The State will not submit to be dismembered; and there are not wanting many respectable characters, both in the Senate and the American army, who intimate that they would rather submit to a Tyrant at 3,000 miles distance, than to avaricious or tyrannical neighbours.

In a confidence, sir, that the sentiments of the people even from an individual, will not disoblige, I have taken the liberty

NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 925

hastily to mention part of those I have heard, and hope you will receive this private letter with the same friendly intention with which it is wrote. I have the honor to be, With great respect and esteem, sir.

REPORT TO THE NEW YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. Jan 20, 1777.

[Miscellaneous Papers XXXV1.,

Your Committee to whom it was referred to consider of the State of the Counties of Gloucester Cumberland and Charlotte beg leave to report :

That violent disputes and animosities have arisen and still subsist within the said Counties by Reason of sundry unjust and iniquitous Pretensions anciently set up by the States of Massachusets and New Hampshire against certain large Tracts of Land within the known Bounds of this State.

That Sundry Persons have intruded into those Counties by Virtue of Grants and Purchases for trifling Considerations under those States particularly the latter and have taken very large and valuable Tracts within the said Counties.

That divers of those Persons altho repeatedly offered Patents for the Lands by them occupied by the late Government of the Colony of New York have obstinately refused to receive the same under Color that*the Fees of office and quit Rents were too great that the said Lands did not lie within this State and other frivolous Pretences.