The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-24
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ne ne eXefclsS 4 the estimation in which
ne was held. RE was one of the faithfIIf
representatives OF the people, who, unaw,
era,-y py po"ef, SO fearlessly resisted the
was the first chairman of the Whining
IoH COMMITTEES, over which he long IRE.
sIueu.ltS very center and soul and life
breathing spirit of liberty among IN.
peopie. When the Provincial CONGRESS-
IN 100, assumed the government and an.
l'oin'su Councll to administer the af-
iaTs OF the colony at their most critical
juncture, he was chosen PRESIDENT of m.
competitive sports, and perpetual nov
abilities. But there is a brighter lever
in his crown of glory. A, member Of inc
convention which met at Halifax the attn
OF April, 1776, he was chairman of the
committee appointed to consider the us1lr
patlons OF the king and parliament ana
the author of their celebrated report ana
resolution empowering the delegates for
this colony in the Continental Congress to
concur with the delegates of the other
colonies IN declaring independence This
resolution was unanimously adopted by
the convention On April IL, 1776, more
than month before the celebrated res
o!ution of Virginia on the same SUB
''Thus faithfully did Harnett serve the
cause OF liberty. And the enemies or
his country did not forget him for it.
In the spring Of 1916, Sir Henry Clinton
arrived in the Cape Fear, and his first
public act was to issue to Cornelius Har-
nett and Robert Howe patent of nobil-
ity. Here it rs. written in British ink
and dated 9TH Of May, 1776
1 have it in command to proceed
forthwith against all such men and
bodies OF men in arms and against ALI
congresses and committees thus unla,y-
fully established as AGAINST open enemies
OF the State. But, considering it duty
nseparable from the principles of hu
manity first Of all 10 warn the deluded
people o. the niseries ever attendant
upon civil war, l do most earnestly en-
treat and eEhort them, as they tender
their own happiness and that of their
posterity, to appease the vengeance of q
justly incensed nation by return to their
duty to our common sovereign and to the
blessings of free government establish
ed by law; hereby Offering, in his mai
osty's name free pardon to all such as
will lay down their arms and submit to
the laws: excepting only from the benefits
OF such pardon Cornelius Harnett ana
Robert Howe
He little knew how he was immoral
izlng the names OF the men he was try
ing to render infamous Harnett contin-
ued active in the service of the State I'M
til 1871. In that year a British force
occupied Wilmington, and so dangerous
to the cause Of the king was he est eemed
that the first incursion planned was for
the purpose or taking him prisoner. IN
attempting to escape from his enemies
he was taken i'll of the gout at the home
of his friend, Colonel Spicer, in Onslow,
and was captured there and carried in
triumph to Wilmington. Thus wrecked IN
health and fortune in the storms which
assailed his country, he died soon after
in his Imprisonment. childless and for
lorn. having first penned with his own
hand the cpitaph which stands above
his grave.
I'm the northeast corner of the grave
yard OF St. James Church in Whining
ton hes the body of one than whom
nobler and purer patriot never lived. The
rank grass grows over his grave and al
most hides it from view. as if it would
conceal from the stranger tGe fcrgetful-
ness and ingratitude of the town. Two
simple brown stone discolored by age,
mark the spot. On the largest which Is
an upright slab, is inscribed:
CORNELIUS HARNETT.
Died April 20, 1881.
Aged So years
Slave to no sect, he took no private
road,
But looked through nature up to natures
God. -