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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina
North Carolina. Provincial Congress
April 03, 1775 - April 07, 1775
Volume 09, Pages 1178-1185

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
THE JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND PROVINCIAL CONVENTION OF NORTH CAROLINA, HELD AT NEWBERN ON THE THIRD DAY OF APRIL, A. D., 1775.


North Carolina—Ss.

At a General Meeting of the Delegates of the Inhabitants of this Province, in Convention at Newbern, the third day of April, in the year 1775.

For Anson County—

Beaufort—Roger Ormond, Thomas Respess, jr.

Bladen—William Salter, James White.

Bute—William Person, Green Hill, James Ransom, Thomas Eaton.

Brunswick—John Rowan, Robert Howe.

Bertie—John Campbell, David Standley, John Johnston.

Craven—James Coor, Lemuel Hatch, Jacob Blount, William Bryan, Richard Cogdell, Joseph Leech.

Carteret—William Thomson, Solomon Sheppard.

Currituck—Thomas Macknight, Francis Williamson, Samuel Jarvis, Solomon Perkins, Nathan Joyner.

Chowan—Samuel Johnston, Thomas Oldham, Thomas Jones, Thomas Benbury, Thomas Hunter.

Cumberland—Thomas Rutherford, Farquard Campbell.

Chatham—

Dobbs—Richard Caswell, William McKinnie, Simon Bright, jr., George Miller.

Duplin—Thomas Grey, Thomas Hicks.

Edgecombe—

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Granville—Thomas Person, John Paine, Robert Montfort, Robert Williams, Memucan Hunt.

Guilford—Alexander Martin.

Hyde—

Hertford—George Wynns, Joseph Worth.

Halifax—Willie Jones, Benjamin McCulloch, Nicholas Long.

Johnston—

Mecklenburg—

Martin—

New Hanover—William Hooper, John Ashe.

Northampton—Allen Jones, Jeptha Atherton.

Orange—Thomas Hart, Thomas Burke, John Kinchen, Francis Nash.

Onslow—Edward Starkey, Henry Rhodes, William Cray.

Perquimans—John Harvey, Benjamin Harvey, Andrew Knox, Thomas Harvey, John Whedbee jr.

Pasquotank—Jonathan Hewing, Edward Everigin, Isaac Gregory, Joseph Jones, Joseph Reading.

Pitt—John Simpson, Edward Salter, James Gorham, James Lanier, William Robeson.

Rowan—Griffith Rutherford, William Sharp, Wm Kennon.

Surry—

Tryon—

Tyrrel—Joseph Spruill, Benjamin Spruill, Jeremiah Frazer.

Wake—John Hinton, Michael Rogers, Tignal Jones.

Newbern—Abner Nash, James Davis.

Edenton—Joseph Hewes.

Wilmington—Cornelius Harnett.

Bath—William Brown.

Halifax—Joseph Montfort, John Webb.

Hillsborough—

Salisbury—

Brunswick—Parker Quince.

Campbellton—Robert Rowan.

The respective Counties, and Towns, having Certified, that the preceeding persons were duly elected Delegates, to represent the said Counties and towns, in the General Convention to be held at Newbern, the third day of April, Instant,

Pursuant to which the following Persons appeared, to wit,

Messrs Roger Ormond, James White, Thomas Eaton, James

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Coor, Richard Cogdell, Solomon Sheppard, Thomas Respess, William Person, John Campbell, Lemuel Hatch, Joseph Leech, Thomas Macknight, William Salter, Green Hill, John Johnston, Jacob Blount, William Thomson, Samuel Jarvis, Solomon Perkins, Thomas Oldham, Thomas Hunter, Ferquard Campbell, James Lanier, Memucan Hunt, Nicholas Long, Allen Jones, Francis Nash, William Cray, Isaac Gregory, William Sharp, Abner Nash, William Brown, James Gorham, Nathan Joyner, Thomas Jones, Joseph Hewes, Richard Caswell, John Paine, Willie Jones, William Hooper, Jeptha Atherton, Edward Starkey, John Harvey, Joseph Jones, Jeremiah Fraser, James Davis, John Simpson, Samuel Johnston, Thomas Benbury, Thomas Rutherford, Thomas Person, Thomas Hicks, Benjamin McCulloch, John Ashe, Thomas Burke, Henry Rhodes, Andrew Knox, Griffith Rutherford, John Hinton, Cornelius Harnett, Edward Salter.

The Delegates then proceeded to make choice of a Moderator, when Colo John Harvey was unanimously chosen, and Mr Andrew Knox appointed Clerk.

Resolved, That the Moderator adjourn the Convention, de die in diem, untill the Business is finished.

The Convention is adjourned, till tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.


Tuesday April 4th 1775.

The Convention met according to adjournment.

