CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.

341

[Enclosure.]

Copy Extract of a Letter from Benning Wentworth Esq r Governor of New Hampshire , tothe Board of Trade Dated 23 li of March 1750|1.

As the Extent of the Western & Northern Boundary of New Hampshire entirely depends on HisMajesty’s Pleasure, I need only inform your Lordships that Commissioners from the Crown havesettled 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 twentymiles East of Hudsons River, and have carried on their Settlements in Conformity thereunto. OneRanesslaer claims twenty four miles square on the East, & twenty four miles square on the Westside of Hudsons River, a Tract of Land sufficient for thirty two Townships of six Miles Squareeach & comprehends more good Land, than any other subject in His Majesty’s Dominions, butRenesslaer has not thought fit to contend with the Massachusetts for the four miles, presuming itwill be His Majesty’s Pleasure, that a North & South Line should divide both the Massachusetsand New Hampshire from the Government of New York . I have extended the Western Boundaryof New Hampshire as far West as the Massachusets have done theirs, that is, within twenty Milesof Hudsons River. It will also be for the Peace and Benefit of both Governments, if it shouldbe 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 Hamp-shire which will keep both Governments from extending their Settlements beyond their own Boun-daries, & be easily submitted to before the Inhabitants have improved the Lands in virtue of Grantsfrom either Government.

It will be necessary to inform your Lordships that the Government of New York was foundedon a Grant made by the Crown to the Duke of York, & that it was to commence at the Sea, andrun sixty miles North into the Country, which Line will cross Hudson’s River about twenty MilesSouth of the city of Albany .

(Endorsed) 23 d March 175011 Extract of a Letter from Gov r Wentworth to the Lords ofTrade.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.

To the Honorable James Delancey Esq r his majesty’s Lieutenant Governor and Com-mander in Chief in and over the Province of New York and the Territoriesdepending 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 saidprovince.

May it please your Honour

Among the Papers laid before us relative to the dispute between this Government and theProvinces of New Hampshire and Massauchets Bay touching their Extent of Boundary We find anExtract of a Letter from Governor Wentworth to the Board of Trade dated the 23 d of March1150|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