The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-17

Martin, was the only declaration ever made. In
answer 20 me d9sry w S.ase tRss ne See 5y
record OF the proceedings which we're known 10
be in existence IN 1900, and that IN April OF that
year his mansion was destroyed by fire, and the
book containing the important oocument was
burned. The Declaration was printed In the
cape Fear AercafV one OF the two papers
then published in North Carolina,
copy or when was sent TO ms government oy
Governor Martin on the 30tn OF June OF the same
year. then refugee on one of His MaJeety's ships
OF war IN the Lower Cape bear, and denounced by
him as ABOVE quoted. Ia the year 1868 Colonel
Jonn ii. Wheeler, North Cardinals most able MS
torian, visited London carrying with him a letter
OF Introduction from the Hon. q Is. Vance, then
Governor or North Carolina, to the Hon. James
Mason, then commissioner or the Confederate
States in England, with view OF gathering up
the colonial history OF North Carolina He folnd
many documents relating 10 the early history OF
oil which he took COPIES with view oil publishing
them in 4 second edition Of his "Historcal
despatch OF Governor Martin relating 70 the
Declaration. but the copy Of the cape
contained the Declaration referred TO- was not
10 be found, and ITS absence lett room TO DOUBT
either that 1t never existed or That It did not con-
tain the Declaration as claimed by our people.
noe in pencil stated that 1t mad been taken out OF
the once by Governor Andrew stevenson, OF
Kentucky, then Minister OF the United States to
the Court OF st. James, and that 1t had never been
returned. Upon tue return OF Colonel Wheeler to
the United States he addressed letter TO the
HON. John w. stevenson, now United states Sena-
tor from Kentucky ana the son of the gentleman
referred TO- informing him that the missing paper
had been lost and requesting his aid IN finding 1t
II IL should be among any OF MS fatner's papers.
MIR. Stevenson answered mat after due and dill
gent search among his iatheriS papers mis- father
being deau) the missing copy Of the cape Fear
Aerculy could not be tound out that dispatches
and other memoranda mad been lound winch IN
dlcated that the paper had been in the possession
oil his father.
THE LOST LINK.
had this little newspaper slip been found either
In the possession or the British Historical Society
in the hands OF Mr.. Stevenson or mis- heirs
there would have been no possible grounds Tor
any controversy or mad not the original copy, In
possession OF Mr.. Alexander, the secretary Of the
meeting, been destroyed, Mr. Goodloe ana other
doubters would not have come to the front with
their peculiar and unnatural arguments 10 deny
the Meek lenburg Declaration OF the goth OF May
But alter all the effort TO obtain this paper ana
the failure 70 do so, In Its absence we naturally
unerrlng tradition which can be substantlated in
hundred families in the county OF MecKlenourg
to-day. Does the world doubt that julius caesar
lived, and yet VINO could prove IL to the satisfac-
ton OF 4 court or justice Mecklenburg has pro-
duced TWO Presidents OF the United states,
men OF learning and eminence, and both OF
wnom In their lives gave unnesitatlng belief IN
the Declaration or Independence which WAS de-
cared at Charlotte on the 10th May, 1875, ana yet
the existence OF few court records. land deeds,
next twenty.four hours, are tie only evidence,
legal of course, that we nave that they ever
formed part OF our community, ana, with these pa
pers destroyed hundred years hence the world
might safely doubt that either gentleman ever
nved at all,
/ may conclude this letter by saying that what
ever doubts may exist ON the part OF the world az
large regard TO the Declaration which we claim,
there exists none whatever the part OF the peo-
pie OF Mecklenburg ana although there Is no
substantial grounds Tor disbelief, In the name OF
my people | thank the HERALD the greatest
aeJGS paper OF the age, tor it's effort 10
unveil the truth OF history, however obscure IL
may appear satisfied as am that the people OF
Mecklenburg. the descendants OF the patriots OF
the RevoluIon, nave nothing to rear from the
closest investigation INTO the truth or fasity OF
adorn the pages OF tue history or our great coun-
Try. Her acton in the days OF i7B all that her
most loving son to-day would have desired. But
thar is not enough; sne sent forth ner in the
war oil 1912 wen as IN the days OIL the Revolution in
answer TO her countryis cali and again IN the war
the stars and Stripes than the sons OF Mecklen-
burg, and last, though not least when the tccsin
ing throughout this country III 1861 the
,rlotte ''hornetsn maze one company
trSs FIRST regiment which met the
.. saDs "Betnelu the troops on the
Conleuet1- side being commanded by General ID.
troops from this State no went 10 the 'front.' un-
der Lee the lurtner struggle OF that bitter cou-
test-who met Mcdowell at Manassas and Bull
Run and who surrendered 20 Grant at Appomat-
tox four years MISUNDERSTANDING furnished con-
sideraOly more tdan her quota; and, knowing
them as do / have no hesitation In saying that
they would be Just as quick 10 answer cal OF the
government TO-DAY as they were IN l776. 1872 IN
1915 or IN 1851.
Pardon me for this DEPRESSION from the main
subject and ALLOW me only 10 add that the time rs
my command viii not allow me TO coliate such
FACTS as 1 might be able to do nad tune; but
viii take pleasure IN referring you and your read
ers TO Jones Defence OF North Carolina Foote's
Sketches OF North Carolina. "Wneeler's Historical
Sketches OF North Oar0unaV "Goyernor Grahamis
Memoirs" "LossInais Pictorlaf Field BOOK OF the
Revolution and other works that could men
ton.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
CHARLES H. JONES.