The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-18

often met at Queens Museum or coll
lege, to discuss the topics of the day.
1t was finally agreed that Thomas
Polk. colonel of the militia, long a sur
veyor in the province, frequently a
member of the Colonial Assembly and
man of great excellence to call "A
convention of the representatives, of the
whenever circumstances seemed to re-
eulre 1t. 1t was also agreed that such
representatives should consist of dele
gates from each captains company
chosen by the people of the several
militia districts, and that their decis
ions, when thus legally convened,
should be binding upon the whole coun-
try.
When it became known that Governor
Martin had attempted by his procla-
nation issued on March l. 1875, to pre-
vent the assembling of provincial
congress at Newbern on April 3, 1775
following, and when it was recollected
that by his arbitrary authority he had
dissolved the last provincial assembly
after a session of only four days, and
before any important business had
been transacted, the public excitement
became intense and the people were
clamorous for some decisive action and
a redress of their grievance. A large
majority of the people were willing to
incur the dangers incident to revolution
for the seke of themselves, their pos
terity and the sacred cause of liberty
Colonel Polk Issues Notice
In this state of the public mind, Col
onel Polk issued his notice to the com
mitteemen, two from each captains
district previously agreed upon, to
assemble in Charlotte on May 10, 1775,
to consult for the common good, and
inaugurate such measures as would
conduce to that desirable end. The
notice of the appointed meeting spread
rapidly through the country, and all
classes of citizens, intuftively as it
We're. partook of the general enthusi-
asm and felt the Importance of the ap-
preaching convention. On the APP
pointed day. an immense concourse of
people. consisting of gray haired sires
and vigorous youths, from all parts of
the country, assembled in Charlotte,
then containing about % houses. all
anxious to know the result of that
ever memorable occasion, After as
sembling in the courthouse, Abraham
Alexander, venerable citizen and mag
istrate. was made chairman and John
Mcknitt Alexander assisted by DIR. Eph-
RAIN Brevard. secretaries all men of
busines habits and Of great popularity,
a full free and animated discussion up
on exciting topics of the day then en-
sued in which DR.. Ephraim Brevard
a finished scholar Col. William Ken
non, an eminent lawyer of Salisbury and
Rev. Hezikiah J. Balch, distinguished
Presbyterian preacher, We're the CHIEF
speakers
During the session of the convention
an express messenger arrived bearing
the news of the wanton and cruel she'd
ding of blood at Lexington on April 49,
just one month preceding. The inteli-
Eence served to increase the patriotic
ardor, and the assembly. as with one
voice, cried out, Let us be independent;
let us declare our independence and de-
fend 1t with our lives and our fortunes -
The speakers said his majesty's proclama- :
tion had declared them out of the protec-
tion of the British crown. and they ought,
therefore, to declare themselves out of
his protection and be independent of his
government
A committee. consisting of DIR. Brevard,
Colonel Kennon and the Rev. Mr.. Balch
was then appointed to prepare resolutions
suitable TO the occasion. The excitement
of the people continued to increase and
the deliberations of the convention, in