The New York Herald Newspaper, May 3, 1875, Page 7

Le ENGLAND, A Mwave Loss BY FIRE IN LIVERPOOL—A PRISONER EXTRADITED TO AMERICA. Lonpox, May 2, 1875, St, James Hall, in Liverpool, nas been destroyed by fre. ‘The loss 14 estimated at $150,000, AN AMERICAN OFFENDER RXTRADITED. Charles L. Lawrence, charged with the torgery sf invoices ina silk smuggling operation in New York, bas been surrendered to the United States wicers under the Extradition treaty, and salled their custody yesteraay for New York on the Meamer Scythia, 4 DEATH NOTE CONTRADICTED. ‘The report oi the death o1 Mr. Stephens, the Joulptor, was premature, He is still living. THE INTERNATIONAL CODE CONFERENCE, Lonpon, May 3, 1875. It ts reported.that Russia bas with great earn. eatness urged Eogiand to send delegates to the International Code Conierence at St. Petersburg, If Engiand persists in her refusal it is probable Mat the whole project will be dropped in accord. Ance with the advice of the other Powers, IRELAND AND AMERICA. . Lonpon, May 2, 1875, Mr, John O'Connor Power, member of Parliay Ment for Mayo county, has been engaged for a six months’ tour in the United States, to deliver lec bares on the present condition of Ireland, SPAIN. HE CARLIBTS BLOCKADED—DON ALFONSO IN THE AUSTRIAN TERRITORY, MADRID, May 2, 1875. ‘The blockade sround the provinces occupied by the Carlists has been re-established. DON ALFONSO STILL IN AUSTRIA. Desptches received here announce that the @arhst prince, Don Alfonso, remains at Grats. GERMANY. @XTIZEN MOVEMENT FOR A NATIONAL MEPERIAL EXHIBITION. Benim, May 2, 1875, AD address to the Emperor Wiliam, praying for bis sanction and patronage for an Imperial Ger- man Exhivition, to be held in 1878, is in circula- tton in this city. BELGIUM AND GERMANY. HE LITTLE KINGDOM REPLIES TO THE LATEST NOTE OF THE GREAT EMPIRE. BERLIN, May 2, 1875. The answer of Belgium to the last German note bas been received, It is courteous in tone, merely takes notice of Germany’s action in regard to the revision of the penal laws, and in no way re- tarns to the subjects of the Orst reply except to re- serve fora iuture time the adoption of a resolu- tion in accordance with the friendly declarations Sontained in that reply. EME PRUSSO-BELGIAN CONTROVERSY SAID TO BE SETTLED. Lonpon, May 3—6 A. M. ‘The Datty Telegraph's special despatch irom Berhm says:—The iast Belgian note is considered Os highly satisfactory and terminates the contro- versy. THE INDIANS. @BAKD COUNCIL OF THE TRIBES IN THE IN- TEREST OF PEACE. CINCINNATI, O., May 2, 1875. Aspecial to the Commercial from Kansas City, bays that a Grand Council of all tne indian tribes w Indian Territory will assemble at Okmulgee, the capital of the Territory, to-morrow. Indian Dommissioner Hoag passed through to-day to at- tend it. An attempt will be made to concilate ell warlike Indians anq to restore peace without bloodshed, Matters of grave importance will be considered, and good results are anxiously looked fer by she Western inhabitants. SALE OF A RAILROAD, Kineston, N. Y., May 2, 1875. ‘The New Yorx. Kingston and Svracuse Ratlroad was solid yesteraay by T. Beekman West- brook, referee, on judgments obtained by the farmers’ Loan and Trust Company, in be- half of the first mortgage bondholders, The foad sold for $750,000, and was purcbased by the Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company representing the bonaholders. it cost over $2,000,000, and rans from this city to Stamford, Delaware county. a dis- tance of seventy-five miles, The bondholders meet on Wednesday to organize a new company, and tne road will probably be speedily pushed through to Oneonta. ON THE PLYMOUTH PLAN. 4 KEW CHURCH EDIFICE FOR ADIRONDACK MURRAY. Boston, May 2, 1875. Rev. Adirondack Murray, together with some of his friends and admirers, is about to establish a | eborch in this city on the Plymouth plan, includ. | He | ©ers for Promotion, of which Commodore J. W. A. 1pg the Friday evening lecture talk and all, ‘Will announce to-morrow that the edifice is to be built immediately, on the corner o1 Columbus ave Que and Berkely street, and that it will have seat- | tpg capacity for 4,000, Luring the year or so re- Hall, commencing about the ist of October. “NEGRO RIOT. ATTEMPTED RESCUER OF A COLORED MAGISTRATE ARRESTED ON A BENCH WARRANT. SAVANNAH, Ga., May 2, 1875. Friday night about dusk a negro riot occurred fm Darien, in which the Sherif, two whites anda Begro were slightly wounded. It was caused by the arrest of Tunis G. Campbell, a negro magts- trate, on a vench warrant of Judge Tompkins, 04, failing to give bond, he was ordered to be Kept in confinement at the Court House until he could be removed toa piace oj safety. Negroes armed with guns and sticks, gathered at the Court House, and threatened to rescue him. The Mar- | sbal of Darien attempted to disperse the crowd, and was knocked cown and badly bratsed. The ri ith Judge fompkios, went to the steps of the building, when firing commenced, fifteen or j twenty shots being ‘red, w'th the above result, The Judge narrowiy escaped. A posse was or- ganized, and gusrdea the Court House the re- Mainder o the night, but there was no further trouble. Campbell was brought to this city by Steamer, and Is now in jail. IN TROUBLE. New ORLEANS, May 2, 1875, W. 8 Calhoun, at one time a weil known Rea River planter, but more recently a promient Grant parish politician, was yesterday convicted of forging and pushing a deed of quittance | whereby he atcemptest to deiraud Olivia Wiiiama (colored), his former mistress, 0: $20,000. if NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, MAY 3, 1875.