The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-23
CHOWAN. DECLARATION
RESOLUTIONS DENOuNClNG THE BOSTON
PORT BILL.
One Of the First Outspoken Instances of Colo
NAL Protest Against the Crown
Measures.

| Measures.
To the Editor:
In your issue Of July 2nd You publish
ed an article Of much interest concern
ing Edenton. its history, its beauty, its
| people. past and present. The author,
| Mr. Wm J. Leary, tells the story in a
pleasant and an instructive way. and
dwells at some length, with natural and
commendabe pride, upon the patriotic
| action of st. Paul's vestry of June 10.
| 1II6, sometimes called Edenton's
Declaration of Independence. This
| spirited action of the vestry-who were
also virtually the County Commissioners
of Chowan County-has frequently been
| quoted and commented upon with just
approval. The full proceedings may be
seen in Volume 10 of our Colonial
Records But there is also a record
preserved of the action of the people of
Chowan County of earlier date than the
| 'Declaration" which has not received
the same notice. and which in some re-
| spects is even more creditable.
The Boston Port Bill" and other OPP
| pressive measures, had been passed by
the British Parliament: a call had been
| issued, in defiance Of Royal authority,
| for the first Provincial Congress of
North Carolina to meet in Newbern on
August 10Th. 1I74. and to appoint dele
gates to that Congress, a meeting was
| held in Edenton on August 22nd, 1774,
| of which the following is some account:
Proceedings of Freeholders in Chow
an County, 22nd August, IVA.
AT very respectable and numerous
| Meeting of the Freeholders of the Coun-
| ty Of Chowan and Town of Edenton,
and other Inhabitants of the said Coun-
| ty and Town. at the Court House in
| Edenton on the 22nd day of August,
| in the year of our Lord. 1774. the Rev.
| Mr.. Daniel Earl in the chair"
Colonial Records, Vol. 8: PIP. 1O37-3S
| OF the seven bold resolutions three only
! are quoted.)
t2nd): "Resolved. That it is the
natural right of mankind to enjoy and
possess the property acquired by their
| abour and industry. until they consent
to part from it; that this right is amply
secured to every British Subject by the
| Fundamental Laws and Constitution of
Great Britain: and that the Inhabitants
of this Province are entitled to all lab
critics, Franchises and Privileges of his
Majestys British Subjects.
t3rd): Resolved That the Acts of
the British Parliament imposing Taxes
or Duties for the purpose of raising a
revenue. to be paid by the Inhabitants
of this. or any other of His Majesty s
| Colonies in America. are arbitrary ana
! unjust, tending to create unhappy
! jealousies between His Maiestys Ameri-
can and British Subjects. and to de-
stroy our natural rights and privileges,
| confirmed and guaranteed by Royal
| Charter to our Ancestors and to their
Posterity.,
18th: ''Rcsolved. That the most
probable means of defeating the banc-
| full purposes intended to be carried into
execution under the above Acts is to
promote and encourage the Manufac-
lures of this Country ty wearing them
ourselves and using them in our families.
and to avoid. as much as possible, the
purchase of any British or Indian wares
or manufactures"
| The Boston Port Bill was denounced,
four other resolutions. equally outspoken
as those cited. were adopted. and the
| following were appointed delegates to the
! meeting at Newbern, Ito deliberate on
. the most effectual means of providing
against the evils which threaten our
Constitution" all Of whom attended it:
Samuel Johnston. Thomas Oldham,
Thomas Jones. Thomas Benburg,
Thomas Hunter and Joseph Hewes.
| 1t is worthy Of note that the presiding
officer of this Etlenton meeting. Rev.
Daniel Earl was the Rector of st.
Paul's Parish, and that the "Declara-
| ton mentioned above was afterwards
issued by the ''vestry" of that Parish
both of which facts would seem to indi-
cate that in that part Of the Province
at least. there was but little sympathy
politically with the Mother Church III
England 1t is also equally noteworthy
that in the series of able, wise and
intrepid resolutions passed by that first
Provincial Congress Of North Carolina
protesting with no uncertain words
against the usurpations and tyrannical
acts of the British Parliament, was one
denouncing in unmeasured terms the
slave trade, forced upon the Province by
that Parliament and recommending
measures for it's suppression. 1t rs SAID
that q prominent member of that Con
gress was afterwards disciplined for mol
conforming strictly to that resolution.
There were giants in those days. in
ltellectually and otherwise.
GRAHAM Dawes.
l Nnrhorp n e.