USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 29
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His opinion in case of State v. Will ;* and his dissenting opinion in case of State v. Miller ;; have been pronounced by onet well qualified to judge "one of the finest judicial arguments to be found in any country."
But this useful citizen and valuable officer had to pass the same ordeal that all must encounter :-
" Pallida mors æquo pulsat pede Pauperum tabernas, regumque turres."¿
On the 23d January, 1844, JUDGE GASTON took his seat on the Supreme Court bench. He complained; for he had felt for some days chilly sensa- tions, and difficulty of breatlı. During an argument from Hon. Robert Strange at the bar, he was attacked with faintness, and carried from the court room to his chamber. A physician was called in, who soon relieved him. That evening, he seemed more lively than usual. He told several anecdotes, at which his friends laughed cordially. It was but the flickering of an expiring luminary. He was relating an account of a convivial party at Washington city with graphic delineation ; and spoke of one who on that occasion, avowed himself a Free Thinker on the subject of religion. | "From that day," said he, "I viewed that man with distrust. I do not say that a Free Thinker may not from education and high motives be an honorable man ; but I dare not trust him. A belief in an all-ruling Providence, who shapes our ends and will reward us according to our deeds, is necessary.
* 1 Dev. and Battle Rep. 121. t Ibid. 500 # Hon. W. H. Battle.
§ "Pale Death beats with equal foot at the cottages of the poor and palaces of kings."
-HORACE.
Il Tobias Watkins, late Auditor of the Treasury.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
We must believe and feel that there is a GOD, ALLWISE and ALMIGHTY." As he pronounced this last word, he raised himself up from his bed to give it greater emphasis ; in a moment, there seemed a sudden rush of blood to the brain, and he fell back a lifeless corpse. His spirit fled from the scenes of earth to meet that God in whom he had throughout his whole life trusted, and whose Almighty name last vibrated from his tongue.
Of such a man may our State be well proud. She has inscribed his name on her towns and counties, and as long as talents are revered, services honored, and virtue esteemed, the name of GASTON will be cherished.
His taste for poetry was of an elevated character, which he had cultivated to some extent. The following lines are from his pen :-
THE OLD NORTH STATE FOR EVER.'
Carolina ! Carolina ! Heaven's blessings attend her ! While we live, we will cherish and love and defend her ; Though the scorner may sneer at, and witlings defame her, Our hearts swell with gladness, whenever we name her. Hurrah ! Hurrah ! the old North State for ever ! Hurrah! Hurrah! the good old North State !
Though she envies not others their merited glory, Say, whose name stands the foremost in Liberty's story ! Though too true to herself, e'er to crouch to oppression, " Who can yield to just rule more loyal submission ? Hurrah, &c ..
1844 1778
Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster, At the knock of the stranger, or the, tale of disaster ? How like to the rudeness of their dear native mountains, With rich ore in their bosoms, and life in their fountains. Hurrah, &c.
And her daughters, the Queen of the forest resembling, So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling, And true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them,
How they kindle and flame ? Oh, none know but who've tried them. Hurrah, &c.
Then let all who love us, love the land that we live in, (As happy a region as on this side of Heaven,)
Where Plenty and Freedom, Love and Peace smile before us, Raise aloud, raise together, the heart thrilling chorus !
Hurrah! Hurrah ! the old North State forever ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! the good old North State !
He was thrice married. On the 4th Sept., 1803, to Miss Susan Hay (daughter of John Hay, of Fayetteville).
On Oct. 6th, 1805, to Hannah McClure, the only daughter of General McClure, who died on the 12th of July, 1813, leaving one son and two daughters ; and in August, 1816, he married again, Eliza Ann Worthington, daughter of Dr. Charles Worthington, of Georgetown, D. C. She died Jan. 26th, 1819, leaving two infant daughters.
The General Assembly, at its next session (1845), through Dr. Thomas N. Cameron, late Senator from Cumberland, Chairman of the Committee to whom the subject was referred, reported the following resolutions :-
RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF WILLIAM GASTON,
Adopted unanimously by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, at the Session of 1844-45, and ordered to be re- corded in the Journals of both houses :-
The General Assembly of North Carolina have learned that since their last session, one of the most distinguished of our citizens has died. On the 23d of January, 1844, WILLIAM GASTON, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, after an illness of a few hours departed this life. The
119
CRAVEN COUNTY.