—TRIPLY SHEET, THE MECKLENBURG CENTENNIAL | WASHINGTON. GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES. Wasuinaroy, May 2, 1875, GALES OF GOLD ORDERED DURING MAY, The Seoretary of tne Treasury has given direc- tions to the Assistant Treasurer at New York to sell $5,000,000 of gold during the month of May, as follows :—$1,500,000 on the frst and third Thurs- days and $1,000,000 on the second and fourth Thursdays each. THE COMPLAINTS Y¥ROM THER RED CLOUD AGENCY—A STATEMENT FROM THE INDIAN BUREAU. It js stated at the Indian Bureau, with reference to the complaints concerping supplies furnished to the Indians at the Red Cloud Agency, that al the flour sent there was inspected at Cneyenne by Major Long, Commissary of Subsistence of the United States Army, and passed by him as equal tothe accepted sample. It is therefore claimed that the samples of inferior flour brought here oy Professor Marsh at the request of Red Cloud were of some old issue, or, like the specimens of sugar and tobacco, had been damagea by exposure to the weather while in the Indians’ possession. As to the intimation that the weight ot the beef cattle was merely estimated or guessed at, the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affsirs says he has conversed witha gentleman of unquestioned veracity who saw them all weighed. DEATH FROM A SPRING GUN. Boston, Mass., May 2, 1875, Some weeks since John W. Garland, a cigar dealer on Beach street, set a spring gun on his premises, and to-night Andrew McJuliff, a lad of seventeen, was fatally wounded by it while at- tempting to break into the store. Garland was arrested. A COLD SNAP, Oman, Neb., May 2, 1875. Ice formed half an inch In thickness in this seo- tion last night, Light snow mingled with rain felt all the afternoon. 1¢ is still very cold ana raining. A DESTRUCTIVE FROST. Covnci BLuFrs, Iowa, May 2, 1875. The weather to-day has been very cold, the mean temperature being only 34 degrees, and to- night there is a heavy frost. This wil result in great damage to fruits and vines, and is the Severest blow the agriculturists have yet met with, A DESTRUCTIVE WATERSPOUT. Sr. Louis, Mo., May 2, 1875. A despatch from Muskeego, Inalan Territory,says @ waterspout burst on Friday near Boney Spring, which was followed by the severest rain storm for many years. Bridges and culverts were washed away. and the track of the Missouri, Kan- sas and Texas Railroad near Eik Oreek was sub- merged and undermined. No lives were lost. THE MONTPELIER FIRE. LOSSES AND INSURANCE—PREPARATIONS TO RE- a BUILD. MONTPELIER, Vt., May 2, 1875, ‘The total loss by the destructive fire of Saturday morning will reach about $114,000, of which about $58,000 1s insured. The losses of the insurance companies are nearly as lollows:—Vermont Ma- tual, $28,000; Westchester, $4,000; Globe, $5.500; Amazon, $2,200; Lycoming, $3,500; Windsor County, $300; Fame, $1,100; Kansas, $2,500; Hud- son, $1,100; Connecticut River, $750; Cnampiain, $750; Planters’ (st. Louis), $1,000; Merehant’s, $200; Citizens’, $1,480; Farmer’s Mutual (Mont- pelier), $4,000; other companies, $1,500. ‘This and the late previous fres have aestroyed about one-half of the business portion of the town, but a new hotel on the site of the old Pavilion and blocks of stores are already in rapid progress, and many o! yes y’s suilerers are already making arrangemeaots to repuiid during the com- ing summ i FIRE AT HILLSBORO, OHIO. Crsotrnatt, May 2, 1875, Aspectal despatch to the Gazetie and Enquirer reports a fire at Hillsboro at one o'clock | this morning, causing a total loss of | about $23,000. Tho principal losers are Jonn A, Smith (in whose building the fire origt- | nated), $10,000, jully insured; J. J. Brown, drug- gist, $8,000, insured for $4,000. Tne remainde: is divided among @ number of sufferers, who lose small amounts, The origin of the fire is unknown, A CHURCH BURNED. Boston, May 2, 1875, The Methodist church at Rockport, Mass., was @ K ed by an incendiary fre this morning. 000; insured tor $5,000. STEAM SAWMILL BURNED. JACKSONVILLE, Fis., May 2, 1875, The extensive steam\saw lumber mill of Ep- Pinger, Kusseil & Co. \was destroyed by fire last night, The loss is $100,000, only partially cuv- ered by insurance. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. Commodore John C, Howell, Calef of tbe Bureau of Yards and Docks, will leave for California on Thursday. Tee Board for the Examination of Naval Om- Nicholson is President, Has been tn session an en- tire week. <A jarge number of officers have been recommended jor promotion to the next nigner grade, among them being Lieutenant Com. | manders Jobn W. Philip, Cnaries L. Huntin: quired to build services will be neld in Music | 7 “be ag | arrived in Kingston on the punvo: YELLOW FEVER AT KEY WEST. | WASHINGTON, May 2, 1875, A letter received here from a baval oMcer at Port Royal, who isin direct communication with the Assistant Surgeons at Key West, Suys t have becu two more deaits from yellow lever at | that port ana several wew cases have appeared, ARREST OF ROBBERS. Memenis, Tenn., May 2, 1875. Bud Montgomery, Hen Ilale und one Jackson Were arrested at Carney, Ark., charged witn rob- | bing the ;outhern Express agent at that piace in January last of his watcn and $900. Hale con- | fesscd, stating (hat Jackson was the ieader in this | erous other robberies. While the prison. being taken to jail by a guard of five sum threw his overcoat over the head of guurd auiran, ie wus fired at sev- but effected an escape, The otver two |. Jackson is thought wo be the chief of ‘Hill robvers. and Alired Hopkins; Masters Fran H. Detano, Charves F, Norton and Onarles A. Bradbury, and Ensignos Martiai C. Dimock aud Jacob J. Hanker, ‘THE SHAWMUT AT PORT ROYAL. Port Rorat, S. C., May 2, 1875. The United States sloop of war Shawmut, (; tain Norton, bas arrived here from a cruise to Ane Bahama Islands, THE WAR IN CUBA. WHAT BRITISH SAILORS HAVE HEARD OF THE INSURGENT SUCCESSES, Krn@ston, Jam., April 