CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS. 351
Time they obtained their Grants vested in the Crown, within the Express Limits of the Provinceof New York and not within the Grants on which the Massachusits Bay found their ciaim.
Having thus fully considered this point in respect to the Province of Massachusits Bay, I needadd very little as to New Hampshire . That Government is to extend Westward and Northward tillit meets with his Majesty’s other Governments, and cannot therefore interfere with the Limits ofthis Province. The lands in Question lay much more Convenient to be included within New York than New Hampshire . Hudson’s River being navigable by Vessels of considerable Burthen toAlbany the Trade of that part of the Country will probably center there, to which place, the Trans-portation or Carriage will be much Easier than to the Ports of New Hampshire , and where theInhabitants are likely to meet with a better market for their Produce. The Revenue to the Crown,if the lands are settled under this Province, will be greater than if Granted under New Hampshire ,in proportion to the Difference of Quit Rent which I am Informed is I s sterls p 100 acres in thatProvince, and is, by his Majesty’s Instructions fixed here at 2|6 steps' There is another Circumstanceof some Weight at this Juncture. The preference given to this Government from its Evidentsuperiority, has induced a great number of Reduced Officers to claim here the Bounty his Majestyhas been pleased by his Proclamation of the 7 4 “ October last, to extend to those who have served inNorth America during the late War, and many of them have located their spotts within the claimof New Hampshire ; indeed if they had not it would have been impossible for this Government tohave found Lands enough for them, clear of dispute and not reserved to the Indians; but theyabsolutely decline any application to New Hampshire for lands Westward of Connecticut River .
As the settling the limits of Jurisdiction of the gov ts of New York and New Hampshire absolutelydepends on his Majesty’s Pleasure, should his Majesty, on any Consideration extend the limits ofNew Hampshire Westward of Connecticut River , I humbly presume to hope the Right of Propertyand the Right of' Jurisdiction will be saved to this Province in Respect to all Lands before grantedby this Government whose Right to the Boundary of Connecticut River especially when consideredas to New Hampshire , appears clear and unquestionable.
LT. GOV. GOLDEN TO THE BOARD OF TRADE.
[Lond. Doc. xxxvii.]
My Lords, I informed your LordPP 8 by my letter of January 20 th that the government of NewHampshire has lately made most surprizing and extravagant encroachments on the jurisdictionof lands of this His Majesty’s Province ; without, I may truly say, the least color or plausible pretenceof Right. The Govern 4 of New Hampshire I am told, has lately granted 160 Townships, of sixniiles square each, on the West side of Connecticut River . A man in appearance no better than aRedlar, has lately travelled through New Jersey and this Province, hawking and selling his pre-tended Rights of 30 Townships, on trifling considerations. The whole proceedings of the Govern 4of New Hampshire , in this case, if what is told me be true, are shameful and a discredit to theRing’s authority, under which they act. Tho’ it be not in my power to be authentically informed,it is in your LordsPP 8 for it is evident from the low price shares are sold at, it is not for the benefitof persons who design to settle and improve. Your Lordpp 8 by a proper enquiry may discover fortvhose benefit these fraudulent grants are really made.