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.

As it was necessary that something should be done to encourage people to settle in those parts, I determined then to engage personally in it, and to take up a Tract of Land there which should be distributed out to poor Families in Small Farms on the condition that they should begin upon the manufacture of Pot ash and the culture of Hemp; His Majesty's Council having approved of my plan consented to have a Township laid out for me and some others associated with me, at twelve miles

596 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

distance from the North Line of the County of Cumberland, and on a spot neither granted by New Hampshire nor claimed by any persons whatsoever. I then made public my Intentions of giving the Land in certain proportions to the Families inclined to settle thereon, and that no rents or profits should be reserved for myself, but that the whole of them should remain with the proprietors on condition of manufacturing so much Pot Ash yearly and that a certain quantity of acres according to the abilities of each family should be constantly planted with Hemp.