USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 62
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The journal of this committee, from 8th August, 1774, to May 7th, 1776, has been preserved.
I am indebted to the research of Professor Rockwell, of Davidson College, and the activity of my agent, Capt. Thomas L. Tucker, of Iredell, and the kindness of Davidson Sharpe, for the record. It is authentic, and throws such a flood of light on the acts and actors of that day, that I present its pages entire.
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Journal of the Committee of Safety for Rowan . County, N. C., from 1774 to 1776.
At a meeting of the committee, August 8th, 1774, the following resolves were unanimously agreed to :-
Resolved, That we will at all times, whenever we are called upon for that purpose, maintain and defend, at the expense of our lives and fortunes, his Majesty's right and title to the Crown of Great Britain and his dominions in America, to whose royal person and government we profess all due obedience and fidelity. ?
Resolved, That the right to impose taxes or duties, to be paid by the in- habitants within this province, for any purpose whatsoever, is peculiar and . essential to the General Assembly, in whom the legislative authority of the colony is vested.
Resolved, That every attempt to impose such taxes or duties by any other authority, is an arbitrary exertion of power, and an infringement of the con- stitutional rights and liberties of the colony.
Resolved, That to impose a tax or duty on tea by the British Parliament, in which the North American Colonies can have no representation, to be
* Father of Burton Craige, Esq., of Salisbury.
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paid upon importation by the inhabitants of the said colonies, is an act of power without right. . It is subversive to the liberties of the said colonies, deprives them of their property without their own consent, and thereby re- duces them to a state of slavery.
· Resolved, That the late cruel and sanguinary acts of Parliament, to be executed by military force and ships of war upon our sister colony of the Massachusetts Bay and town of Boston, is a strong evidence of the corrupt influence obtained by the British Ministry in Parliament, and a convincing proof of their fixed intention to deprive the colonies of their constitutional rights and liberties.
Resolved, That the cause of the town of Boston is the common cause of the American Colonies.
Resolved, That it is the duty and interest of all the American Colonies firmly to unite in an indissoluble union and association to oppose by every just and proper means the infringement of their common rights and privileges.
Resolved, That a general association between all the American Colonies not to import from Great Britain any commodity whatsoever (except such things as shall be hereafter excepted by the General Congress of this Pro- vince), ought to be entered into, and not dissolved till the just rights of the colonies are restored to them, and the cruel acts of the British Parliament against the Massachusetts Bay and town of Boston are repealed.
Resolved, That no friend to the rights and liberties of America ought to purchase any commodity whatsoever, except such as shall be excepted, which . shall be imported from Great Britain after the General Association shall be agreed upon.
Resolved, That every kind of luxury, dissipation, and extravagance ought to be banished from among us.
Resolved, That manufactures ought to be encouraged by opening subscrip- tions for that purpose, or by any other proper means.
Resolved, That the African trade is injurious to this colony, obstructs the population of it by freemen, prevents manufacturers and other useful emi- grants from Europe from settling among us, and occasions an annual increase of the balance of trade against the colonies.
Resolved, That the raising sheep, hemp, and flax ought to be encouraged.
Resolved, That to be clothed in manufactures fabricated in the colonies ought to be considered as a badge of distinction, of respect, and true patriotism.
Resolved, That Messrs. Samuel Young and Moses Winslow, for the county of Rowan, and for the town of Salisbury, William Kennon, Esq., be, and they are hereby nominated and appointed Deputies upon the part of the inhabit- ants and freeholders of this county and town of Salisbury, to meet such Deputies as shall be appointed by the other counties and corporations within this colony, at Johnston Court House, the 20th of this instant.
Resolved, That, at this important and alarming crisis, it be earnestly re- commended to the said Deputies at their general Convention, that they nominate and appoint one proper person out of each district of this province, to meet such Deputies in a General Congress, as shall be appointed upon the part of the other Continental Colonies in America, to consult and agree upon a firm and indissoluble union and association for preserving, by the best and most proper means, their common rights and liberties.
Resolved, That this colony ought not to trade with any colony which shall refuse to join in any union and association that shall be agreed upon by the greater part of the other colonies on this continent, for preserving their com- mon rights and liberties.
