Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph, 30 April 1787
Virginia Delegates to Edmund Randolph
April 30th. 1787 New York.
Sir.
The delegation have received your Excellencys letr. of the 14th.
Nothing yet has been done relative to the meeting of the commissioners deputed by the states of Maryland and Virginia, nor will this business be brought forward untill Congress assemble in more strength.1
The enclosed resolution will shew the sense entertained by the united states relative to the unauthorized possession of Post St. Vincent, and their determination to punish the abettors of this insult to the foederal government.2 Least the leaders of this sedition may learn the intentions of Congress & prepare themselves to continue & extend their opposition, the Executive will please to hold this communication intended only for their own information. I have the honor to be Sir with due consideration & respect your Excellency[’s] most obt srt
Henry Lee Jun
RC (Vi). Enclosure not found. In Lee’s hand.
1. Virginia Delegates to Randolph. 2 Apr. 1787 and n. 2.
2. By the resolution of 24 Apr. 1787 the secretary at war was to “direct the commanding officer of the troops of the United States on the Ohio to take immediate and efficient measures for dispossessing a body of men who have in a lawless and unauthorized manner taken possession of post St. Vincents …” (, XXXII, 231). The resolution was adopted on the recommendation of Secretary Knox, who had received information from a Major Wyllys of a “usurpation of the public lands [at Vincennes] by a body of armed men” (, XXXII, 213, 222). Another copy of the resolution was transmitted to Governor Randolph by Charles Thomson on 30 Apr. (, VIII, 592). For complaints against “landjobbers” in the Illinois territory, see JM to Randolph, 22 Apr. 1787 and n. 3.