Revolution is in the air
Four years latter, in 1775, as the discussion about independence from England became much more of a topic, North Carolina started to hold provincial congresses at different locations across the state, and Thomas Burke, along with others, was appointed to represent Orange County. He attended the 2nd and 3rd Congress and then wrote the guidelines for attendees for the 5th Provincial Congress. It was these instructions that are an amazing item to read. His strong and clear views of a government for the people and by the people, as well as separation of church and state, areeasily recognized, although written as early as November 1776.
In 1777 he was elected by the House to represent North Carolina at the Continental Congress being held in Philadelphia. He was joined by William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, both signers of the Declaration of Independence for N.C. In no time at all he was busy as can be in his work and was well known and respected by his fellow congressmen. However, you can be sure that you either liked him or despised him, due to his strong and outspoken views. Congress dealt with early American issues that continued decades later. Some interesting areas were - developing a new currency, which he believed must be tied to a gold or silver standard, as opposed to just printing paper, as well as counterfeiting, budgets and law. Two aspects in Congress I think are worth mentioning, his dislike of Congress spending money and their authoritarian rule and the impact on the common person’s civil liberties.
He was writing Governor Caswell back home, that he was appalled over their spending, and I think you might get a laugh out of his comments – “I believe this mischief is inevitable, and having long since foreseen it, I always was averse to giving powers of borrowing and emitting to Congress by the Confederation, a power which I am persuaded will always be used for purposes partial, and unjust, and either to serve particular States, or individuals to the prejudice of the whole community.” Times haven’t change here!
Then with civil rights he wrote Gov Caswell this story - He sited an example where the state of Delaware had some men to be arrested and Congress ordered Gen. Smallwood to retrieve the two men. These men applied for habeas corpus. The Chief Justice of the state granted it and the arresting officer ignored it and went to Congress. Congress supported the officer and ignored the Judge. Burke stated “I need not tell you I opposed these things. You know my pertinacious attachment to civil rights, and my immovable determination to oppose everything that may give color to an arbitrary exercise of power under an idea of right.” Thomas said that he told Congress that the State wielded full power over its citizens and not Congress, and they disliked his statement, and he wrote, “These opinions were not relished and I was required to make some apology.” Yet he said he apologizes often, but here he felt no apology was required. He ends this letter, “My Country will I suppose one day judge of it, but I shall not desire it during the present struggle, I shall be very sorry that any thing would interrupt the public harmony which is so necessary to our success, a time of peace and tranquility will better suite the investigation of Civil Rights and relations.”
The House here in North Carolina was so impressed with his work in Congress that they took a part of Rowan County and formed it into a new county and named it in honor of Thomas Burke. This was amazing, given that they never named a county for a living person, and even Abner Nash, who was speaker of the house, wrote a friend and said what a great compliment this was.
I was impressed with his letter he received from General George Washington, thanking Thomas for his willingness to solicit his input BEFORE congress acted on a topic, of which General Washington agreed with Thomas’ view. It is in this letter that you can see, Burkes down to earth, common sense, that I’m afraid may not be that appreciated in a political office. After 3 years of service in Congress, Thomas Burke in the summer of 1780 returns home. Yet, he isn’t idle and is traveling the state between Edenton and Halifax, with his wife, meeting and discussing current events.