At a meeting of the committee at Salisbury, on the 23d day of September, 1774, WILLIAM KENNON, Esq., in the chair, ADLAI OSBORNE, Esq., Clerk-
The resolves of the Provincial Congress met at Newbern, on the 25th day of August last, were read and unanimously agreed to.
Resolved, That twenty-five persons be appointed a committee to correspond with the Provincial Congress, and to see that the resolutions of the Conti- nental and Provincial Congress be carried into execution by the inhabitants of this country.
Resolved, That in case of the death of any of the said committee, or refus-
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ing to act, the survivors or residue have power to elect others to maintain the number of twenty-five.
Resolved, That the following persons constitute the said Committee, viz. : James McCay, Andrew Neal, George Cathy, Alexander Dobbins, Francis McKorkle, Matthew Locke, Maxwell Chambers, Henry Harmon, Abraham Dinton, William Davidson, Samuel Young, John Brevard, William Kennon, George Henry Barringer, Robert Bell, John Bickerstaff, John Cowden, John Lewis Beard, John Nisbet, Charles McDowel, Robert Blackburn, Christopher Beekman, William Sharpe, John Johnson, Morgan Bryan.
Resolved, That this Committee meet at Salisbury on the second day of each County Court, or on the second day of the week on which the County Court used to be held.
Resolved, That thirteen of the members of said Committee be a board to transact business.
Resolved, That William Kennon, Esq., be Chairman of said Committee, and in his absence Maxwell Chambers, and that the Chairman, for the time being, have power to convene the said Committee occasionally.
Resolved, That the Clerk of the Meeting transmit a copy of the resolves to each member of said Committee.
Resolved, That the people of this county will break off all trade, commerce, and dealing, and will not maintain the least trade, dealing, or intercourse with any person or persons resident in this county, who shall refuse, decline, or neglect to carry into execution the resolves made at the general meeting of Deputies of this province at Newbern, the 25th of August last, and that those who offend herein shall be deemed enemies to their country and treated accordingly.
Resolved, That the thanks of the county be given to the Deputies of the said County and Town of Salisbury, for their faithful attendance on the Provincial Congress.
Resolved, That each Company of Rowan militia raise £20 proc., to be paid into the hands of Mr. Maxwell Chambers. The sum of £20, which collec- tion is to be transmitted to Colonel Richard Caswell, and the remainder to remain in the hands of Mr. Maxwell Chambers, for defraying future contin- gencies, to be disposed of by this Committee.
Resolved, That the Chairman of this Committee, as soon as convenient, write to the Provincial Committee of Correspondence, informing them that there is a committee elected for the county, ready to correspond with said committee, and also a letter to Richard Caswell, Esq., requesting an account of the proceedings in the Continental Congress.
Resolved, That William Davidson, John Beckerstaff, and Robert Bell, wait on Messrs. Jno. and William Kelly, to desire their attendance on this com- mittee, in order to answer a charge of having infringed the provincial resolves by selling powder at a higher rate than it had been sold for three months past. Messrs. John and William Kelly attended accordingly, and being ex- amined with regard to powder which they acknowledged to have sold for ten shillings per pound,
Resolved, That five shillings is a sufficient price for powder at this time.
Resolved, That any person who shall sell or buy powder for more than five shillings, shall be deemed an enemy to his country and treated accordingly.
Be it remembered, that Will. Kelly acknowledged that ten shillings per pound was too great a price for powder, and that his intention was to sell six pence cheaper per pound, than any other merchant in the county. But that John Kelly, to whom the powder belonged, would not permit him, and that the said John Kelly declared, that he would not sell his powder for five shillings, proc.
An advertisement, signed by John Dunn and Benjamin Booth Boote, being read in this Committee,
Resolved, That the said advertisement contains sundry allegations altogether false, scandalous, wicked and impertinent, and that the authors thereof justly merit the censure and detestation of the county.
A paper being read in the committee, known to be a copy of a paper called
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a protest referred to in the above advertisement, composed by the said John Dunn and Benjamin Booth Boote,"
Resolved, That the said paper is in the highest degree false and contempt- ible, and even bordering on blasphemy, and that the authors thereof ought to be treated with the contempt which the authors of so infamous a perform- ance deserve, and as enemies to their country.