General Assembly of the State, from the unsullied character and inestimable worth of this distinguished citizen, is conscious that no acts or words can ex- press their deep veneration for his character, or their sorrow for his irrepara- ble loss.
" Storied urn, or animated bust," cannot remind us more sensibly of his exalted worth ; for this is impressed deeply on every heart.
Literally baptized in the blood of his distinguished ancestor who fell in the revolutionary struggles of our country, he was early impressed with an abid- ing love of his native State, and devoted the whole energies of his well dis- ciplined mind to its service.
In all the varied stations of importance to which he was called by the con- fidence of his fellow-citizens, he devoted with untiring energy all the powers of his mind to the promotion of the public weal. As a man, he was exem- plary in all the relations of life ; a devoted husband, an affectionate father. As a statesman, he was pure and patriotic ; the honor of his country was the chief object of his heart. As an advocate, he was faithful and zealous. As a Judge, he was learned and impartial ; and he died, as the whole of his life had been spent, in the service of the State.
When such a man dies the State may well mourn. The sensation caused by his death testified the estimation in which he was held by his countrymen. Nothing could exceed his long, bright, and glorious career in life, but the tranquil manner in which he left it.
-
. We are informed by the proceedings of the Supreme Court, on the mournful occasion of his death, that at the moment of his dissolution his mind was cheerful, and his conversation instructive. Full of years, and full of honors, he left without a struggle or a murmur, a world of gloom for an eternity of glory. Truly was it said by one who knew him long, and knew him well, " he was a good man and a great Judge."
The General Assembly of the State of North Carolina feel their inability to express their own feelings, or those of their constituents, in view of the loss which the State has sustained ; yet they deem it due to the memory of departed talents, and gratitude for his long and faithful services, to offer the following
RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, that in the death of WILLIAM GASTON, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, the State has experienced a loss of one of its most patriotic citizens, a faithful public servant, and a learned and impartial judge. That in the course of a long and varied life, his bright career is left to us an example worthy of imitation, and his unsullied character one of the brightest jewels of the State.
Resolved, That the Governor of the State transmit a copy of these resolu- tions, with the preamble, to the family of the deceased ; and that they be spread on the journals of both branches of the General Assembly .*
Hon. JOHN SITGREAVES Was a resident of Newbern. He was appointed a Lieutenant by the State Congress in 1776, in Captain Cassell's company. IIe was in the battle of Camden (August, 1780) as aid to Governor Caswell. He . was a member of the Continental Congress in 1784, and from 1787 to 1789, was in the Legislature, from Newbern.
He succeeded Judge John Stokes as U. S. District Judge of North Carolina, appointed by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson's private journal has the follow- ing :-
" 1789. Hawkins recommended John Sitgreaves as a very clever gentle- man, of good deportment, well skilled in the law for a man of his age, and should he live long enough, he will be an ornament to his profession. Spaight and Blount concurring, he was nominated."
* These resolutions passed unanimously both houses, and were, by order, spread upon their journals ; and were prepared on this occasion, at the request of the Chairman, by the Author of these sketches.
17
120
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
He died at Halifax in 1800, where he lies buried, and was succeeded by the Hon. Henry Potter.
Rev. THOMAS P. IRVINE was celebrated "in the olden time" of Newbern as a teacher. Many anecdotes, rich in humor, might have been detailed of him, for he was a man
-if severe in aught,
The love he bore to learning was his fault."
He was a scholar " rare and ripe," and prepared some of our first men with great care for the duties of life. Many, whose hands have since guided the affairs of State, have felt the stringent application of his Tippoo Saib, and many whose shoulders have been honored by the ermine of the laws, early felt the infliction of his Great Mogul. Peace to his manes !
RICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT, son of Governor Spaight, was born in Newbern in 1796; educated at the University, at which he graduated in 1815. He was a lawyer by profession. He was first elected to the Legislature in 1819, in the House of Commons. In 1820 he was elected to the Senate, and also in 1821 and 1822.
