Petition #11284003

Abstract

Eight residents of Orange County ask Governor Edward B. Dudley to overturn the court-martial conviction of Lieutenant William Benson of the 48th North Carolina Regiment; Dudley referred the petition to the legislature for consideration. The petitioners report that Benson refused to obey an order given by Captain John Griffis and was therefore fined for said refusal. They put forth that Griffis's father was "a Coloured man and was of very dark Complexion" and that Griffis himself is a "man of Colour within the fourth Degree." Arguing that said lieutenant is therefore not "Capable under the Constitution & laws of N. Carolina to hold a commission in the military Service of the State," they consequently avow that Benson "is not of right liable for the fine as Laid by the Court martial." They "therefore pray of your Excellancy to remit the Same."

Result: Rejected.

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Citation information

Repository: North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina

Subjects