Resolved, That a copy of the above resolves, respecting an advertisement and paper called a protest, composed by John Dunn and Benjamin Booth Boote, be put up against the two posts of the gallows and the whipping-post, to de- monstrate the contempt in which the committee hold the authors of so infa- mous à performance.
This Committee then adjourned.
WILLIAM KENNON, Chairman.
ADLAI OSBORNE, Clerk.
November 2d, 1774, being appointed for a meeting of the County Commit- tee, a sufficient number of the gentlemen appointed to constitute the County Committee not attending, this meeting was adjourned till to-morrow, nine o'clock.
November 3d. The Committee met this morning according to adjournment.
WILLIAM KENNON, Esq., Chairman. JAMES MACAY, Clerk.
Information being made to the Committee, by Samuel Young, that John Johnson refused to serve as member of the Committee,
Resolved, That Adlai Osborne, Esq., be chosen in his stead. Mr. Osborne was accordingly admitted a member of the Committee.
The members of the Committee finding it extremely inconvenient upon any special emergency to assemble thirteen members,
Resolved, That five members be a sufficient Committee, for the time being, to act upon extraordinary occasions, and that whatsoever shall be done by these shall be considered as the act of the whole Committee.
Resolved, That the resolution of this Committee, entered into the 23d of September last, relative to Mr. Dunn, and Mr. Boote, be executed this day by John Bone, Town Constable.
William Spurgin appearing before the Committee, to answer a charge against his conduct relative to the protest and advertisement of Dunn and. Boote, he denied his having signed them, yet the Committee judged he had not given entire satisfaction.
Resolved, Therefore, that William Spurgin, Esq., by disavowing all con- nection with his Country, in the present measures, has as far as in his power relinquished the rights of the people and opposed them, to be illegally and unconstitutionally taxed by the British Ministry, which has a tendency to spread sedition amongst His Majesty's loyal subjects in the County of Rowan, for which he is justly deemed by this Committee an enemy to his country, and should be treated as such by all His Majesty's loyal subjects in America.
Resolved, That the Chairman, with three or more members of Committee, request a meeting of the people of that neighborhood' at Spraiker's, as they differ in opinion from this Committee, in the present unhappy dispute be- tween America and the British Parliament, there to confer together for their mutual benefit.
Then this committee adjourned.
JAMES MACAY, Clerk.
WM. KENNON, EsQ., Chairman.
At a meeting of the County Committee on the 8th day of February, 1775, WILL. KENNON, Esq., Chairman, ADLAI OSBORNE, Esq., Clerk-
Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of Rowan County that the several militia companies meet together, and each choose committee-men,
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which Committee so chosen shall meet at Salisbury the first of March next, and then have power to elect deputies, who are to meet at Newbern or else- where, and vote for delegates for the General Congress, to meet at Philadel- phia the 10th of May next ; and that it be recommended to the inhabitants of Rowan to impower their Committee at their first meeting to resolve what num- ber of said Committee may proceed upon business, and particularly that the said Committee make such resolves and adopt such measures as may enforce the observation of the resolves of the General Congress, and most effectually preserve to America her natural and political privileges.
ADLAI OSBORNE, Clerk.
At a meeting of the Committee on the Ist of June, 1775, SAMUEL YOUNG, Chairman, JAMES MACAY, Clerk-
Resolved, That Messrs. George Cathy and John Montgomery carry an ex- press to Col. Walker, requesting him to take into his possession a certain quantity of powder now in possession of Conrad Heldebrand, and on his refusal to act according to His Majesty's proclamation and the act of As- sembly of this Province, that the bearer of this request immediately return his answer to Will. Berry, that he return it to Christ'r Beakman, and in case of refusal he do forthwith take in possession the said powder, or take suffi- cient security of said Heldebrand that he will not remove said powder out of the County, or sell it to our enemies, nor take any advantage of the pre- sent difficulties by raising the price on those who purchase of him.
Resolved, That Messrs. Sam. Young, Christ'r Beakman and James Macay be a committee to draw up an address to the several militia companies of the County, to be signed by them.
Resolved, That Robert King, John Oliphant, and David Caldwell settle with Maxwell Chambers, former treasurer.
