To the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Virginia

v2:1723

Philadelphia, July 25, 1775.

Friends and Countrymen:

It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have arisen, and still continue among you, concerning the boundaries of our Colonies. In the character in which we now address you, it is unnecessary to inquire into the origin of those unhappy disputes, and it would be improper for us to express our approbation or censure on either side, but as representatives of two of the Colonies, united among many others for the defence of the liberties of America, we think it our duty to remove, as far as lies in our power, every obstacle that may prevent her sons from co-operating, as vigorously as they would wish to do, towards the attainment of this great and important end. Influenced solely by this motive, our joint and earnest request to you is, that all animosities which have heretofore subsisted among you as inhabitants of distinct Colonies, may now give place to generous and concurring efforts for the preservation of every thing that can make our common Country dear to us.

We are fully persuaded that you, as well as we, wish to see your differences terminate in this happy issue. For this desirable purpose we recommend it to you that all bodies of armed men, kept under either Province, be dismissed; that all those on either side, who are in confinement, or under bail, for taking a part in the contest, be discharged, and that until the dispute be decided, every person be permitted to retain his possessions unmolested.

By observing these directions, the publick tranquillity will be secured without injury to the titles on either side. The period, we flatter ourselves, will soon arrive, when this unfortunate dispute, which has produced much mischief, and, as far as we can learn, no good, will be peaceably and constitutionally determined.

We are your friends and countrymen,

PATRICK HENRY,
JOHN DICKINSON,
BENJAMIN HARRISON,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
RICHARD HENRY LEE,
CHARLES HUMPHREYS,
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
GEORGE ROSS,
JAMES WILSON.