24, 1875, The British gunboat Dryad, Commodore Dom- ville, from St. Jago de Cuba, brings news that tne Insurgents are reported successiul in one or two engagements aud are burning estates. HAYTL AN ENGLISH CONSUL ASSAULTED BY A Mop— BRITISH NAVAL DEMONSTRATIONS FOR RETAL- IATION. Krxqston, Jam., April 24, 1875. Kumors of an alarming nature have reached here trof Port-au-Prince. There has been some disturbances at Port-a-Pais, on the north side, and the British Consul was assauited and wounded. JOHN BULL'S PLAN OF REDRESS, ‘The commander of a British guoboat wished to bombard the place immediately, but was pre- veuted by the wounded consul, who has since Swallow. Commodore Lyons here lias sent « steamer of war to Port-au-Privee to demand explanations and indemnity jor the outrage, under penalty of immediate retaliation Upon the town ui Purt-au- Pais. JAMAICA, HAS THE ENGLISH AUTHORITY PEEN ENDAN- GERED?—-A PROJECT FOR PORT IMPROVE- MENTS. KINGsTon, Jam., April 24, 1875, It ts difficult to decide now whether there was Or WAS not sufficient ground for the recent scare in the St. Thomag district of this isiand, [1 there was any symptom of insubordination the prompt action of the Governor in sending a steamer of war to Port Morant checked the cvil. PURT TRADE AIDS, An effort is being wade to establish a hydraniic lift dock m the harvor of Kingscon, end for this $250,000 18 required. A public meeting ts culled tor the 27ih inst. to Consider the vest means of car- Tying it out, oe The Declaration of the 20th vs. The Resolves of the 31st of May. RESUME OF THE EVIDENCE, Valuable Historical Data Destroyed by Sherman's Bummers, | WRITTEN AND ORAL TESTIMONY. What Constitutes Treason Among the Tar Heels. THE TRADITIONAL HORNETS’ NEST STIRRED, n/ BaLeron, N. C., April 30, 1875,/ There is @ decided difference of opthion both bere and throughout the State in regard to the paper purporting to be the Mecklenburg Declara- tion of Independence, and said to have peen adopted at Charlotte on tne 20th of May, 1775, No one questions the authenticity of the Mecklenburg Tesoives of the 3ist of May, 1775, on the side of which there is the most overwhelming proof. The people, however, by general consent, have adopted the paper and date of the 20th as the day on which the people of North Carolina declared their inde- pendence and threw off the British yoxe. The Legislature engra/ted that document and date on the statute books of the State as the an- niversary of the glorious event; and again, as if to severely and unquestionably signalizethe occasion, it was especially agreed, in 1551, that North Carolina should, and she dtd, seceae from the Union on the 20tn of May, So popular and time-honored has the 20th become by usage, pub- hheation, patriotic oratory and by even eaucational authority, that it 1s now looked upon as a crime, no less heinous than disloyalty, to cast a doubt or the slightest reflection upon that supposed historic day and date, This feeling, 1 regret to say, ts carried too far, and the intolerance of opposite opinions by the advocates of the 20th is, to say the least of it, an exhibition that is by no means creditable to themselves or their cause. I know today & large number of gentlemen of high character, great literary ability, and the most unquestioned integrity tn tne State who, though convinced by thorough investigation of the facts that the 31st, and not the 20th of May, was the day upon which the Mecklenburg resolves were passed, are nevertheless, because of their woful minority, forced by public sentiment to suppress their opinions on the subject, One of these I met on the cars on my way here, and upon asking bim for an expression of his viewa for publication in the HERALD, he said:— “Why, my dear sir, I dare not doit. Iamin business, and to say anything now against the 20th of May would ruinme. A few persons in 1819 first took up the idea from ola Jobn McKnitt Alexander, who spoke from a memory weakened and defective by old age, and the people gradually fell into the error, then the Legislature, and now itis A POPULAR DELUSION that nothing snort of a revolution could wipe out. It is treason to say anything against the 20th. I am glad, however,’”’ he adaed, nat the New York HERALD bas taken the matter up, and itis to be hoped, for the truth and vindication of bis. tory, that great journal, with its characteristic problem and establish the fact beyond question in the future.” ‘This gentieman’s is not an isolated case. There are numbers like him in North Varolina who cer- tainly shoula be accorded a full ana iree expres” sion of their opinions on a subject now of such vital importance in the history of the country. One of the victims of this in, tolerance is Dr. Charies Phillips, whose views, courteously given to a HERALD correspondent by letter several months since, were recently pub. lished, exciting here a storm of indignation that, from an outside standpoint, seems very foolish, Dr. Phtilps, in his letter, did nothing more than to state historical facts, with sacn information as he possessed himself that would be o/ use in inves- tigating the matter, and for this he is regarded ‘With a suspicious eye by some of the press as an enemy in the camp, It will be establishea during the coming month that North Carolina stands foremost in novonly declaring her independence, but in having made tne first resistance to tne British both vy land and water and by also having shed the first British blood on Ameri- can soil at the battie of Alamance. With such a grand history and patriotic record she can cer- tainly afford to allow a free discussion among her own citizens to settle an important fact in that history. Since I have been here for the past days I have conversed with quite a number gentlemen on both sides of