crisis which had arrived—every bosom swelled with indignation at the malice, inveteracy, and insatiable revenge, developed in the late attack at Lexington. The universal sentiment was: let us not flatter ourselves that popular harangues, or resolves, that popular vapour will avert the storm, or vanquish our common enemy—let us deliberate—let us calculate the issue—the probably result, and then let us act with energy, as brethren leagued to preserve our property—our lives—and what is still more endearing, the liberties of America. Abraham Alexander was then elected chairman, and John M'Knitt Alexander, clerk. After free and full discussion of the various objects for which the delegation had had been convened, and subjoined resolution were offered.
A number of by-laws were also added, merely to protect the association from confusion, and to regulate their general conduct as citizens, After sitting in the court house all night, neither sleepy, hungry, nor fatigued, and after discussing every paragraph, they were all passed, sanctioned, and decreed, unanimously, about 2 o'clock, A. M., May 20. In a few days, a deputation of said delegation convened, when Capt. James Jack, of Charlotte, was deputed as express to the congress at Philadelphia, with a copy of said resolves and proceedings, together with a letter addressed to our three representatives there, viz. Richard Caswell, William Hooper and Joseph Hewes—under express injunction, personally, and through the State representatives, to use all possible means to have said proceedings sanctioned and approved by the general congress. On the return of Captain Jack, the delegation learned that their proceedings were individually approved by the members of congress, but that it was deemed premature to lay them before the house. A joint letter from said three members of the congress was also received, complimentary of the zeal in the coon cause, and recommending perseverance, order and energy.
The subsequent harmony, unanimity, and exertion in the cause of liberty and independence, evidently resulting from these regulations, and the continued exertion of said delegation, apparently tranquillized this section of the State, and met with the concurrence and high approbation of the council of safety, who held their sessions at Nerbern and Wilmington, alternately, and who confirmed the nominations and acts of the delegation in their official capacity.
From this delegation originated the court of inquiry of this county, who constituted and held their first session in Charlotte—they then held their meetings regularly at Charlotte, at Col. James Harrir's, and at Col. Phifer's, alternately, one week at each place.
