In 1776 they petitioned North Carolina for "annexation." As they were already within North Carolina's bounds, it was recognition rather than annexation which they sought.

This petition, which is the only Wataugan document to survive, is undated but marked as received in August, 1776.

It is in Sevier's handwriting and its style suggests that it was composed by him, for in its manner of expression it has much in common with many later papers from his pen.

That Wataugans were a law-loving community and had formed their government for the purpose of making law respected is reiterated throughout the document.

As showing the quality of these first western statemakers, two paragraphs are quoted: "Finding ourselves on the frontiers, and being apprehensive that for want of proper legislature we might become a shelter for such as endeavored to defraud their creditors; considering also the necessity of recording deeds, wills, and doing other public business; we, by consent of the people, formed a court for the purposes above mentioned, taking, by desire of our constituents, the Virginia laws for our guide, so near as the situation of affairs would permit.