The many violent and illegal acts you have lately committed against the peace and good order of this Province, of which I have frequent proofs and informations, at the same time that they are not only a reproach to yourselves, but dangerous and injurious to your families and interests, cannot fail of being highly offensive to your Sovereign. You may depend, a perseverance in your disobedience to, and violations of, the Laws of your Country, must soon draw forth against you the exertions of the Powers of Government. However, being sincerely desirous on my part,

NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 779

to avoid compulsive measures, while lenient methods may prove successful ; I esteem it my duty to write you to lay before this government the causes of your illegal proceedings, and it is with the concurrence and advice of His Majesty's council, that I send you this invitation, who, with me, are disposed to examine into the grounds of your behaviour and discontent, with deliberation and candor, and as far as in us lies, to give such relief as the nature of your situation and circumstances will justify. That there may be no obstruction to your laying before me in Council, as soon as possible, a fair representation of your conduct, I do hereby engage full security and protection to any persons whom you shall choose to send on this business to New York, from the time they leave their homes to the time of their return, except Robert Cochran, as also Allen, Baker and Sevill, mentioned in my proclamation of the 9t of December last, and Seth Warner, whose audacious behaviour to a Civil Magistrate has subjected him to the penalties of the laws of his Country.. Iam told Mt William Dewey, a Minister of the Gospel, James Breakenridge and Mr Fay, are persons in whose judgment you have much confidence ; I should therefore think they would be your proper: Messengers on a business, in which you ere so deeply concerned 3 especially Mt Dewey, who has been favorably represented here since my appointment to this Government.