currence of nine states. We shall proceed in a day or two to take them up, and it is my expectation that after having tried several of them successively and finding it impossible to obtain a single determination, Congress will find it necessary to adjourn till the spring, first informing the states that they adjourn because from the inattendance of members their business cannot be done, recommending to them to instruct & enable their members to come on at the day appointed, and that they constantly keep three at least with Congress while it shall be sitting. I believe if we had thirteen states present represented by three members each we could clear off our business in two or three months, and that hereafter a session of two or three months in the year could suffice. The manifesto of the Empress of Russia against the Turks is come to hand-it is flimsy and groundless as that of the Turks is strong & substantial & masterly. TO THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.1 (BENJAMIN HARRISON.) ANNAPOLIS Jan. 17. 1784. SIR,-No post having arrived here from the South. ward during the present month till this day, & being to return in a few minutes I am obliged without an opportunity of asking the concurrence of my colleagues to enclose you a copy of the proclamation of the Definitive treaty & it's ratification which happily 1 From the original in the possession of Mr. F. J. Dreer, of Philadelphia. 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 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 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 determing 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 eontroversy the Delaware, lately in controversy betw. the sd states between that state & the state of Pennsylvania con JEFF. MSS. 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 ad 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 soil & praying in like mann 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 R conduct in the judges or any of them is nested or supposed or even suggested. |