No. 112.] 693 



An event occurred in 1775, which forcibly illustrates the ten- 

 dency at that time^ of public sentiment to democratic institutions, 

 and exhibits its bias towards the doctrines of self-government. 

 This settlement, it has been stated, was in the ideal limits of 

 Charlotte county, but it possessed no tangible and practical poli- 

 tical or social organization. It was too remote to be reached by 

 the protecting arm of government, and too unimportant to receive 

 any specific legislative action. The presence and ascendancy of 

 some civil or political power were demanded, in the changed 

 condition and increased population of the colony, by their com- 

 mon interests, and for their ir.utual protection and safety. Under 

 these circumstances they convened on the 17th of March, 1775,* 

 by common approbation, an assembly of the colonists, and con- 

 stituted themselves in effect, into a pure democracy. At this 

 popular convention it was determined to institute for many prac- 

 tical purposes, a local government. A system of police and so- 

 cial regulations were matured, formally adopted, and ratified by 

 the individual signatures of the citizens. It was made imp: rative 

 upon all, and each was pledged to abide by its provisions ^'by 

 every tie of honor and honesty."! In contemplating this singu- 

 lar and most interesting incident, the mind instinctively reverts 

 to the cabin of the May Flower, where a similar scene was enact- 

 ed, under the guidance of the same spirit and resting upon the 

 same eternal principles. The officers of the association thus 

 constituted, comprised a moderator, two superintendents of roads 

 and bridges, three appraisers of damages, and a town clerk. 

 William Gilliland was elected the first moderator, and Jothaui 

 Gardner the town clerk. The first act of this primitive organiza- 

 tion, was an ordinance, authorizing the construction of a bridge, 

 by a tax to be levied and paid in labor, assessed on the basis of 

 property. 



A project is believed to have been agitated at this period, 



• They were chiefly Iri.ih, and Ft. Patrkk'i festival wa* no doibt designedly adopted for tb« 

 oocaKJon. 



\ Thi« compact, which was renewed the next year, was made "hindin^ for the tipaoe of 

 twelve montha "' fr«m the date, ''and uleo to be equally binding upon euch other persone ac 

 may b«come inhabitants of thia settlement during theynid terra.'' Although tLia organization 

 asFumod no political authority, it clearly cherished the embryo of moh a power a^ li:h«rest xn 

 the people. 



