Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-06-02

liberate. consistent and well-considered
resolutions of Mecklenburg, which he
described as the boldest of all, most
traitorously declaring the entire disso.
luton of the laws and Constitution and
setting up system of rule and regula-
ton subversive Of his Majesty's gov
eminent"
Mr.. Bancroft's narrative evidently is
founded on the story told at greater
length in Peter Forces american
Archives" Fourth Series, Vol. H., c.
S55. The text, under the heading,
"Charlottetown, Mecklenburg County,
May 81, 1775," gives the proceedings
of a meeting held at the time and place
mentioned. The substance, and in
some parts the very words, are included
in the foregoing accountb Mr.. Bancroft,
but he has also drawn upon note to the
text, setting forth what was done at a
meeting held on the 10Th of May. These
twomeetings Mr.. Bancroft has puttogeth-
er, without fixing the day of the month.
The note is reprint, first, of re-
port from committee, which had been
appointed by the General Assembly of
North Carolina, at the session of 1890
81, to inquire into the authenticity of
the declaration Of independence, said
to have been adopted on the Goth of
May, IT'S. The committee says that
it is fully verified that the citizens of
Mecklenburg county and "the freemen
of Cumberland did declare dissoiu-
ton of the ties which bound them to
Great Britain and did establish an in
dependent though temporary govern
ment. Then follow the names of
twenty-six delegates, present et the mu-
tiny Of May 20, with the subjoined re-
cord:
Abraham Alexander was appointed
chairman ard John McKnitt Alexander
clerk. The following resolutions were
offered, viz:
l. Resolued. That whosoever directly or in
directly, abetted, or in any way. FORM or man.
ner countenanced the unchartered and danger
GUS invasion of our rights, rs claimed by Great
Britain, is all enemy to this country, to Ameri
ca, and to the inherent and inalienable rights
of man.
2. Resolued, That we, the citizens of Neck
lenburg county, do hereby di ssolve the politi-
cal bonds which have connected us to the moth
er country, and hereby absolve ourselves from
all allegiance to the British crown. and allure
all political connection, contract or association
with that nation, who have wantonly trampled
on our rights and liberties and inhumanly shed
the blood of American patriots at Lexington
3. Resolued, That we do hereby declare our
selves free and independent people; are, and
Of right ought to be, a sovereign and self-gov-
erning association, under the control of no
power other than that of our God and the Cen
eral Government OF the Congress to the
maintenance of which we solemnly pledge to
each other our mutual cooperation and our
lives, our fortunes and our most sacred
honor
4. Resolved, That as we now acknowledge
the existence and control of no law or legal
officer, civil or military, within this county,
VIC do hereby ordain and adopt as a rule of life,
all, each and every of our former laws-where-
III, nevertheless, the crown of Great Britain
never can be considered as holding rights,
privileges. immunities or authorities therein.
5. Resolved Tha. it Is further desired that
all, each and every military officer in this
county is hereby reinstated in his former COM
mand and authority, he acting comfortably to
these regulations. And that every member
present of this delegation shall henceforth be
civil officer, namely: A Justice of the Peace
In the character of committeeman to issue
process, hear and determine all matters of
controversy, according tothe said adoptedlaws,
and to preserve peace, union and harmony in
said county, and to use every exertion to
spread the love of country and fire of freedom
throughout America, until more general and
organized government be established in this
province.
After discussing the foregoing Re-
solves, and arranging bylaws and regu-,
lations for the government Of Stand
ing Committee of Publick Safety, who
were selected from these delegates, the
whole proceedings were unanimously
adopted and signed. A Select Commit
tee was then appointed to draw more
full and definite statement of grievances,
and more formal declaration of indie
pendence. The delegation then ad-
journed about 2 o'clock A. NJ. May 90"