Address by Pennsylvania and Virginia Delegates in
Congress to the Inhabitants West of Laurel Hill
LS: Library of Congress
<Philadelphia, July 25, 1775: We are concerned about your continuing
boundary disputes. We do not inquire into their origins
or merits but, as representatives of two of the colonies united to
defend the liberties of America, have the duty to remove if we can
every obstacle that prevents Americans from co-operating to that
end. This is our motive for earnestly requesting you to turn your
animosities as inhabitants of separate colonies into a common effort
to preserve all that makes our country dear to us.
We are convinced that you, like us, wish to see this transformation.
To that end we recommend that you disband all bodies of
armed men maintained by either province, discharge all those
who are in prison or under bail for their part in the contest, and
until it is settled leave every one in peaceful possession; thus “the
public tranquility will be secured without injury to the titles on
either side.” We are confident that the dispute, which has brought
much mischief and no good, will soon be peaceably and legally
determined. Signed for the Pennsylvania delegation by Franklin,
John Dickinson, Charles Humphreys, George Ross, and James
Wilson, and for the Virginia delegation by Benjamin Harrison, P.
Henry, Jr., Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee.>
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