that is, they run E. N. E. from the three Oaks, supposing it parallel to the course of the Sound (which it is possible may be a true conjecture), a line of twelve miles. And then instead of beginning the parallel line from the East end of that twelve miles, according they take upon them to add to it one mile and sixty-four rods more, under pretence of finding out the distance of twenty miles from a certain place of Hudson's River; tho' the business of its distance from that River was settled beforehand in the agreement. And their excursion from the three Oaks, at the north end of the first line W. by N. 7 miles and 120 rods to Hudson's River, over against Tapan, there is not the least foundation for it in the agreement, nor was it at all to the purpose which they were appointed for; which was simply to run the 4 lines in the agreement, and then to run a parallel to Hudsons River from the East end of the fourth line, which is implyed and granted to be 20 miles from Hudsons; tho' whether it be something more or something less is not at all material, since it is in the agreement supposed and allowed to be at that distance from that River, and declared expressly to be the place where the parallel Line between the Colonies shall begin. And tho' the Report which the surveyours have made does not mention so much as a Rock or Tree, or any other Mark erected by them at the end of the 4th line, or any where in it, excepting only the three Oaks at the west end of it, which is the north end of the first Line, yet there are persons very lately living, though whether they are now living I am uncertain, who were with the surveyours, and saw them mark an Oak Tree at the east end of the addition of one mile and 64 rods, which has been ever since known by the name of the Duke's Tree. We have offered New York to run the parallel line from that Tree, reckoning the mile and sixty-four rods which it includes more than the twelve miles from the three Oaks as added to take the Equivalent into New York Government, which by the agreement they are to have for the Oblong comprehended by the four lines mentioned in the agreement, tho' it certainly takes from this Government much more than the quantity of that Oblong. The surveyours have indeed made the Oblong to contain 61,440 acres, but they were mistaken by reckoning the first line from Lyon's Point 8 miles into the wilderness to be a straight line, whereas it runs North half Easterly to the Rock by the wading place, and from thence N. N. W. to the end, as you will see by the Plat, which diminishes the quantity of the Oblong as they call it 2470 acres, at least, and brings the Oblong to 58970, whereas a parallel line drawn from the Duke's Tree, which is one mile and sixty-four rods eastward of the east end of the fourth line, to the south line of the Massachusets Government, which is reckoned 100 miles, will contain 70,790 acres, almost 12,000 acres more than it should be. Yet to put an end to the contention, we agree to lose it. But nothing would satisfy them without having 305 rods more added eastward of the Duke's Tree, and from thence a parallel line to be drawn to the Massachusets, which would utterly destroy many settlements of this Colony that are 20 or 30 years old; and under pretence of certain Patents granted by some former Governours of New York, extending to the Eastern bounds of that Province, would eject those honest men that are settled there, out of their freeholds. And we expect no other, but that by virtue of the King's confirmation of their exparte Act, they will attempt to carry the Line so far eastward without regard to us, who shall readily agree with them 2470 acres. The first line is from Lyons Point N, half a Point Easterly, 1 m. 1⁄2 & 20 rods to great Stone at ye wading Place, and from thence N. N. W. 6 m. 1⁄2 to 3 Oak Trees there marked. We were exactly 8 miles distant from Lyons Point. Lyons Point. This 305 Rods Sur- Supposed of by ye Surveyers to be ye Course of ye The Second Line from Lyons Point, East, No-East, Twelve miles. The Sound. This Plat laid down by a Scale of 1⁄2 of an Inch for a Mile. to run the Line anew according to the agreement. But under pretence of our refusing to comply with what they will call the survey, will attempt to take in the 305 rods more eastward, tho' even the surveyours them? selves would not so much as presume to mention any such addition, without referring it to the consent of both Governments, which this Government has never complyed with. And which makes such proceedings the more remarkable, they will make this advantage to themselves of the survey, tho' in this very Act they have declared that all the marks and monuments erected by the surveyors in it are utterly lost. I have been too long in this story, but I was willing to give you a full account, because I conclude we shall we shall be obliged to oppose them in what they will endeavour. For as the agreement is the foundation, I reckon they ought to keep to it, and to go off from that, under colour of a survey which they themselves say time has defaced, will be an abuse of that authority which they suppose his Majesty has given them by his approbation of their Act, and cant be allowed by us without breaking up the Town of Rid[g]efield, or the greatest part of it. Upon your motion on behalf of this Colony, it's possible some notification to us of what his Majesty may intend by allowing them to run the Line by themselves might be obtained, by which it might be evident that respect must be had to the agreement in running it. A letter from the Secretary of State, of this purport, if it could come to us before the third Tuesday of April next, which is the time they have set to run the Line without us, if we will not yield to their unreasonable pretences, might prevent a great deal of trouble, and protect his Majesties subjects settled by this Colony bordering on that Line, from being ejected out of their freeholds. |