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CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.

It may not be improper for me to remind, you that Congress by their act of the 24 th September1779 expressly declare it to be the Duty of the People inhabiting on the Grants to abstain fromexercising any Power over any Inhabitants who profess to owe allegiance to this State and that thisState ought to suspend executing its Law over any of the Inhabitants except such as professthemselves to be its Subjects. This State has during the whole of the Time since the Controversywas submitted to Congress hitherto strictly observed this Recommendation of Congress ; and shouldany Person under pretence of authority from the assumed Government attempt to enforce theirLaws, you will perceive that Resistance by force is in every point of view justifiable and the Faithand Honor of Congress is pledged for your support.

You doubtless are apprised that there is the fullest Evidence of a criminal and dangerous Inter-course between some of the Leaders in the assumed Government and the common Enemy andthis I trust will be an additional Inducement with such who profess to be friends to the Cause ofAmerica to interest themselves in prevailing with their fellow citizens to return to their allegianceand by that means disappoint the views of a Combination who from motives of self Interest andambition would enter into a league with the Enemy and sacrifice the Liberties of their Country.

Should those overtures be rejected and prove ineffectual for the reestablishment of Peace andgood Government and should Congress delay or wholly decline to decide on the Question of Boun-dary, it is evident that the State has no alternative left, but must necessarily have recourse tocompulsory means to maintain those Rights and enforce that authority so essential to our futurePeace and Security.

I am with great Respect & Regard Gentlemen Your most obed 1 serv 1

Geo: Clinton.

To the Gentlemen of the Convention of Committeesfrom the Towns of Brattleborough Guilford &

Halifax in Cumberland County.

GOV. CLINTON TO JOEL BIGELOW ESQ.

Pokeepsie 15 th September 1782.

Sir From the Conversation between us you are already apprized of the Measures I have takenin Consequence of the Information I received relative to the late outrage committed by the Inhab-itants on the Grants who oppose the Government of this State and you may be assured the momentI am informed of the Effects these Measures may produce I shall communicate them to you—untilthe Result of the present application to Congress I would as heretofore recommended to our Friendsstill to persevere in the Line of Conduct pointed out by the Resolve of Congress in abstaining fromall acts of Force or Violence except when their immediate self Defence shall compel them to haveRecourse to resistance by Arms. At the same Time should the Government of the pretended Statecontinue to hold the Prisoners in Confinement I would then think it justifiable and advisable thatattempts should be made for their Release, and if this cannot be effected then that an equalnumber of the Insurgents should be taken & brought to this or any other Place of Security in theState where they can be detained as Hostages for the security and Indemnity of the subjects ofthis State whom they have made Prisoners of

I am Sir your most obed 4 Serv 1

M 1 ' Joel Biglow.

Geo: Clinton.