The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-20
THE MEcKLENBURG DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE BY Joseph
Innrenn C-ald ,un1l .----- 80

THE MECkLIGN BURG tDECLARAIlON
OF INDEPENDENCE BY Joseph
Pearson Caldwell.
On May 20, ITO. the chosen representa-
tives OF Mccklenburg county, n. c., met
in convention at Charlotte Ito provide In
some degree for the extgencies arising
in this county" from adverse legislation
by the British Parliament. While the
delega tee were in session. the first intel
lgence Of the battle of Lexington In
Massachusetts was received. This news
of war upon n sister colony by Great
Britain changed the purpose of the dele
gates, nnd, instead of protesting against
the acts OF Parliament, as had been In
tended. they resolved upon independence,
and passed the following declaration:
Resolved. That whatsoever directly or
Indirectly abets or in any way, form or
manner countenances the Invasion Of our
rights, as attempted by the Parliament OF
Great Britain. is an enemy TO MS eoun-
try, to America and the rights of men,
Resolved That we, the citizens OK
Mecklenburg county, do hereby dissolve
s tnc-poiitisai bands which nave +conntctci
us with the mother country, and absolre
ourselves from all allegiance to the Brit
ish crown. abjuFins all political connection
with a nation that has wantonly trampied
on our rights and liberties and inhumanly
shed the innocent blood of Americans a.
Lexington.
!
ourselves free and independent people,
. are and Of right ought TO be. a sovereign
and safeguarding people under the
power OF God and the General Gongf res
we soemnly pledge to each other our
mutual cooperation, our lives, OUR for
tunes and our most sacred honor
Resolved That we hereby ordain ana
adopt as rules of conduct. all and each
of our former laws. and the crown OIL
Great Britain cannot be considered here
after as holding any rights, privileges or
immunities amongst u.s.
Resolved, That all officers, poth civil
and military, in this county be entitled TO
exercise the same powers and autnorl.ies
as herctotore that every member OF th.s
delegation shall henceforth be civil
tice of the peace. issue process, hear and
determine controversies according to law,
preserve peace. union and HARMONY III
the county and use every exertipn 70
spread the love of liberty and of country,
until a more general and better orsal- :
lied system of government be established
Resolved. That. copy Of these reSo-
lutions be transmitted by express T. ne n.
President of the Continental Cong-e's'
assembled in Philadelphia, to be laid se-
fore that body"
This declaration. rs soon as money - =.
defray the expenses Of 4 messenger to
Philadelphia could be raised by a Voluh-
tary subscription. was transmitted TO me
President to be submitted by nm pd 70 d ane
withheld the declaration and wrote tLe
delegates at Charlotte that he deemed the
subject of the resolutions tlnuepenuellec'
premature 70 be lad before r consiess the
Mecklenburg Declaration OF lndepcnd,esii GO,
1t Is to be inferred from the proceealnsSi'
was due TO the fact that when the r res.
dent received the declaration Congress
was not only opposed to Independence IN
diyidually, but was actually preparing a
petition to the King. which was suD .ss,,
aufns 5 Ssnsa BY eXSy nave not on raised I
armies with the ambitious design Of sepa-
rating from Great Britain and estanllsh lng
measure demanding freedom was prenla-
ture to be laid before Congress Just then
Notwithstanding the Continental Assem-
s sanco hTo ts boid aeton Of the people Of
Meekienburg, the county's new govern
n,ent was maintained Just the same e, by y,
It's ncommttee OF safety, and ld the reign
Charlotte, Il. G, on May 20, E75.
When the delegates met In convention at
Charlotte John Mcknltt Alexander was
CHOSEN secretary ana taIS Is pef apr 1sSo
Iwenty-flye Years fter this Meeting, theesc
records, including the Mecklenburs deo!a-
ration, were burned VIII I'M Ale Homs.ser
made no less than Aye copies OF the Orig
nal resolutions Again after tho declara-
wrote re several additional copies from mem
Dry and presented one to, General William
r, Dayle, This transcript Is, known 70
historian as the "Dayie copy" and con-
admits a possible lapse of memory In a
certificate upon the back OF the pavle
copy.
John McKnitt Alexander an account OF
the proceedings OF tho delegates ct
Charlotte with duplicate OF the Dayie
copy was published In the Raleigh Regis