The Petition - George Plott Listed
While George Plott was in Mecklenburg/Cabarrus County, N.C. he, along with other men of the county, signed or had their name listed on a petition dated March 22th, 1778; “To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina” The petition is a complaint from the inhabitants of Mecklenburg/Cabarrus County to the State of North Carolina, “Much Concerned that the State Act Gives so great an opportunity for Individuals to Ingross for themselves Enormous Quantities of Land to the great prejudice of the Poor Inhabitants of this State; and we view it as Dangerous to the Liberties of the whole.” The inhabitants of Mecklenburg/Cabarrus County considered themselves loyal to assist the Soldiers of the Continental Army; however, then too much land is being acquired by individuals. “And Whereas the Publick Faith is Already Pledged to the Officers and Soldiers Raised in this State for the Continental Army to supply them with Certain Quantities of Land At the Expiration of the War; We Your Humble Petitioners are at Loss to know where the Land Will be found. When Individuals are Allowed to Secure for themselves Large Quantities.” George Plott is the thirteenth name on the first column of the petition. It appears as “gor Plot”. The document can be found in the N.C. Archives, General Assembly Session Records, April – May 1778, Box 1, Joint Papers (Petitions) Petition of the Inhabitants of Mecklenburg County, April 18, 1778. At the time of this writing, it is unknown what actions the North Carolina Assembly took because of this petition.
“April 18, 1778
To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Mecklenburg Humbly Showeth
That We Your Petitioners is Much Concerned that the State Act gives so great an
opportunity for Individuals to Ingross for themselves Enormous Quantities of Land to the
great Prejudice of the Poor Inhabitants of this State; and We view it as Dangerous
to the Liberties of the Whole. And Whereas the Publick Faith is already Pledged to the
Officers and Soldiers Raised in this State for the Continental Army to Supply them with
Certain Quantities of Land at the Expiration of the War. We Your Humble Petitioners
are at a Loss to Know where that Land will be found. When Individuals are Allowed
to secure for themselves Large Quantities. We already have an Instance from which
we Apprehend our danger to be Very great if not timeously remedied. As We are Informed
and verily Believe it to be the case that a few Individuals have Entered a great Quantity
of Land Over the Mountains to the amount of Between Twenty and thirty thousand
Acres, and among other Evils it is very Probable it May draw Upon Us the Displeasure
Of the Indians But We hope your Wisdoms will take some Salutary Measures to deliver
Us from our Fears, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray.”
To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina
The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Mecklenburg Humbly Showeth
That We Your Petitioners is Much Concerned that the State Act gives so great an
opportunity for Individuals to Ingross for themselves Enormous Quantities of Land to the
great Prejudice of the Poor Inhabitants of this State; and We view it as Dangerous
to the Liberties of the Whole. And Whereas the Publick Faith is already Pledged to the
Officers and Soldiers Raised in this State for the Continental Army to Supply them with
Certain Quantities of Land at the Expiration of the War. We Your Humble Petitioners
are at a Loss to Know where that Land will be found. When Individuals are Allowed
to secure for themselves Large Quantities. We already have an Instance from which
we Apprehend our danger to be Very great if not timeously remedied. As We are Informed
and verily Believe it to be the case that a few Individuals have Entered a great Quantity
of Land Over the Mountains to the amount of Between Twenty and thirty thousand
Acres, and among other Evils it is very Probable it May draw Upon Us the Displeasure
Of the Indians But We hope your Wisdoms will take some Salutary Measures to deliver
Us from our Fears, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall Ever Pray.”
For a complete copy of the petition, please click on the below green button to open, read, save and/or print or HERE.