A HOUSE RESOLUTION Honoring the two hundred twentieth anniversary of the Assembly's first session in the State House in the city of Raleigh.
Whereas, in 1787, the Assembly authorized the Constitutional Convention to establish a permanent State capital; and
Whereas, for many years, the Assembly held session in homes, courthouses, and other buildings throughout the State, including Bath, Edenton, Fayetteville, Halifax, Hillsborough, Kinston, New Bern, Smithfield, Tarboro, and Wilmington; and
Whereas, in 1788, the Constitutional Convention decided that the State's capital should be located within 10 miles of Isaac Hunter's plantation in Wake County; and
Whereas, in 1792, the Assembly appointed commissioners to select a site for the new capital; and
Whereas, the commissioners purchased 1,000 acres from Joel Lane of Wake County for $2,756; and
Whereas, Raleigh was chosen as the name of the new capital in honor of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was responsible for sending the first colonists to North Carolina; and
Whereas, Senator William Christmas, a surveyor chosen to lay out the new city, based Raleigh's layout on the City of Philadelphia, which at that time was the nation's capital; and
Whereas, construction of a State House, a simple, two‑story brick building, began in 1792, on Raleigh's central square; and
Whereas, on December 30, 1794, the Assembly held its first session in the State House; and
Whereas, the State House served as the State Capitol until it burned in 1831; and
Whereas, the cornerstone of the present State Capitol is constructed on the site of the former State House; and
Whereas, 2014 marks the 220th anniversary of the Assembly's first session in the State House, and it is an occasion worthy of celebration; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of the early Assembly members and acknowledges the 220th anniversary of the first session held in the State House.
SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.