It was not in my power to Act otherwise than I did as from all the Intelligence I could procure It was deemed the Intention of the Crown to purchase the soil ui all the Royal Governments, had it been otherwise I believe it would have appeared, that the Adjustment of the Quotas of the respective Colonies with their Local Views and Interests if they became the purchasers, would have greatly retarded the proceeding, and possibly Rendered the Congress abortive which must have greatly incensed the Ind^. who were assembled from a great Distance for that purpose. -- The Ind^. did for the most part desire that a Line sho'l. be settled to which the prospect of a Large present was no inconsiderable motive, but as I observed in a former Letter, the Length of time from its being first proposed till the final orders for its Settlement, created so many doubts ams* them & gave such opportunitys to Evil Minded persons to misrepresent it that the Ind^. were very far from being unanimous upon it and a variety of difficulties arose on which occasion I did the best I could for the Interests of the Crown, and I persuade myself that on due Consideration of these difficulties, and of the Value & great Extent of the cession beyond w'. had been ever claimed by us in Right of purchase, it will appear to be a very reasonable consideration and in order that the Crown might be Reimbursed give me Leave to suggest to your Lordship, That an Instruction to the Gov*, of the Royal Colonies directing that all future Grants within such cession be Liable to a fine. Suppose j£10 Ster. for each Thousand Acres, over & besides fees & Quit rent, (which Sum, is about the usual Rate of the Ind'^, purchase and will on a Million of Acres produce j£10,000.