New York April 30th, 1785
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency an Act of Congress that has been produced by a very pressing state of the public affairs.1 Your Excellency will observe that exclusive of other important business, Congress point to two objects particularly, the requisition for the present year, and an Ordinance for disposing of lands in the western Territory. The honor and justice of the United States is much concerned in the former, and upon the wise, speedy, and effectual execution of the latter, essentially depends the future case; happiness and prosperity of the people. It is indeed true that thinner houses are compitent to the first digestion and preparation of business like this, but such is the nature of the fœderal constitution that a full Congress is necessary to the final completion of Objects great as those which are now under consideration. I am therefore, by desire of Congress, to request that your Excellency will be pleased to exert your fullest influence with the Delegates of your State to repair immediately to Congress.
I have the honor to be with great respect and esteem, Sir, Your Excellencys Most Obedient Servant,
Richard Henry Lee
Letter book, Papers of Continental Congress, item 16, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. Addressed: "His Excellency Governor Livingston [i.e., of New Jersey]. N.B. A Similar letter was written to the Governors of Connecticut, Delaware and Georgia."
1 The enclosed April 29 "Act" directed President Lee to write to the states unrepresented in Congress because the requisition for 1785 and the land ordinance then under consideration could not be completed "without a fuller representation." See JCC, 28:318 - 19.