Letter from George Croghan to David Sample

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April 4th, 1774.

SIR: I have been long convinced that Fort Pitt and its dependencies was without the limits of Pennsylvania, and no less convinced that the laws of that Province could have no force or power beyond its limits, yet as I have always considered any law better than no law, I have countenanced the law of that Province hitherto, by pleading to some actions brought against me, and being bail to others, though at the same time I have always denied the jurisdiction by not paying any taxes, as in that case my liberty and property was in as much danger as all the rest of my fellow subjects in the Colonies have thought theirs, by submitting to a tax laid on them by the British Parliament, and which they have always withstood. Now, sir, as the Colony of Virginia has this winter extended the laws of that Government to this part of the country, by raising the militia and appointing civil officers, I shall no longer countenance the laws of your Province by pleading to any actions brought against me, unless brought by the Colony of Virginia; for it must be granted, that if any Colony has a right to extend their laws to this country, Virginia must, till his Majesty' s pleasure be known therein. Since this change has happened, two actions have been brought against me from your court, one at the suit of Richard and William Butler, the other at the suit of Joseph Spear. As you are my attorney, I desire, when those actions are called in court, that you wont appear to them, and I request that you will inform the Court you have my directions so to act, and inform them of my reasons, which I should wish them to know, though I have many others; but as your court can have nothing to do in adjusting the present disputes I will not trouble you with any thing farther on this head. And am, sir, your most humble servant,

GEORGE CROGHAN.

To David Sample, Esq.