Sixtkly: that scarce any measure can raise a more general discontent in this Colony, than a Law to vacate Patents for nonsettlement--those of which the advantage might be taken are many, and the dread of a precedent of this kind will unite all the Landholders to oppose a project so alarming to their Interest I will not presume to say, there is no instance, in which the avarice of a Patentee ought not to expose him to the forfeiture on the condition for settlement; But I must nevertheless observe to your Lordp that some of these patentees, plead in excuse that their improvements have been obstructed by the Incursions of the Savages, or by the disputes with the neighboring Colonies, and that it is the general opinion, that the Provee is improved according to its Population, and that the Burthen of the Quit Rents, is sufficient spur to sales and cultivation.: *

I should be happy, My Lord, after shewing the improbability of executing the plan proposed by the Lords of Trade if I may be able to 'suggest any other in its place to answer their Lordpps benevolent designs of appeasing these animosities, which have given so much trouble to the administration, & daily afford new ground for serious apprehension.

In contemplating the state of this Country, it is material to observe ; that there are one hundred and fourteen Townships of Six miles square granted by New Hampshire, besides those fifteen which have been confirmed by New York ; that the Patents under this Provee to officers and soldiers, & others included about six hundred thousand acres ; that many of those © grants interfere, and that it is almost impossible to ascertain what part of any N. Hampshire Patent is included in the Grants under N. York, for as N.