But, as we are sensible that such grants made by the government of New York, however unwarrantable, cannot be set aside by any authority from his Majesty, in case the grantees shall insist on their title; we submit to your Lordships, whether it might not be Benodiont: in order to quiet the original proprietors in their possessions, to propose that all such persons who may claim possession of lands within the limits of such townships, under New York grants, should upon condition of

their quiting such claim, receive a grant under the seal of New (

NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 809

York, upon the like terms, and free of all expences, of an equal number of acres, in some other part of the District lying between the rivers Hudson and Connecticut; and in case, where any actual settlement or improvement has been made by such claimants, that they should, in such case, receive fifty acres of waste land, for every three acres, they may have improved.

With regard to those grants made by the governor of New York, which fall within the second description, and upon which any actual improvement has been made; they do appear to us to deserve the same consideration; and that the proprietors thereof ought not to be disturbed in their possessions, whether that improvement be to a greater or lesser extent. But we beg leave to observe to your Lordships, that, in both these cases, no consideration ought to be had to any claim, where it shall appear that no regular possession has ever been taken, and-no actual settlement ever been made.