In 1823, he was elected to Congress from this district, and served one Con- gress. He was elected to the Senate again in 1824, and served continuously until 1834, when he was elected Governor of the State.
After this he never was in the public service, but declining all political honors, devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He died in 1850, much esteemed by his fellow citizens, as a liberal politician and courteous gentle- man. He never was married.
JOHN R. DONNELL, of this county, was born in Ireland; educated at the University, and graduated in 1807, with the first honors of this venerable in- stitution. He studied law, and entered the practice with great success.
In 1815, he was elected Solicitor of the Newbern Circuit, and in 1819, elected Judge of the Superior Court, which he resigned in 1836. He has " chosen the wise part," avoided politics, and now enjoys, "in a green old age," affluence, and the respect of all who know him. He married a daughter of the first Governor, Richard Dobbs Spaight, by whom he has had several children. One of whom was
Hon. RICHARD S. DONNELL, who was in Congress from this district in 1847, and served one Congress. One of the daughters married the Hon. Charles B. Shepard, and who is now his widow; another, James B. Shepard, Esq., of Raleigh.
Hon. CHARLES BIDDLE SHEPARD Was born in Newbern on the 5th December, 1807; was graduated at Chapel Hill in 1827 ; elected a member of Congress from this district in 1837, and served until 1841. He died in October, 1843. He was twice married, first to Miss Jones, who died, leaving one son; and secondly to Mary Donnell, who survived him, with two children. He died 31st October, 1843.
He was distinguished as a man of ready genius, unquestioned talent, and indomitable courage.
Hon. JOHN H. BRYAN, now of Raleigh, is a native of Newbern, and his family were early distinguished for their devotion to liberty and popular rights. In the State Congress of November, 1776, at Halifax, three of his name were members. He was born in 1798.
Mr. Bryan entered the Legislature in the Senate in 1823, and served the next session. The next summer, while absent from home, he was elected again to the Senate of the State Legislature, and a member of Congress from the Newbern District, a circumstance almost unprecedented in political his- tory, and shows his unbounded popularity. He served in Congress during the whole administration of John Quincy Adams; when he declined, prefer-
-
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CRAVEN COUNTY.
ring the quiet joys of home, and the pursuit of his profession, to the troubled waters of political life.
He was educated to the law, of which profession he is, at this time,
" A well deserving pillar."
He married the daughter of William Shepard, Esq., of Newbern, and sister to the Hon. Charles B. Shepard, Hon. Wm. B. Shepard, and James B. Shepard, Esq., by whom he has a large and interesting family. One of them, Lieut. Francis T. Bryan, of the Topographical Engineers, has distinguished himself in the army by his gallantry and diligence in his profession. He was brevetted for his gallantry and good conduct at Buena Vista.
. Hon. GEORGE E. BADGER, now one of our senators in Congress, is a native of Newbern. He was born in 1795. His father was a firm Whig, and a native of Connecticut ; his mother, a daughter of Richard Cogdell, who, with Dr. Alexander Gaston, was of the Provincial Council of Safety for the Newbern District in 1775. He was educated at Yale College; read law with Hon. John Stanly, who was his near relative, and whom he succeeded in the Legis- lature in 1816.
He was elected Judge of the Superior Court in 1820, which he resigned in 1825.
He was Secretary of the Navy under General Harrison in 1841, which he resigned soon afterwards.
In 1846 elected a senator in Congress; and was re-elected in 1848, which distinguished post he nów occupies. -
He has been thrice married. His first wife was a daughter of Gov. Turner, of Warren; his second a daughter of Col. Polk, and his third (and pre- sent wife), Mrs. Williams, who was a daughter of late Sherwood Haywood, Esq., of Raleigh.
Hon. MATTHIAS E. MANLY is a resident of Craven, but a native of Chat- ham. He was educated at the University, at which he graduated in 1824, in same class with Hon. Wm. A. Graham, now Secretary of the Navy ; Hon. Augustus Moore, late Judge of Superior Court; and Hon. David Outlaw, at present in Congress. He divided the first honor with Gov. Graham, Profes- sor Simms, and late Thomas Dews, of Lincoln County.
