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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Resolution by the Continental Congress concerning the confiscation of loyalist property, including cover letter from Charles Thomson to Alexander Martin
United States. Continental Congress
January 14, 1784
Volume 17, Pages 2-3

HON. CHAS. THOMSON TO GOVERNOR MARTIN.
[From Executive Letter Book.]


Secretary's Office, Jan'y 10th, 1784.

Sir:

In pursuance of an order of the United States in Congress assembled I have the honor of transmitting you the enclosed proclamation and recommendation, and am with all due respect, &c.,

CHAS. THOMPSON.

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RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

By the United States in Congress Assembled,
January 14th, 1784.

Resolved unanimously, nine States being present, that it be and it is earnestly recommended to the Legislatures of the respective States to provide for the restitution of all estates, rights and properties which have been confiscated, belonging to real British subjects, and also of the estates, rights and properties of persons resident in districts which were in the possession of his Britannic Majesty's Arms, at any time between the 30th day of November, 1782, and the 14th day of January, 1784, and who have not borne arms against the said United States; and that persons of any other description shall have free liberty to go to any part or parts of any of the thirteen United States, & therein to remain twelve months unmolested in their endeavours to obtain the restitution of such of their rights and properties as may have been confiscated: and it is also hereby earnestly recommended to the several States, to reconsider and revise all their Acts and Laws regarding the premises, so as to render the said Acts and Laws perfectly consistent not only with justice and equity, but with the spirit of conciliation which on the return of the blessings of Peace should universally prevail; and it is hereby also earnestly recommended to the several States, that the estates, rights and properties of such last mentioned persons should be restored to them, they refunding to any persons who may now be in the possession, the bona fide price “where any has been given,” which such persons may have paid on purchasing any of the said lands, rights or properties since the confiscation.

CHAS. THOMSON, Secy.



Additional Notes for Electronic Version: The date of Thompson's letter to Martin was January 16, 1784, not January 10 as written on the document.