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.

I found the people who had taken grants of Lands from the Governt of N: Hampshire west of Connecticut River, very willing to take new Grants for the same lands from this Governt; the expence of taking out the Patents being the only objeetioit! To obviate this, I told as many as then applied to me, that I would give them Grants and leave it to themselves to pay me such proportion of my fees as they could conveniently do, and that I would'use my influen¢e with the other officers of Governt to lower their fees in these Cases. This was so agreable to the people that the Proprictors of several Townships immediately proceeded to take the necessary steps, for obtaining the new Grants, but I was prevented from puting the Seal to any of them by the arrival of Sir Henry Moore. He afterwards took his full

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fees for one of those Grants which had been very near ready for the Seals before he came; and I am told he refused to pass any without his full Fees were paid. This gave great disgust to the people, and occasioned those applications which have since been made to the King on this subject.