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The Mecklenburg Declaration


More than a year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence a

document was drawn up that was almost a model in phraseology and

sentiment of the great charter of American freedom. There are various

accounts of this matter, but the most trustworthy is this:



At a public meeting of the residents of Mecklenburg County, North

Carolina, held at Charlotte on the 20th of May, 1775, it was



esolved, That whenever directly or indirectly abetted, or in any way,

form or manner countenanced, the unchartered and dangerous invasion of

our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to our country--to

America--and to the inherent and inalienable rights of man.



Resolved, That we, the citizens of Mecklenburg County, do hereby

dissolve the political bonds which have connected us to the mother

country, and hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British

crown, and abjure all political connection, contract or association with

that nation, which has wantonly trampled on our rights and liberties,

and inhumanly shed the blood of American patriots at Lexington.



Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent

people; are and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing

association, under the control of no power other than that of our God

and the general government of the Congress. To the maintenance of which

independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual cooperation,

our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.



There are two other resolutions, concerning the militia and the

administration of the law, but these, having no present value, are here

omitted.



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