260 The Winning of the West 



be erected into an independent State, but that this 

 time had not yet come; until it did, they would be 

 well cared for, but must return to their ancient 

 allegiance, and appoint and elect their officers under 

 the laws of North Carolina. A free pardon and 

 oblivion of all offences were promised. Following- 

 this act came a long and tedious series of negotia 

 tions. Franklin sent ambassadors to argue her case 

 before the Legislature of the mother State ; the Gov 

 ernors and high officials exchanged long-winded 

 letters and proclamations, and the rival Legislatures 

 passed laws intended to undermine each other's 

 influence. The Franklin Assembly tried menace, 

 and threatened to fine any one who acted under a 

 commission from North Carolina. The Legislature 

 of the latter State achieved more by promises, hav 

 ing wisely offered to remit all taxes for the two 

 troubled years to any one who would forthwith sub 

 mit to her rule. 



Neither side was willing to force the issue to 

 trial by arms if it could be helped ; and there was a 

 certain pointlessness about the struggle, inasmuch 

 as the differences between the contending parties 

 were really so trifling. The North Carolinians kept 

 protesting that they would be delighted to see 

 Franklin set up as an independent State, as soon as 

 her territory contained enough people; and the 

 Franklin leaders in return were loud in their assur 

 ances of respect for North Carolina and of desire 

 to follow her wishes. But neither would yield the 

 points immediately at issue. 



