The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-08-28

" men Nhht is NOW IenneHsee was n IArt
of North Carolina, the District OF wash .
ington mud an Independent State--An
Act of the Legislature.
The state Of franklin once formed In
area, If not In population, an important
part Of the Union. 1t had its executive
Legislative aud judicial departments. OK
erciscd governmental functions, maintain
ed respectable militia, 1ourishod apacc
and then, after II varied experience, com
pletcly disappeared from the "sistCrhood
of states From historians the state Of
franklin has received scant attention, and
to the majority of the present generation
its identity with the state Of Tennessee
seems almost as mythical as that Of Plates
Atlantis with tho American continent
a few thousand mountainCcrs, in II re.
mote wilderness, infused with tho princi-
pies which inspired the Revolution, had
banded together and formed state gov
eminent of their own. With John SEWER,
an ideal fiouticrsman, as the hero with
local self government as the aninating
motive, with variety Of plots and coun-
terplots to lend picturesquenCss of incident,
with phases of comedy intCrspCrsed now
and then with episodes truly tragic, the
regions Of Tennessee
When the American Revolution broke
out, what is now the state of Tennessee
was an unorganized, sparsely settled ter.
ritory. In 1916 its inhabitants, under the
leadership of Captain Sewer, petitoned
the North Carolina Legislature to he an
nexed tn that state in order to contribute
their share toward national Independence.
AS the expenses of the war bore heavily
on the Old North State, her legislature
was only too glad to divide the burden.
The petition was granted, and what II
now Tennessee formed part of North Car
DINA until the close Of the Revolution. AS
1t had now become II source of expense
rather than help, the North Carolina leg
islaturc in June, 1884, without consulting
those most affected coded to tho federal
government the whole annexed territory
under the name of the District of Wash
ingtun, provided the government should
within two years signify its assent.
The settlers, naturally objecting to such
q wholesale disposition of themselves, rose
up in wrath The manner and conditions
of the cossion were repugnant, and the
people felt that they had not only been
trifcd WITH but subjected to two years of
anarchy and disorder. Calling a convcn-
ton ia August, 1854, they formed the
state of Franklin. The North Carolina
legislature. realizing its error, FASTENED to
undo its mistake and reanneXed tho
washington district" The inhabitants Of
Franklin rejected offers for reconciliation,
and Captain Sewer, though ut first in.
clinod to Gd wise II return of allegiance to
North Carolina, yielded to an overwhClm-
ing public sentiment and accepted tho gov
ernorship of the new state. He was in.
auuurated at Wutauga on March /, 1888.
Some sort OF order was EOw established,
at least for II time. A court was created,
the militia thoroughly reorganzed and
peace effected with Indians.
But peace did not long prevail Com
plications arose which kept the young
state of Franklin in constant turmoil
Congress still asserted jurisdiction. a re
action, stimulated by disappointed oilc'
seekers, cnsued among those who had beer
most clamorous for the new state. Jcal
ousy of Sewers success animated his ri
walls, who henceforth sought to make hi
life u burden. The population was divided
into the Franklin and the North Carolin,
factions. Elections We're held and appoint
ments made under the laws of both states
Two sets of officers claimed authority, Cacf
multiplying the acts of the other. One fac
ton would steal the public records from
the other, only to Le treated in like man
ner in turn. The courts were in II choati
condition. Wills could not be proved ii
ties perfcc ted or Justice administered N
taxes were paid. Marriages performed b.
officials of one faction were not recognized
by the other.
Still the determined young state Tough
for its life 1t exercised even federal powe
and authorized the coinage of specie
though its chief medium of exchange con
tinued to be the skins of wild animals
Finally emissaries were sent to the Nortl
Carolina legislature to make overtureS o
peace. The address of Franklins repre-
sentative was u model of eloquence fervi
with the rhetoric of the era. But it fel
upon unheeding ears No recognition
would be made of the rebcllious state
The last session of the Franklin legisla
: ture was helsl in September, 1887. Tha
there was then no intention of surrender
ing is evident from one of the acts of til
legislature, which has been preserved an
e is interesting as an example of primitiv
flnanciering. The law is rs follows:
"Be it enacted by the general assembl
Of the state of Franklin, and it is hereb
enacted by the authority of the same, thu
aries of the officers of this commonwealth
be as follows, to wit:
"His excellency the governor, per al
mum, 1000 deerskins.
"His honor the chief justice, 500 dee
skins.
"The secretary to his excellency the go'
ernor, 800 raccoon skins
Treasurer Of the state, 450 racooo
skins.
Each county clerk, 300 beaver skins.
"Clerk house of commons, 200 raccoo
skins
members of the assembly, per diem,
raccoon skins.
JUSTICES fee for a warrant, muskr;
skin.
Constable for serving warrant,
mink skin.
ENACTED into law the 18th day of o
tober, 1887, under the great seal of ii
:, state
Meantime Governor Caswell of Mort
Carolina issued his proclamation declariI
the government of Franklin Illegal sti
matizing its officers and adherents as re