406
CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
whereby the western Banks of Connecticut, River , are adjudged to be the Boundary between the twoProvinces,—would be rescinded, and the Lands on the West Side of that River , be annexed toNew-Hampshire . To prevent the Disorders that might be occasioned by so groundless a Delusion, Ihave thought proper to signify that I have the highest Reason to think it is his Majesty’s fixedResolution to adhere to his said Royal Decision, and to leave this Government in the full Enjoymentof its ancient Rights, as bounded upon the said Connecticut River . And it further appearing byProof on Oath , that Simeon Hathaway , Moses Scott , Jonathan Phisk, and Silas Robinson , all of theCounty of Albany , Yeomen, were among the principal Authors of, and Actors in the last mentionedRiot and Breach of the Peace : In order therefore to bring the said Offenders to condign Punishment,and that others warned by their Example, may be deterred from the Commission of such evilPractices for the future, I have thought fit, by and with the Advice of his Majesty’s Council, to issuethis Proclamation, hereby strictly commanding and requiring the Sheriff of the City and County ofAlbany , to apprehend and take all and every the before named Rioters and Offenders, and them tocommit to safe and secure Custody, to answer for their several Offences, and to be dealt with accord-ing to Law: And for that Purpose if it shall be necessary, to raise and take to his Assistance, the PosseComitatus, or whole Power of the County: And all Magistrates, Officers, and Ministers of Justice,are hereby enjoined and required to give their Aid and Assisfance, not only in apprehending thesaid several Offenders, and committing them to safe Custody, but in preventing and suppressingall future Riots and Disorders of the like dangerous Tendency.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Fort George, in the City of New York , the first Dayof November, One thousand seven hundred and seventy, in the eleventh Year of the Reign of ourSovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland , King,Defender of the Faith, and so forth.
Dunmore.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Gw. Banyar, D. Secry. ,
PETITIONS FROM CUMBERLAND AND GLOUCESTER TO THE KING.
To the King’s most Excellent Majesty.
The Petition of the Subscribers in behalf of themselves and others, Inhabitants of the Province ofNew York in the Counties of Cumberland & Gloucester, on the West side of ConnecticutRiver .
Most humbly Sheweth
That your Majesty’s Colony of New York was anciently bounded to the eastward by ConnecticutRiver , the Grant from King Charles the Second to James Duke of York in 1G63| 4 comprehending inexpress terms; “All the lands from the West side of Connecticut River to the East Side ofDeleware Bay;” While your Majestys Government of New Hampshire , the Limits whereof were firstascertained about the year 1739 is confined in its extent westward to your Majesty’s otherGovernments.
That notwithstanding this clear designation of Boundary to each Province New Hampshireproceeded to make Grants of the Lands westward of the River Connecticut , and the matter at lengthcoming under your Majestys consideration, your Majesty was pleased by your Royal order of the