Governour Trumbull to Continental Congress

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Lebanon, October 9, 1775.

SIR: Your letter of the 30th of September last was delivered me the 4th instant. Our General Assembly meeting on the day appointed for the proposed conference, rendereth it inconsistent with my duty to attend the latter. Shall appoint a proper person or persons to represent this Colony at the conference with the Committee from your Congress.

It is unhappy that jealousies should be excited, or disputes of any sort be litigated between any of the Colonies, to disunite them at a time our liberty, our property, and our all, is at stake. If our enemies prevail, which can happen only by our disunion, our jealousies will then appear altogether groundless, and all our disputed claims of no value to either side.

Mr˙ Kirkland, who will deliver this, appears to me a virtuous, religious, and very useful gentleman, deserving the countenance and assistance of the honourable Congress of the United Colonies, to enable him to secure the friendship of the Indians, and prevent their taking up the hatchet against us. The New-England and Virginia Colonies have been more especially misrepresented to the savages, as having injurious designs upon them.

I am, with great truth and sincerity, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JONATHAN TRUMBULL.

The Hon˙ President Hancock.