The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1909-05-22

eeedings endeavored to supply the rec.
ord from memory. unconsciously in.
termingling some Of the phraseoiogy
Of the Declaration Of July Z. which
gave the resolutions the tone q a
pronounced independency. Probably
through another dimness Of memory,
they afixed the date of May 20, 1776,
to them.
Case -fos -Msstisnhurssrs.
The case for the Mecklenburgers IL
set forth as follows: In 1918 there
arose . great rivalry between Massa.
chusetts and Virginia as to which com.
monwealth should receive credit for
the Philadelphia document, and the
controversy was brought up in con-
gress. 1t was ut this time that David
son, a representative In congress from
North Carolina, announced that Neck
lenburg county had declared her in.
dependence 10 months before the pro-
mitigation Of the document in Phila-
delphia.
While the statement created some
surprise 1t resulted in an investiga-
ton into the facts as to the Mecklen.
surg declaration. This inquiry was
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 full account OF the
event." which DR.. Alexander said he
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.
Or. Alexander's Story.
DR.. Alexander related at length how
the farmers Of Mecklenburg county in
the spring OF 1875 had called 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" "Oficial news. by express. ar.
rived OF the battle OF Lexington" &C.
cording to DR.. Alexander's report to
Senator Macon. and the influence OF
the news from Lexington, ne 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. 1878. reads:
Il. Resolved. That whosoever di.
rectly or indirectly abetted or in any
way. form or manner countenanced
the unchartered and dangerous inva-
sion Of our rights, As claimed by Great
Britain. is an enemy to this country
-America-and to the inherent and
inalienable rights Of man.
y. Resolved. That we. the citizens
Of Mecklenburg county. do hereby dis
solve the political bands which have
connected W 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.
3. Resolved. That we do hereby de-
clare ourselves free and independent
people. are. and OF right ought to be.
. sovereign and self.governinE 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 solcmnly pledge to each
other our mutual cooperation, our
lives. our fortunes and our most
sacred honor.
=. Resolved. That ~ We now &C.
knowledge the existence and control
OF NO Law or legal otlicer, civil or mil.
itary. within this country. We do here.
BY ordain and adopt. ~ . rule Of life.
each and every one OF our former
laws. wherein. nevertheless. the crown
Of Great Britain never can be cousid.
cred - holding privileges. immunitiss
o. authority therein.
=. Resolved. That Il IL also further
dscresd that all. each and every mill.
tary ofhcer IN this county IL hereby
reinstated 70 bis former command and
authority. he acting coaformably to
these regulations. And that every
member present Of this delegstiou
shall hsneeforth b civil ofncsr. vtx,
. Justice Of the peace. in tho character
OF committeeman 70 issue process
hear and determine all matters Of con.
trovsrsy. according 70 said adopted
laws, and 70 preserve peace and union