Resolved, That the sum of two pounds be allowed from each company to defray the expenses of the delegates for the Continental and Provincial Congresses, and that the overplus money be applied to contingent expenses of the common cause.
Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Young be treasurer ; that he receive the sums raised of each company, and that he pay the several delegates for their ser- vices.
Resolved, That Maxwell Chambers be publicly advertised in the South Carolina Gazette as an enemy to the common cause of liberty, for raising the price of his goods higher than he sold at a year past, contrary to the direc- tion of the Continental Congress.
Resolved, That Hugh Montgomery be brought before this Committee, to answer a charge of selling powder at a higher price than had been set on it by this Committee.
Let it be remembered that Mr. Montgomery, on his appearance, generous- ly acknowledged his trespass of the resolve, and declared his intention to do so no more.
Resolved, That the several militia companies raise such sums of money as may serve their several purposes in case of any emergency ; that part of said sums be applied in providing powder and lead, that they may be provided against the invasion of the Indians on the frontier, which seems at present e probable.
Resolved, That James Macay be clerk of this Committee, and act as such during pleasure.
An Address to the several Militia Captains and their Companies.
. " We, His Majesty's loyal subjects, the Committee of the County of Rowan, propose to your consideration and assent the following things :-
"That His Majesty, George the Third, is lawful and rightful King of Great Britain and the dominions thereunto belonging.
"That by the Constitution of our Government we are a free people, not sub- ject to be taxed by any power but that of the happy Constitution, which
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limits both sovereignty and allegiance, which defends us from being taxed by any man, or set of men, without representation and consent, and declares it illegal for any to dispose of others' property in a different way.
"That it is our duty to defend the succession of his present Majesty and the illustrious Hanoverian line ; likewise the happy Constitution under which we live ; and that it is our duty to surrender our lives before our constitu- tional privileges to any set of men upon earth. We beseech such of you as may be of a different opinion to consider the bill of rights and the compact on which the Constitution is founded, that you may see to what end different principles may lead.
"Each captain and such of his company as think it their duty to hand down unimpaired to posterity the rights and privileges their ancestors, through seas of blood, handed down to them, are desired to join their hands hereto."
To the Committee of the County of Mecklenburg.
GENTLEMEN-The alarming state of American freedom being in the con- sideration of all committees, from the Continental Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia, to the smaller kind through the province; we, a committee for the County of Rowan now met at Salisbury, desiring a communication to be held up betwixt the several committees, that the greater unity may be in supporting the common cause; in particular, desiring the correspondence of your committee, considering our profession and intentions for Protestantism are the same-we request that we may have an account of your proceedings, promising you a like return.
We beseech you likewise that. with us you would lift your hearts in un- dissembled prayers to the Disposer of all Events, that he would by his Providence interpose against the counsels of designing men. That we may have our Constitution as contained in the Magna Charta, the Charter of the Forest, the Habeas Corpus Act, and the Charter we brought over with us, handed down unsullied to posterity ; and that, under God, the present House of Hanover, in legal succession, may be the defenders of it.
By order of the Committee, signed by
JAMES MACAY, Clerk.
At a meeting of the Committee, July 18th, 1775- 1.
A proclamation being read from his Excellency Josiah Martin, dated June 16th, 1775-the Committee judging it entirely false in its tenure, and in its nature, of mischievous consequence ; a corrupt gloss upon the diabolical measures of a debauched ministry, tending to seduce the minds of the popu- lace and bring them off from their true interest in opposing the cruel mea- sures of an unjust ministry-
Resolved, therefore, unanimously, That an advertisement be made setting forth the dangerous tendency of said proclamation, and that a copy of the same be transmitted to the several militia captain's of this county.
Information being made to the Committee there was a strong suspicion Benjamin Booth Boote had received letters from his Excellency of same tenure with said proclamation,
Resolved, therefore, unanimously, That Benjamin B. Boote be summoned before the Committee and demanded to produce said letters.
Resovled, That if he refuses to produce said letters, or denies the receiving them, force shall be used and diligent search made in order to procure them.
Benjamin B. Boote being first invited and afterward summoned to appear before the Committee, and continuing obstinate, declaring his resolution neither to appear, nor to deliver the letters,
Resolved, in consequence whereof, That Wm. Temple Coles be Captain of the youth in Salisbury to guard the house of Benjamin B. Boote, and that they prevent the conveyance of all sustenance to him until he deliver the aforesaid letters, and that they search all other places suspected to conceal said letters. He acknowledged the receipt of letters from the Governor.
