Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. IV
Fugitives from all the neighboring Governments resort thither, so that they are now become a numerous and dangerous Body of Banditti, which is every Day encreasing. The Council advised me to apply to General Gage for Military Assistance to preserve the Peace only : His answer is that, General Haldimand, had, on a similar Requisition declined giving any Military Assistance, and his refusal had been approved of by his Majesty's Ministers, and for that reason he declined giving any Assistance. i
My Lord, this Body of Lawless men, fugitives from all parts: daily encreasing, may soon become very dangerous, by encouraging the worst of men to resort thither, and to stand in defiance
of Law and Government; I therefore humbly conceive it deserves é
NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. , 887
your Lordships immediate attention. The first settlers from New Hampshire, and the leading men among them, pretend that they have Encouragement from their Agent in England, that your Lordship entertains a favourable Opinion of their claim and pretentions, but I am persuaded they can have no foundation for such hopes. .
The greatest part of the lands those troublesome people are settled on, my Lord, have been granted by this Government, to reduced officers and disbanded soldiers of His Majesty's Army who served in the last War in America, in obedience to the Royal Proclamation of the 7+ October 1763. I hardly need to mention to your Lordship that where the Lands are private Property, a dispute of title can only be determined in the Courts of Justice. The Pattentees under NewYork, those who hold by Military Grants, as well as others who have Pattents in the common Way, think their title is indubitably good. The Governors of this Colony have had full authority to grant the lands quite to the West Bank of Connecticut River, ever since the Duke of York received his grant of the Colony. <A dread of the French and Indians from Canada, prevented for many years any grants or settlements being made in that part of this Province where these people are now settled.