The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-06-03

of course was included. to exercise their
discretion either in adopting the continental
plan suggested, or by adhering to their own.
according to circumstances.
There was nothing premature. therefore,
in entertaining the sentiments Of which the
document Of the 50th was the exponent.
Well then, MS to the other branch Of the al
tentative, we ask, did they suppose it pre-
mature to publish IL? How could this be
when the continental Congress knew full
well that it had been already printed IN
Wilmington and Charleston before they
ever saw il; that printed copy Of IT was
sent to the British government by Governor
Wright of Georgia, just twenty days after
the document was made, and that IT was re-
printed in New York from the Southern
papers, at the very time the messenger from
Mccklenburg was in Philadelphia But
now Just suppose the imprinted declaration
Of the 10th, which fenounccd allegiance and
proclaimed independence, was in their hands,
and we may soon see from their own Ian
yuage tphai ii was they deemed premature.
On the 9Th Of July, t775, the continental
Congress set forth document which, from
the date, must have been in preparation at
or about the very tiine the messenger from
Merklenburg reached philadelphia, for It is
4 in proof that his countyineh met him there
in the latter part Of June. This document
was entitled, " The Twelve United Colonies,
by their Delegates in Congress, to the
1 Inhabitants Of Great BRITAIN whom It
addresses as "friends, rbuntrymen and
brethren" In this instrument they declare
their hearty desire fUr reconciliation on
equitable aud honorable terms, and thus
speaks "Our enemies charge as with sedi
ton. In what does il consist In our re.
fusal to submit TO uhwarrantable acts oil
injustice and cruelty ii SO, show us a
period in your history in which you have
not been equally seditious. We are aecused
&c aiming al indpendtict but how is this
accusation supportedf BY the allegation Of
your ministers--not By our actions. Abused,
|, insulted and condemned, what steps have we
pursued to obtain redressf We have car
ricd our dutiiul petitions to the throne /; we
have applied TO your justice for relief; we
, have retrenched our luxury, and withheld
our trade. The advantages Of our commerce
were designed as a compensation for your
protection. When you ceased 10 protect,
for what we're we to compensated What
has been the success OF our endea,orsf The
clemehcy Of our sovereign is unhappily d.
serted our petitions are treated with in
, dignity; our prayers answered by insults.
, Our application to you remains unnoticed.
. and leaves Us the melancholy apprehension
Of your wanting either the will or the power
. 10 assist Us. Even under these eircum-
stances what measures have we taken that
betray desire for independence? Have We
called in the aid Of those foreign powers
who are the rivals Of your GRANDEUR When
your troops were Few and deieneeless. did
. we take advantage Of their distress and en
! pei them irUm our townss Or have ne
, permitted them to fortify. 10 receive new
aid. and To acquire additional defence Z"
II With this solemn aud elaborate exeulpa-
! ton Of themselves from a desire 81 indie
pendence. which they were Just on the eve
, OF ushering into the world Il is easy 10 see
! ichai the continental Congress thought pre-
mature. II was not q few resolutions pro
yiding temporary laws merely TO seeur,
peace and order in Mcckienburg county il
was that sterner, stoutcr Declaration which
) was uttered in fearless tones on the iwenii.
! eth that did. 20 use their language, "betray
desire Of independence" This vas pre-
mature as long as the Congress indalgcd ,
hope " reconciliation -
The distinguished orator Was frequentl,
1 and enthusiastically applauded during IN,
delivery Of The address. which was pro.
/ nouneed by all to be masterly aad success
fol effort.