The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-03

compIish substantially the same object IN milder
wayi
me above is as nearly as could gather nom
several gentlemen the basis OF their arguments In
opposition 10 the paper purporting TO have been
adopted ar Charlotte Town on the 2oth OF May,
1775. IL Is sad also that so anxious Mr.. Ban
croft. the historian, to discover the paper or the
goth or any real evloence OF It's ever having ex-
listed, that he onered reward of $1,000 for that
purpose, which reward however, never has been
claimed.
AN HISTORIC CALAMITY.
Most, II not all, OF the documents, both IN man
uscrpt and IN print bearing upon the early hts,
tory OF the Colony and state OF North Carolina
were carefully and almost sacredy pre-
served In the State Library here until tue
close OF the late war. Unfortunately, and
sad to relate, that receptacle OF literature and
historic lore was ruthlcssly Invaded by Sherman's
"bummersn In 1855. and most OF the choicest doc
uments and publications were either stolen or de-
stroyed by the conquerlng but needless soldiers.
Many private libraries In this and adjoining
States suffered from tho same source, and many
priceless gems Of literature were thus irretriev-
ably lost TO posterity. owing to this sad calamity
historians and others IN quest or Information on
the subject OF the Mecklenburg Declaration are
left without the authorities so much needed at
the present time.
THE ADVOCATES OF THE TWENTIETH
are jealous and persistent IN their claims that
that was the day, and that the paper alleged TO
have been adopted then Is genuine and original,
but their proofs are not convincing ana posi-
tive so far as the truth OF history requires. They
have no contemporary publications TO support
their claims, which are based chiefly on the testi'
mony OF witnesses long afterward who were liv-
ing at the time the meeting was held and the res
OutiOna Ad0nted. One OF the strongest
proofs yet produced BIZ them is letter written on
the 4th OF october. 1880, by General Joseph Ora
ham, the father OF Ex-Governor VIM. A. Graham,
VINO was present on that memorable day, ana
who was then hali-grown LAD. After lapse OF
nfty-nve years. when the genuineness OF the
paper OF the goth was questioned, he writes that
on that date. besides the two persons elected
from each militia company usually called COM
mittee mem, a much larger number OF citizens
attended in Charlotte than at any former meet
ing-perhaps half the men in the county. The
news OF the battle OF Lexington, the 10th OF April
preceding, had arrived. There appeared among
the people much excitement The committee
was organized In the Court House by appointing
Mr.. Abraham Alexander Chairman, and Mr.
John McKnitt Alexander clerk or Secretary to
the meeting. After reading number OF papers,
as usual, ana much animated discussion, the
question was taken and they resolved TO declare
themselves Independent. One among other
reasons offered, that the King or Ministry had. by
proclamation or some eoict, declared the colonies
out OF the protection OF the British Crown; they
ought, therefore, TO declare themselves out
OF his protection, and resolve on indie
pendence. That their proceedings might
be in due form, q subcommittee consisting OF Or.
Epnraim Brevard, a Mr.. Kennon. an attorney,
and third person, whom do not recolect, were
APPOINTED TO draft their declaration. They re-
tired from the Court House for some iime but the
committee continued In session IN It. One cir
cumstance occurred, | distinctly remember. a
member OF the committee, VINO nad said but little
before, addressed the chairman as follows:-"If
you resolve on independence, how shall we DO
absolved from
THE OBLIGATION OF TIE OATH
we took TO be true TO King George the Third about
four years ago, after the Regulation battle, when
we were sworn whole militia companies together.
l should be glad to know how gentlemen can clear
their consciences alter taking that oath.n This
speech produced confusion. The chairman could
scarcely preserve order, so many wished 10 reply.
There appeared great indignation and contempt at
the speech OF the member. Some said 1t was non
sense; others that allegiance and protection were
reciprocal; when projection was withdrawn ALE
glance ceased; that the oath was only binding
while he King protected US In the enjoyment OF
our rights and liberties they existed at the time
IL was taken, which ne had not done, but no
declared us out OF his protection. therefore IL was
not binding. Any man who would interpret 1t
otherwise was o fool BY way OF Illustration,
pointing to green tree near the Court House. be
stated, II ne was sworn 10 do anything as long as
the leaves continued on that tree, IL was so long
binding; but when the leaves Tell he was dis
charged rom It's obligation This was said to be
annlicahla N nuto ~
respect for q worthy citizen, long since
deceased. and his respectable connections /
forbear to mention names, ior though
he was . friend TO the cause, suspicion rested on
MIN in the public mind for some time after. Tho
subcommittee appointed TO draft the resolutions
returned, ana DR.. Epnraim Brevard read their re-
port. as near as can recolect, In the very words
we have since seen them several times IN print.
II was unanimously adopted. and shortly after it
was moved and seconded TO have proclamation
mace and the people collected, that the
proceedings be read at the Court House
door, In order that all might hear
them. II was done. and they we're received with
enthusiasm. IL was then proposed by some one
aloud to give three cheers aud throw up their
hats. II was Immediately adopted, and the h,ts
thrown. Some or them ut on the Court House
roof The owners had some difficulty to reclaim
them. General Graham further relates an excit-
Ing
ADVENTURE or CAPTAIN JACK
&C Salisbury, on his way to Pm ladelpnia with the
Declaration. Mr.. Kennon. who was one OF the
committee VINO assisted in drawing the Dec
laration. prevailed on Captain Jack TO get
his papers and have them read publicly, which
was done, and the proceedings met with gen
eral appreciation. But two OF the lawyers-Jonn
Dunn ana Mr.. Bootn-dissented and asserted
they we're reasonable, and endeavored to have
Captain Jack detained. he Grew ms pistols and
threatened to Kill the first man who would inter-
rupt him, and passed on. The news or this reached
Charlotte In q short time after, ana the executive
OF the committee, whom they had invested with
suitable powers, ordered a party OF ten or twelve
armed norsemen TO bring said lawyers from Sails
bury, when they were brought. and case was In
vestigated before the committee. Dunn, on giving
security and making fair promises, was permitted
TO return, and Booth was sentenced to 90 10 cam