we presume the law of possessions will confirm our lands to us, seeing we have had peaceable possession 50 years.

(2) If his majesty had given the lands in the province to Mr. Mason, what can be understood by that clause in the commission, That in case the inhabitants shall refuse to agree with Mr. Mason, then the governor shall interpose and reconcile all differences, if he can, but if he cannot, then to send the case, fairly stated to England, that his majesty and privy counsel, might determine according to right; which we humbly conceive puts a bar to any legal proceedings, until his majesty's mind be further known therein. The inhabitants have offered their reasons to the governor according to commission, which he will not admit of, only did take of one, viz. Capt. Stileman, and promised to send them to England, but we can hear of no answer, and much fear his neglect.

(3) His majesty in his commission, says, To prevent unreasonable demands, that may be made by Mr. Mason, for the right he claims,' which claim may prove good or bad, when it comes to trial. We understand, to claim and to have, are different things.

(4) His majesty intimates in his royal commission, by what title Mr. Mason does claim, viz. by a grant to his ancestors, who improved and possessed the province with great expence, until molested and finally driven out;' but this province cannot be concluded to be the place he claims, until he make these circumstances appear, which we are sure he never can do.

Now, Mr. Mason, not producing any original deed for any of the lands of this province, nor authentic copies, the inhabitants cannot make any compliance with him, both, because we see no right he ever had, or believing if ever any was, he hath mortgaged it already in England, and so alienated what right he had.

Although upon the former grounds, we have good plea against Mr. Mason's claim, yet we did not see cause to join issue, not only because judges and jurors were not qualified according to law, all of them being picked for espousing Mr. Mason's interest, by the governor's order, who has a mortgage for 21 years from Mr. Mason, for all the lands in the province; but also because we were willing to attend the methods, prescribed by his majesty, in his royal commission.

[Act for Sale of Lands to Proprietors, June 17, 1788.]

[Acts, Vol. 5, p. 425.]

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight

An Act empower and authorise certain persons therein L. S. named to convey to the Persons commonly called the Masonian Proprietors, all the Interest and title of the said State in and to the Lands lying between the Curve line claimed by said Proprietors as the head line of Mason's Patent and a straight Line lately run by order of the General Court of said state; and to accept certain securities therefor in behalf of said State.

WHEREAS by a Vote of the house of Representatives concurred in the Senate, it has been determined by the General Court to release to the said proprietors all the right Title claim Interest and demand of said state in and to the Lands aforesaid, on condition said Proprietors sécure to the State the payment of forty thousand Dollars in State Securities, and eight hundred Dollars in Specie therefor, and whereas the said Proprietors by their agents have in writing declared their acceptance of the terms and conditions aforesaid in order to a final Settlement of the controversy been the State and said Proprietors respecting the said Lands, therefore in order, and to the Intent that said agreement be compleated,

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened, that Thomas Bartlett Dudly Odlin and Archchibald M'Murphy Esquires, Be and they hereby are appointed a Committee or Agents on the part and behalf of the State to release quit Claim and convey to the said Proprietors all the right Title Interest Claim and demand of said state in and unto the Lands aforesaid, with full powers and authorities to them or the major part of them, to make and execute any Deed or Deeds, for the Purpose aforesaid which Deed or Deeds shall be valid and effectual in Law to all intents and purposes to convey to said Proprietors their Successors Heirs and assigns forever all the Right Title Interest Claim and Demand of said state to the Lands aforesaid-And also they or the Major part of them to receive and accept from said Proprietors or their Agents security or Securities for the payment of the sd forty thousand Dollars in State Securities and eight hundred Dollars in specie aforesaid for and in behalf of the State.

State of New

Hampshire S

In the House of Representatives June 17th 1788.

The foregoing bill having been read a third time Voted that it pass to be enacted

Sent up for concurrence

Thos Bartlett Speaker.

In senate June 17th 1788. This bill having been read a third time. Voted that the same be enacted.

John Langdon President

Recorded according to the original Act under the State Seal. Attest Joseph Pearson Sec

In the

eight

[Act for Levying Taxes, June 18, 1788.]

[Acts, Vol. 5, p. 429.]

State of New Hampshire

year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty

AN ACT to authorize and empower certain persons callLS ing themselves the Masonian Proprietors, who have by their agents purchased of the State a release of its claim to ́certain Lands herein after described to raise Levy and collect such sums of money as they may find it needful to raise for certain purposes therein expressed, by sale of the said Lands

WHEREAS said proprietors have by their agent petitioned the General Court, respecting, that at a Legal meeting they appointed and empowered said agents to settle in their behalf, their controversy with the State of New-Hampshire respecting the title to the lands between the curve line (so called) of Mason's patent, and a sraight line lately run by order of the General Court. That said agents have agreed upon a sttlement of said controversy, with said General Court, by which Settlement certain Sums of money are to be secured and paid to said State, and said proprietors are to have a release of all the State's title to said Lands. That said Settlement has been and still must be attended with the expence of considerable sums of money on the part of said proprietors and that said sums to be paid to the State as aforesaid, are yet to be Raised, all of which ought to be paid by said proprietors in propotion to their several