the question, and more able pens, I will briefly state the resulto/ the several interviews. THE THIRTY-FIRST SIDE. have certainly ample proof as to the authenticity | Of thetr paper, and some of which is rather dam- aging to the claims o/ the paper of the 20th, First—As contemporary evidence, they state there is in existence to-day a copy of Timuthy's Carolina Gazette of the 13tn of June, 1775, two weeks after the event, containing the resolves of the 3ist of May, which was in the possession of the late Peter Force, of Washington. Besides ‘this, there are two otner copics of the same paper extant, one said to be if the Congressional as corroborative testimony, the correspondence of the Royal Governor im the Colonial Ofice in London, which was examined and copied by Mr. George Bancroft when he was Minister to Eng- land. Second—It 1s claimed that the difference in the language of the two documents is decidedly ad- verse to the paper of the 20th, that document Wille that of the 31st 1s Clear, accurate and elegant in style and composition, and that tt not oniy de- fies the British government, bet that It provided for a temporary government for the people and ‘was in every respect a scholarly and statesman- like paper. Third—The Royal Governor bases his charge of treason against the colony of North Carolina on the resolutions of the Sist of May. He never reiers in his charges to the Declaration of the 20th; and had there been such a paper as tat of the 20th in existence It is scarcely probable he would have taken the weaker one of the 3ist, Fourth—The paper of the 20th was not published unt! 1819, im the Ralezh Register, it was founda among the papers of John McKnitt Alexander, His eon, John MeKnitt Alexander, brongnt it to light and pubiisned tt as the gennine Declaration ot Incependence at Meckienvurg, and it was so re- garded for many years. Finally, the Rev, Dr. Ubarles Philips, then Protessor of Mathematics tn the Unt- versity of North Carolina, discovered and puo- lished a note, written in 1800, by the elder Jonn McKuitt Alexander, to the effect (nat the original document had been destroyed by the burning of his house, and that the published docament—that yeats alter the eveut, when he (Alexander) was a very vld and feevle man, ‘ Fi7ih—lt is alleged that some of the supposed | signers of the paper ot the 20th four months after. ward, in the Court of Orange county, declared themselves loyal to the British Crown, arter hay. ing pledged their lives, fortanes and their most sacred honor in the vefence uf the coiony of North Carolina—thereby stuiciiying themselves, Is vis probable? Sizth—if the people of Meck! burg aid actually of 18190—was written from memory twenty-five | “al independence and impartiality, will solve the | | being defective, ungrammatical and not scholariy, | leaving any historic investigation to otber and | Geclare their independence on the 20th of May, 1776, according to the published Declaration, why should they meet eleven days afterward to ac complish substantially the same object in a milder way? Lhe above as nearly aslocculd gather from several gentiemen, the basis of their arguments in Opposition to the paper purporting to have been adopted at Charlotte Town on the 20th of May, 1775, It 18 sa:d aiso that so anxtous was Mr. Ban- croft, the historian, to discover the paper of the 20th or any real evicence of its ever having ex- isted, that he offered a reward of $1,000 for that purpose, which reward, however, never has been claimed. AN HISTORIC CALAMITY, Most, 1/ not ail, of the documents, both in mi usoript and in print, bearing upon the mr | tory of the Colony and State of North Caroll! wero carefully and almost sacredly pre- served in the State Library here until the close of tne late war. Unfortunately, and sad to relato, that receptacle of literature and historic lore was ruthlessly inwaded by Sherman's “bummers”’ ip 1865. and most of the chotcest doc- uments and publications were either stolen or de- Btroyed by the conquering but hecdless soldiers, Many private loraries in thia and adjotning States su@ered from tho same source, and many priceless gems of literature were thus irretriev- ably lost to posterity. Owing to this sad calamity historians and others in quest of tniormation on the subject of the Mecklenburg Declaration are left without the autnoritiesso much needed at the present time. THE ADVOCATES OF THR TWENTIETH are zealous and persistent in thetr claims that that was the day, and that the paper alleged to Dave been adopted then is genuino and eriginal, but their proofs are not convincing and post- tive so far as tho truth of nistory requires. They | have no contemporary publications to support their claims, which are based chiefly on the testi- mony of witnesses long afterward who were liv- ing at the time the mecting was held and the res- olutions were adopted. One of the strongest proofs yet produced by them is a letter written on the 4th of Uctober, 1830, by General Joseph Gra- ham, the fatber of ex-Governor Wm. A. Graham, who was present on that memorable day, and who was then a hall-grown lad. After a lapse of | fifty-five years, when the genuloeness of the paper of the 20th was questioned, he writes that on that date, besides the two persons elected from each militia company (usually called com- mittee men), ® much larger number ot citizens attended in Charlotte than at avy former meet- ing—pertiaps halfthe men in the county. The news of the battie of Lexington, the 19th of April preceding, had arrived. There appeared among the people muco excitement. The committee was organized in the Court House by appointing Mr. Abranam Alexander Chairman, and Mr. John McKnlitt Alexanaer Cierk or Secretary to the meeting. After reading a number of papers, as usual, and much animated