He studied law with his brother, Hon. Charles Manly, of Raleigh, and was first elected a member of the House of Commons in 1834 from the town of Newbern, and represented it again in 1835. He was the last representative of that ancient and literary borough, the Convention to amend the Consti- tution in 1835, having abolished its right of representation.
In 1840 he was elected a Judge of the Superior Court by the General As- sembly, which responsible position he now occupies.
Judge Manly has been twice married. His first wife was a daughter of the distinguished William Gaston, and the second, Miss Simpson.
Hon. WM. H. WASHINGTON is a resident of this county. He is by profes- sion a lawyer.
He was elected a member of Congress in 1841, and served until 1843.
In 1844 he was a member of the House of Commons from Craven, and in 1846.
In 1848 he was elected a member of the Senate, and re-elected in 1850, which position, alike useful to his country and honorable to himself, he now occupies.
On 7th Feb. 1847, Capt. J. H. K. Burgwin, a native of this section, captain in 1st Regiment of U. S. Dragoons, died at Taos in New Mexico, from a wound in his breast, from a rifle ball received in action on the fifth of that month with the Pueblo Indians.
Although Craven presents so far a record of patriotism, yet truth compels the record to speak that there were some exceptions.
122
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The Journal of the Congress at Halifax, 5th Dec. 1776, shows that, " WILLIAM HEATH, of the town of Newbern, charged with Toryism, was taken in custody and imprisoned by order of Congress."
Many other names might be mentioned in connection with her history and that of her distinguished sons. But we have already allotted to her far more than her average portion of space, and leave for another edition, or some other abler hand, to complete her history, which of itself might form a respectable volume.
NEWBERN.
LIST OF MEMBERS TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Years.
House of Commons.
Years. House of Commons.
1777.
Abner Nash.
1807. Francis X. Martin.
1778.
Richard Cogdell.
1808. William Gaston.
1779.
Richard Cogdell.
1809. William Gaston.
1780.
James Green, Jun.
1810. Daniel Carthy.
1781.
Richard D. Spaight.
1811. Daniel Carthy."
1782.
Richard D. Spaight.
1812. John Stanly.
1783.
Richard D. Spaight.
1813. John Stanly.
1784.
Spyers Singleton.
1814.
John Stanly.
1785.
William Lisdale.
1815.
John Stanly.
1786.
John Sitgreaves.
1816.
George E. Badger.
1787.
John Sitgreaves.
1818.
John Stanly.
1789. John Sitgreaves.
1820. Edward E. Graham,
1791.
James Coor.
1821. Francis L. Hawks.
1792. Richard D. Spaight. -
1822.
E. E. Graham.
1793.
Isaac Guion.
1823. John Stanly.'
1794.
Daniel Carthy.
1824.
William Gaston.
1795.
Isaac Guion.
1825. John Stanly.
1796.
Thomas Badger.,
1826.
John Stanly.
1797.
Edward Graham.
1827.
William Gaston.
1798. John Stanly.
1828. William Gaston.
1799.
John Stanly.
1829. Charles B. Spaight.
1800. George Ellis.
1830. Charles B. Spaight.
1801.
George Ellis.
1831.
William Gaston.
1802. Edward Harris.
1832. Charles B. Shepard.
1803. Edward Harris.
1833.
Charles B. Shepard.
1805.
Frederick Nash.
1835.
Matthias E. Manly.
1806.
Francis X. Martin.
CRAVEN COUNTY.
Years.
Senate.
Members of House of Commons.
1777. James Coor,
1778. James Coor,
John Tillman, Nathan Bryan. Nathan Bryan, Abner Nash.
1779. James Coor,
Hardy Bryan, Benj. Williams. Wm. Bryan, William Blount.
1781. James Coor,
1782. James Coor,
1783. James Coor,
1784. James Coor,
William Blount, William Bryan.
1785. James Coor,
Richard D. Spaight, Abner Neale.
1786. James Coor,
Richard D. Spaight, Abner Neale.
1787.
James Coor,
Richard Nixon, Richard D. Spaight.
1788. Benjamin Williams,
Richard Nixon, John Allen.
1780.
James Coor,
Wm. Bryan, John Tillman. Wm. Bryan, John Tillman. Wm. Blount, William Bryan.
