Lee, Richard Henry, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Virginia

Autograph manuscript signed ("Richard Henry Lee"), one page (12 5/8 x 8 5/8 in.; 320 x 220 mm), countersigned in R. H. Lee's hand by Thomas Nelson and Francis Lightfoot Lee, n.p. [Philadelphia], n.d. [June 1776], being a copy of document responding to Pennsylvania's proposal to resolve the boundary dispute between the two colonies; inlaid, light toning, fold separations and one tear reinforced with cello tape on verso, small waterstain on bottom margin. Blue cloth folding case, blue morocco spine lettered gilt; spine faded to teal.

"That the influence of both Governments may be exerted to preserve friendship and peace between the people of both States on the controversial Boundary." The Pennsylvania-Virginia dispute originated in the ambiguous terms of the 1681 grant to William Penn and Virginia's claim to extend "from sea to sea, west and northwest" over any territory not covered by royal grants. Prior to the French and Indian War, Virginia claimed most of what is now southwestern Pennsylvania and attempted to settle it. The survey of the Mason and Dixon line in 1763–1767 clearly showed that Pennsylvania extended some distance west of the mountains. In 1773 Pennsylvania established Westmoreland County in the disputed territory. In 1774 Virginia took possession of Fort Pitt and the Westmoreland County seat at Hannastown, arresting the justices who refused to recognize the jurisdiction of Virginia. In 1776, Pennsylvania proposed that a temporary boundary "as nearly correspondent to the true one as possible such as will 'do no injury to either party'" should be established.

The present document is the Virginia delegates' response that "they will without delay transmit the proposal of the honorable Committee to the Governor and Council of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in order to its being laid before the General Assembly that meets early October next."