The daily gazette., 1875-05-05

compelling the official stamp distribu-
tor to swear that he would not execute
his Office.
THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE REVOLUTION
AIRY WAR.
Finally the first real battle of the
war for Independence and liberty was
fought on the Alamance river between
Gov. Tryon and his forces and
the Regulators, May 10, 1771-the cen
tennial of which occurred just four
years ago. In the fight the Governor
had over / ,0C men, infantry and cav
airy, with q few pieces of light artillery
The Regulators were greater in num-
Der, but were undrilled, unofflcered,
and scarcely over half of them armed
in any manner. The Governor having
treacherouslp placed himself in COM
manding position, suddenly made an
unexpected attack, which dispersed
the Regulators in all directions. But
those who were armed took to t'bush-
whacking," with the result of causing
the enemy to fall back, the loss of his
principal field pieces.
THE hlEcKLENBURa coMMITIEE--NEws
FROM LEXINGTON.
Things grew rapidly from bad to worse
after this, until Tryan was succeeded by
Martin as Governor. The colonial AS
semblies of provincial Congresses had
formed league offensive and defensive
against British tyranny, and had in ses-
sion at Philadelphia body of represen-
tatives under the name of the Centen-
nial Congress. Martin had dissolved the
House Of Assembly after it had met and
sat four days, and then Issued his procla-
nation. (which was charaeteristical1y
disregarded,) against the meeting Of the
Provincial Congress. The people OF
Mecklenburg. had previously formed
committee of safety, consisting OF two
delegates from each militia district with
Colonel Thomas Polk as chairman. No
sooner had he heard of the events last
recited than he called meeting or con-
| vention of the committee, to be held at
Charlotte on the 10Th of May, l775. The
Committee consisted properly Of not
| more than thirty persons-all men OF
standing and infiuence-b but the call Of
the committee had also brought to the
town a large number of the people from
all parts Of the country to. hear the
news. The committee with the attend
ant eager audience had just organized
by electing Abraham Alexander chair
| man, ard John McKnitt Alexander and
DR.. Ephraim Breyard, secretaries, when
q messenger arrived with printed cir
cular conveying the first intelligence of
the battle of Lexington, which had ta-
ken place month before, on the 10th of
April. The excitement caused was i'm
mense. The asremblage was addressed
in stirring speeches by Rev. HeZekiah
James Balch, DIR. Ephraim Brevard, and
William Kennon, ESD, the last being
lawyer of prominence. Moved as by one
impulse, there arose general cry for
independence at any cost, and a commit
tee, consisting Of the speakers just nam
ed, was appointed" to draft the proper
resolutions. 1t was not, however, until
the meeting Of next day MAY 20) that
! the revolutions were reported, when they
were unanimously adopted. On motion,
the resolutions were read shortly after
from the Court House steps, by Colonel
Thomas Polk, to q large and approving
multitude of the people, as follows
|. THE MRGKLENBURa DECLARATION.
! Resolaed-First, That whosoever direct
l. ly or indirectly abetted, or in any way,
form or manner countenanced the un-
, chartered and dangerous invasion OF our
, rights as claimed by Great Britain, is an
enemy to this country, to A America, and
to the inherent and ilalienable rights OF
man.
/ Resolrea-Second, That we, the citizens
: of Mecklenburc county, do hereby dis
solve the political konds which have con,
naeted us with the mother country, and
hereby absolye ourseN0 0s from all allegi-
ance to the British crown, and abJurenii
political connection, contract, Or as5ocia-
ton with that nation, who have wanton-
l ly trampled on our rights and liberties,
. and inhumanly shed the blood of Ameri.
: can patriots at Lexington.
Resolved-Third, That we do hereby, de.
clare ourselves a free and independent
! people; are, and OF right ought to pc,
!, sovereign and self-governlng ASSOCIATION
/ under tho control of no power other than
that of our God and the General Govern,
, ment of the Congress, to the maintenance
of which independence we solennly
. nledge to each other our mutual o-oper
8 alton. our lives, our fortunes, and oul
. most sacred honor. :,
Resolved-Fcurth, That as we acknowl
ede. the existence and control OF no law
nor legal office, civil or military, within
b this country, we do hereby ordaln ane
/ adopt. as a rule Of life, all, each and ev
q ery of our former laws; wherein, never
= theless. the crown of Great Britain nev
! er can be considered as holding rights
l- privileges. inmunities or authority
, therein. -
J. ResoIued-Fifth, That it is further de
r creed that all, each and every mihtar,
officer in this county is hereby retained
~ he FORMER command and authority
:. he acting conformably to these reguia
v tons, and that every member presen
= Of this delegation shall heneeforth be
civil officer, viz: a justice OF the peace
II issue process, hear and determine al
f matters Of controversy according to salt
l. adopted laws, and to preserve peace
union and harmony in said county 1t,, AN, an,
o of country and fire of freedom through
e M ont America, until general organized
Soyernment be established in this pro
q vince.
? ,,r DOCUMENTS SENT TO THE coNTI
- MENTAL CONGRESS
Inc S peSp;f Ssapt;fied ii by giving three rous
:. inc @ cheers and throwing up their hats
On On the SOth of the same month the com
m;ttee met again at Charlotte and adop
Nt,N..