I must plead a lapse of 50 years as an apology for not recollecting in my answer to yours on the subject of the Lands ceded by Virginia to the U.S. that a vindication of her title wd. be found in the secret Journals of Congress—

It appears there under the head of "facts & observations", but had been prepared by the Virga. Delegates & put into the form of direct instructions from Congress to their ministers for peace, & contained some matters tho’ not on the immediate point, which was dropped in the "facts & observations"—I was reminded of my omission by the sudden appearance of a manuscript copy of the Document as originally prepared, & by a recurrence to the secret journal, see Vol. 3d. page 161—&c &c It is quite probable that your own examination of the journal, may render this communication superfluous, but it will at least show that I am not indifferent to your object, nor wanting in respect for your request. With great esteem