but the Honble Congress and Council of this State will become more Sencable (I trust) of the Temper and Disposition that actuates those People than they have ben and I am sorry they hant before now if it had been supprest sooner it in all Probability might have ben Effectual but the Event now I am unable fully to Determine altho I can Conjecture & is what I should Dread-my opposition has rendred my Situation Somewhat unhappy at present but trust shall find the old Maxim True in the end-(viz) honesty is the best Polacy I have ben a Sort of a Micaiah in the affair & I believe many would be glad I were in house of Jonathan & have reason to expect this will be my fait if sumthing is not Done very soone-for I find I am highly threatned but if sumthing is not Done Soone shall be obliged to give up the Point-as to News I have nothing special to Write only it is a very sickly time among us and in Neighbouring Towns. Should be glad of a Line from you whereby I may understand what your Sentemen are abought our affairs as I want to act with safety and Prudence both for my Self State and Country.

Sir I am with Due respect
your most obedient sernt

JOHN SESSIONS.

DECLARATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS the Senate and Assembly of this State, did, by L. S. their several resolutions, passed the twenty-first day of this instant month of February, declare and resolve, That the disaffection of many persons, inhabiting the north eastern parts of the county of Albany, and certain parts of the counties of Charlotte, Cumberland and Gloucester, clearly included within the ancient, original, true and lately established bounds of this State, arose from a contest, about the property of the soil of many tracts of land, within those parts of the said counties respectively.

That the said contest was occasioned, partly by the issuing of divers interfering patents or grants, by the respective governments of New-York on the one part, and those of Massachusetts. Bay and New-Hampshire on the other, antecedent to the late establishment of the eastern boundary of this State; partly by an higher quit-rent reserved on the said lands, when re-granted under New-York, than were reserved in the original grants under New-Hampshire or Massachusetts Bay, and the exorbitant fees of office accruing thereon; and partly by a number of grants made by the late government of New-York, after the establishment of the said eastern boundary, for lands which had been before granted by the governments of New-Hampshire and Massachusetts-Bay respectively, or one of them; in which last mentioned grants by the late government of New-York, the interest of the servants of the crown, and of new adventurers, was, in may instances, contrary to justice and policy, preferred to the equitable claims for confirmation, of those who had patented the lands under New-Hampshire or Massachusetts-Bay:

That the aforesaid disaffection has been greatly increased, by an act passed by the Legislature of the late Colony of New York, on the ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy four, entitled, "An Act for preventing tumultuous and riotous assemblies in the places. therein mentioned, and for the more speedy and effectual punishing the rioters :"-That many of the aforesaid disaffected persons, though unjustifiable in their opposition to the authority of this State, labour under grievances, arising from the causes above mentioned, which, in some measure, extenuate their offence, and which ought to be redressed

That, therefore, the Legislature of this State, while on the one hand, they will vigorously maintain their rightful supremacy over the persons and property of those disaffected subjects, will, on the other hand, make overtures to induce the voluntary submission of the delinquents:

That an absolute and unconditional discharge, and remission of all prosecutions, penalties and forfeitures, under the above mentioned act, shall be an established preliminary to such overtures; which overtures are as follows viz.

1st. That all persons actually possessing and improving lands, by title under grants from New-Hampshire or Massachusetts-Bay, and not granted under New-York, shall be confirmed in their respective possessions.

24. That all persons actually possessing and improving lands, not granted by either of the three governments, shall be confirmed in their respective possessions, together with such additional quantity of vacant land, lying contiguous to each respective possession, as may be necessary to form the same into a convenient farm; so as the quantity to be confirmed to each respective person, including his possession, shall not exceed three hundred

acres.

34. That where lands have heretofore been granted by NewHampshire and Massachusetts-Bay, or either of them, and actually possessed in consequence thereof, and being so possessed, were, afterwards, granted by New-York, such possessions shall be confirmed; the posterior grant under New-York, notwithstanding.

