His Majestys order in Council of the 24th July 1767 restrains me from granting the letters Patent prayed for by the inclosed Petition. Iam well assured that the facts are as set forth by: the Petitioners, and whatever equitable claim those persons may have who took grants of Lands from the Governt of New Hampshire, lying Eastward of any lands granted by this Province certainly cannot extend to such as did lately obtain grants from that Governt of Lands lying nearer Hudsons River than lands do, which were granted under this Prove? upwards of

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620 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

sixty years ago, especially when it is considered that they passed over a large extent of Land, much nearer to Connecticut River to come to those Lands which lye within the antient possessions of the Provee That some of them even seated themselves on Lands which the Settlers under this Provee had been obliged to abandon at the commencement of the late War--and that they obtained Grants from the Governt of N. Hampshire for any of | these Lands, without paying the least regard to the prior Grants and notorious claim of this Province.

The Petitioners have been at Considerable expense in exploring and surveying these lands, and have hitherto been prevented from receiving the benefit of His Majtys bounty. I therefore thought it necessary, My Lord, to comply with their desire that I should transmit their Petition to your Lord? in order to obtain His Majtys Commands thereon.

I find, My Lord, that the Settlement and Cultivation of the Country lying West of Connecticut River, which was formerly granted by the Governt of New Hampshire is entirely retarded by the Controversies which have arisen between those Proprietors and this Government. When I formerly held the Administration, I had resolved on measures respecting these Lands which I was then assured would give entire satisfaction to these people & would produce the immediate settlement of the Country, and a very considerable augmentation of His Majestys Quit-Rents.