discussion, the question was takeo, and they resolved to declare themselves inde, dent. One among other reasons ofered, that the King or Ministry had, by proclamation or some edict, declared the colonies oat of the protection of the British Crown; they ought, therefore, to declare themselves ont of his protection, and resolve on inde- pendence. That their proceedings might | be in due form, a sud-committee consisting of Dr. Eporaim Brevard, a Mr. Kennon. an attorney, and a third person, whom I do not recollect, wero afpointed to drait their declaration, They re- | tired from the Court House for some time, but the | committee continued in session in it. One cir- cumstance occurred, I distinctly remember, a member of the committee, wno had said but little | before, addressed the chairman as follows:—“Ir you resolve on independence, how shall we be absolved from THE OBLIGATION OF THE OATH ‘we took to be true to King George the Third about | four years ago, after the Regulation battle, when we were sworn whole militia companies together. I should be glad to know how gentlemen can clear their consciences alter taking that oavh.” This speech produced confusion. The chairman could scarcely preserve order, 80 many wished to reply. There appeared great indignation and contempt at | the speech of the member. Some said it was non- sense; others that alleciance and protection were reciprocal; when prevection was withdrawn alie- glance ceased; that tne oath was only binding | while the King protected us in the enjoyment of our rights and liberties as they existed atthe time | it was taken, which he bad not done, but now declared us out of his protection, therefore it was not binding. Any man who would interpret it otherwise was @ fool. By way of i/lustration, pointing to a greeMtree near the Court House, be stated, if be was sworn to do anyt as long ax the leaves continued on that tree, it was so long binaing; but whem the leaves /ell was dis- charged ‘rom its obligation. This was said to be certainly applicable in the present case. Out of respect for a worthy citizen, long since deceased, and his respectadie connections, I forbear to mention names, or though | he was a friend to the cause, a suspicion rested on bim in the public mind for some time after. The subcommitiee appointed to draft the resolutions | returned, ana Dr. Epbraim Brevard read their re- port. as near as ican recollect, in the very words | we have since seen them several times in print. It was unanimously adopted, and shortly after it was moved and seconded to have proclamation mace and the people collecte. that the | proceedings be read at the Uourt House door, in order that all mieht hear The advocates of this date, so far as I have seen, | Library at Wasbington. Then there ts in addition, | | thrown. them. It was done, and they were received with enthusiasm. It was then proposed by some one aloud togive three cheers and throw up their hats. It was immediately adopted, and the bits Some of them ut on tne Court House rool, The owners had some aificuity to reclaim them. General Graham /urther relates an excit- ing | ADVENTURE OF CAPTAIN JACK | at Salisbury, on his way to Ph ladelphia with the Declaration. Mr. Kennon, who was one of the committee who assisied in drawing the Dec- | jaration, prevailed on Captain Jack to get his papers and have them read pabiicly, which was done, and the proveedings met with ge eral approbation. But two of the lawyers—Joun Dunn and @ Mr. Booth—dissented and asserved they were treasonable, and endeavored to have Captain Jack detained. He arew his pistols and threatened to kil the first man who would inte: rupt him, and passed on. The news of this reached Charlotte in @ short time after, and the execntive | of the committee, whom they had invested with | suitable powers, ordered a party of ten or twelve | | armed horsemen to bring said lawyers from Salts- | pered that when in Charvotte they came home at | | who was secretary of the Mecklenburg meeting. | bury, when they were brought. and the case wasin- | vestigated before the committee. Dunn, on giving security and making fair promises, was permitted | to return, and Booth was sentenced to go to vam- | den, in South Caroiina, out of the sphere of his | influence. My brother, George Graham, and the | late Colonel John Carruth, were of the party that | went to Salisbury; and it is distinctly remem- night in order to provide for their trip to Camde and that they and two others of the party took Booth to that place. This was the drst military expedition from Meckienburg to the Kevolutionary War, and believed to be the first anywhere to the south. TAR NEXT AUTHORITY produced is @ lecture by Dr. Francis L. Hawks, of | New York, who states that in the your 1800 John | MecKoitt Alexander's house and papers were con- sumed by fire. At that time many were living who had been actors at Chariotte on the 19tn and guih of May, 1775, It was naturally feared that the documents were all lost, and so some of tuem were, particularly the original book of minutes; but Mr. Alexander soon allayed apprenen- sions as «to §6tne)§=6Dectaration § itself, by stating that there were copies in existence of his own handwriting, which he knew to be correct, and particularly mentioned that he had given o3¢ to General Davie. Some time after the fre Judge Cameron (itving at the date of the leciure) met Mr. Alexander, and the conve: sation turned on the Kevolutionary history, wh Mr. Alexander lamented tne loss of the original documeuts by fre, but consoled himself as to the Deciaration, by saying that some time vefore the calamity he bad gi S copy, Which he knew to | gress by express, and probably expedited the gen- | course which his Judgment and conscience ap- | proved. | notes of liber.y on she American continent. | epithet **Horneis’ Nest.”