The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-06-24
VANISHED STATE OF FRANKLIN.
Romance of . Cs@,aos vsaith shie
Once 0sld Part Of Yssss>ssS.

The State Of Franklin once for med,
IN area If not in population, An i'm
portAns part of the Cnion. IL bad
It's executive. legislative, and jadi-
ciai departments; exercised overn-
mental functions, maintained . re-
spectacle militia, fiourished apace,
and then. after a varied experience,
completely disappeared from the
sisterhood of States From his
torians the State Of Franklin has re-
ceived scant attention, and to the
maJosity Of the present generation
its ideHi'y with the State Of Ten
| nessee seems almost as mythical as
that of Plsto's Atlantis with the
American continent. Yet, though
Tennessee was a few days ago, at
Nashville, celebrating, with q great
eclat. the centennial Of it's admis-
sion, Statehood had, in fact, existed
within its present limits considera-
bly, over 100 years ago.
One desirous of dwelling on the
romance Of facts may find much to
attract in this obscure chapter of
our national history. A few thou
sand mountaineers, in q remote will
derness, infused with the principles
which inspired the Revolution, had
banded together and formed a State
government of their OVID. With
John Sewer, an ideal frontiersman,
as the hero, with local self govern
ment as the animating motive, with
| variety of plots and counter plots
to lend picturesqueness of incident,
with phases of comedy, interspersed
now and then with episodes truly
tragic, the drama was acted out
amid the scenery furnished by the
mountain regions Of Tennessee.
When the American Revolution
broke out, what is now the State of
Tennessee was an unorganized,
sparsely settled territory. The North
Carolina Legislature, in June 1884,
without consulting those most af-
fected, ceded the Federal govern
ment the whole annexed terrific, y
under the name of the District of
Washington provided the govern
ment should. within two years, sig
nifty its assent.
The settlers naturally objecting
to such a wholesale disposition of
themselves, rose up in wrath. The
manner and conditions of the cession
were repugnant, and the people felt
that they had notonly been trifed with
but subjected to two years of an
archy and disorder. Calling a con-
vention in August, 1884, they form
ed the State of Franklin. The
North Carolina Legislature, realiz
ing its error, ,hastened to undo its mis-
take and re-annexed the "Washing-
ton district The inhabitants of
Franklin re ejscted offers for recon
ciliation, and Capt. SEWER. though
at first inclined to advise return of
allegiance to North Carolina, yield
ed to an overwhelming public senti-
ment and accepted the Governorshir
of the new State. He was lnaugu.
rated at Wataugs, March l, 1855
Some sort of order was now estab-
lished, at least for time. A court
was created, the militia thoroughly
reorgauized, and peace effected
with Indians who had been carrying
on destructive warfare for a quar-.
ter of a century.
But peace did not long prevail
Complications arose which kept
the young State of Franklin
in a constant turmoil. Congress
still asserted jurisdiction. A reac
ton, stimulated by disappointed Of
fee seekers, ensued among those
who had been most clamorous fol
the new State. Jealousy of Sewer
success animated his rivals, whe
henceforth sought to make his life
a burden. The population was di.
vided into the Franklin and the NORTH
Carolina factions. Elections were
held and appointments made unde,
the laws of both States. Two sets oi
officers claimed authority, each null
flying the acts of the other. One
faction would steal the public rec
ords from the other, only to b,
treated in like manner in turn
: The courts were in a chaoti,
condition. Wills could not be proved
titles perfected, or justice admins
tered. No taxes were laid. Marri
> ages performed by officials of on
faction were not recognized by tn
other.
Still the determined State Tough
} for its life. 1t exercised even Fed
eral power and authorized the coin
age Of specie, though its chief me
dunn of exchange continued to b
; the skins of wild animals. Finall,
: emlssaries were sent to the Nortl
Carolina Legislature to make over
, lures Of peace. The address o
} Fraukiin's representative was I
model of eloquence, fervid with tn
| rhetoric of the Revolutionary era
| But it fell upon unheeding ears. n
! recognition would be made of tn
t rebellious State, though North Care
lima had once cut her off withou
her consent.
! The last session of the Frankli
y Legislature met in September, 49,
> That there was no intention of SUI
rendering is evident from one of th
acts of the Legislature, which hs
been preserved, and which is intel
esting as an example of primitive
nanciering. The law is as follows:
= "Be it enacted by the General A.
9 sembley of the State of Franklil
/ and it is hereby enacted by the Al
+ thority of the same: That from th
first day Of January. 17SS, the sa
r aries of the officers of this Common
l. wealth be as follows, to wit:
l. "His excellency the Governor, pe
annum 600 deerskins.
It "Ris honor the Chief Justice, 81
n deerskins.
% 1.-The secretary to his excellene
the Governor, 500 raccoon skins.
'r The treasurer of the State, $50 ra
II coon skins.
n Each County Clerk, 300 beav
s. skins.
is "Clerk of the House of Common
70 200 raccon SKINS.