Resolve, that although the Court Constituted in Conformity to the Confederation of the United States, to determine the right of jurisdiction between the States of Penna and Connecticut, did pass a decree in favor of Penna respecting the jurisdiction, &c., so far as respected the Controversy then subsisting between the Contending States; yet the authority of that Court did not Extend to decide the private property in the Soil, and that the Committee who Composed the Court were unanimously of opinion, that the decision was not to reach the question of property in the Soil; "That the right of soil as Claimed under Connecticut should be held Sacred;" athough this Comp have full faith and Confidence in the justice and equity of their Claim, that their title to these lands was first derived from a Source that never ought to have been questioned, and that the same has been defended through a long and Cruel War, at a vast Expense of the blood and treasure of the inhabitants; yet this meeting, taking into their serious Consideration the necessity of living in friendship, and harmony, and peace, with the Citizens of the United States, and particularly with the Citizens of the Commonwealth of Penna; of which the Settlers under the Connecticut title are a part; and whereas many of our fellow Citizens Claim the same land under a different title, adverse from the Claim of this Comp, and their Settlers, that in Consequence of those Contested Claims, Controversy has many years subsisted, which has not only occasioned a pecuniary loss but the shedding of blood; that having an ardent desire to put end to a Controversy of so long duration, to prevent litigation, and to Cultivate peace and harmony with our fellow Citizens, are disposed to meet our adverse Claimants, and to endeavor to bring into Effect a reconciliation of the Controversy, by an amicable Compromise, and it having been Expressed to this meeting that the Pennsylvania Claimants on their part, are disposed to offer and effect a settlement by Compromise therefore,

Resolved, that five be appointed a Committee and empowered (any three of whom to be a quorum) to treat with Committees or agents that now are, or hereafter may be appointed, and properly authorized by and in behalf of the Penn land Claimants, and to receive and make propositions in behalf of this Comp', to reconcile the Controversy between the Contending parties, respecting the Contested Claim, by an amicable Compromise.

Resolved, that Messrs. John Franklin, Sam Avery, John Jenkins, Ezekiel Hyde, and Sam' Baldwin be and they are hereby appointed a Committee in behalf of this Comp, to Carry the foregoing resolves into Execution.

Resolved, that Messrs. Joseph Kenney, Benj. Bostwick, Dan' Brown, Noah Murray, Joseph Kingsbury, Elisha Satterlee, John Pierce, Ebenezer Beeman and John Spalding, be and they are hereby appointed a standing Committee of this Company (a majority of whom to be a quorum) to Exercise all Such powers as may be delegated to them by this or any other further meeting of this Comp', and particularly to draft and give instructions to the aforesaid Committee, relative to a Compromise with the adverse Claimants, the Committee to have particular regard to the interest of the proprietors and settlers under this Company.

Resolved, that in Case the Committee aforesaid should be unsuccessful in an attempt to effect a Compromise, this Comp hereby pledge their faith to each other their interest in proportion to the property they Claim in said lands, if necessary, they will unite, and by all legal means to the utmost of their power, will maintain, Support, and defend their Claim and right of soil to the land and possession lying within the limits of their purchase made of the Indian natives, and ratified and approved by the Legislature of Connecticut, antecedent to the settlement of the jurisdiction between that State and the Commonwealth of Penna, and that they will aid, assist, and defend the settlers on said land, holding and possessing the same under the aforesaid title, derived from Connecticut, against the adverse Claimants in all Cases where the title of lands claimed under grants of different States is Concerned or Called in question, and that the agents of this Comp', in addition to the powers and authority heretofore given them, be and they are hereby authorized and empowered (if they deem it expedient) to apply to Congress in behalf of the proprietors and Settlers, for such redress as may be Conducive to the general interest of this Comp', and which by the Constitution of the United States we may be entitled to, and the Committee of this Company, be and they are hereby empowered (if they judge it necessary) to appoint and empower a special agent to attend Congress in behalf of this Comp', and to do and perform all things proper and lawful for an agent to do to obtain redress.

Meeting of Connecticut Claimants at Wyalusing.

At a meeting of delegates from a number of townships in the County of Luzerne, holden at the house of Peter Stevens, in Springfield, May 22, 1801, to Consult and advise on the most safe, prudent, legal and Constitutional method of defense

against any suits that are now pending, or may hereafter be brought against any settler, or settlers, under the Connecticut title.

Daniel Kinne was Chosen Chairman, Sam1 Baldwin, Clerk. Whereas, the Constitution of the United States provides that the Judicial authority shall extend to Controversies between Citizens of the Same State, Claiming lands under grants from different States.

And whereas, by the laws of the United States, it is provided, that in actions Commenced in a State Court, the title of land being Concerned, and the parties are Citizens of the same State, and the matter in dispute exceeds the sum of Five hundred dollars, &c., if Either party before the trial shall state to the Court and make affidavit (if the Court requests) that he Claims and shall rely upon a right or title to the lands under grant, from a state other than that in which the trial is pending, &c., and shall move that the adverse party shall inform the Court, whether he claims a right or title to the land under a grant from the state in which the suit is pending, the said adverse party shall give such information, or be debarred from pleading such grant, or giving it in evidence upon the trial, and if he inform.

***

*