The city of New Bern, founded in 1710 by Swiss and German immigrants, is home to many historic sites and stories. Royal Governor William Tryon (1765-1771) made this seaport his colonial capital and residence. During Tryon’s time in office, colonists often complained about taxes, dishonest sheriffs, and illegal fees. Tensions rose when paid and enslaved laborers built Tryon Palace in 1770. Governor Tryon increased colonist taxes to pay for the palace, which cost about $3.3 million by today's standards.
Colonists, unhappy with British laws, fought back against local and larger-scale injustice in different ways. Differences in state geography created distinct areas in the east and west that often clashed over regional identity. Colonists from the western counties, then known as the “backcountry,” formed a group called the Regulators. The Regulators started out peaceful but became more radical over time, using violence and disorder to protest against unfair government practices. Governor Tryon quelled this movement at the Battle of Alamance in 1771. Three years later, colonists from thirty counties and four towns called for reform in 1774 at the First North Carolina Provincial Congress in New Bern.
Caption: Record from the First North Carolina Provincial Congress in New Bern, August 25 through 27, 1774. The opening sentence shows how at this time, colonists still saw themselves as British subjects.
Citation: Records of Provincial Conventions and Congresses, February 1774 - August 1774. New Bern, North Carolina. American Revolution Records. Records of State. Secretary of State. State Archives of North Carolina.
The First Provincial Congress (August 25 to 27, 1774) marked the first congress in the American colonies to meet and discuss grievances against the British Crown. It is important to note that at this time, delegates saw themselves as British subjects who wanted the same rights attributed to all Englishmen under the British Constitution. These delegates wrote resolves on “no taxation without representation” and other resolutions to unfavorable economic laws. Eventually, colonists shifted from “restoring rights as British subjects” to “independence as Americans.” However, this independence did not extend to enslaved individuals, women, or American Indians. The quest for freedom and equality for all members of American society would continue long after the initial push for independence.
Join us this Saturday and Sunday at Tryon Place for the 250th anniversary of the New Bern Resolves! If we don’t see you this weekend, visit Tryon Palace another time and discover New Bern’s history with our printable America 250 NC scavenger hunt.