Your Lordships are already apprized by former Reports of

714 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

this Board of the very extraordinary circumstances accompanying the Grants made within this District by the late Governor of New Hampshire and when we consider how extravagant those Grants are with respect to the quantity of Lands they contain and combine that consideration with the many irregularities and improprieties attending them in other respects we have no doubt that they would upon examination be found null & void But this is a matter which cannot depend upon any opinion of Ours, and is a consideration which leads to questions that cannot now be entered into without laying the foundation for further delay in a matter that seems to require immediate decision.

We are sensible how difficult it will be ina case where so many opposite interests, depending upon Claims under very different circumstances, are to be considered to suggest any propositions that will coincide entirely with the hopes and expectations of all parties but when we reflect how important it is to all to have some speedy determination We cannot but flatter Ourselves that they will readily acquiesce in any reasonable conditions, that can be proposed to them and as this appears to us to be the only probable method of bringing this matter to a speedy issue we shall beg leave in the first place to state to your Lordships those claims which appear to us to be objects of consideration & in the next place suggest what seems to us reasonable to be nroposed with regard thereto.