? be correct, to Genera) Davie. ‘Therefore, “TNR DOCUMENT 1S SA¥E,!? Soon after the death of Goneral Davie Dr. Hawke relates a paper was found, known by & wit- neas to be in the handwriting of John McKnitt Alexander, commencing with the words, *Meck- Mavurg county, May 20, 1775," and followed by & Darrative of the assembling of the people and the adoption of the resolutions, which were given at length in the manuscript. Among Alexander's Papers was also found & document in his own hapawriting mentioning the destruction of the original paper in 1800 by fire, but adding that he had sent copies to Dr. Williamson ana General Davie. The paper (hat was said to be in the pos- ession of General Davie, Dr, Hawks stated, was (theo preserved in tne State Department of Norto Jarolina, but I have not been able to find any one who hag ever seen It, As to the paper seat to Dr, Wullamson, be says that Governor Stokes, of this Stato, testified taat in the year 1793 he saw tn the Possession o1 Dr. Williamson a copy of the docu- Ments of the 20th of May, 1775, mn the handwriting ot Jonn McKnitt Alexander, together with a letter to Willlamson from Alexander. That was prior to the destruction of the ortgina! in 1800; but what became of Dr. Williamson’s copy does not transpire. MORE TWENTIETI TESTIMONY. On Juiv 11, 1826, tue valedictory address of the Rev. Samuel C. Caldwell to the pupils of his acad- emy Was puolisned in tte Catawba (N, C.) Journal, of which the following 1s an extract:— But, my fellow citizens, to compress our view, let us limit our retrospect to the bounds of our own country. ii with propriety Boston has been designated as the cradie of American indepeno- cence, Mecklenburg can boast the energies o! man- hood—the matu ity of riper years—and tho towa of Charlotte must ever, with pre-emi- nent merit, bear the palin of making the first effectual efort in wresting from the British crown her fairest diamona, woich now shines with resplendent lustre in the sacred wreath whico entwines the brow of (he goddess of American in- dependence. On tne 19th of May, 1775, a day waocredly exulting to every Mecklenburg bosom, two delegates duly authorized irom eaco militia company 1p this connty met in Charlotte. Alter a cool and deliberate investigation ¢! the causesand extent of our differences with Great Britain and taking a view of the provaole results, pledging their all in the support of their rights and liverties, they solemnly enterea intro and pub- lished a full and determined Declaration o! Lade- pendence, renouncing lorever all allegiance, ae- pendence op or connection with Great Britain, dissolved all judictal aud mi'itary establishments emanating from the British crown, ana estab- | lished others on principles correspondent with | their deciaration, which went into immedjate | Operation—all of which were transmitted to Con- eral Declaration of Indeoe act Worthy of such predec THE OATH OF LOYALTY. Arecent communication on the subject s: Isis well known that none, or very few, of the covenanters signed the Declaration of Indepen- dence on the 20(h of May, 1775, In Charlotte. ‘Ine reason, as stated by Governor Graham on the 4tn of February, wus that they did noe consider at that lume that they could be absolved of their oath of allegiance which they had taken to King Geor ‘This opinion and reason we con siver correct. Ajter the National Deciarauon at Philadelphia nad been promulgated aud hostilities actually commenced they felt tnat they were ao~ solved of ‘their oath, and entered zealously into the struxgie tur American liberty. Weil do I re- member hearing au Old elder in Sardis telling now bis fa. her wept on the 26th of May, 1775, wnen the instrument Was read, because bis oath would not, be Jeit, allow him to support a@ measure and @ May we ever Hence it is tbat pone of the names whicn We have mentioned, and names 0! other jeading characters in tiis county, are attached to the im: mortal document that first peaied forth the clarion ‘They may have erred, but who will impugn their mo- tives? Tradition tells us that at the Cow- pens, King’s Mountain ano Cowan’s Ford, many of these Scotch-irisn Presbyterians sealed their devotion to America with their life’s blood, while others largely to acquire for Onariotte the well kuown Waile many are gatuer- ing reminiscences of those stirring times that tried men’s souls, we beg leave to state an tnci- dent, the truth of which 1s established by tradi- ton beyond cavil, thougy never publisued. THE TRADITIONAL “HORNETS? NEST” has been waked up at Charlotve by this discussion, and as it progresses the “Hornets” will probably be more stinging and vicious than usual, But it 1s proposed they shall have the benedc of ali the “Nest” can produce to validate their claims to the 20th, OBITUARY. JAMES J. PRIOR, ACTOR, Mr, James J. Prior, the well Known actor, died on Saturday, of heart disease, in his dresaing room contributed | The pail-beare @ Mayor John W, Hunter, Judge Alexander McOue, Joseph Proctor, ex-Judze Troy, Willtam ©. Kiogsiey, William J. Fiorence and Alexanuer G. Wood. AS the coi was borne in tne choir sanga dirge, and Rey. Dr, Port read from the burial service. Lillian Conway, the youngest daughter of . Conway, jainted, and some commotion ensued in resuscitating the orphan, The funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. Dr. Nye. He scarceiy knew, he said, in what worde te 8D upon the death of this gi ted aud estimable woman arovad whose bier they had gatnered in grie( and tears. Keferring to her earnest lie and which was famwiiur td the people among She bad dwelt for more than @ decace oi 3 . he said Mrs. Conway was desirous of livin) jor her chidren’s sake, When taking a larewel look on the leatures of her husband, whose tuneral took piare srom that cnureh pine months ago, she sald, “Never mind, Frea, it won’t be Many mootht betore we wili be tegetper again.”’ How svon it the ae ag luifiiled, In the course of bis re marks Dr. Nye said:—“for my own part I see no necessary antagonism between the stage and the pulpit, be: eo the Grama and religion, fnere will be, abd must be mosic, and art, mirth and pleasure woile tue world stands. In that view religion needs the drama and stage. Is it not it tng in me that I should ask you tu-day to remem- ber how this earnest woman strove to redeem and elevate the stage, Is it not fitting that we should ask that you should, ny your personal and united influence, make it what purity, lemperance and religion might properly ask at your hands ? Praver was olfered by Rey. vr. Porteous, an¢ the assemblage (ook afarewel view of the 1amik lar features of the popular departed artist. ‘The remains Were inierred in Greenwood Ceme- tery. BEATEN IN BROOKLYN, Frank Sherman, forty-five years’ of age, a rcsi- dent of Saratoga Springs, made bis appearance at the Fourth Street Hospital, with an ugly wound over the left eye, whicn hi desired dressed. He stated that he had the evening before purchased & new sutt of cloth but, accepting an tovitation to drink Irom a total stranger, ne had entered Rogers » Where he was assaulted and ropbed, and Aiter bis wounds were dressed he treatment. Started to see some friends 1m this city. THE KELSEY OASES. The court record in the Kelsey cases sti joliows:—Royal Sammis and George B. Banks, 1m dicted for riot and assault, recognizance in $1,500, with David ©. Sammis and George Scudder aa sureties, Royal and Rudolph Sammis, indicted for murder tn the second deuree, recognizance tn $10,000, with George Brush, Isaac Adams. G orge A. Scudder, Jonn D, Sammis and David ©, Sammis as sureties. None of them appearing, om application of the vistrict Attorney the Court or- dered the recognizances estreated, and also con- tinued to next circuit, which double action wae for greater certainty to save a doubt that migat arise as to the power of the Court to order the recognizances continned in the absence of the snreties, If they should now appear at the next circuit, as they have stipulated to do, proceedings can then be had on the forieited recognizances, IT IS CRIMINAL INSANITY TO RISK CON. sumption when a few doses of Have’s Sioxey or Hore HOUND AND Tar Would arrest the cough that leads to the disease Tooruacue Drors cure in one minute. A.—CITIZENS AND STRANGERS WHO DESIRE a fine and elegant Hiat at a moderate price should cal) at ESPENSCU#ID'S, Manutacturer, So. 118 Nassuu st. Al FURNITURE BARGAINS.—SEE KELTY & | 00.°S advertisement, | A.—RUSSIAN VAPOR (MARBLE) BATHS, NO, 28 boy sone street. ihe only true and sensible system ot bathing. A.—PATENT WIRE SIGNS ENGRAVED; METAB ana brass Signs; Store. (fie? AM & GO., 309 Broadway, ALL KINDS WIRE SIGNS TO ORDER, by HOJER & GRAUAM, Painters ond Sign Engravers 97 Duane street. | _ ALWAYS CHOOSE THE EASIEST—THE ELAS TIC TRE 8 COMPANY 683 Broadway, with thet comfortable device, Worn easy nizht and day, has bap ished metal springs and iron hoops forever. CURE YOUR COUGH BY USING MADAM POR ex's Coven Batsam. rice 24 50 and 75 cents. INDEPENDENT NOMINATIONS OFFICERS OF TUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Elect: PM lection Ma* 6, 1875, atl it Vice President, GHORGE W, LANE For ireasurer, PRANCIS 5. LATHROP, For Seoretary, GEORGE WILSON, LEON DUMAS’ EAU MERVEILLEUSE IS NOD An enamel, buta medicine, for the skin. Ladies are in vited to test tho article before purchasing. No.8 West atthe Toledo Opera House, during the perform- ance of “Little Neil.” Mr. Prior was born tn the city of London, in the year 1823, and made his first appearance on the dramatic stage at Stratford, England, as Richard, Duke of York, in the tragedy of “Richard 111.’ to America, aod finding the theatrical business very dull he accepted a position as reporter onoue of the daily journals in New York. In 1842 accepted an engagement at the old Bow- ery Theatre, appearing as Buckingham, in “Richard 111,” and played many minor legitimate | parts at that theatre during the next two seasous, Contemporary with bim in those dass were F, L. Davenport, Tom Hamblin, Jobn Dyotr, the elder Wallac! e house jor over u year. brutal planter, for York he accepted engagements in I Baltimore, Chicage nights, Un leaving New adelpnia, ew Orleans, and other cities dn the pourh and Duriog these years he irequentiy supported ba win Forrest aud became quite a lavorite With that critical tragedian, Dar- mg the ason at the old broadway Theatre Mr. Prior again played wito Forrest, and he was wiso iaciudea in H. C, Jarrett's famous combina- tion, whieh appeared Nibio’s Garden in tas city and at the hosion Theatre. In that combina- tion were Jani W. Watlack, Mr. Joon Giloers, Wuitam Hlake, Miss Coariotte Cushman, Mrs, T, H. Alien, Ida Vernon, E. 1. Davenport, George c, Bontiuce, L. R. Shewell, J. J. P and others equally well koowa at the time. 18 Was in 1859, and seortiy after toat date Mr. frior becams & memoer of the od Museum conpuny, in which bis wie was Jeading lady. Fora time he leit the stage to engage im twercanile | business; bat the attractions 0: 8 old profession Were so strong for the veteran actor that he aguin assumed the sock #od buskio, playing at Nibio’s, the Winter Garden, Bovto’s and other jeading New York theatres. As an*actor Mr. Pricr was a great iavorite. and Nis Voice and per-onai appear- ance pecniiariy titted him for tragic parts; yet he Was Capaoie of filing otuer lines of business, tor playea the part of the Indian coieftain m Rowe's American Grama of “Leather S\ocking” With surprising suce This was nis last New York engagement. At che time of his death Mr, Prior was playing with the Lotta troup