Mr John Webb, Delegate for the town of Halifax, Mr William Bryan, one of the Delegates for Craven County, Mr George Wynn, one of the Delegates, for Hertford County and Mr Alexander Martin a Delegate for Guilford County, appeared, and took their seats in Convention.

The Convention adjourned till tomorrow morning 9 o'clock.


Wednesday, April 5th 1775.

The Convention met according to adjournment.

Mr Jonathan Hearing, one of the Delegates for Pasquotank County, and Mr David Standley, one of the Delegates for Bertie County, appeared and took their seats in the Convention.

The Association entered into by the General Congress at Philadelphia, on the 20th day of October, in the Year of our Lord 1774, and signed by the members thereof, was presented to this Convention

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by Colo Richard Caswell, and on motion was ordered to be read, and was accordingly read.

Resolved, That this Convention do highly approve of the said association, and do for themselves, firmly agree to ad hereto the said association, and recommend it to their Constituents that they likewise adhere firmly to the same. In full approbation and testimony whereof, the members of this Convention subscribed their names.

John Harvey
James White
John Campbell
Lemuel Hatch
Joseph Leech
Solomon Sheppard
Nathan Joyner
Thomas Jones
Farquard Campbell
Thomas Hicks
Willie Jones
William Hooper
Jeptha Atherton
Edward Starkey
Andrew Knox
Jonathan Hearing
Jeremiah Fraser
James Davis
William Brown
James Gorham
George Wynns
Green Hill
Roger Ormond
Thomas Respess, Jr
William Person
John Johnston
Jacob Blount
William Bryant
Samuel Jarvis
Samuel Johnston
Thomas Benbury
Richard Caswell
John Paine
Benjamin McCulloch
John Ashe
Thomas Burke
Henry Rhodes
Isaac Gregory
Griffith Rutherford
John Hinton
Joseph Hewes
John Simpson
James Lanier
Alexander Martin
Robert Howe
William Salter
Thomas Eaton
James Coor
Richard Cogdell
William Thomson
Solomon Perkins
Thomas Oldham
Thomas Hunter
Thomas Person
Memucan Hunt
Nicholas Long
Allen Jones
Francis Nash
William Cray
Joseph Jones
William Sharp
Abner Nash
Cornelius Harnett
Edward Salter
John Webb
David Standley
Thomas Rutherford

In consequence of the preceding Resolve, all the members of the Convention subscribed their Names at the Table, except Mr Thomas Macknight, who refused.

Resolved, That the conduct of William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, in the meeting of Delegates lately held at Philadelphia, was in every particular worthy of the sacred trust reposed in them; and that the Moderator do in behalf of this Colony in General, and of this Convention in particular, return them those thanks, which their faithful discharge of such an important trust so justly merits.

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In consequence whereof the Moderator returned them thanks in the manner following,

Gentlemen: The sacred trust reposed in you by your Country, so faithfully discharged by you, does honor to yourselves; justifies the choice made of you by the last Convention; and places you in a situation to receive the best reward, a patriotic Breast can fill, the Applause of your Country; who in order to bear testimony to your merit, have directed me to convey to you their sincere thanks for the services you have rendered them in the important office to which they appointed you. And it is with great pleasure I now, Gentlemen, in behalf of this Colony in General and of this Convention in particular, return you those thanks which have been so unanimously resolved by the Convention to be your due.

To which the Delegates returned the following answer:

We the Delegates appointed to represent this Province in the Continental Congress lately held at Philadelphia, beg leave to express a heartfelt gratitude for this public testimonial which we have received from you of the Approbation of our Constituents of our Conduct, in the most important Transaction in which any member of society can have been engaged. With diffidence we undertook the sacred trust of being joined to a Body of men appointed to be the Guardians of the Constitutional rights and Privileges of British America. If we have executed that charge, to give Satisfaction to the Inhabitants of this Province, our Actions meet the most ample reward, that any member of it can experience. One motive in this important measure, viz, a sacred regard for the rights and Privileges of British America, and an earnest wish to bring about a reconciliation with our parent state, upon terms Constitutional and honorable to both, have hitherto actuated us. Our earnest wishes are, that this Province may virtuously adhere to the Resolves of the Continental Congress as the means which will most probably bring about the end which all the friends to America most earnestly desire.

At the same time accept, sir, our warmest Acknowledgement for the polite manner in which you have thought fit to convey the sentiments of this truly respectable body.

On Motion, Resolved, That the Instructions of the Inhabitants of Perqvimans County to their delegates appointed to meet at this Convention, entered into on the 11th day of March last be read; which were accordingly read. One of which said instructions being, “That the thanks of the Inhabitants of that County be Given to William

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Hooper, Joseph Hewes, Richard Caswell, Esquires for their faithful and judicious discharge of the Trust reposed in them at the late “Continental Congress.”

Pursuant to which, Colo John Harvey, one of the Delegates for the said County, in the name of the Inhabitants thereof, gave their thanks to the Gentlemen aforesaid.

