The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-05-30
The Rebel Debt-Answers to Questions.

The Rebel Debt-Answers to Questions.
A friend writes US as follows, under date
Edenton, Chowan County, May Is, 1866:
"Our County Court has recently levied and
ordered the collection of double the rates OF
taxation upon all the usual subjects OF rev.
enue, taxed by the State, on the ground that
such heavy assessment was lndlspensably
necessary to meet the wants and needs the
County. Much the largest portion of our
County debt was incurred in aid Of the re-
JelliOn in the support of volunteer companies,
whilst being formed and organized, and in
the support of the families of those who en-
tered the Confederate service. Now had
supposed that the United States government
had required the non-payment OF all such
debts, to which our Convention had assented.
The authority for such heavy assessments Is
derived from an act of the Legislature of
1862. in defiance of the fact, that all such
laws have been declared null and void
Please reply to the following questions or lay
them before competent authority for decls-
ion. and publish for the information bf the
public in your valuable paper, both the ques-
ton and the answers to them:
1st. Has the County Court the right now
to base its action upon any law passed by the
Legislature during the war? Have not all
such laws been declared null and void
Cd. Has the County Court now the right
to raise means by onerons taxation to pay
debts incurred directly or indirectly in aid
of the rebellion? Have not all such debts
been debarred payment by the requirements
of the United States government Your
immediate attention to these enquiries is most
respectfully requested"
The State Convention, at its session in Oc-
tober last, declared the act of secession by
this State null and void Every thing done
under that act in aid of the rebellion, is also
null and void. In addition to this the Con-
vention passed the following ordinance
AN ORDINANCE RECOGNIZING THE JUST DEBTS
ON NORTH CAROLINA, AND PROHIBITING
THE PAYMENT OF ALL PUBLIC DEBTS CREA-
TED OR INCURRED In AID OF THE LATE
REBELLION.
1. Be it declared and ordained By the dele
gates of the people of the State OF North Caro-
lima, IN C0ncention assembled. and IL is hereby
declared and ordained, That it shall be the
duty of the General Assembly of the State,
so soon as is practicable, to provide for the
payment of all debts and obligations created
or incurred by the State, otherwise than in
aid of the rebellion.
2. Be it further declared and ordained, That
all debts and obligations created or incurred
by the State. in aid of the late rebellion, di-
rectly or indirectly. are void and no. General
Assembly of this State shall have power to
assume or provide for the payment of the
same, or any portion thereof; nor shall any
General Assembly of this State have power
to assume or provide for the payment Of any
portion of the debts or obligations created
or incurred, directly or indirectly, by the late
so-called Confederate States, or by its agents,
or under its authority.
Ratified In C0noentioa, this 18th day of
October, 1865. E. G. READE, President.
JAS. FL. MOORE, Secretary Of lie Conoention
r. c. BADGER, Assistant Secretary.
The foregoing would seem to be suffi-
cient answer to our correspondent. There is
no authority, in or under this State, to tax
the people to pay debts contracted, directly
or indirectly, in aid of the rebellion. Taxes
levied for such a purpose are unconstitution
al, and null and void. During the session of
the Convention referred to the following cor
respondence took place between the Presi-
dent and Provisional Governor:
[Telegram.-Reeeiyed 935 p m.1
RALEIGH, N, c., Oct. II, 1866.
HIS Ercelleney tile President
Of the United States:
SIR Contrary to my expectation. the
Convention has involved itself in a bitter
discussion of the State debt made in aid of
the rebellion. A continuance of this discus
sion will greatly excite the people and retard
the work of reconstruction. Our people are
believed to be against assuming the debt by
large majority. Is it not advisable that
our Convention, like that of Alabama, should
positively ignore this debt now and forever9
Please answer at once
w. W. HOLDEN,
Provisional Gore,nor.
Telegram
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,