Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/393

] than a reconciliation with our parent state, on constitutional principles. We Know of no sentiments of independency that are, by men of any consequence, openly avowed; nor do we approve of any essays, tending to encourage such a measure. We have already expressed our detestation of such opinions, and we have, so frequently and freely declared our sentiments on this subject, that we should have thought ourselves, as at present we really deserve to be, exempt from all suspicion of this nature."

The provincial convention of New York, in December, declared, that "the turbulent state of that colony did not arise from a want of attachment to the king, from a desire to become independent of the British crown, or a spirit of opposition to the ancient and established form of government to which they had been subjected; but solely from the oppressive acts of the British Parliament, directed to enslaving the colonies, and the hostile attempts of the ministry to carry these acts into execution." The people of New Hampshire, in establishing a new government, in January, 1776, declared, "we conceive ourselves reduced to the necessity of establishing a new form of government, to continue during the present unhappy and unnatural contest with Great Britain; protesting and declaring, that we never sought to throw off our dependence on Great Britain, but felt ourselves happy under her protection, whilst we could enjoy our constitutional rights and privileges; and that we shall rejoice, if such a reconciliation between us and our parent state, can be effected as Shall be approved by the Continental Congress, in whose prudence and wisdom we confide."

It is true, notwithstanding what has been stated above in regard to the general feeling in North Carolina, that a portion of the inhabitants entertained much stronger sentiments of opposition to Parliamentary misrule, and much more ardent aspirations for political freedom than the Convention were willing to adopt. This was remarkably shown by the fact that the citizens of Mecklenburg county, on the 21st of May, went so far as to prepare and set forth resolutions embodying a formal Declaration of Independence, a step quite beyond any thing which had as yet been done elsewhere, and which the Continental Congress were not ready at this date to sanction. These resolutions are worthy of being quoted in full, and no doubt were in the hands of the Committee of Congress who, the year following, were charged with the drawing up the Declaration of Independence, issued in behalf of all the colonies.

"Resolved, 1st. That whosoever, 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 this county, to America, and to the inherent and unalienable rights of man.

"Resolved, 2d. That we, the citizens of Mecklenburg county, do hereby dissolve the political bonds which have