Page:Journal of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan.djvu/147

5.] consequently in affirmance of the pretentions of this Territory. Nothing prevented the formal and definite expression of the opinion of Congress on this topic, during that session, but the absolute want of time to act further upon it.

I have felt it to be my duty to present to your excellency the view I have been able to take of the relative pretensions of Ohio and of Michigan, to the contested jurisdiction; and to call to the recollection of your excellency, that the subject still continues sub judice, before the present Congress of the United States: and I now venture in this exigency, respectfully to request of your excellency, such official and legal interposition on your part, as may best tend to restore harmony upon that frontier, and to prevent the manifold and rapidly accumulating evils, which are growing out of this prolonged and unhappy difference,

With much respect, I have the honor to be

Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

(Signed) WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, Sec'y. and at present acting Governor of Michigan.

To his Excellency, Esq. Governor of the State of Ohio.

, August 11th, 1820. —I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter I this day transmit to Governor Brown, of Ohio. It relates to the contested boundary of this Territory. I am advised by the magistrates and others living on and near this contested tract of country, that serious difficulties are threatened there, from the apparent determination of the constituted authorities of Ohio to enforce their claims; much confusion has already occurred.

The Executive concerns of this government having developed upon me, in the absence of Gov. Cass, I could not feel justified in resisting the calls of that people for some official interference in their behalf. I have exhorted them to avoid every measure which would lead to a breach of the peace, but at the same time, in no instance to admit, directly or indireclv, the validity of the claims of Ohio, now for the first time attempted to be enforced.

I have prepared what I consider a just view of the question for transmission to Governor Brown, and requested his official interposition; further than that I do not know that I am justified in proceeding, but rather at this point to submit the matter to the general government, where alone plenary power rests. The power of this local government I consider altogether derivative, and that entire sovereignty rests only in the general government, whose agent the local authorities in this regard are. There are topics connected