The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-05-21

ceedings endeavored to supply the rec.
ord from memory, unconsciously in.
termingling some of the p~hraseology
of the Declaration of July l., which
gave the resolutions the tone OF q
pronounced independency. Probably
through another dimness OF memory,
they affixed the date of May 20, 1776,
to them.
Case for Mecklenburgers.
The case for the Mecklenburgers 10
set forth as follows: In 1918 there
arose a great rivalry between Massa
chusetts and Virginia as to which com,
mouwealth should receive credit for
the Philadelphia document, and the
controversy was brought up In con-
gress. 1t was at this time that David
son, a representative in congress from
North Carolina, announced that Neck
lenburg county had declared her in
dependence IL months before the pro-
mitigation of the document in Phila-
delphia.
While the statement created some
surprise it resulted in an investiga-
ton into the facts as to the Mecklen-
burg declaration. This inquiry vas
made by Nathaniel Macon, who repre-
scented North Carolina in the senate,
and through Gen. Joseph Graham
and Representative Davidson Senator
Macon received from DR.. Joseph Nc
Knit Alexander q full account of "the
aV0nf ~ which np AvovondoP aofd ho
had copied from papers left by his
father" This statement, which in
cluded the May 26th declaration,
Senator Macon sent to Raleigh, N. c.,
and 1t was published in the Register
on Friday, April 80, 1919.
Dr.. Aiexander's story.
DIR. Alexander related at length how
the farmers of Mecklenburg county in
the spring of ITS had called a con-
vention to be composed Of two dele
gates from each settlement in the
county to meet May 10 to devise
means for the assistance of the "suf-
fering people Of Boston and to extri-
cate themselves from the impending
storm" "Oflcial news, by express, ar
rived of the battle Of Lexington" ac-
cording to DIR. Alexander's report to
Senator Macon, and the influence Of
the news from Lexington, he added.
resulted In the unanimous adoption of
the Mecklenburg declaration of indie
pendence.
The declaration as written by DR..
Brevard, and approved by the conven-
ton on May 20, 1775, reads: 3.
Il. Resolved, That whosoever d.
rectly or indirectly abetted or in any
way, form or manner countenanced
the unchartered and dangerous inva-
sion of u rights, as claimed by Great
Britain, Is an enemy to this country
-America-and to the inherent and
~inalienable rights of mar.
80. Resolved. That we, the citizens
of M%ecklenburg county, do hereby dis
solve 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, con
tract or association with that nation,
who have wantonly trampled on our
rights and liberties and inhumanly
shed the innocent blood of American
patriots at Lexington.
Declared Themselves Free.
49, Resolved, That we do hereby de-
clare ourselves a free and independent
people, are, and of right ought to be,
a sovereign n self-governing asso-
citation under the control of no pow
er other than that of our God and the
general government of the congress,
to the maintenance of which indie
pendence we solemnly pledge to each
other our mutual cooperation, our
lives, our fortunes and our most
sacred honor.
a. Resolved, That as we now &C.
knowledge the existence and control
of no law or legal officer, civil or mil.
itary, within this country, we do here
by ordain and adopt, as a rule of life,
each and every n of our former
laws, wherein, nevertheless, the crown.
of Great Britain never can be consid-
cred as holding privileges, immunities
or authority therein.
SO. Resolved, That it is also further
decreed that all, each and every mill
tary officer in this county is hereby
reinstated to his former command and
authority, he acting conformably to
these regulations. And that every
member present of this delegation
shall henceforth be a civil officer, viz,
a justice of the peace, in the character
of a committeeman to issue process
hear and determine all matters of con-
troyersy, according to said adopted
laws, and to preserve peace and union
and harmony in said county, and to
use every exertion to spread the love
of the country and fire of freedom
throughout America, until a more gen.
eral and organized government be es-
tablished in this province"