And that the letters, if received, be given into the hands of Adlai Osborne, Esq., or John Lewis Beard, until the next sitting of the Committee.
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At a meeting of the Committee for the County of Rowan, August 1, 1775, Moses Winslow, Chairman, James Macay, Clerk. On motion,
Resolved, That Col. Kennon, Mr. Avery, and Mr. Coles, be admitted to seats in this Committee.
Resolved, That a friendly address be sent to the inhabitants of the Fork of Yadkin, in order that a conference may be had with them on Friday next.
Resolved, That Messrs. Avery, Samuel Young, and Wm. Sharp, be a Com- mittee to draw up said address. Mr. Cook, the Baptist preacher, appearing before the Committee, and in the most explicit and humiliating terms pro- fessing his sorrow for signing the protest against the cause of liberty, which lately circulated in the Fork of the Yadkin ; and other parts of his conduct in opposing the just rights and liberties of the nation in general, and American liberty in particular, and entreating for information relative to the present unhappy disturbance,
Resolved, That Messrs. Samuel Young and William Sharp wait on Mr. Cook, and give him all the information in their power.
Resolved, That one thousand volunteers be;immediately embodied in this County, elect their staff officers, and be ready at the shortest notice to march out to action.
Resolved, That Messrs. Samuel Young, James Macay, and Wm. Sharp, be a Committee to draw up an address to the several Militia Companies. Which being done was read, and is as follows :-
GENTLEMEN-We, the Committee for the County of Rowan and town of Salis- bury, having received a letter from the honorable Continental Congress, re- commending to this County, immediately, to form a part of the men able to bear arms into regular companies, for the defence of the Province against the tyranny and designs of the King's ministers, to undo him and us. Thus far the recommendation of the Congress, which we are farther led most anxious- ly to engage in, from having now in our possession letters directed by Lord Dartmouth, the King's Secretary, and General Gage, his commander at Bos- ton, declaring their intention to attack this province, by arming one part of us under British officers against the other; by which cruel means each neigh- borhood would be engaged in bloody massacre with its adjacent, in that bitter scourge to humanity, a civil war. Brother against brother, and son against the father, letting loose upon our defenceless frontier a torrent of blood, by the savage rage of Indian barbarity ; who are ordered a supply of arms and am- munition, by Lord North, immediately to attack us, and resent the inhuman cruelties of the last war. Ripping infants from the wombs of their expiring mothers; roasting Christians to death by slow fire. But let us quit a sub- ject disgraceful to Christianity, and rouse like one man in defence of our religion from popery, of our liberty from slavery, and our lives from torment- ing death.
.We exhort that each captain do enlist as many men within his company, or elsewhere, as in his power ; who are to form themselves into companies of fifty men, or more, choose their officers, and be supplied with ammunition for the purposes abovesaid, within their County and frontiers. And it is most earnestly recommended that they do, as quick as possible, improve themselves in the discipline and exercise.
Resolved, That all powder in this town be taken into the possession of this Committee.
Resolved, That Hugh Montgomery, Maxwell Chambers, William Nisbet, Matthew Troy, and Mr. Mitchell, be required to declare on oath to this Com- mittee, what quantity of powder, lead, and flints, in their possession ; and that they deliver the same to the order of this Committee.
Resolved, That Mr. Matthew Troy do deliver unto this Committee all the powder in his custody, the property of John Kelly, and that the Committee indemnify Mr. Troy for said action. .
Resolved, That a copy of the above resolve signed by all the members be given to Mr. Troy, as the obligation of this Committee.
Resolved, That John Work deliver to the order of the Committee, one quarter cask of powder, and all the lead and flints in his possession, and that the Committee pay for the same the price set upon these articles.
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Resolved, That George Henry Barringer, Esq., David Woodson, and Richard Shaver, attend on Lewis Jefre, and by order of the Committee, require him to deliver to them the powder and ammunition in his possession, and that this Committee obligate themselves to pay for the same. Also, that they wait on Frederick Fisher for the same purpose.
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