4245. KENTUCKY, Asks separation.—
We have transmitted a copy of a petition
from the people of Kentucky to Congress
praying to be separated from Virginia. Congress
took no notice of it. We[delegates]
sent the copy to the Governor desiring it to
be laid before the Assembly. Our view was
to bring on the question. It is for the interest
of Virginia to cede so far immediately, because
the people beyond that will separate
themselves, because they will be joined by all
our settlements beyond the Alleghany if they
are the first movers. Whereas if we draw
the line, those at Kentucky having their end,
will not interest themselves for the people of
Indiana, Greenbriar, &c., who will of course
be left to our management, and I can with certainty
almost say that Congress would approve
of the meridian of the mouth of the
Kanawha, and will consider it as the ultimate
point to be desired from Virginia. I form
this opinion from conversation with many
members. Should we not be the first
movers, and the Indianians and Kentuckians
take themselves off and claim to the Alleghany,
I am afraid Congress would secretly
wish them well.—
To James Madison.
Ford ed., iii, 401.
(A.
Feb. 1784)