1804. Frederick Nash.
1834. Matthias E. Manly.
1788. John Sitgreaves.
1819. John Stanly.
123
CRAVEN COUNTY.
Years.
Senate.
Members of House of Commons.
1
1789. James Coor,
1790. John Bryan,
1791. John Carney,
1792. , John Carney,
1793. John Carney,
1794. John C. Bryan, John C. Bryan,
John Tillman, John Allen. John Tillman, John Allen. John Spence West, Wm. Bryan.
1795.
1796.
Wm. McClure,
John S. West, Wm. Bryan.
1797. Wm. McClure,
Henry Tillman, Wm. Blackledge.
1798. John Bryan,
Philip Neale, William Blackledge.
1799.
John Bryan,
Philip Neale, William Blackledge.
1800. William Gaston,
.1801. Richard D. Spaight,
1802. . John Bryan,
1803. Stephen Harris,
James Gatling, John S. Nelson. Lewis Fonville, Henry Tillman. Lewis Fonville, Wm. Bryan. Lewis Fonville, Wm. Bryan. Jno. S. Richardson, Lewis Fonville.
1804. Wm. Bryan,
1805.
Wm. Bryan,
4
1806. Wm. Bryan,
Lewis Fonville, John S. Nelson.
1807. Wm. Bryan,
Henry Tillman,
1808. 1809. Wm. Bryan,
1810.
John S. West,
1811. John S. West,
1812. William Gaston,
1813.
Vine Allen,
Fred. J. Cox, Benners Vail.
1814. Wright Stanly,
1815. Reuben P. Jones,
1816. John S. Smith,
John S. Nelson, Thos. O'Bryan.
1817. John S. Smith,
John S. Nelson, Thos. O'Bryan.
1818. William Gaston,
Abner Neale, Vine Allen.
1819. William Gaston,
Richd. D. Spaight, Abner Neale. Amos Rowe, Wm. S. Blackledge. John M. Bryan.
1823. 1824. 1825.
John H. Bryan,
Richard D. Spaight,
Saml. Whitehurst, Andrew H. Richardson. Andrew H. Richardson, Saml. Whitehurst. Chas. J. Nelson, Lucas Benners.
1829.
Richard D. Spaight,
Richard D. Spaight, 'John M. Bryan, Alex. F. Gaston.
1832. Richard D. Spaight,
1833. Richard D. Spaight, 1834. Richard D. Spaight, Thos. J. Pasteur,
Abner Hartley, Wm. M. Nelson. Abner Hartley, Wm. M. Nelson. John B. Dawson, F. P. Latham. Abner Hartley, F. P. Latham. John M. Bryan, Abner Neale. Abner Hartley, Abner Neale.
1838. Saml. J. Biddle,
1840. Thos. J. Pasteur,
Saml. Hyman, Wm. C. Wadsworth. Saml. Hyman, Wm. C. Wadsworth. Oliver S. Dewey, Nathl. H. Street.
1842. Thos. J. Pasteur,
1844. Thos. J. Pasteur, Wm. H. Washington, F. J. Prentiss.
1846. N. H. Street, Wm. H. Washington, H. T. Guion.
1848. Wm. H. Washington, W. C. Wadsworth, Geo. S. Stevenson. 1850. Wm. H. Washington, Geo. C. Stevenson, A. J. Jerkins.
1821.
Richard D. Spaight,
1822. Richard D. Spaight, John H. Bryan,
John M. Bryan, James C. Cole. John M. Bryan, S. Whitehurst. S. Whitehurst, T. C. Bryan.
1826. Richard D. Spaight, 1827. Richard D. Spaight, 80 80 80 80 00 1828. Richard D. Spaight,
Chas. J. Nelson, John M. Bryan. Nathl. Smith, John M. Bryan.
1830. 1831. Richard D. Spaight,
1835. 1836. John M. Bryan,
Richard Nixon, John Allen. Levi Dawson, John Allen. Levi Dawson, John Allen. John Tillman, John Allen.
.
John S. Nelson, Chas. Hatch.
Edward Harris, John S. Nelson. Stephen Harris, John S. Nelson. Wm. Blackledge, John S. Nelson. Vine Allen, John S. Nelson. Vine Allen, John S. Nelson. Henry Tillman, Fred. J. Cox.