Provided always, That nothing in the above regulations contained, shall be construed to determine any question of title or possession, that may arise between different persons claiming under New-Hampshire or Massachusetts-Bay, or between persons claiming under New-Hampshire on the one, and under Massachusetts-Bay on the other part, iudependent of any right or claim under New-York.

4th. That, with respect to all such cases, concerning the aforesaid controverted lands, as cannot be decided by the rules exhibited in the aforegoing articles, or some one of them, the Legislature of the State of New-York will provide for the determination of the same, according to the rules of justice and equity, arising out of such cases respectively, without adhering to the strict rules of law.

5th. That in all cases, where grants or confirmations shall become necessary, on acceptance of the above overtures, such grants or confirmations, shall issue to the grantees, at, and after, the rate of five pounds for a grant or confirmation of three hundred acres or under; and for every additional hundred acres, the additional sum of sixteen shillings; except in cases where lands shall be granted or confirmed to divers persons in

one entire tract; in which case, the grants shall issue, respectively, for fifteen pounds each; which allowances shall be in lieu of all other fees or perquisites whatsoever.

6th. That whenever, agreeable to the above regulations, new grants or confirmations shall become necessary under this state, for lands heretofore granted by New Hampshire or Massachusetts Bay, the same quitrent only shall be reserved, which was reserved in the original grants under New Hampshire or Massachusetts Bay.

7th. That where lands, heretofore granted by New Hampshire or Massachusetts Bay, have been, since, confirmed to such grantees by new grants under New-York, the quit-rents on such lands, shall be reduced to what they were in the original grants, under New-Hampshire or Massachusetts-Bay.

8th. That in order to encourage the settlement of the aforesaid disputed lands in a peaceable subjection to the authority and jurisdiction of this state, and also of all other lands held within and under this state, the following commutation for the quitrents, shall be allowed, viz: That on payment, at the rate of two shillings and six pence, lawful money of this state into the treasury of this state, for every penny sterling of quit-rent reserved; or, on delivery into the same of seventeen times the quantity of grain, or other commodity, reserved for such quitrent, the same shall thenceforward be utterly discharged, and forever cease and be extinguished.

That these overtures should be offered with a view, not only to induce the aforesaid discontented inhabitants of the counties of Albany, Charlotte, Cumberland and Gloucester, to return to a a lawful and rightful obedience to the authority and jurisdiction of this State; but also in favor of all others whom the same may concern; and to be of no avail to any person or persons whatsoever, who shall after the first day of May next, yield or acknowledge, any allegiance or subjection to the pretended state of Vermont, the pretended government thereof, or any power or authority pretended to be held or exercised thereunder.

That the aforegoing overtures, on the condition above expressed, be tendered for acceptance to all persons, to whose case the same, or any or either of them, do, or shall apply, upon the public faith

and assurance of the legislature and Government of the state of New-York, pledged to such person and persons for the pur

pose.

That the several branches of the Legislature of the state of New-York, will concur in the necessary measures for protecting the loyal inhabitants of this state, residing in the counties of Albany Charlotte, Cumberland and Gloucester, in their persons and estates, and for compelling all persons, residing within this state, and refusing obedience to the government and legislature thereof, to yield that obedience and allegiance, which, by law and of right they owe to this state.

And whereas, The said Senate and Assembly of this state of New-York have also by their resolution, requested me to issue my Proclamation, under the privy seal of this state, reciting their aforesaid declarations and resolutions, and strictly charging and commanding all manner of persons, in the name of the people of the state of New-York, to take due notice thereof, at their peril, and govern themselves accordingly.

I do therefore hereby, in the name of the people of the state of New-York, publish and proclaim the aforesaid declared resolutions; and I do hereby strictly charge and command all manner of persons within this state, at their peril, to take due notice of this Proclamation, and of every article, clause, matter and thing therein recited and contained and to govern themselves accordingly.

Given under my hand, and the privy seal of the State of NewYork at Poughkeepsie, in the County of Dutchess, the twentythird day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight.

GOD SAVE THE PEOPLE.

GEO. CLINTON.