Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. IV
The Line as I before observed is not closed to the Northward so that Lands there must lye till his Majestys pleasure is known, and for the rest it is Ceded to the King by the late Treaty, so that it is hard to know what will be the Channell for Patents in future, and the fees here. are Extremely high--at the late Treaty nothing was done with regard to Lands but what related to the boundary, or had been before determined on, should any Tract answer that may be had on a reasonable lay, worthy your attention, I shall
Vou. Iv. 26
402 PAPERS RELATING TO
be very Glad to serve you in it. Iam much obliged by the honor done mein Choosing me a Member of the Philosophical Society, and altho' my Necessary Avocations must deprive me of pinch of the pleasure I might otherwise receive as one of that Body. I cannot but accept it with many thanks, heartily wishing that their Institution may be attended with that Utility to the public & Reputation to the founders which may be reasonably expected from the Transact»s of Gentlemen who apply themselves to studies of such Importance...
Be assured, Sir, of the perfect Esteem with which I am always. &c.
*,* Rev Dr. Siri to whom the above letter is addressed, was a native of Scotland and graduated at Aberdeen in 1747. He then immigrated to this country, and on being invited to take charge of the College in Philadelphia, returned to England and received orders in the church of England in December 1753. In May following he was placed at the head of the Philadelphia institution. He revisited England in 1759 when the degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the University of Oxford. After a life of much usefulness he died in Philadelphia, A.D. 1803, aged 76 years.