SK CUSTOMS® PRESENTS THE LOST STATE OF AMERICA – THE LOST STATE OF FRANKLIN – JOHN SEVIER In 1784, the United States owed substantial debts to its allies from the Revolutionary War. Without the power to levy taxes, the Continental Congress, which was the body in charge before electing George Washington as our first President and before ratifying our Constitution, had to get creative in how they compensated the allies. The State of Franklin (today Northeast Tennessee), named after Benjamin Franklin was one of those. On August 23, 1784, Led by John Sevier the State of Franklin declared its independence from North Carolina. Franklin represents the early American concept that “if your government is not representing you, then it’s your right and your duty to throw off that government and establish a new government,”