The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence is a document that has sparked significant debate among historians and scholars. Purportedly signed on May 20, 1775, in Charlotte, North Carolina, it claims to be the first declaration of independence made in the Thirteen Colonies. However, its authenticity has been widely disputed since its publication in 1819. This article delves into the controversy surrounding the document, examining the arguments for
and against its legitimacy.
Origins and Claims
The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was first published in 1819 by Joseph McKnitt Alexander in the Raleigh Register and North Carolina Gazette. According to Alexander, the declaration was signed by a committee of citizens from Mecklenburg County who declared independence from Great Britain after hearing about the battle of Concord. If true, this would mean the declaration preceded the United States Declaration of Independence by more than a year.
However, professional historians have largely dismissed the document as an inaccurate rendering of the Mecklenburg Resolves, a set of radical resolutions passed on May 31, 1775. These resolves, while significant, did not constitute a declaration of independence. The original text of the Mecklenburg Resolves was lost after the American Revolution and was not rediscovered until 1838, adding to the confusion and skepticism surrounding the declaration.
Skepticism and Doubts
The authenticity of the Mecklenburg Declaration has been questioned by many, including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. When the declaration was published in 1819, it was noted that its language bore striking similarities to the United States Declaration of Independence, leading some to suspect plagiarism. Jefferson, in particular, found it suspicious that the original document was lost in a fire and that most eyewitnesses were deceased by the time the declaration was published.
In response to these doubts, North Carolina senator Nathaniel Macon and others collected eyewitness testimonies to support the declaration's authenticity. While the witnesses generally corroborated the story of a public reading of a declaration in Charlotte, they were not all certain about the date, and their accounts varied in detail.
Modern Perspectives
Today, most historians regard the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence as spurious. The discovery of the Mecklenburg Resolves in 1838 shifted the focus of the debate, with many concluding that the declaration was a misdated and inaccurate recreation of the authentic resolves. Despite this, the date of the supposed declaration is still commemorated in North Carolina, appearing on the state seal and flag.
The controversy over the Mecklenburg Declaration highlights the complexities of historical documentation and the challenges of verifying events from the distant past. While the document's authenticity remains in question, its story continues to be a point of interest and pride for some North Carolinians.
