Letters

Richard Henry Lee to John Rutledge

January 24, 1785

New York Jany 24th 1785

Sir,

I have the honor to enclose you an Act of Congress for forming a fœderal Court to determine a controversy, respecting territory, that subsi[s]ts between the States of Massachusets and New York.1 The future concord and happiness of the United States depends so eminently upon the wise and early settlement of such disputes that both Congress and the Parties will be well pleased to find this court a full one, by the acceptance of all the Judges appointed to form it.2

I have the honor to be with the highest esteem and regard, Sir, Your Most Obedient and very humble Servant,

Richard Henry Lee

Notes

Letter book, Papers of Continental Congress, item 16, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. Addressed: "The Honorable John Rutledge Esqr."

1 For this December 24 "Act," see JCC, 27:709 - 10. For the context in which this letter was sent, see Massachusetts and New York Agents to James Monroe, December 28, 1784.

2 For Rutledge's March 26 response declining this appointment, see JCC, 28:351 - 52; and PCC, item 78, 19:479 - 82.