met with the intire approbation of the Board and the Council, and I have his Excy's Directions to Signify the same to you and that he sees with much Satisfaction the Readiness with which you was assisted on this Occasion by the neighbg Justices Thomas Chandler Junior and William Willard Esqr

His Excellency desirous of retaining in Office the most respectable Persons in the County could not think of appointing any Person as Second Judge in your Stead, He has however added another Gentleman to the Bench, which after your faithful Service in that County will give you an opportunity, with less Prejudice to the public, of taking as little share of the Burthen of the Office, as shall be most agreeable to yourself. I am with very great Regard

Sir

COL. REED TO GOV. TRYON

To His Excellency The Governor

The following Thoughts are humbly submitted by Lt Coll Reid.

As a Report prevails that your Excellency in Councill propose soon to fix upon a proper situation for a Court House to be erected in Charlote County, I therefore think it a duty incumbent upon me to lay before your Excellency the following Extract from Lord Dunmores Letter to me of the 11th ult viz: “I shall be extremely happy if the Legislature should pay me the compliment of fixing upon my Land for the Court house to stand upon; and in that event I shall most cheerfully build a Court House or any other Buildings that may be thought requisite by the Publick."

In case his Lordship's Land should be fixed upon for the above purpose, I am ready to give Bond, if it should be required, for the faithful performance of what he has offered.

As this is a matter of great importance to the Inhabitants, and to every person having an Interest in that County, I would humbly beg leave to observe that two or three situations have been

talked of for the Court House, all of them improper, being near the Southern Extremitys of the County; because it is demonstrable that it would prevent the settlement of the northern part of the County, and of course be greatly prejudicial to the Proprietors of Land there for there can be no doubt that the fixing the Court House to the Southward will naturally draw the Inhabitants that way; whereas if it should be placed in a more centrical situation, it will be a means of diffusing the Inhabitants more equally through every part of the County, to the equal advantage of the Proprietors of Land, and conveniency of the Inhabitants.

Should it be argued that how soon the northern part of the County is peopled, it is to be formed into a separate County; I would answer that there is no probability of its happening for at least forty years to come, the number of Inhabitants in that extensive Tract of Country, being at present so inconsiderable.

The Proprietors of Lands, as well as the Inhabitants, in the Southern parts of that County already possess great advantages over those in the northern parts, by their enjoyment of a milder Climate; and being nearer to a settled Country and to the interior parts of the Province, they can have a ready market for their Produce at a much smaller expence of Carrriage; which without another acquired advantage, must naturally increase the value of their Lands, which already bear a price, and consequently will draw settlers to them. The Proprietors therefore, of Lands to the Northward, who are equally chargable with His Majesty's Quit Rents, and who expect to meet with equall Favor, will have but a poor chance of getting their lands settled, under so many disadvantages, in case a situation for the County Town should be chose near the Southern Extremity of the County. Any Situation, which will occassion a long land Carriage to it, in a County where there are no Roads, must be grivous to the Inhabitants. A Situation, therefore nearly centrical, providing it enjoys the advantage of water Carriage, appears to be most eligible. In a County where a great part of the Inhabitants are disafected to this Government, and have been subject to no law, it becomes a question, whether it would be proper to place the County Town near to Crown point, where the Inhabitants are

well affected to this Government, and where the Civil Magistrate could have the assistance of a military Force in case it should at any time be found absolutely necessary in the execution of his Duty.

All that I wish for is, that such a Resolution may be taken, as will tend to the Honor of Government, and to the equal advantage of the Inhabitants of that County.

All which is humbly submitted by

7th Ap1 1772.

JOHN REID.

PETITION OF THE PROPRIETORS OF SOCIALBORO' &C.

To his Excellency William Tryon Esquire Captain
General and Governor in Chief in and over the
Province of New York and the Territories depending
thereon in America Chancellor and Vice Admiral of
the same.

The Petition of the Subscribers, who are interested in the
Townships of Socialborough, Halesborough, Newry
Richmond Kelso Monckton & Durham in the County
of Charlotte,

Most humbly Sheweth

That your Petitioners being informed that the appointment of the Township or place for holding the Courts in that County of Charlette, will soon come under your Excellency's Consideration, They beg leave most humbly to suggest―

That the Township of Socialborough is nearly central, to that part of the Country, which will probably remain a separate County, when the Northen part of this province becomes populous (to wit) from Batten Kill, to an East Line from the mouth of Otter Creek, comprising a district of about 75 Miles in length

That the roads leading Northward from the Massachusett's Bay, and Westward from New Hampshire, both pass thro' the said Township; which your Petitioners conceive a strong proof of its being easy of Access

That the said Township, and the Lands in its Neighbourhood, are remarkably fertile, and pleasantly situated, on a fine river called Otter Creek, which for many Miles is navigable with Batteaus, and would be throughout, but for the obstruction of the falls.

That from the best information your Petitioners are able to collect, tho' the settlement began within three years, there are already thirty five Families in Socialborough, and twenty more have made Improvements, & are expected to remove thither the ensuing Spring; the chief of whom have agreed to take Titles for their Farms under this Government.

That in the three Townships of Durham, Grafton, and Chesterfield, which adjoin each other, and extend from Socialborough Southward, there are Ninety six Families actually settled, who all hold their Estates under this Government.

That in Chatham, which is the next Town adjoining Chesterfield towards the South, there are settled Fifteen Families ; & in Eugene, which adjoins it on the West, Forty. In Princetown, which adjoins Chatham on the South, Seventy Families; and in the West Camden which adjoins it on the West, Twelve Families.

That those making in the whole near two hundred Heads of Families, chiefly live at a convenient distance from Socialborough, and the most remote of them not exceeding Forty miles; and have already the advantage of a tolerable road, thro' which loaded Carts have passed from Socialborough to Albany the last

summer.

That Col. Reids settlement, which is furthest North and which consists of about Fifteen Families, is at no greater distance from Socialborough than thirty Miles and Major Skene's within Twenty Miles.

That from these circumstances your Petitioners hope it will appear that this Township is well situated for the County Town, and not only convenient to the greater part of the present Inhabitants, but will continue to be so to the Country in general (as far as to the said East Line from the mouth of Otter Creek,) when it becomes populous and fully improved.

That the present Inhabitants of the said County are very poor, and unable, but by their Labour, to contribute any thing

towards the Building a Court House and Goal, nor is any Provision made for that purpose by law.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray, that, unless your Excellency shall judge some other place to be more proper, the County Town of the said County may be fixed at Socialborough in which case your Petitioners are willing, and do engage, to raise & pay all the money, which shall be necessary for erecting a convenient Court House & Goal for the said County.

And your Petitioners shall ever pray &c

A Nomination for the Civiï Authority in the County of Cumberland in the Province of New York 1772.