Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, 30 October 1779

From Samuel Huntington

Philadelphia 30th. Octr. 1779.

Sir

You will receive herewith enclosed an act of Congress of this date, earnestly recommending to the State of Virginia to re-consider their late act of Assembly for opening their land office; And to that, and all other States similarly circumstanced, to forbear settling or issuing Warrants for unappropriated lands or granting the same during the continuance of the present war.

I am with sentiments of esteem and regard, Your Excellency’s, Humble servant,

Samll Huntington President

RC (CSmH). In a clerk’s hand and signed by Huntington. FC (DLC: PCC, No. 14); circular to the state executives. Enclosure: Resolve of Congress, 30 Oct. 1779 (Vi); printed in JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789, ed. W. C. Ford and others, Washington, 1904–1937 description ends , xv, 1229–30.

This letter and resolve were in turn transmitted by the governor to the House of Delegates; see TJ to Harrison, 19 Nov. 1779. The House thereupon formulated a remonstrance to Congress on the Vandalia and Indiana Companies’ claims, 10 Dec. 1779 (JHD description begins Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) description ends , Oct. 1779, 1827 edn., p. 83–4). For the background and consequences of this incident, see note on Huntington’s letter to TJ, 10 Sep. 1780. Virginia’s late act for opening its land office, passed in June 1779, is printed above under date of 8 Jan. 1778.

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