The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-11-25
wyoming Claim.
From the Wyoming Republican & Herald.
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.

OF ItCpTb0CIChtCto " t"C C'tC'CN '''"b'"'
IN Congress assembled.
Bv order Of public meeting, held at
Wilkes-Barro, Luzcrne County, Pennsyl-
vania, the subscribers present you the fol-
lowing Memorial in belialfof the Wyoming
Sufferers during the Revolutionary War,
their Heirs, Widows, and legal Represen-
tatvee.
The circumstances of The invasion Of the
Wyoming Settlement by the British and
Indians; the battle and massacre; the entire
expulsion of the Inhabitants; the connagra-
ton of their dwellings, and the devastation
of their felds-are presumed to be familiar
TO all of YOU. In the annals Of that fearful
but glorious conflict, not page recounts
hvelier devotion to the cause ofliberty, or
depicts boodier field, deeper sufierings,
or more extensive losses of property. Ey-
cry historian who has written an account OF
the Revolutionary War, has told the story
of her sufferings. All America and Eu-
rope were filed, at the time, with the mel
ancholy details. 1t is not our purpose to
awaken your sympathies; but so much we
thought proper to say by way OF introduce
ton. Our appeal shall be made to your
judgments. We would address facts TO
your reason, and arguments TO your under
standing looking to your deliberate Judg-
ments for favorable response to our Petl-
ton. .....
The Wyoming Settlements were made
under the authority of Connecticut. A
town called Westmoreland was erected
here, attached to the county of Litchtield,
near three hundred miles distant: the laws
of Connecticut prevailed. Civil and mill
tarv officers derived their commissions
from that State. Representatives were
sent from here to her Legislature: and the
troop5 raised in Westmoreland were part
of the Connecticut Line on the Continental
establishment. Several towns of Connec-
ticut were burnt by the enemy:-New
London, Danbury, Westmoreland, Fair
field, Groton, and others, were among the
number, Connecticut has made all those
towns, except one, full and ample remu-
neratlon for their losses. Westmorcand,
or Wyoming, alone, received nothing.
Five hundred thousand acres of land, i'll
the Western Reserve, were granted in 1892
TO those towns, valued at 6s. 3D., French
crown per acre--amouning 70 between five
and six hundred thousand dollars. This
was a bcnefcent act on the part of Con
nectcut, and will rebound in all future time
10 her honor. Was not the grant also just,
as we'll as benefcent? Did not the reciPi-
ents deserve-were they not entitled TO this
grant! Was not their claim founded i'll the
principles of eternal Equity and overlast
ing Justice? Who ever heard doubt ex
pressed of the righteousness ofthcT cIaim
If, then, it was Just and equitable that New
London, Danbury, Fairfield, and those 9th
er towns should be indemniiied, is II no
clear as demonstration, that WestmorelanC
or Wvoming-wherc heavier sacrifice o
life, far deeper personal sniterlngs, ant
more extensive losses, were sustained, was
also entitled to remuneration!
We anticipate here, that honorable mem
bers may say-"Your claim is doubles!
iust.-Standing on its own merits of Serrt
ces, Su66ringS, and losses, it is stron!
claim; and when it is considered relatively
to those other towns of Connecticut, proyl
ded for, it appears of unquestionable valldl
ty: But when your parent State was ma
king so ample provision for others similar
" situated, why did you not then apply tc
her for aid? While we admit the CLAIM
inst, we cannot see as yet, how the Genor
al Government can be held liable to maxi
Won compensaton." To this we woulc
reply with all truth and simplicity:
The reason why no provision was mad
for Westmoreland is simple, and easily told
About the conclusion of the War, by tn
decree of Trenton, which settled the loni
existing controversy in respect to thes
lands, the jurisdiction over Westmorelan
ceased in Connecticut, and was translere'
to Pennsylvania. 1t was not until abou
ten wears after this event, that Connection
so far recovered her resources as to %
able to make remuneration to those suilel
ing towns which she indemnihed' BEN
no longer portion of the State, no Prov
sion was made for us, as there dontbtles
would have been, had Westmoreland cor
timed component part of Connecticut.
Pennsylvania, with liberality and put
lie spirit most honorable to her PatrlotlsI
and justice, has granted ample rewards I
officers and soldiers Of her line, and to OIL
ers, whose merits and suflerings in tn
cause, commended them to her considers
ton. Not having been tremendously
part Of Pennsylvania, but maintaining a