In regard to Vermont affair, he refers John Jay to the concurrent
resolutions [of New York legislature?] which he enclosed in his letter of October 27th.
By the New York Act of Submission, the Vermont claims were to be managed in Congress by
three delegates. He, James Duane and [John Morin?] Scott were appointed Commissioners to
collect evidence. This they did between the fall of 1779 and February 1780, at which
time a report was forwarded to Philadelphia. The report was lost, and delay ensued. When
again completed, the New York delegates realized that they would lose if the matter was
put to a vote- there being too many individuals interested in other states to consider
the New York claims strictly on their merits. The State Senate finally decided to press
the matter, and despite the opposition of the Governor, succeeded in obtaining a motion
to be presented to the Continental Congress- the motions were always rejected.
[Presumably for some form of arbitration.] He feels the Continental Congress should
obtain waivers of claims from States involved, and then erect a new state from the
disputed area. He doesn't know where the affair will end, and wishes Jay were there to
obtain a non-violent settlement, with that special brand of "Obstinacy" which he admires
so much in Jay.
Subjects
United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Jay, John, 1745-1829
Format
correspondence
Genre
correspondence
Date
1781 November 27
Physical Description
5
Note
The entire content of the original has been digitized.
