That some time afterwards on the humble Petition of the then Inhabitants, the Lands on the West Side of the said Connecticut River were erected into two new Counties by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Province of New York by the respective names of Cumberland and Gloucester since which the Course of Justice hath been duly established and the Inhabitants have enjoyed the Blessings and advantages of Peace, Order, and good Government. |

That in many Instances they have obtained New Grants and confirmations of their several New Hampshire Claims under the Great Seal of the said Province of New York, and from the Exemplary Liberality and Goodness of his Excellency William

822 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE

Tryon Esquire your Majesty's Governor of the said Province of New York they have Reason to expect when your Majestys

-Instructions will permit that the rest of their Townships will be confirmed to them for one half of the usual Fees of Office which your Petitioners consider as a great mark of Favour and Indulgence.

That your Petitioners are not desirous of any Change of Jurisdiction but are perfectly satisfied and earnestly wish to continue under the Government of New York, and are only anxious to have their Titles made valid and secure by confirmations under the Great Seal of the said Province which have been hitherto suspended as your Petitioners are informed by your Majesty's Royal Instructions.

_ That the Inhabitants of the said Counties whose Titles remain unconfirmed suffer the greatest Inconveniencies on that, Account That they cannot carry on their Improvements. with spirit and vigour from the uncertainty whether they may not be finally deprived of them and loose their Labour. That. they are not entitled to the Rights and Privileges of Freeholders from the Defects. of their present Charters, nor can they for the same Reason support any Action for their Landed Property when it is injured or withheld from them, That while these distressing Circumstances fall heavy on Individuals they at the same Time obstruct the Growth and further Cultivation of these New Counties impede the equal Administration of Justice, and prevent the payment and Augmentation of your Majesty's Revenue from the Quit Rents.