Governor Fletcher and council, in answer to Connecticut, May 10th, 1697, entitles the reasons of the latter subtcrfugees, and complains of her making a disturbance in time of war. In conclusion, Connecticut may rest assured that New York will use all lawful means to reduce the people to obedience.6

From the following document it appears that in 1696/ the action of the Council of Connecticut was favorable towards the inhabitants of Bedford in granting these requests, and that, that action was approved by the general court in May, 1697 :

May, 1)597.

To the Honr'' Governr and GenrU Assembly sitting in Hartford.

Whereas God by his providence orders all things : Att a General Court held in Hartford May the 11th, 16S2, upon the petition of the people of Hopground the Court did see cause to grant them the priviledg of a plantation as doth upon record appear -- And in the year 16S4, there was a conditional agreement made between Colon" Dougan of New York and some of the heads of the freemen of this Corporation which proved almost our undoing for severall years together th^re was almost a c among us, because they cutt off Rye and Bedford from

this Colonic Some said they were under New York, and some said they were not, but for peace sake we submitted to, and paid rates to New York-- But if so be that Connecticut and New York could have made a firme bargain without

a Bound, letters, fol.10, p. 138. b Bound, letters, 140. c Bouud. letters, 141. , d Bound, letters, 141-2.