His wile nas retirea from the stage, aud bis aaeghter Laila is weil known as an actress. A son of Mr. Prior was a member of tie Ninth reziment National Guard, and was kiiled in tats city during tue Orange rivt in the summer of 18TL. HON. THOMAS M. EDWARDS, Hon. Thomas M. Edwards, the first President of the Chesbire Kaiiroad, and who served as member of Congress jor four years irom New Hampshire, | died at his residence in Keene, N. b., yesterday | mhorning, (© the great regres of a wide circie of | | iriena: Doliticul and private lue. a | HENRY 4. ZACHARIAE. | A cable telegram from Berlin, under date of yesterday, 24 1ust., announces the death of Henry Albert Zachariae, the emineut German jurist, FUNERAL OF MRS. CONWAY. Yesteraay the funeral of Mrs. Saran G. Conway, late manageress of the Brooklyn Theatre took place and the tribate of respect paid to the deceased actress Was a most imposing one, for among other | manifestations the flags on all the public baild- ings were at half mast during tne day. | Shortly before noon many of the iriends of the Geceased assembled at her jate residence, Ne if Washington street, and at one o'clock the remains were removed to the Church of Our Father, Unt- | versalist, ou Clermont avenue, near Atiantic, Severat hundred people had assembled tn the vi- cinity of the editice before (he procession from the house reached that point. The services of Captain Campvell and the poltee of tue Tenva precinct were required t) keep back the cfowd which sougat to foree a passage to the buiding, The fore! tribates were very beauriiul aed profuse in quantity. Im front of the reading Gesk were the fares O two angels kneelng 19 @ bed of Variegated roses and camels, which ovie a card inscrived, “A tribute of feeling frum those who loved and served under her gen- tle sway.” ihe other offerings Were irom toe Olympic and Park theatres, the Academy of Music, Mr. Richard Thompson, Barney Willams, timotny Dolan, ver and Lizzie Guies, * T. B. Sidebotoam, William J. Fiorence, ‘oy, Amos B. Torry, and « §.1ers, ent among those present were Lester W. @ Florence, k. Lamo, Caries Gayler, Pro Waliack, In his eighteenth year he came | %. Peter's Hos. | ‘Lwenty-ffin street. LEON DUMAS’ EAU MERVEILLEUSE, AN EN- tirely new and harmiess cosmetiqus de tolet. guaran, teed to remove all wrinkles. treckles of. bier of every descripion, and impart to the skin a singularly beautital youthtuiness of texture, LEON DUMAS’ CARDINAL BOUQUET—THE now and exquisite perfume, dedicated to His Eminence Cardinal McCloskey. | LEON DUMA ELEGANTLY APPOINTED Lapras’ Harm Darssina Roows, where all toilet reqais ites can be applica. No. 8 West Twenty-fith street LEON DOMAS’ BAU MESVEILLEUSE IS THE pest ane niet cosmetic ever used. No. 8 West Twenty rc STRENGTH, VIGOR AND NEW LIFE ARE THE cortain effects of taking the Prruviay srRvr (@ protom ide of ron). TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER OF Commerce of the State ot New York = | The undersigned, your icllow members, beg to cal your attention to the annual election of officers, to be held on Thareday, May 6, at the rooms of the Chamber, atlo’ «PLM ‘The importance of these elections, in respect to the honor and iatuence of the Chanvcr'ot Commerce, hat juently been looke! upon with intifterence, ot for. that any opposition te regular nomination hamber, at this janctare, requires vehall to be sroused ainong ite it outof the grovve, or . inte which it ts vow rauning. The aseiainess of the organization and ite influence e meree of the city and that its ohiet oitie: te of Now tore and irede, instens For these reasons th uy some ot the son the regdlur tekec, nominated 10 We, theretore, call your a.tenton now te instead of walting unc! the day a when kt would be useless to protest al nize tor the defeat of objectionable cam We recommend a partial departare from the ol row tine and coraially Mdorse the names that have been sud- stirured tor some ot those upon the © Again IM pressing EER the imperteuce of your at- tendanee atthe approve: lecvon of officers tor the year, wo are, very 1 in B. Sherman, rnold, Pierpont eaiien’ wry ¥. Spaulding, ustay Schwab, . CORES, De MeKenzie, Josiah M. Fiske, fon, terry. faward 8. Jailray, M. Constable, Charies «. Beebe, William J. Beebe, ‘Theodore Roosevelt, Harvey tacringtoa, Richafd Irvin, William H. Gute, WIGS. TOUPELS, £C.—G. RAUCHFUSS, PRAO tical Widmaker and importer of Homax barn, 4 Bas ‘Tweitth street, acar Broadway. __. SEW PUBLICATIONS, MORE SUPERB PRESENT © < to a cultivated person a Best Thowghts ot Coarles beautiiully bowud. ompiled by FG. HALE & SOS, VV Maeray LL FOR ONE DOLLAR. It. Be This Our Pies La Timbatie a? rgent. Ti Tansmano (Waitse). F. 3. La Princesse de Trebizonde. 77. Lit File de Madame Angot. Lancers Shoemaker (guarte: and Netrain.) Never Miss (he Wat lowar ak to Me. Song. © rated Polonaise, pera Mignon. Above are Leanutully pried on tall size shee Music paper, and cau be ordered through any Hew! deaver in the Unived = or Canada, Also bY MAI o Feveipt of one dolar, eatalowue BENd. ator, 285 third avenue, New York. BRGies Pls Ase. piaBer Calculus. Gout, Kheumatiamn, Kuinevs, Bladder, Prosiavs nant Dgniiey ant Chroaie A . A SIR Page Lipa treatment oy N Wa Lancers. Meyer. Meyer. " Wearice tate: ine Ww ROPSY, GRAVEL ron, rable by Organte v Vl proprietor fer shag ake an Physicians ani others ) sroad way, sew York. *eb riences UST PCBLIGHBD—A PAMPHLE tT, “DESCRIPT v Of a newiy discovered. improved fomedy ior aye yan heagaen ; eaves ut tie Segre: by Ge tf, Pnitips. Milk of mage Proscrined A ov the leasing phy ee jaa! apon appleation wv Yore Post uitice. - NASAL CATARRH,” BY price W cents, ‘at 8 superior to with raion Weare nie! Hi Journal 1 Medical seience, Desia is endorsed and cians Pamphiet vent he author, box 4,5 “C/BSERVATION