'It may not be improper for me to remind you that Congress by their act of the 24th September 1779 expressly declare it to be the Duty of the People inhabiting on the Grants to abstain from exercising any Power over any Inhabitants who profess to owe allegiance to this State and that this State ought to suspend executing its Law over any of the Inhabitants except such as profess themselves to be its Subjects. This State has during the whole of the Time since the Controversy was submitted to Congress hitherto strictly observed this Recommendation of Congress ; and should any Person under pretence of authority from the assumed Government attempt to enforce their Laws, you will perceive that Resistance by force is in every point of view justifiable and the Faith and Honor of Congress is pledged for your support. .

1012 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

You doubtless are apprised that there is the fullest Evidence of a criminal and dangerous Intercourse between some of the Leaders in the assumed Government and the common Enemy and this I trust will be an additional Inducement with such who profess to be friends to the Cause of America to interest themselves in prevailing with their fellow' citizens to return to their allegiance and by that means disappoint the views of a Combination who from motives of self Interest and ambition 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 and good Government and should Congress delay or wholly decline to decide on the Question of Boundary, it is evident that the State has no alternative left, but must necessarily have recourse to compulsory means to maintain those Rights and enforce that authority so essential to our future Peace and Security.