At this period the trade with the distant Indians was carried on through Canada which obtained its supplies from Great Britain thro' certain merchants at Albany. To exclude the French from this trade was a prominent part of Burnet's policy, and with that view he obtained a law from the legislature prohibiting the circuitous trade under the severest penalties. Through the influence of London merchants and the intrigues of other interested parties this act was repealed in England. Considerable and prolonged discussion was tlie consequence; Dr. Golden took a prominent part in the controversy which, however, is interesting at this late day only from the fact that to it we owe the well known History of the Five Nations, " which was published in 1727, on occasion of a dispute between the government of New York & some merchants." After Mr. Burnet's administration, Mr. Golden removed to his country seat now known by the name of Coldenham, and there devoted all the leisure he could command from his official duties to his favorite studies, and in learned correspondence with the philosophers of the day, both in Europe and America. It was in the course of this correspondence that he first suggested the plan of the American Philos. Society which was established at Philadelphia on account of the central and convenient situation of that city. Yet thus early he excited much jealousy among his contemporaries and we find him embroiled with the other members of the Council during Cosby's, Clarke's and some succeeding administrations. On the death of Lt. 1 nisei's iliisi. uf Ordiige Co. 230.