600
Jurisdiction that I am not Certain but they will Get an order of Congress to set them atime withthe other States to be heard upon their respective Claims of that District as I have [been informedby] one of the Delegates—which if that should be resolved so it will take up a Long time beforethere will be any Interposition of Congress I tell them the Consequence of that will Issue inImmediate Blood—but at present I Comfort my selfe with an assurance of some good & powerfuladvocates in our favor and in opposition to that procrastinating Scheam to the Eternal Dishonor inmy Humble opinion of those members who shall appear the Sticklers for it.
My Endeavors are to attach as many Delegates in our Interest as possible and to oppose such amischevious scheem as that appears to me to be and move Congress to resolve that Vermont Ceaseall future Jurisdiction over any part of that District Called the Grants—untill the Circumstances andPolice of the united States will admit the Congress their Great Councel fully to hear all the DifferentState Claimants to that District or any part thereof and then to hear Vermonts Claims also—butnot before and thereupon for Congress to resolve what ought to be done in the premises and theiradjudication thence to be final and I Cant Consent to any other resolve as things are situate I tell theDelegates neither will New York Legislature accept any other I am persuaded and if Congress wontso Resolve we shall Immediately Come to Blood —against me
Others say Let the Resolve of Congress be that Vermont Exercise no Jurisdiction over anyperson or persons or their Estate Claiming to be under New York Massachusetts or New Hampshire States and their own Declaration shall be the Decisive Determination who are under the afors drespective Jurisdiction of those States.
But there are so many objections Confronting such a resolution I tell them in stead of Congress preventing the Efusion of Blood it will bring it on in a most violent & rapid manner It is tootedious for you Gent n to here them they are so numerous but your Good sense will upon a littleadverting upon the Conduct of officers arresting men & Estate & both to be released by order ofCongress if such an order passes what Quarrels and Bloody noses will Inevitably be the Consequence.
Therefore there seems a necessity of Geographical Lines of Jurisdiction being fixed to make itsafe for officers &c to know who the true objects of their warrants & other process are when uponone District undivided there are two or more Rival Jurisdictions of Rival Governments & all theofficers thereof in a hot fierie Rivalship with Each other upon such Important & Delicate points.Wherefore nothing further in the premises transpiring Beg Leave to Close this Long narrative toyour Honors by subscribing my selfe with grate Esteem your Honors very Humble much obliged &very Dutiful Subject and most obed 1 Humble Servant at Command of the Honorable Legislature.
Philadelphia Septemb r 21 st 1779. Charles Phelps.
To the Honorable President of the right Honorable Senate the Honorable Speaker of the veryRespectable & Honorable Assembly of Legislature of New York State .
MESSAGE OP GOT. CLINTON TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE NEW YORK .
Gentlemen, I have the Pleasure of transmitting you with this Message an Act of Congress of the21 th of September last for adjusting the Controversies and settling the Disturbances subsisting inthe North Eastern District of this State—if the Measures recommended by Congress meet withyour Approbation you will readily perceive the Propriety of immediately enacting the Lawsnecessary for carrying them into Execution.
Kingston October 1779. Geo. Clinton.