Henry Carroway, James Ray. Joseph Nelson.
1820 .. Richard D. Spaight,
124
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Date of formation-Situation and boundaries-Population and products- Fayetteville its capital-Colonial and Revolutionary history-The cha- racter of Farquard Campbell, Flora MacDonald, William Duffy, John Louis Taylor, late Chief Justice of Supreme Court; John D. Toomer, late Judge of Supreme Court; Robert Strange, late Judge of Superior Court, and Senator in Congress; Louis D. Henry, and others.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY was formed in 1754, from the upper part of Bladen; derives its name from the Duke of Cumberland, at that time very popular as a brave officer in England .*
It is situated in nearly the centre of the State, having Wake County, the seat of government, on the north; Johnston and Sampson on the east; Bladen and Robeson on the south; Richmond and Moore Counties on the west.
Its capital town is Fayetteville. This flourishing and ancient town was settled in 1762. It was first called Campbelltown, then Cross Creek, and in 1784, its name was changed to Fayetteville, in honor of General Lafayette, who was a native of France, and who perilled his life and fortune in the cause of liberty. He was a Major-General in the American army, fought in her battles, was' wounded at Brandywine, and having aided in the freedom of this country, he returned to his native land.
Fayetteville is distant from Raleigh sixty miles. It is located on the Cape Fear River, which is navigable to this place for steam and other boats.
On the 29th of May, 1831, Fayetteville was almost wholly destroyed by fire.
The population of Cumberland, according to the census of 1850, is 12,447 whites; 7,217 slaves; 946 free negroes ; 17,723 representative population.
Its products, according to the census of 1840, were :-
6,037 bushels of wheat,
459,747 pounds of cotton,
16,577
oats,
16,800
wool,
3,019 66
rye,
1,794 barrels of turpentine,
291,630
corn,
78,540 dollars worth of lumber.
THE UNITED STATES ARSENAL.
This Arsenal is located at Fayetteville, and is commanded by Capt. A. B. Dyer, Ordnance Corps, is still unfinished and under construction-will be finished in two years. There are no enlisted
* See Revised Statutes, ii. 118. Martin's History of N. C.
125
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
men at the Arsenal. The building operations are being conducted by hired mechanics and laborers. Supplies of ordnance, munitions of war, &c: considerable, and yearly increased.
The County of Cumberland early presented a firm devotion to liberty.
The delegates to the General Assembly of Deputies, at Newbern, on the 25th of August, 1774, were FARQUARD CAMPBELL, and THOMAS RUTHERFORD.
At the same place, on the 3d of April, 1775, the same were delegates.
At the meeting at Hillsboro', on the 21st of August, 1775, were FARQUARD CAMPBELL, THOMAS RUTHERFORD, ALEXANDER MCALLISTER, DAVID SMITH, and ALEXANDER MCKAY.
In June, 1775, an Association was formed in Cumberland.
I copy from the original paper now in the Executive office, in Raleigh, and communicated by a letter from Thomas J. Robinson, of Cumberland County, in December, 1830, to General Thomas G. Polk.
THE ASSOCIATION, June 20, 1775.
The actual commencement of hostilities against the continent, by the British troops, in the bloody scene on the 19th of April last, near Boston, the increase of arbitrary impositions from a wicked and despotic Ministry, and the dread of instigated insurrections in the colonies, are causes sufficient to drive an oppressed people to the use of arms. We, therefore, the sub- scribers, of Cumberland County, holding ourselves bound by the most sacred of all obligations, the duty of good citizens towards an injured country, and thoroughly convinced, that, under our distressed circumstances, we shall be justified in resisting force by force, do unite ourselves under every tie of religion and honor, and associate as a band in her defence against every foe, hereby solemnly engaging, that whenever our Continental or Provincial Councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes to secure her freedom and safety. This obligation to continue in full force until a reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon constitutional principles, an event we most ardently desire ; and we will hold all those persons inimical, to the liberty of the colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe to this Association ; and we will in all things follow the advice of our General Committee respecting the pur- poses aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individual and private property. Signed,
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