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took place on the 14th instant. Two officers were immediately dispatched to seek passage by different vessels to France with this important document. I expect one of them would reach the French packet at New York which was to sail from thence on the 20th.

TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.1
(BENJAMIN HARRISON.)

V. S. A.

ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 23, 1784.

SIR,-The inclosed papers from Oliver Pollock came to our hands a few days ago. Ignorance of the organisation of our government probably led him to make this improper address, on a business so foreign to the line of our duty. We take the liberty on his behalf of inclosing them to your Excellency with a copy of our answer to him.

We have the honor to be with the most profound respect & esteem Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servants

TH. JEFFERSON
ARTHUR LEE

JAS. MONROE
S. HARDY

TO OLIVER POLLOCK.

ANNAPOLIS Jan 23. 1784.

SIR,-Your letter bearing date at the Havana Nov. 20, 1783, came to our hands a few days ago. The subject of it however is one of those submitted by the constitution of our State to its Executive power,

1 In Jefferson's handwriting.

our duties being such only as respect the Confederacy in general. We think it therefore the most likely means of promoting your wishes to inclose the letter with the papers accompanying it to his Excellency the Governor of Virginia which we will immediately do & have no doubt you will receive justice from the State on every well authenticated claim.

DRAFT OF A REPORT ON THE MEMORIAL OF ZEBULON BUTLER AND OTHERS.1

ROUGH DRAFT.

[January 23, 1784]

The Commee to whom were referred the pet" of Zebulon Butler & others claim' under the State of resolutions-of the General assembly of Connectieut-private soil in this & the letter & proclamation of Gov Trumbul desiring that a court may be inst for determine the a revision of the sentence of the Judges formerly Connect. of the private right of soil within the territory Westw of appointed to hear & finally determine the controversy the Delaware, lately in controversy betw. the

sd states between that state & the state of Pennsylvania con

JEFF. MSS.

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1 The fair copy, presented to Congress, is endorsed " No. 71. Report of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Williamson, on the meml. of Zebulon Butler & others. Read. Passed Jan 23, 1784." As adopted, it was slightly modified. Cf. text in Journals of Congress, under Jan. 23, and April 24, 1784.

of Connecticut & that of Penna & complain that they are disturbed in eerning the bounda ries & jurisdiction of the ed States-their sd right by others claiming under the sd state of on the Western side of the Dela ware, also that a Penna & praying that a C may be inst" for determ the Court may be in stituted for determining the said rights; and the resolns. of the G. A. of Conn. & Ire private right of soil within the sd terri tory, & proclamn of Gov! Trumbul praying in like mann' the instn of such a court and further notifying that the sd state of Connecticut claims jurisdiction over all the lands between Pennsylvania & the Missisipi from 41° to 42° 2" Northern latitude. and the petition of Zebulon Butler & others inhabi tants within the territory late in dispute between the sd states complaining that they are disturbed in their private right of coil & praying in like manner the institution of a court for determining the same, have agreed to the following report resoln.

It appears to your Commee that the controversy between the states of Pennsylva & Connecticut for the territory on the Western side of Delaware river alledged to be within both their

Pennsylvania and lately determined by a court constituted & appointed agreeably to the 9 Articles of Confederation and perpetual union to be within the jurisdiction of the State of Pensylvania, complaining that they are disturbed in their said right by others claiming under the said state of Pennsylvania and praying that a court may be instituted under the 9th article of the Confederation for determining the sd right: Also the resolutions of the General assembly of Connecticut & the letter & proclamation of Gov! Trumbull, desiring in like manner the institution of such a court; and further notifying that the said state of Connecticut claims jurisdiction over all the lands between Pennsylvania & the Misissipi from 41° to 42° 2′′ Northern latitude have agreed to the following resolutions.

boundaries was originated in Congress so early as the 5th day of Octob. 1775, and was frequently & much agitated therein from that time to the 3 day of Nov. 1781.

That the state of Pennsva did then petition Congress that the same might be determined according to the 9th Art. of the Confedn.

That Congress did thereen on the 14th day of the same month direct a notification to the state of Connecticut of the petition from Pennsylvania, and assign a day for proceeding thereon.

That the same was regularly proceeded on according to the 9th Art. of the Confedn and that the judges met at Trenton on the 12th day of Nov. 1782 to hear and determine the same.

That a fair, full & patient hearing of the parties by their agents, was given and mature consideration had by the sd court from the sd 12th day of Nov. day by day without intermission till the 30th day of Dec. when final sentence was pronounced that this sentence was with the unanimous concurrence of the sd judges.

That no improper biass or conduct in the judges or any of them is rested or supposed or even suggested.

That the sd 9 Article of the Confedn declares that the sentence of such a court shall be final & conclusive

Resolved therefore that the sd sentence ought not to be sevised,

Resolved that a court should be instituted according to the sd 9th Art. of the Confedn for determining the private right of soil so far as the same is by the sd article submitted to the determination of such court.

Resolved that the 4th Monday in June next be assigned for the appearance of the ed states of Connecticut & Pennsylvania and parties by their lawful agents at the place in which before Congress or the Commee of the states wheresoever they shall be then sitting.

Resolved that the form of the notice be as follows, to be transmitted by the secretary To the claimants of the private right of soil within the territory heretofore claimed by the state of Connecticut but adjudged to belong to the state of Pennsylvania by the sentence of a federal court pronounced at Trenton on the 30th day of December 1782. To the Legislative and Executive authorities of the state of Pennsylvania

VOL. III-25

Resolved that a court be instituted according to the said ninth article of the Confederation for determining the private right of soil within the said territory so far as the same is by the sd article submitted to the determination of such a court.

Resolved That the 4th Monday in June next be assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents before Congress or the Commee of the states wheresoever they shall be then sitting.

Resolved That the form notice of the assignment of the sd day be given to the parties in the following form

To the claimants of the private right of soil within the territory Westward of the Delaware heretofore in controversy between the states of Connecticut & Pennsylvania and adjudged to the latter by the sentence of a federal court of Pennsylva &e pronounced at Trenton on the 30th day of Decemb. 1782.

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