The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter., 1962-04-06
HISTORY RETOLD BY
N. c. TER ERCENTEllARY
COMMISSION AGENCY
By BOB PAGE, III

c6uCeudIy CO1tSc1OuSs
In 1869, the state Legislature
established the Carolina Charter
Tercentenary Commission to make
plans and develop program for
celebration of the Tercentenary Of
the granting of the Carolina Char
ter of 1868, and the appropriate
time, or times, conduct such cele-
bration or series of celebrations. !"
This is being. done; more impor-
tant is the question: Why?
The Carolina Charter, granted in
1868 by King Charles II of Eng
land, is an indispensable link in the
series of documents that preserve
our political liberties beginning
with the Magma Carta down to the
present. The Charter is the first
written guarantee to the inhabi-
tants Of Carolina of the rights and
liberties inherent in the Common
Law of England. To each North
Carolinian the Charter is the deed,
or will, or administrators record,
or visual assurance Of his inherited
political liberties.
After being restored to the
English throne in 1860, Charles II
was pressured by eight of his sup
porters for settlement Of the debt
they felt he owed them. Thus, the
Carolina Charter was granted to
the eight supporters, historically
known as the Lords Proprietors, on
March "a, 1868.
The territoy included an area
that now encompasses North Caro-
lima and thirteen other states. An
amendment in 1865, forced by the
ambition. of the Proprietors, in
creased the area which already ex-
tended from sea to sea, to the 36'-
SO' parallel and to parallel line
approximately one third into the
Florida peninsula. This included a
portion Of the states of Florida,
Missouri, and small section of
Kentucky.
While the Proprietors were
granted extensive authority and
power over their territory, the peo-
pie specifically inherited the 'shber-
ties franchises. and privileges" en-
loved bv the Kings subjects in
England.
II is worth noting that North
Carolina and only six other states
nosses their original charters to-
dav. The Carolina Charter is hous-
ed in a fire-proof vault in the
state,s Hall of History in Raleigh's
CAPITAL Square.
A facet of Governor Sanford's
thinking in regard to North Caro-
lima history was revealed recently
when he said, "To often neighbor-
ING states have stolen the thunder
on commemorations Of this type. 1t
Is time that we begin paying ap-
propriate tribute to. our past. North
Carolina is richer and more in
teresting in its heritage and his
torv."
Next question: How?
The Charter Commission is un-
dertaking several projects for the
state: It will also coordinate eff
forts of businesses, industry, civic
clubs. societies, and. individuals in
celebrating North Cardinals 300th
birthday during 1868.
Included in the list of endeavors
of the Commission are a commem-
orahive postage stamp 1.-THE num-
her of issues has been cut from 45
TO is per wear. but concentrated ef-
fort is being made by the Charter
Commission to secure the issue) !;
sponsorship of a $4,000 literary
contest Inquiries should be ad-
dressed to the Commission, Box
1881 Raleigh. a mobile museum
(the museum should be travelling
to every Tar Heel community by
the summer of 1882.
Establishing a federal North
Carolina Tercentenary Celebration
Commission would give the com
memoration national and interna-
tional significance. A resolution for
the establishment of such a federal
Commission has been passed out of