Item 56: Letter from Timothy Pickering to “His Excellency The President of the State” (Removed to Legal Box #1), 1787 June 25
Item — Box: 12, Folder: 96
Dates
- Created: 1787 June 25
Creator
- Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829. (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
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Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Okay. Paper shows signs of age.
Measurements:
13 ⅛ in. x 8 ¼ in. (closed); 16 ½ in. x 13 ⅛ in.
Description:
The following item depicts a letter written by Timothy Pickering to Benjamin Franklin, the President of Pennsylvania during the time of the letter. This is seen in his address to “his Excellency, the President of the State.” The letter is dated June 25, 1787. In the letter, Pickering expresses his concerns that recently passed laws passed for Luzerne County will not be enforced without the proper aid to the sitting Justices. He explains that the justices have put in an application to enact their business as they have until this date, but also mention that they are willing to adhere to the newest laws with a proper understanding of them, as Pickering mentions that they have asked him what they currently are so as not to “transgress” them currently.
This period of time is likely referring to the recent close of the third yankee pennamite war. The Yankee Pennamite Wars were a three part conflicts waged between Connecticut and Pennsylvania were an attempt to resolve a dispute over the land in the upper regions of what is now Pennsylvania after King Charles II granted the land twice, once to Connecticut in 1662, and again to William Penn as he founded Pennsylvania in 1681. The states fought over the jurisdiction, which was ultimately decided during the Decree of Trenton, in 1782, where they granted the rights of jurisdiction to Pennsylvania. The years following the resolve of the conflict saw a great deal of attention to instating compromise acts, rightful governing committees, and redistribution of land claims and titles.
These laws are likely tied to those laws referenced in the letter Item 14.14: Letter from Benjamin Franklin to Lord Butler, 1787 April 4.
Location:
Philadelphia, PA
Transcription:
Sir, Phila.[delphi]a June 25. 1787.
The Justices of the Peace for the County
of Luzerne are destitute of the laws of the
State. It seems that heretofore Justices of the
Peace have been furnished with the laws
at the expense of the State: the Justices
of Luzerne have expressed their hopes that
they may be supplied in the Same way;
and requested me to make the application
in their behalf. — I beg leave
to express my hopes also, that they may be
so furnished; otherwise I fear they will,
for the most part, remain unprovided,
& the laws unexecuted: At the Same time
it is proper that I should add, that there
was manifested a general disposition to conform
to the laws, with great punctuality;
and many were solicitously enquiring what
were the laws in particular cases, that
they might not transgress there.
I have the honour to be
Sir
Your Excellency’s
most obed.[ian]t servant
T. Pickering
His Excellency
The President
of the State
Creator
- Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829. (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu