NEW HAMPSHIRE' GRANTS. 595

they themselves for these reasons alone declined it. I afterwards issued out Commissions for forming a Militia in those parts, and in some months afterwards a return was made to me of the Regiment formed there, which amounted to upwards of 600 men. I could not help expressing much satisfaction at seeing so large a Return, and expected to find that the number of families was in proportion to it, but the Officer who matle it would not impose on me, and told me in a very ingenuous manner that a-great number of Families concerned in those Lands resided either in New England, New Hampshire or Connecticut and had never been upon them; some of the most active young People out of each family, were sent there to begin the Settlems many of whom at the close of the summer returned to their Homes, others more industrious continued there in the Winter that by forwarding their improvements they might more readily pave the way for those who did not choose to encounter all the difficultys of a New Settlement but waited till some improvements were made before they removed. The same steps could not be taken for the service of that part of the Country to the North of the County of Cumberland, for although the District was large enough to form a County of the same extent, very few Improvements had been made in any of the Hownshipe except in that of Newberry, the Inhabitants of which were desirous of having another County formed as they imagined it would be the means of introducing Settlers there but the Legislature was of opinion that it would be a great absurdity to give the priviledges of a County to a few families in their present situation but at the same time assured them that they should be put on the same footing with the Néighboring County as soon as there was a sufficient number of Inhabitants to require it.