Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-05-29
DR.. Hawks Grafton.

DR.. Hawks Grafton.
Not having received the " Extra" containing The
abstract of Dr. Hawks address, on the Goth, which
it seems was sent 10 all the other papers of the State,
we were at the time compelled to do the best we
could and content ourselves with the briefer account
furnished bya correspondent of the South Carolnian.
We have not now either time space for the inser-
ton of that ABSTRACT unless by the neglect or excu
sion fother matters already prepared for our coll
umns and must content ourselves with brief synop
sis, which will have moro chance of being read than
six columns Il closely printed matter, exceeding in
length Presidents message.
The orator states the question in regard to the
Mecklenburg Declaration thus There are some
who assert that no meeting was held at Charlotte on
goth May, 1875, and no declaration of independence
then made. On the other hand the legislature and
people Of the State assert that there was meeting
held and declaration made, affirming independence
and dissolution OF all connection with the British
Crown.
The presumptive proof ia favor of the authenticity
of the document is found in the fact that it was
prepared ard proclaimed at q time when the people
were gathered at Charlotte, deeply excited by the
news OF the battle of Lexington. This agrees with
the dat of the ooh and not any other date. 1t is
known that the cry of the people was for ndepen-
denCe and that this document was prepared in res
ponse to that cry, and not therefore be coniound
ed with another document of the 3Oth which was no
response, but simply resolves for the preservation Of
public order. The document was publickly read
and recollected by many respectable citizens who
noted the date and remember that it asserted indie.
pendenCe.
r. H.,
prove that meeting was held on the 10th and Goth
that paper was prepared by DR.. Brevard, and
presented by Committee appointed for such pur-
pose, that it was read publickly by Col. Thomas
Polk, and assened to by the people present, and that
this paper cid declare independence in so many
words.
John Mcknitt Alexander, the secretary Of the
meeting the Goth, and man above suspicion, gave
two copies of the declaration, one to DR.. williamson
and another t. General Davie. The original in AL
exanders possession, was destroyed with his house,
by fire, in 1900, but The copy given to Dave was
found among the most carefully kept papers of that
gentleman. Alexander as incapable of a forgery
as Davie was of sanctoning one..
Again, Ju &c Martin, of Louisiana, had and pub
lished cory, substantially the same as Davies,
which he obtained in the Western part of North
Carolina, prior to 1900. He expressly stated TO Dr.
Hawks that he did not obtain his copy from Alex
andw.
Again, in 1919 copy of these resolutions was
printed in Major Gardens Revolutionary Anecdotes
and "reminiscences. This copy Garden did not get
from Martin, nor had Martin seen Gardens work
when he Lhlished his copy at subsequent time, and
yet they agreed being in fact the original draft by
Breward. while Davies copy was that as amended
by the Committee
Again, verbatim copy made by a person
present on the Goth May, 1875, who inserted it in
his diary, which diary is still preserved in the family
of the Rev. H. Humphrey, who made it,
Having thus gone over the proof establishing the
authenticity Of the document of the Goth May, DR.
Hawks turned to meet the objections, founded
upon lis not being printed at the tme-at no
immediate subsequent mention having been made
of it, &c. He showed that it could not be con.
founded with the mere resolves-simpe police
regulations adopted by the meeting of the 30th A
copy of document was certainly sent on to the
continental Congress. Could it have been simply
some rules, adopted for the local government Of
Mecklenbu'g county? That idea would be as sim
ply ridiculous, as II would be to suppose that 10 sucf
a communication Congress would send back answe
that the movement was PREMATURE
Nc it was the Declaration ofdIndependence thai
was sent on. 1t was that that was deemed prema
ture.