Letter from Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire

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A few days ago the Governor received the following Letter from Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governor of Connecticut, viz:

Lebanon, 24th March, 1774.

SIR: I received your letter of the 24th February last. It is with pleasure I observe, "that you will do every thing in your power to avoid contentions and disorders among his Majesty' s subjects." A great number of people possessed of, and settled on, a part of the lands of the Colony of Connecticut, at or near a place called Wyoming, lying west of the river Delaware, within the boundaries and descriptions of our Royal charter, made their application to our Assembly for protection and government. In consequence thereof the town of Westmoreland was made, constituted and annexed to our county of Litchfield, thereby forbearing the exercise of our jurisdiction over a great number of others who have more recently entered under grants from the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, and claim other parts of the lands belonging to Connecticut. It is not to be doubted that your power and influence may prevent the attempts of others to settle under your claim, and the disagreeable consequences which may follow the want on your part of a similar forbearance towards the people of Westmoreland, until a legal and constitutional decision of the point in question may be obtained, which both you and Mr. Wilmot, solicitor of the Proprietaries, have acquainted us they will never decline.

It is the duty of our Governor and Company, in faithfulness to the trust reposed in them, to assert and support the rights of this Government and its inhabitants. They do not look upon themselves chargeable with any fault for their exercise of jurisdiction over the people who inhabit land they have good reason to think themselves entitled to by legal purchase from the Aboriginal true proprietors thereof, and hold the primary possession of under the right of pre-emption, for the benefit, and within the limits of this Colony.

I am to acquaint you that several gentlemen from hence, by virtue of an Act of our Assembly, are employed and instructed to ascertain the latitudes of certain places at and beyond Delaware river. They design to set out the 18th of next month for that purpose.

I am, sir, with truth and regard, your obedient humble servant,
JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

Honorable John Penn, Esquire.

Letter from Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governour of Connecticut, to Governour Penn -- Connecticut Lands West of the River Delaware -- requests Governour Penn to prevent settlements under claim of the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. Has employed persons to take the latitudes of certain places beyond the Delaware. [1774-03-24] Pennsylvania Council; Trumbull, Jonathan, Governour of Connecticut. [S4-V1-p0261] [Document Details][Complete Volume]