the town, and, in the hurry and confusion, burst
the prison doors by force and make their escape.
Probably, at no time before, had the quiet town of
Morganton assumed such air of excitement and
interest," as the present; for the fame of the untortu-
nate prisoner had gone before him, and the novelty
of the scene had drawn together large crowd.
The Franks had approached as near the town as
they deemed it prudent, where four OF them con-
cealed themselves the road, while two of their
number, James Cozby and Nathaniel Evans, went
forward in the town. They rode TO convenient
fhnfF to a
limb of a tree, near which they hid their rifles
and boldly entered the town, their capacious hunting
shirts coHceang the sidearms they had prepared In
case of need. Soon they had ming led in the crowd,
and easily passed off for countrymen attracted there
by common curiosity. Evans had taken charge of
General Sewers celebrated race mare, and led her
W in front of the courthouse door, the bride
lessly thrown her heed he was apparently, an
urconcerned spectator of passing events. Cozby en-
tered the house, and there, arragEed at the bar, Sat
the object of their solicude; there he sat, firm
and undaunted when charging the hosts of W yucca
on the Lookout Mountain.
Slowly he turned his head, and their eyes met;
Sewer knew the was at hand, but he was re-
strained from any outward demonstration, by sig
nifcant shake of CoZby head but it could not pre-
vent the tear of gratitude, for he knew there were
daring spirits that would peril their lifes blood
in his defence. During pause in the trial, CoZby
stepped forward in front of the judges, and in that
quick and energetic tone peculiar TO him, asked
the Judge If he was doEe with that man! The
question, manner and tone caused every person to
start, to cast their eyes the speaker, then the
Judge, all in amazement. In the mean time Sewer
had caught glimpse OF his favorite standing
the door; taking advantage of the confusion, he made
spring to the door; the next, he safely in the
saddle, and with tbs speed of thought, borne
from the wondering crowd. Yes, cries a'waggish |
voice, III be ID if You an done with him. His
comrades was not slow TO follow in his wake, and,
although immediate pursuit was made, few min
ntes brought him to the main body, who, with one
wild shout of victory, closed in the rear, and bore
him on in triumph. That night they rested at the
house OF friend, about twenty miles distant; from
whence they made an easy journey to their homes,
content that they had gained bloodIess victory
After this the Assembly of North Carolina passed
an act of pardon and oblivion, but provided therein
that it should not entle John Sewer to hold any Of
the Franks Immediately elected him the Senate of
North Carolina, and his arrival at Fayetteville,
this provision of the act repealed. Col. Upton,
representative from SEVERE section, bitterly OPP
posed the repeal, and took deep offence at the re-
marks of Mr.. Amy-a member from Hawkins-who |
advocated it.
"a rencounter was prevented with difficulty, and
evening was spent in reconciing the disputants and
MT. Roddy, another member from Greene, repri-
manded Amy for using language calculated to irri-
tate COL Upton, and begged him thereafter 10 pul-
sue course which would soothe his feelings 1t
was finally concluded, that on the next day, COL
Roddy should conduct the debate, least likely to
give offence Accordingly, when the debate was
begun, Col. Roddy began his speech, bit had not
preceded far, when Col. Upton became infuriated
sprang from his seat, and seized Roddy by the throat
AT this moment, Mr.. Amy cried out 10 Roddy
SooIhe him, Colonel, soothe him! The parties
were soon separated, but challenge to mortal COM
bat was the consequence. By the interference of