GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
H	1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 833

 
 
Sponsors:	Representatives McLawhorn;  Allen, Barefoot, Bonner, Edwards, Hill, Lucas, Luebke, Rogers, Underhill, Wainwright, Warren, Weiss, and Yongue.	
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.	
March 28, 2001

     
A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF JOHN LAWSON ON THE 300th anniversary of his fifty-seven DAY FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-MILE TREK THROUGH THE BACKCOUNTRY OF THE CAROLINAS.

Whereas, John Lawson, explorer, surveyor general for the Lords Proprietors, and author, departed from Charles Town on December 28, 1700, on a 57-day 550-mile exploration of the backcountry of the two Carolinas, arriving at the Pamlico River near Bath on February 24, 1701; and
Whereas, John Lawson's observations during the 11 years he resided in the Carolinas contributed significantly to our understanding of the land, resources, natural history, native people, and their customs, crops, and culture; and
Whereas, John Lawson laid off and established the Town of Bath, the first town incorporated in North Carolina; and
Whereas, John Lawson was clerk of the court and public register of Bath County as well as the official surveyor for the Lords Proprietors; and
Whereas, John Lawson conferred with Baron Christoph von Graffenried before the Baron decided to locate his colony in North Carolina; and
Whereas, John Lawson was commissioned by Baron Christoph von Graffenried to locate a site for a colony; and
Whereas, John Lawson selected a site for the new town at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, to be known as New Bern; and
Whereas, John Lawson's findings gathered on his 1701 trek through the Carolinas brought about interest in the North Carolina colony; and
Whereas, John Lawson's findings, keen observations, and descriptions based on his exploration were ultimately published in "A New Voyage to Carolina" in 1709, which is now recognized as a classic of early American literature; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the memory of John Lawson and calls upon all North Carolinians to observe, celebrate, and participate in events commemorating the tercentenary of John Lawson's trek through the Carolinas while recognizing the unique importance of this individual to the history of the State and nation.
SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.