1776 - 1860 Excerpted from the North Carolina Manual, 2001-2002
edition. In early December, 1776, delegates to the Fifth
Provincial Congress adopted the first constitution for North
Carolina. On December 21, 1776, Richard Caswell became the first
governor of North Carolina under the new constitution. In 1788,
North Carolina rejected the United States Constitution because
of the lack of necessary amendments to ensure freedom of the
people; however, on November 21, 1789, the state adopted the
constitution, becoming the twelfth state to enter the federal
union. During the years between the Revolutionary and Civil
Wars, North Carolina developed a system of state and local
government to meet the needs of its people. A constitutional
convention was held in 1835, and among several changes made in
the constitution was the method of electing the governor. After
this change, the governor was elected by the people for a term
of two years, instead of being elected by the legislature for
one year. Edward Bishop Dudley was