The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-02

and of country is recalled as the
love of country and the fire of free
DOM The resolutions about carrying
the copy to Philadelphia is omitted in
Mr.. Alexander's account. Otherwise
the copies agree
Now then let us look at the resolu-
tons as printed in the discovered"
copy of the Cape Fear Mercury re-
ferred to. They read as follows:
After a free and full discussion of
the objects of the convention, it was
unanimously resolved.
81. That whosoever, directly or
indirectly abetted, or In any way, form
or manner, countenanced the unchar-
tered and dangerous invasion of our
rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is
an enemy TO this country, to America
and TO the inherent and inalienable
rights of man.
-. Resolved, That we, the citi-
Zens of Mecklenburg County. do here
by dissolve the political bands which
have connected US TO the mother coun-
try and hereby absolve ourselves from
all allegiance to the British crown.
and abjure all political connection.
contract, or association with that ma
ton, who have wantonly trampled on
our rights and liberties, and inhumau-
ly shed the innocent blood of Ameri-
can patriots at Lexington.
. Resolved That We do hereby de-
clare Ourselye a free and independ-
ent people, are and of right ought 10
be a sovereign and self-governing as
sociation under the control of no pow
er other than that Of our God and
the general government of congress;
to the maintenance of which We
solemnly pledge to each other our mu-
tual cooperation, our lives, our for
tunes and our most sacred honor"
The copy given in Golfers Weekly
is said to contain only those resolves
in the first column Of the Cape Fear
Mercury. 1t will be observed that
these resolution are almost verbatim
Ike the .Dayie Copy written in 1900
from memory. If these resolutions are
genuine one must admire the tenacity
of Col. Alexander's memory.
II must be added that DR.. Hawks
in a lecture delivered before the New
DIRK Historical Society in 1852, quot
ed both the .Davie Copy" and the
Martin Copy, and gave his opinion
that the former were the resolutions
at Charlotte on May 20. The
latter, ne said in his opinion We're the
resolutions prepared in advance by DIR.
Ephraim Brevard and submitted 70
the meeting. They We're then referred
to a committee. amended and report
ed TO the meeting in the words OF the
''Davie Copy
Another fact Of no little interest in
this connection is that the discover
cred copy Of the Cape Fear Mercury
a fac sinile of which is published in
Golfers Weekly, is dated, Friday,
June 3, 1875" whereas the records OF
the log, as also the calendar of the
prepared by f. B. Heit-
man Of the United State war depart
ment shows that June Sd of 1875 came
on SATURDAY.
On January Goth, 1875 the VIII
committee met and made the
following entry in their journal:
Mr.. Adam Boyd having applied for
encouragement to his newspaper
some time ago laid aside), it was re-
solved that the committee as far as
heir influence extended would sup
port him on the following terms:
- That he. Mr.. Boyd. should weekly
continue a newspaper denominated the
Cape Fear Mercury, of p inches wide
Ii inches long, 3 columns on page,
ETC. etc Carolina records Of North
Carolina. vol Y. 111S). But in the note
% DIR. Miller's article i'm Golfers Week
v, describing the discovered" copy.
he says il is 8 1-4x13 ga inches.
Although the records of the proceed
ngs of the Wilmington committee OF
safety are complete. and all published.
ret there is no record Of any agree
nent between the committee and Mr..
Boyd BIZ which he was allowed to re-
luce the size of his paper. but there
Ire numerous records showing that the
committee carried out their part Of the
contract.
These facts are stated in order thar
We may be careful in accepting the re-
eently discovered" Cape Fear Mer-
Jury as genuine until thorough investi-
cations have been made and its gem
Iineness has been ascertained beyond
III doubt. Let US not put ourselves
n a position OF accepting as a final
Of the controversy. proof
which we may possibly have to reject
alter.
1 have no desire or intention Of at
TO impeach the authenticity
IF Or Miller's discovery. But it is not
impossible that he himself has
been imposed upon. It is only in
the interest of historical truth that /
.alI attention TO these facts. i may
say that | sincerely trust that this dis
eovery will prove genuine beyond all
doubt and thus settle forever the con-
-roversy that has 50 long waged
around this event, OF which We have
good right to be proud.
Gresham has his cooks with him at