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

DR.. J. =. Alexander in his History OF
Mecklenburg County" quotes with ap-
prevail Martins account of the whole
proceeding on May 1920, including his
version Of the declaration, (p. Is ct
seq
In the year 1900 the Alexander resi-
dence in which were deposited the rec
ords of the proceedings of the conven-
ton of May 1920, containing the gen
uine copy of the declaration, was
burned. On September 3rd John
McKnitt Alexander, secretary Of the
meeting of Nav 20, attempted to re-
produce the declaration from memory
and this copy passing into possession
Of William r. Davie is known as the
''Davie Copy" 1t is as follows:
CTomplzfns History of Mecklenburg
County, vol. II. PIP. 32-33.)
q. Resolved, That whosoever di-
rectly or indirectly abetted or in any
way or form countenanced the IN
chartered and dangerous invasion of
our rights as claimed by Great Brit
ain. is an enemy to this country, TO
America, and to the inherent and in
alienable nights of man.
y. Resolved, That we, the citizens
of Mecklenburg county. do hereby dis
solve the political bands which have
connected US to the mother country
and hereby absolye ourselves from all
allegiance to the British crown, and
abjure all political connection, con-
tract or association with that nation
who have wantonly trampled on our
rights and liberties, and inhumanly
shed the blood Of American patriots at
Lexington.
g. Resolved That We do hereby
declare ourselves a free and independ-
ent people: are and of right ought TO
be a sovereign and self-goyerning as
ISOLATION, under the control of no
other power but that OF our God and
the general government of the con-
gress: TO the maintenance of which
independence We solemnly pledge to
each other our mutual cooperation.
our lives. our fortunes and our most
sacred honor.
a Resolved, That as we now as
knowledge the existence and control
Of no law or legal officer civil or mill
tary. within this county, we do here
by ordain and adopt as a rule of life,
all, each, and every Of our former laws
wherein. nevertheless, the crown oil
as holding rights, privileges, immun-
tiles. or authority therein.
-. Resolved. That it is further de-
creed that all, each, and every military
officer in this county is hereby rein
stated in his former command and
authority, he acting conformably 10
these regulations. And that every
member present of this delegation,
shall henceforth be q civil officer, viz.
a justice Of the peace, in the character
of a committeeman to issue process
hear and determine all matters of con-
troVersy accordingto said adopted laws
and TO preserve peace, union and har
mOny in said county: and to use every
exertion 10 spread the love of coun-
try and the fire of freedom through
out America, until a more general and
government be established
in this province.
Alexander did not claim this TO be
an exact copy of the declaration; on |
the contrary. he affixed the following |
note To the copy:
1T may be worthy of notice here |
TO observe that the foregoing state |
ment through fundamentally correct /
may not literally correspond with the /
original record Of the transaction OF /
said declaration and court of enquiry |
as all these records and papers WERE /
burnt with the house ON April s, 1900,
but previous to that time Of 1900, a |
full copy OF. said records. at the re-
quest Of DR.. Hugh VIII hanson, then /
Of New York, but formerly a repre-
sentative in Congress from this State.
was forwarded To him by Col. William
Polk. in order that those early trans
actions might fill their proper place
In a history of this state, then writ
ing by said DR.. Williamson in New /
York.
Certified to the best of my recol-
lection and belief, this 3rd day Of Sep
tember. 1900" CTompkins' History of
County, vol. H., PIP. SD |
1t is of course well known that DR.. i
did not bring his history /
as far as 1775, and hence gave no ac-
count of the declaration; and il is /
also known that all of his papers were /
later destroyed by fire. Is it not |
that We will not learn by ex-
periencei
In commenting on this "Davie /
Copy" Mr.. Tompkins says, (vol. IL, p. |
-:
THE Davfe copy is a free version OF /
the Martin copy. II begins with the /
past tense, 'WhosOeyer abetted,' show /
ing the act of memory involved. /
There is a superfiuity OF adjectives, /
and dangerous inherent /
and inalienable' which may be an echo /
of the national declaration. though |
rights inaIienably our is an expression |
found in the articles of association i
adopted by Congress in 1874. .Ameri- |
cans becomes American patriots in 1
the old mans memory. A preamble |
is put TO the fourth resolution. as
we now acknowledge the existence and |
control of no law or legal officer, civil !
or military'-'all and each becomes |
all. each and every Instead of be /
entitled to exercise the same powers /
and authorities as heretofore. Mr.. /
Alexander gives as the substance of At /
is hereby reinstated in his former |
command and authority According /
to law is changed TO according TO said /
laws and the love Of liberty