We have lately had under Consideration two Letters from his Excellency Governor Sliirley, one of tlie 21 -* of January and the other of the 22'^ of April with two Reports of the Council and Assembly of the Massaclmsetts Bay the first without date and the second of the 11 '^^ of April and a vote of that Government of the 11*'' of April appointing Commissioners for settling (in conjunction witli ours) the Line between the two Governments. Which were referred to the Committee and Commissioners appointed to examine into the Eastern Boundaries of this Colony, that they might Report to your Honour their Opinion thereupon.

We humbly conceive tlie principal Matters contained in the first mentioned Report are fully answered in that from tliis

MANOR OF LIYINGSTON. 773

Gorernment of the 28'*! of February 1753 and those subsequent to it: Or if a furtlier answer sliould be necessary, as your Honour proposes to appoint Commissioners to meet the Commissioners of that Province, these with tlie otlier Points relating to the Controversy must fall under their Consideration, and for this Reason we decline to make any observations upon them.

As to what relates to the extravagant Bail demanded of one Pain and the Conduct of M'' Livingston in this and the other particulars complained of in the second Report. We beg leave to lay before your Honour tliat Gentleman's Affidavit, wliich shows, if tliere be any Cause of Complaint respecting the refusal, or the demand of Excessive Bail, it is not against M'" Livingston but the Slierif and the Method for Redress in this Case is open and free. It appears M^' Livingstons Conduct in tliis Dispute has been confined witliin the limits of his own Manor, and therefore very justifiable in our Opinion, -- being principally directed to prevent the People of the Massachusets Bay from setling Ids Lands or prevailing upon his Tenants to take Titles for them under that Government ; and when it is considered that he and his ancestors have been in Peaceable and quiet possession since the Lands were first granted by tliis Government, till within tliree years past, we behe^e every one must think the People of the Massacliusets Bay highly unjustifiable in extending their Settlements on those Lands, or giving any iiiterruption to ours, till such time as it should be known by the settlement of a true Division Line, within which of the Provinces the controverted Lands would fall.