In August 1784 delegates from three of the eight western counties of North Carolina met in the town of Jonesborough. There was a vote and on the 23rd of the month they declared the lands independent. The state of Franklin was born.
Opposition was immediate - North Carolina published a manifesto condemining the formation of the new state (see above). In fact it brought about the first political pamphlet war for that part of America.
From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by taliesyn30.