To which the Delegates returned the following Answer:

Permit us, Sir, to express our sincere Gratitude for this Testimony of the Approbation given, through you, by the Inhabitants of the County of Perquimans, for the Conduct of us the Delegates of the Province in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia. Actuated with a Zeal for the Preservation of the Constitutional Liberties of America, and an earnest desire to bring about a reconciliation with the Mother Country, upon terms that may restore us to the fullest enjoyment of our just rights and privileges, and secure them to us in future from the encroachments of weak or wicked men, we signed our assent to the Proceedings of Congress; and we could meet nothing more Convincing of the propriety of our Conduct in the measure than that it obtains the Approbation of the County of Perquimans. To you, Sir, we beg leave to offer our Tribute of Thanks for the polite manner in which you have thought fit to Convey the sense of that respectable body.

On motion, Resolved, That William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, Richard Caswell, Esquires, be and they are hereby appointed Delegates to attend the General Congress to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next, or at any other time and place that shall be appointed for that purpose; and they are hereby invested with such powers as may make any acts done by them, or any of them, or consent given, in behalf of this province be obligatory in honor upon every Inhabitant thereof. The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning 9 o'clock.


Thursday, April 6th, 1775.

The Convention met according to adjournment.

Mr. Robeson, one of the Delegates for Pitt County, appeared and took his seat in Convention.

On motion, Resolved, That each and every County in this Province raise, as speedily as possible, the sum of Twenty pounds, Proclamation money, to be collected by the respective Delegates of each County, in manner as shall appear to them most Convenient, and

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pay the same into the hands of Richard Caswell, Esquire, to be by him equally divided among the Delegates appointed to attend the General Congress at Philadelphia, as a recompense for their trouble and Expense in attending the said Congress.

Mr Thomas Macknight, a Delegate for the County of Currituck, having been called upon to sign (with the other members of this Convention) the Association approved of by the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia, thereupon refused and withdrew himself.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention that from the Disingenuous and equivical behaviour of the said Thomas Macknight, it is manifest his intentions are inimical to the Cause of American Liberty, and we do hold him up as a proper object of Contempt to this Continent, and recommend that every person break off all connection, and have no further Commercial Intercourse or Dealings with him.

Resolved, That the above Resolve be published in the Gazettes in this and neighbouring Colonies.

The Convention adjourned till Tomorrow Morning 9 oClock.


Friday April 7th 1775.

The Convention met according to Adjournment.

Resolved, that the moderator of this Convention and in case of his Death, Mr Samuel Johnston, be empowered on any future Occasion that may in his opinion require it, to direct delegates to be chosen for the respective Counties and Towns, in this Province, to meet in Convention in the Town of Hillsborough at such time as he shall think proper to appoint, and in case that the members of a Majority of the Counties and Towns do not appear at the day appointed, that he be empowered to adjourn the Convention de die in diem, until a sufficient number shall appear.

Resolved that the Clerk furnish Mr James Davis with a Copy of the proceedings of this Convention, and that Mr. Davis print same.

Resolved, that the Convention do most heartily approve of the Conduct and Proceedings of the late Continental Congress, and will endeavour to carry into execution the Measures by them recommended, and that the most earnest wishes and desires of this Convention are to see harmony restored between Great Britain and her Colonies on honorable and Constitutional Principles, which alone can give the same a lasting foundation. That we will exert our utmost endeavours towards compleating this important purpose, and

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are of Opinion that the late Commercial regulations are the most Eligible Means for attaining this desirable end.

And whereas, the Freedom, Happiness and Prosperity of every state greatly depends on providing within itself Articles necessary for Subsistance, Cloathing and defence of its Inhabitants;

Resolved, that from common Prudence and regard for this Colony, we will encourage Arts, Manufactures, Agriculture, and every kind of economy, and use our influence for the same purpose with our Constituents, and all connected with us; and we recommend to the Committees of the several Counties to propose Premiums to the Inhabitants whose Industry may be a proper Subject for their Bounty, in such manner as to them shall seem meet.

Resolved, That his Majesty's Subjects have an undoubted Right at any time to meet, and petition the Throne for a redress of Grievances, and that such rights includes a further Right of appointing Delegates for such purpose, and therefore, that the Governor's Proclamation issued to forbid this meeting, and his Proclamation afterwards, commanding this meeting to disperse, are illegal and an infringement of our just rights, and therefore ought to be disregarded as wanton and Arbitrary Exertions of power.

Resolved, that the Thanks of this Convention be given to the Honorable John Harvey, Esquire, Moderator, for his judicious and faithful Exercise of that Office, and the Services he has thereby rendered to his Country.

Resolved, that the Honorable John Harvey, Esqr, Moderator of this Convention, sign the minutes for and in behalf of the same.

JOHN HARVEY, Moderator.
Andrew Knox, Clerk.