The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-12

out consulting the wishes Of the peo-
pie in the territory or making pro-
vision for paying any of the debt the
the war had caused. Cast out BY
North Carolina. and with no idea OF
what Congress would do to aid II
the people determined to set UP sep
arate state government. 1t must be
remenlb ered that Congress at that
time was a puny, weak body. It had
but few powers The Constitution was
not accepted until nearly five years
later.
For the State they set up the people
selected the name Franklin. in honor
OF Poor Richard. Sewer was elected
pelts and fax and tobacco were made
legal tender. Alas. there were some
rascals in Franklin. for they hung
otter tails from bales that contained
fox skins and swindled the govern
ment out of ahillings 8 pence on
each pelt.
Scarcely had North Carolina heard
of the action of the people of Frank
lin than it repented, and the Assem-
bly, promptly reconvened and revoked
the cession of the territory TO Con-
gress. But Franklin already had
government. North Carolina thereup
on called upon Sewer and his asso-
ciates TO disband their government
and turn over all authority to the old
North State. But North Carolina
never had paid any attention to the
territory. and the Franks, who were
virginians mostly. had something like
contempt for North Carolinians any
how, Virginians considering them
selves gentlemen and much above the
poor white trash OF North Carolina.
Outlnwcd.
North Carolina promised all kinds
of reforms If the Franks would re-
turn peacefully. but the Franks de-
clned. Then force was threatened and
the Franks were eager to see it at
tempted. The Spanish Just about this
time saw a good opportunity to win
territory by giving counsel and aid to
the Franks. Offers were made Sewer
and his people that were flattering in
the extreme. They could get at New
| Orleans three times as much for their
tobacco as they could in Richmond or
Philadelphia, and 1t was easier to get
there. They could get more for their
peltries. too, and they were promised
the freedom OF the Mississippi.
But Sewer could not be inducde to
listen to the Spanish proposals. Con.
gress would not recognize the State of
| Franklin, 1t was true. and North Car
/! DINA had repudiated all its obliga-
lions, but the State could paddle alons
until 1t got populous enough to COM
| mand recognition. This was his pro
gram, and 1t would hace succeeded but
for the treachery OF John Upton, one
of his associates In launching the new
state. This man had taken orense
| at Sewers absolute control and gone
to the North Carolina Assembly and
induced that body to appoint him to
| the, command OF the militia and also
| to appoint full set of officers for
| the seeding territory. Then he re-
| turned to Franklin and at once seized
| court records and other papers where
ever he could. SEWERS men promptly
recaptured them. Then Upton seized
them again. Once more Sewers men
recaptured them.
With two sets Of officials there was
disorder. One body would null1fy the
acts Of the other Rival judges. rlva
sheriffs and rival constables meant
anarchy Sewer easily could nave en-
PEELED the representatives of North
Carolina by force, but that would have
meant bloodshed and he would not &c
it, A truce of six months was patched
up by which 1t was agreed that Sewer
| was to finish out his term and thai
Franklin then should acknowledge
North Carolina's control, but that sc
soon as 1t could do so with good
grace North Carolina should let Frank
lin assume Statehood. In other words
North Carolina wanted to do what the
Chinese call "Save face" Pending
the truce it was optional with the
Franks whether they pay taxes tc
one set Of collectors or the othcre
They paid to neither.
The peace agreement proved In
effectual and the Indians hearing
| that SEWER was In trouble and was
to be deposed determined this was {
!. good time to wipe out old scores
Sewer took the field at once and re
heated the dose he had administered
to the red mon so often before. Blu
some one had made treaty win th'
4 indians whereby they We're promiset
their TERRITORY woula not be invaded