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Revolutionary War Documents | Mecklenburg Declaration
Mecklenburg Declaration - May 20, 1775
That whosoever directly or indirectly abetted or in any way, form or manner countenanced to unchartered &
dangerous invasion of our rights as claimed by G. Britain is an enemy to this County - to America & to
the inherent & inalienable rights of man.
We the Citizens of Mecklenburg County do hereby desolve the political bands which have connected us to the
Mother Country & hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British crown & abjure all
political connection, contract or association with that nation who have wantonly trampled on our rights
& liberties & inhumanely shed the innocent blood of American patriots at Lexington.
We do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people - are & of right ought to be a sovereign
& self-governing association, under the controul of no power other than that of our God & the
general government of the congress, to the maintenance of which independence civil & religious we
solemnly pledge to each other our mutual cooperation, our lives, our fortunes & our most sacred
honor.
As we now acknowledge the existence & controul of no law or legal officers, civil or military, within
this County, we do hereby ordain & adopt as a rule of life, all, each & every of our former laws -
wherein nevertheless the crown of great Britain never can be considered as holding rights, privileges,
immunities, or authority therein.
It is also further decreed that all, each & every military officer in this County is hereby
reinstated in his former command & authority, he acting conformably to these regulations. And
that every member present of this delegation shall henceforth be a civil officer, viz. a Justice of
the peace in the character of a 'Committee-man' to issue process, hear & determine all matters
of controversy according to sd. adopted laws - to preserve peace, union & harmony in sd. County
& to use every exertion to spread the love of country & fire of freedom throughout America
until a more general & organized government be established in this province. A selection from
the members present shall constitute a Committee of public safety for sd. County.
That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by express to the President of the Continental
Congress assembled in Philadelphia, to be laid before that body.
Signed by:
| Hezekiah J. Balch |
John Phifer |
Waightstill Avery |
| James Harris |
William Kennon |
Benjamin Patton |
| John Foard |
Richard Barry |
Matthew McClure |
| Henry Downs |
Ezra Alexander |
Neil Morrison |
| Charles Alexander |
Zaccheus Wilson |
Robert Irwin |
| John Flennegin |
David Reese |
William Graham |
| John Queary |
Hezekiah Alexander |
Adam Alexander |
| John Davidson |
Richard Harris |
Thomas Polk |
| Abraham Alexander |
John McKnitt Alexander |
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Source
The words to the Mecklenburg Declaration were taken from the notes taken by John McKnitt
Alexander. The notes are contemporary, but the published account of the notes was published later after
the war.
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