It is probable, they may at last make their claim good, by the numerous settlements they ~ have allready & are daily making upon it.

Your Honours knowledge of this Country, will easily discover any Errors I may have committed, & will supply the Defects. I have endeavour'd that what I have wrote may be of use to you, in some maters, wherein you are less conversant, & may assist your memory in others. In hopes that it may & in obedience to your Commands it is submitted by

St Your most obedient & most humble servant _ CapwaLLaperR CoLpEN.

180 STATE OF THE

MR. CLARKE'S ANSWERS TO QUERIES OF BOARD OF TRADE 2 JUNE 1738

3. The constitution of the Government is such as his Majesty. by his commission to his Governor directs, whereby the Governour with the Council and Assembly are impowered to »ass laws not repugnant to the laws of England. -

13. In the town of New York is an old fort of very little defence, cannon we have but the carriages are good for little, we have ball but no powder, nor will the board of ordinance send any on pretence that a larg quantity was sent in 1711 for the Canada expedition which is.27 year agoe, much of it has for many years been trodden under foot in the magazine, the barrells having been rotten.

There is a battery which commands the itt of the harbour whereon may be mounted 50 cannon this isnew having been built but three years but it wants finishing.