Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-14
Conway on the MeckIenburg Decin-
ration.

Wilmington CN. Co Messenger)
A wear or so since. we wrote review
of the excellent and most conclusive
publication upon the "MecklenoufS Ds-
claration of Independence, by Dr.
George w. Graham and Professor Alex
andcr Graham, of Charlotte. III anythlhs
was lacking to establish beyond all per-
adventure the fact of declaration az
Charlottetown, on the goth of May, l00,
this capital and luminous discussion OF
the Messrs. Graham furnishes II. 1t mas
been clear to US for more than twenty
years that the declaration was indeed
verify and we have no more doubted
IL than we have doubted the battles OF
Kings Mountain and Guilford Court
house. We are glad TO see That second
edition. revised and enlarged, and in
much better style. has been Issued. Heie'
is a paper that the doubling
Thomases" may well. painfully. and care
fully consider. The truth Is there are
hundreds of facts" in history that all
men receive and believe with unquestion-
ing confidence that are not half so well
backed-up with cumulative evidence un-
designed condolences. and credible wit
nesses as this glorious event in North
Carolina.
But we refer to this most lucid force
full. convincing paper for another pur-
pose HOW. ItttulHEs ihlhlHlN- E.pliS
know something of Mr.. Moncure d. Con-
way. He is a Virginian, a man OF let
tiers, author OF books. one or more his
torical and biographical, has been an
editor. long resided i'm Washington. but
for n decade or two has been a denizen
of that enormous city that De Quincy,
fifty years ago, when not half its pre-
sent size. called "the Nation Of London"
Mr.. Conway received a copy OF the
nv Macgrc Graham
and on the 9th of last December ac-
knowledged its reception. The letter is Of
much interest, coming from such well
equipped and highly intellectual author
that through the courtesy of Professor
Noble, who obtained a copy from DR..
George w. Graham. to whom it was
addressed, we are able to lay II before
our readers:
Russell Mansion, Southampton Row.
London w. c.. Eng.
CDR. George w. Graham, Charlotte,
Dear Sir,-The pamphlet you have sent
me on the MeckIenburg Declaration has
been too long unacknowledged; this, how
ever, has not been due 10 any
lack of gratitude but from sort OF
hope that / might be able TO find over
here some scrap of information bearing
on the subject. i have so found much
| croft and Sparks, that i shall still hope
TO send you something, although thus
| far / have met with nothing. But this
| appears to me desirable only In the
interest of detailed history and not for
the confirmation Of the Mecklenburg De-
| ciaration; for If any historical investi-
! gator has hitherto had doubts. l do not
| see how they can survive the cumulative
evidence you have adduced In this ex-
| cellent paper In my life OF Thomas
| Paine, l., 55-5S, l have dealt with the
early revolutionary movement In North
| Carolina. and have there pronounced the
case for the May 10th declaration very
strong" If / get to fourth edition,
shall make my words decided.
However, 1 consider the case made
out. and l congratulate you gentlemen
on having contributed TO American his
tory a valuable State paper. / also thank
you personally for sending me the
pamphlet. hope in the coming year to
edit and publish the fragments of Edmund
\ Randolphs History Of Virginia, left by
him in manuscript, and ! shall certainly
refer to your pamphlet. Meanwhile, II
| any suggestion should be sent me as 10
! places here that have not been fully ex-
| plored, / shall be glad 10 receive such
advice. Yours truly and gratefully.
"MONCURE d. CONWAY"