unacquainted with. But hope these few Hints, may be of Some use in the affair, and doubt not but his Majesty's Surveyor General, who I suppose is much Better acquainted with the Bounds of this government, than I can pretend to be; will give your Excellency much further Light Relating to them.

I am Your Excellencys

most Obedient Humble Servant

R. BRADLEY.

(Endorsed) Attorney Generals report in the Case between New York & New Hampshire.

SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OBSERVATIONS ON MR. BRADLEY'S

REPORT.

Gentn

New York Octr 14th 1751.

You were pleased on the 9th instant to desire me to put in writing some thoughts which then occurred to me on the subject matter of a representation of the late Attorney Gen1 respecting the eastern boundary of this Province. In obedience thereto I shall observe that as the Soil of both the provinces of New York and New Hampshire is now vested in the Croun the King may fix the boundary between these his two Governments at his pleasure on which it may be proper to remark.

1. That the line lately run by the Government of New Hampshires to Hudson's River as their Southern boundary comes (as I am informed) within 8 or 10 miles of the City of Albany. That so far as I can learn Albany is a place more considerable in the numbers of its inhabitants & for trade (having a communication by water with the Sea for vessels of Burthen) than any toun in New Hampshire and that the parts of the country lying between Connecticut river & Hudsons river are nearer to Albany than to any Port or place of trade in New Hampshire.

2. In time of war incursions on this Province by the French & French Indians have been generally made through that part of the country between Connecticut river & Hudson's river. For

both these reasons it must be more for the benefite & security of the inhabitants of that part of the Country between these two rivers as well as for the security of the other parts of the Province of New York that the country between the said rivers continue under the Government of New York.

Besides these considerations from the publick utility it may be remarked

3. That several tracts of land to the Eastward of Hudson's River & above twenty miles distant from it towards the Massachusetts bay are held by the inhabitants of New York by grant from the Governours thereof & paying yearly rents to the Crown; and likewise several other tracts to the Northward of the line run by New Hampshire as their Southern boundary and above. twenty miles eastward from hudson's river are in like manner held by the Inhabitants of the Province of New York.

4. That if his Majesty assert his right to the soil within his Province of New York as far east as Connecticut river against the Intrusions of the Massachusetts bay it would greatly encrease his revenue arising from the Quitrent of lands.

This is all which has occurred to me as proper to be added to the Attorney Generals representation which is submitted to the other Gentlemen of the Committee.

CADWALLADER Colden.

(Endorsed) Cadwallader Colden's observations?

on the representation of the Atty Gen'

Extract from the Attorney and Solicitor Generals Report Dated August the 14th 1752. On the State of the Case with respect to Certain Townships and Tracts of Land Granted by the Governments of the Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut in New England.

"There are also about 60,000 Acres of Land situated on the West Side of Connecticut River which were purchased by private persons from the Government of Connecticut, to whom that Land had been laid out by the Government of the Massachusets Bay

as an Equivalent for two or three Townships which the Massachusetts Bay purchased from Connecticut Government. This Tract of Land by the Determination of the Boundary Line in 1738, is become a part of New Hampshire, but the proprietors of it are subject to no conditions of Improvement, and the Land lies waste and uncultivated.”

SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF TRADE TO THE AGENT OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW YORK.

Sir

Whitehall Decem2 22a 1752.

I am directed by the Lords Commissioners for Trade & Plantations to send you the Inclosed Extract of Mr Wentworth's Letter to their Lordships containing his Proposal for running a Boundary Line between the Provinces of New York & New Hampshire & to desire that you would transmit the same to your Constituents by the first Opportunity, that their Lordships may be informed of their sentiments upon it as soon as possible.

Copy Extract of a Letter from Benning Wentworth Esq Governor of New Hampshire, to the Board of Trade Dated 234 of March 1750|1

As the Extent of the Western & Northern Boundary of New Hampshire entirely depends on His Majesty's Pleasure, I need only inform your Lordships that Commissioners from the Crown have settled the Boundary between New York and Connecticut at twenty miles East of Hudsons River. The Massachusetts Bay have allowed the Government of New York to extend their Claim also twenty miles East of Hudsons River, and have

One

carried on their Settlements in Conformity thereunto. Ranesslaer claims twenty four miles square on the East, & twenty four miles square on the West side of Hudsons River, a Tract of Land sufficient for thirty two Townships of six Miles Square each & comprehends more good Land, than any other subject in His Majesty's Dominions, but Renesslaer has not thought fit to contend with the Massachusetts for the four miles, presuming it will be His Majesty's Pleasure, that a North & South Line should divide both the Massachusets and New Hampshire from the Government of New York. I have extended the Western Boundary of New Hampshire as far West as the Massachusets have done theirs, that is, within twenty Miles of Hudsons River. It will also be for the Peace and Benefit of both Governments, if it should be His Majesty's Pleasure to determine the Northern as well as the Eastern Boundary of New York, that it may be ascertained how many Miles North of the City of Albany that Government extends, as it will in its Northern & Eastern Boundary interfere with the Western Boundary of New Hampshire which will keep both Governments from extending their Settlements beyond their own Boundaries, & be easily submitted to before the Inhabitants have improved the Lands in virtue of Grants from either Government.

It will be necessary to inform your Lordships that the Government of New York was founded on a Grant made by the Crown to the Duke of York, & that it was to commence at the Sea, and run sixty miles North into the Country, which Line will cross Hudson's River about twenty Miles South of the city of Albany.

(Endorsed) 23d March 1750|1 Extract of a Letter from Goyr Wentworth to the Lords of Trade.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.

To the Honorable James Delancey Esq" his majesty's Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America. The Representation of the Committee of his Majesty's Council of the Province of New York and the Commissioners appointed to examine into the Eastern Boundaries of the said province. May it please your Honour

Among the Papers laid before us relative to the dispute between this Government and the Provinces of New Hampshire and Massauchets Bay touching their Extent of Boundary We find an Extract of a Letter from Governor Wentworth to the Board of Trade dated the 23d of March 1750|1 containing a Proposal for setling a Partition Line between New York and New Hampshire Which Extract together with a Letter from the agent for this Colony and the Copy of a Letter from the Secretary to the Board of Trade to our Agent were some time since transmitted to Mr Clinton late Governor of this province that their Lordships might be informed of the sentiments of this Government thereupon On which we humbly beg leave to represent to your Honour.

That on the 3a day of Aprill 1750, Governour Clinton Laid before the Councill of this province a Letter from Governour Wentworth, desireing information how far north of Albany this province extends, and how many miles to the Eastward of Hudson's River, To the Northward of the Massachusetts Line; that he might Govern himself accordingly in the Grants he was to make in New Hampshire and that the Councill of this province then advised Governour Clinton; To acquaint Governour Wentworth in answer to his said Letter, that this province is bounded Eastward By Connecticut river; the Letters Patent from King Charles the Second to the Duke of York, Expressly granting all the lands from the West side of Connecticut river, to the East side of Delaware Bay.

That on the fifth of June 1750 Governour Clinton Laid before the Councill of this province a Letter from Governour Went