And heress the Fortress now erecting at Crown Point, is in great forwardness, and His Excellency Major General Amherst hath assured me, that he is determined it shall be so far finished before the Troops go into Winter Quarters, as to answer the Purpose of covering and protecting the Country: and as an Encouragement to Settlers, he has desired I would make known, that those who with the leave of this Government shall now choose to go and settle between Lake George and Fort Edward, will there find, three Several Spotts of cleared Ground two of ten capable of containing half a dozen Families each, and the other not less than twelve: On which shall be left wait ing for their Convenience the Wooden Hutts and Coverings of the Troops that have been posted there since the Beginning of

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NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 557

the Campaign, which from the Footing we have now at Crown Point, will be no longer necessary, and will be evacuated and left for the use of those who shall become Settlers. The first of the said Spotts is situated four miles above Fort Edward; The Second at the Half way Brook; and the other three miles from Lake George. The Soil good and capable of Improvement, and all three well watered. The Halfway Brook being the Spott sufficient for a dozen Families. I have therefore thought fit by and with the Advice of His Majesty's Council to issue this Proclamation, Hereby inviting the Inhabitants who formerly abandoned their Dwellings to return to their Settlements, and improve the advantages offered to them under the Protection and Cover of the important Posts and Strong Fortresses above mentioned. And as an inducement to such as shall be inclined to settle on any or either of the three Spotts of Ground above described: I do hereby promise his Majesty's Grant thereof to any Persons who shall apply for the same, on condition of immediate settlement thereof in the form of a Township, with a sufficient quantity of Woodland adjoining for that purpose; and that I will use my Endeavours to obtain for the Grantees an Exemption from the Payment of Quit Rent for such a number of years as his Majesty shall be pleased to indulge therein.