went into your majesty's service under Sir William Johnson, and the residue removed to Stockbridge, for their greater con venience and accommodation that whilst the said sachem and his people were righting under your majesty's banner; all this tract of land was taken up by persons claiming under a grant ;

thereof made by the governor of New York .to one Adolph Phillipse in 1697, and afterwards purchased by him of the ancestors of the said Indians, which purchase they allege, was not a purchase of the whole tract comprehended in the grant

HUDSON RIVER INDIANS.

of 1697, but only of a small part of it ; x that finding themselves by these claims likely to be dispossessed of their patrimonial lands, they chose a guardian of their rights, and proceeded to try their claim in various suits and actions in the courts of law

of New York ; that judgment having been given against them suits and actions (in the trial of which they

on those several

state great prejudice and partiality), they applied by petition in February, 1765, to the lieutenant-governor and council, and

had a hearing upon their case ; that in the proceedings before the lieutenant governor and council they were treated with great supercilious neglect, the claims of their adversaries countenanced partiality, and a decision given

and supported with apparent

against them upon the evidence of a deed of purchase of these lands from their ancestors, which deed they suggest to have

been fraudulent and counterfeit."