The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Halifax, N. C. October 4.

We have procured a copy of the following letter to the governor for the purpose of laying it before our readers, and directing the attention of the members elected to serve in the General Assembly to a subject perhaps more interesting to the state of North Carolina, than any thing which has arisen since the revolution which established our Independence. It is expected that the gentlemen who have charged themselves with the care of the public interests, will avail themselves of every opportunity to procure the necessary information, respecting the supposed title, of the heirs or devisees of Earl Granville, as well as the grounds and principles, on which the state rests her claims to this important portion of her territory.

Aug. 1802.

Copy,

SIR,

We have thought it our duty to enclose to your Excellency a copy of the proceedings in the suit brought by the heirs or devisees of the late Earl Granville, against us in the circuit court of the United States, for the district of North Carolina.

Your Excellency will please to observe, that it appears by the letter of Mr. Edward Harris, counsel for the plaintiffs, that this suit is commenced for the express purpose of trying their title to the Granville claim within this state; the original Earl Granville's claim, as one of the Lords proprietors under the charter of Charles the Second, and the extent of his claim covering two thirds of this state and Tennessee, are facts well known; how far this title has been affected by the revolution or by acts of the convention or legislature, they are now about to submit to a judicial decision, and it remains with the public functionaries to use such measures as they may deem expedient to defend the interests of the State.

The counsel of the plaintiffs consented that the pleadings in this suit should not be made up until the next June term, so that a session of the legislature might intervene, and seemed very desirous that it should be made a case agreed as to the facts, and avowed their intention to remove the cause as soon as possible before the supreme court.

We pray your Excellency, as the proper organ, to lay the business, before the legislature, with such lights as it may be in your Excellency's power to collect on this interesting subject, and we have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)
ALLEN JONES.
Wm. R. DAVIE.