The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-18

i
having been informed % the late proceed
ingsof Oh" Continental Congress al phile-
aoiphia IN passing the famous "peclaratiOn
OF Colonial Rights" heartIlyspproyod their
action and declared their intention Of carry
ing out lie views OF that BODY. The Cover
nor WAS more than ever incensed by the
boldness and decisive temper Of the patriot
assembly.
Seeing he could effect nothing, he called
a meeting Of his council and dissolved the
Royal Assembly after IL had been in ses-
sion for only four days. This was the last
Of the Colonial government. II never again
took shape In North Carolina. Like run
more In Virginia, Martin found u expo
dent TO retire 10 British warycssel then
lying in Cape Fear river. from which he
once more Illuminated an empty and power
less proclamation against the patriot Lead
crs Of North Carolina.
sCOfCnIRIsH srURDINTss.
While these exciting and important
events were taking place in the eastern part
of the state. the people Of the western coun-
ties had already caught the spirit OF free
dom and were anxious spectators Of what
their brethren of the cast were doing. That
part Of thc country had been settled by
race Of hardy ScOtch-lrish, remarkable for
their strength Of character, personal Prov
FESTIVE under restraint and bold 10 assert
their rights in matters private as well as
public. Durinr The excitement consequent
upon the troubles between the colonies ana
the mother country they had already been
holding meetings.
THE TOWN or CHARLOTTE.
These had been held generally the town
of Charlotte. i'm Mecklenburg county. to
f.rt If az
expresses We're in The habit Of bringing tie
news. In this way they had kept them
selves advised Of what was transpiring in
their own and IN the other colonies. Al
though North Carolina Cor the NOSE part
was settled by people Of the same race and
religious persuasion with those a the west
err part Of the state still there seemed %
be difference i'm the temper and general
character of the latter. This was. perhaps
due 10 their having lived longer on from
tier, the dangers OF which had bred in them
those harder instincts common 10 a life OF
adventure and personal Independence
They were not so much under the influence
Of the cOnycntionaliiios of society as were
the people Of the east. many II whom lived
IN large towns, and enjoyed the Injuries OF
wealth upon their extensive and well fur
nished plantations.
BE this rs il may, il is a well-ostablshcd
fact that nowhere in the entire country
could there be found drawer or more de-
voted population than were tie people of
and the surrounding counties.
- intense was their patriotism during the
war that CORVALLIS dos
cribcd that part Ofthc country and the town
of Charlotte rs a 'hOrnet's next" of rebels:
and Iarlet0n himself. who had abundant
chdnces oi-kY0wi2l 4 c1aIad th4tfhe Yeo-
pie Of that region hated the English more
than any Others he had met.
WESTERN CAROLINA.
Under these circumstances we are not
surprised AT what took place i'm Western
Carolina when the news Of the occurrences
in the East reached The ears of the people
Of Mccklenburg. In thot region lived men
Of mark. whose names became forever iden-
titled with the history of their country and
in that of Che great republic which they m
part aided in founding Among these were
the Folks, AleXanders. DayidsOns and
others. As soon as the news OF Governor
Martins conduct and the proceedings Of his
Colonial Assembly became known AFT Char
lOtte il was determined boy the people that
a meeting should be held To take action in
the premises. Colonel Thomas Polk. who
had long been a prominent man. member of
the Colonial Assembly and commander of
militia, was authorized to call cOnyeu-
ton. The people became clamOrOus for ac-
ton. They declared themselves ready 90
assume the responsibility Of revolution
rather than submit longer 10 the Oppressive
measures Of the British Government. pom
the call of Colonel Polk. the Convention met
at Charlotte ON the 18Th Of May. lilj.
ABRAHAM ALEXANDER.
Abraham Alexander was made chairman.
and John Mcknitt Alexander and Dr. Eph-
riam Brcyard. secretaries. After pro-
onged and open discussion of the questions
IF the day. "a committee. composed Of DIR.
BreyaM. Colonel William kcnn0n and the
Rev. Ilezekiah !. Bdlch. were appointed TO |
lraN such paper as would express the
temper and opinions OF the people on the i'm
pending crisis. In the meantime. and dur |
ng the deliberations of the convention. an
express arrived with the news Of the battle |
# Lexington. II may be imagined how
his stirring incident added 10 the excite |
ncnt. Cries of independence weic
beard over the house. i'm the midst
II which the committee returned, and the |
chairman proceeded to make his report |
amid an excited hut profoundly silent as-
'emblagc. They listened with eager atten- |
ion 20 each paragraph of the resolutions OF |
he committee. and when the chairman |
'Ose 10 put the question OF their adoption. |
hrOats as perhaps had never before been |
heard in such an assemOlagc.
THE TEXT OF THE DECLARATION.
The following resolutions adopted with |
such enthusiasm and unanimity on this |
memorable occasion, are now better known |
H. the Mecklcnburs Declaration Of indie |
)endence.
.Resolved l. That whoever directly or in
L. al "a ~
Ter. cOuntcnauccd the unchartcred and dan |
ferrous invasion Of our rights as claimed by /
sreat tIitain, is an enemy 10 THIS country, |
% America, ana 10 the inherent ana lndilcn- |
IDLE rights of man.
Resolved , That we the citizens of Neck ,
enburg. do hereby dissolve the political
lands which nave connected us 10 the mother |
,ouutrV and hereby absOlVe ourselves from |
III allegiance 10 the British Crown. and alb
ure all political connection, contact or assO-
iatiOn with. that nation. who have wantonly |
rampled on our rights ana lbc'tes, ana III
humanity shed the biOOt OF American patriots
Il Lexington.
Resolved 3 That we do hereby DECLARE our
elves a free and independent people; are,
md OF right, ought 10 be sovereign ana
association under the control |
# no power other than that Of our God ana
ne general government. OF the Congress 10
ne maintenance OF which independence we |
Olcmnly pledge our lives our fortunes, and
ur most sacred honor.
Resolved 4 That as we acknowledge the
xistence and control Of no law or legal OIL
er, civil or military within this country: we
10 hereby Oidain and adopt, as rule oi life,
H. each, and every one Of our former laws
wherein, nevertheless, the Crown OF Great
,ritain never can be considered as holding
lights. privileges, immuuities. or authority
herein.
Resolved. >, That 10 is also further dec eed
hat all each and every military Oiiictr IN
his county IS hereby retained IN ais former
Ommand and authority he acting CONFORM
blv to these regulations; and that CNery
member present of this delegation snail
encefOuh be a civil officer, VIZ: q justice OF
he peace, ia the character OF q committee
nan. TO issue process, hear and determine
II matters OF controversy according 10 shd
dopted laws, and 10 preserve peace, union
nd harmony m sid county, ana 10 use
very eXertiOn To- spread the love OF country
nd fire OF freedom throughout America,
nth a more general and organized govern
lent be- established In this province"
This first Declaration Of independence was
igned by many Of the most prominent clti-
ems of the county, as follows: Abraham
alexander. chairman, Adam Alexander,
Iezekiah Alexander, John Mcknltt Alex
nder. Waight-tiil Avery, Rev. Hezekah
=. Balch. DR.. Ephraim Breyard Richard
.r.,. Toln Davidson Robert Irwin. VI IL