Chieff of Cumberland will Join none from us. but which way for us to steer I know not I know the Congress will not contienance them in there Independence, we are at the greatest distance of anie of this State we are willing to be Subject to N. Y. but had Rather be some what handier to the Seat of Gov't as we realey see the want of it I have heard I was chosen to waite on the Congress in behalf of I am also desiered by the Committees to apply to Congress through our own assembleys for Proetection can I come to you as our assembly or not I cannot as New Connecttucte waite on the Congress whither as the case Stands we had not better be ordered to do dutey with Boston or N. H. I am afraide not from anie thing heard saide but the naturall Concequence that these Counties are in danger of Ministeriall proetection the heads of the Green men were with me in Nov. they Insisted much on my Joyning I refused but told them first to petition our own Congress which they said should be done the 16th Jan", which I thot would bring them to yow with hopes some measures would then be used to heal old Deficultys but the Reverse hapned at that meeting. I should have waited on you before now but I really expected Colo. Alcot was with you I shall attend as soon as Possiable I should think the men raised under Hossington should be Paid and kept for Servise if not held none be Paid but them that has done real Servise that will not be much, but if they are continued they may be servisable in future if the whole money is sent and all that will muster to be Paid and care taken that no more Billeting is paid than has been in Servise. Tho the Frontiers this way has seemed to leave you yet you will ever care for the whole I think that ever and an army of observation is wanted here it is now both on acct. of Internal as well as External Enemys you will advise as you think best and rely you will do every thing for the good of the whole without having any regard to Private views I am Gent", Your most obedient Humble servant, JACOB BAYLEY. HON. A. TEN BROECK, TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Sir. [March 1st, 1777.] The inclosed letters and resolutions were proposed some time since; but for reason with which you need not be troubled, were delayed-some late proceedings of the disaffected within this state, occasions their now being transmitted. am directed to inform you, that the convention are engaged in establishing a firm and permanent system of government. When this important business is accomplished, they will dispatch a satisfactory state of their boundaries, and the principles on which they are founded, for the information of Congress. In the mean time, they depend upon the justice of your honorable house, in adopting every wise and salutary expedient to suppress the mischiefs that must ensue to this state and the general confederacy, from the unjust and pernicious project of such of the inhabitants of New York as, merely, from selfish and interested motives, have fomented this dangerous insurrection The Congress may be assured, that the spirit of defection, notwithstanding all the arts and violence of the seducers, is, by no means, general. The county of Gloucester, and a very great part of Cumberland and Charlotte counties, continue steadfast in their allegiance to this government. Brigadier Gen. Bayley's letter, a copy of which is inclosed, will be a sufficient proof of the temper of the people of Gloucester county. Charlotte and Cumberland continue to be represented in convention; and, from very late information, we learn, that out of eighty members which were expected to have attended the mock convention of the deluded subjects of this state, twenty only attended. We are informed by good authority, that Col. Warner was directed by the general, to send forward his men, as he should enlist them, to Tyconderoga; notwithstanding which, it appeared, by a return from thence, not long since, that only twenty four privates had reached that post; nor is there the least prospect of his raising a number of men which can be an object of public concern-though instead of confining himself to the Green Mountain, as we understand was the intention of the honourable Congress, he has had the advantages of recruiting in Albany and other places. The convention beg to know what pay the honourable Congress have allowed for the officers and privates of the troops of horse, who were employed in the last campaign, in the service of the United States.I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient Servant, 1st Would it not be proper that Congress should first determine the Jurisdiction as the people of those Counties are willing to submit it to them. 2d Would not the taking of the Quitrent unask'd appear as if we were purchasing Those people to a compliance, and would therefore take away the merit of such an action and seem as if we doubted our Jurisdiction over those Counties. 34 As the legislative body of the State will soon be formed will it not be more proper to submit it to their decision, than a Committee of Safety, a small part of a body chosen by the people for the sole purposes of framing a Government a body who hitherto has regulated no more of the Internal policy of the State, than there was an absolute and Immediate necessity for. 4th Would it not be proper to call the principal people of those Counties before this house hear their Complaints and know the Terms they are authorized to settle upon. 5th have not many of the hampshire Grants been forfeited by the Grantees is it equitable to confirm their titles in preference to a just one, tho theirs be of an older date. 6th [Repetition of No. 2.] 7th Are we not rather precipitate in giving up so great a revenue at a time we are not assured it will have the desired effect upon the receivers. 8th Many in those Counties hold lands under New York by purchase of officers rights, which together with the fees comes very high to them, in what manner is it to be setled when Tenants under those people and others under New hampshire are setled on the same lands. THOMAS YOUNG TO THE PEOPLE OF THE GRANTS. Gentlemen, [Miscellaneous Papers XXXIV.] Philadelphia April 11th 1777. Numbers of you are knowing to the zeal with which I have exerted myself in your Behalf from the Beginning of this struggle with the New York Monopolizers. As the Supreme Arbiter of Right has smiled on the just Cause of North America at large, you in a peculiar Manner have been highly favored. God has done by you the best Thing commonly done for our species. He has put it fairly in your power to help yourselves. I have taken the Minds of several of the leading members in the Honorable Continental Congress, and can assure you that you have Nothing to do but send attested Copies of the Recommendation to take up government to every Township in your District, and invite all your Freeholders and Inhabitants to meet in their respective Townships and chuse Members for a General Convention, to meet at an early Day to chuse Delegates for the General Congress or Committee of Safety, and to form a Constitution for your State. Your Friends here tell me that some are in Doubt whether Delegates from your District would be admitted into Congress. I tell you to organize fairly, and make the experiment, and I will ensure you Success at the Risque of my Reputation, as a Man of Honor or Common Sense, Indeed they can by no Means refuse you. You have as good a Right to chuse how you will be governed and by whom, as they had. I have recommended to your Committee the Constitution of Pennsylvania for a Model, which with a very little alteration, will, in my opinion, come as near perfection as any thing yet concerted by Mankind. This Constitution has been sifted with all the Criticism that a Band of Despots were masters of, and has hid defiance to their united powers. The alteration I would recommend is, that all the Bills intended to be passed into Laws should be laid before the Executive Board for their perusal and proposals of amendment. All the Difference between such a Constitution and those of Connecticut and Rhode Island, in the grand outlines is that in one Case the Executive power can advise and in the other compel. For my own part I esteem the people at large the true proprietors of Governmental power. They are the supreme, constituent power, and of Course their immediate Representatives are the supreme Delegate power; and as soon as the delegate power gets too far out of the Hands of the constituent power, a Tyranny is in some degree established. Happy are you in laying the Foundation of a new Government, you have a Digest drawn from the purest Fountains of Antiquity, and improved by the Readings and observations of the great Doctor Franklin, David Rittenhouse Esqr and others. I am certain you may build on such a Basis a System, which will transmit Liberty & Happiness to posterity. Let the scandalous practice of bribing Men by places Commissions & be held in Abhorrence among you, By entrusting only Men of Capacity and Integrity in public Affairs, and by obliging even the best Men to fall into the common Mass of the people every year, and be sensible of their Need of the popular good Will to sustain their political Importance, is your Liberties well secured. These plans effectually promise this Security. May almighty God smile upon your arduous and important undertaking and inspire you with that Wisdom, public Spirit & unanimity which ensures success in the most hazardous Enterprizes. I am Gentlemen Your sincere Friend & hble Servant |