Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-28
THE onOwAN DECLARATION.
RESOLUTION DcnouDcing the BOstou
Port HiII.

Raleieh News and Observer
10 Ae Editor:
u z.lr issue Of July "a you published
d. sr.-e IF much interest concerning
Glstoa It's history It's beauty its peo-
p s. and present The author, Mr..
VILLAIN j. Leary tells the story in "a
Ils-u, and an instructive way. ana
ca-ls 40 some length. with natural and
e1m- ldable pride, upon the patriotic
a...r Of St. Paurs vestry of June 49,
-0t sometimes called Edeuton's "Decla-
ration OF Independence" This spirited
.'lal Of tine vestry, who were also
virtually the county Commissioners Of
taoWan county has frequently been
quoted and commented upon with just
issued. i'm defiance of Royal authority,
approval. The fun proceedings may be
seen iu Volume ~ of our colonial re-
cords. But there Us also a record pre-
served OF the action ~ the people of
DAoWan county of earlier date than the
declaration, which mas not received
tne same notice, and which On some re-
sltcls. ls even more cretltdDle.
The Boston Port I'll, and other op-
plrss.Ve measures. had been passed by
Tile British Parliament call had been
U.s. ued in defiance of Royal authority,
ioI the FIRST Provincial Congress OF
North Carolina, 10 meet IN New Borne ON
August -. llA, and 70 appoint dele
gates 20 that congress, meeting was
held ia Edenton on August % 10i, %
which the following is some account:
Proceeding of Freeholders in Ch0Wan
County. 22d August. lll4
At very respectable and numerous
meeting OF the fIeehOlders of the county
OF Chowan and town of Edenton. ana
other Inhabitants OF the sand county ana
town. at the courthouse iu EdentOn, on
the 22d day OF August. in the year oil
our Lord l0f The Rev. Mr.. Daniel Earl
in the chair
)Colonia! Records. Vol Q: PIP. l057-3S
Oi the seven bold resolutions three only
arc quotedJ
md: Resolved. That it is the natural
rsht OF mankind to enjoy ANA possess
tre property acquired ly their labOur and
industry until they consent TO part from
10. That This right is amply secured 90
every British Subject 10y the Fundamental
L-ws ana Constitution OF Great Britain;
ana That the Inhabitants of this Province
ale entitled 90 an Liberties Franchise.
-N1 Privileges of his Majesty's British
CrD: Resolved That the Acts Of the
Lu.su Parliament imposing Taxes or
-.-..s Tor the purpose OF raising
-.'r--e. 20 Doe paid Dy the Inhabitants
y. H.-. or amy other OF HIS Majesty
colonies in America. are arbitrary and
l.-.. tending 10 create unhappy Jcal-
D-.i-s between Ills MaJesty's American
natural lghts and PRIVILEGES. confirmed
~a s-lraut,ed by Royal Charter TO our
ancestors and TO their Posterity.'
u. Resolved That the most prob
means or deicatng the bancful pur-
.r. Intended 20 be carried into cNccu-
. under the above Acts is 10 promote
~ encourage the Manufactures or TINS
country joy wearing them ourselves auQ
.- 't. m in our families. ana 10 AVOID,
'I.. l .s possible the purchase of any
h .r Indian wares or Manufacture.
I'D. Boston port bill was denounced,
other resolutions, equally Oulspokeh
cited. were adopted, ana the
owing were appointed delegates 10 the
n- no New Eerne. "tO deliberate on
most emcctua means of pioWdinS
fle evils which threaten our CON
all OF whom ATTENDED, lt'
'..I Johnston. Thomas Oldham
Jones. Thomas BCnburg, InomdS
and Joseph Hewes.
worthy OF note that the presiding
ot This Edenton meeting Rev.
Earl. was the rector OF 81.
parish. and that the 'declara-
hl nioned above was atterWaIeS
-- h} The 'Nestry' OF that parish /
NJ which facts would seem 90 lndi- /
Mat in that part Of The province.
.a.. there was but little sympathy /
.'aly with the Mother Church in |
"rd 10 ls also equally noteworthy /
" n ils series OF able, wise. ana iu- !
f..l r.s0lutlOus passed by that first |
PROVINCIAL Congress OF North Carolina, !
t.'D.uuF with no ccrtains words !
...Iuat the usurpatiOne and tyrannical /
~ the British Parliament was one I
-'tncug i'm unmeasured terms the /
tate trade forced upon the province by /
i.i Parliament. and recommending mea- !
ies Tor It's suppression. II is said that I
Prominent member OF that Congress !
wee afterwards disc Dlned for not con- /
.in'ns strictly 90 that resolution.
hrfe were giants In those days, IN !
'ec.ually and otherwise.
GRAHAM Dawes.
New Berne. ~ G.