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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Richard Caswell to Timothy Bloodworth, William Blount, and James White
Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789
April 03, 1786
Volume 18, Pages 591-592

GOV. CASWELL TO THE HONORABLE THE DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.
[From Executive Letter Book.]

Kingston, April 3rd, 1786.

Gentlemen:

The Treaties lately entered into by the Commissioners appointed by the United States in Congress assembled, with the Cherokees and other Indians to the Southward of them, are so repugnant to our Bill of Rights and Constitution, and so great an infringement on the Rights of the Legislature of this State that it becomes my duty to require that you do not by any means consent to the Ratification of the Treaties made by the Commissioners aforesaid with the Cherokees, Chickasaws and Choctaws, or with either of the said

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Nations. On a recurrence to the Bill of Rights and Constitution of this State, the impropriety of such a measure will appear in the most glaring point of view, and I trust your own good sense and your known attachment to the Rights and Interest of your Constituents, will make it unnecessary for me to observe further than it is expected you will by all possible endeavors exert your powers to prevent a ratification of those Treaties which may have such pernicious tendency to the injury of this State. To shew that this is not my sentiments alone, I have the honor to enclose you a Resolution of the Council of State on this subject, the only Body by which the executive, in the recess of the General Assembly, is to be advised.

With the greatest respect and esteem,
I am Gentlemen,
Your mo. ob. & very humbl. Servt,
R. CASWELL.