CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.

557

such a regiment was necessary, men worthy of confidence might have been found to raise it withat least equal success.

It is believed, sir, by some, that there are designs of individuals at least, to dismember this State.The appointments above mentioned, if such there are, may tend to this end. This State is of greatimportance in the present war; without the aid of this State, or even of the county of Albany (exclu-sive of every other part of it,) the war could not be supported with less than double the presentexpense, if it could be supported at any rate. The State will not submit to be dismembered ; andthere are not wanting many respectable characters, both in the Senate and the American army, whointimate that they would rather submit to. a Tyrant at 3,000 miles distance, than to avaricious ortyrannical neighbours.

In a confidence, sir, that the sentiments of the people even from an individual, will not disoblige,I have taken the liberty hastily to mention part of those I have heard, and hope you will receivethis private letter with the same friendly intention with which it is wrote.

I have the honor to be, With great respect and esteem, sir.

REPORT TO THE NEW YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Jan 20, 1777.

[Miscellaneous Papers XXXVI.]

Your Committee to whom it was referred to consider of the State of the Counties of GloucesterCumberland and Charlotte beg leave to report:

That violent disputes and animosities have arisen and still subsist within the said Counties byReason of sundry unjust and iniquitous Pretensions anciently set up by the States of Massachusetsand New Hampshire against certain large Tracts of Land within the known Bounds of this State.

That Sundry Persons have intruded into those Counties by Virtue of Grants and Purchases fortrifling Considerations under those States particularly the latter and have taken very large andvaluable Tracts within the said Counties.

That divers of those Persons altho repeatedly olfered Patents for the Lands by them occupied bythe late Government of the Colony of New York have obstinately refused to receive the sameunder Color that the Fees of office and quit Rents were too great that the said Lands did not liewithin this State and other frivolous Pretences.

That many wicked disaffected and turbulent Persons for the Promotion of their own privateInterest and other sinister and base Designs have artfully fomented the said Animosities falselyalledging not only that the said Counties are out of the Bounds of this State but also that this Stateand the Government thereof are determined to oppress harrass and impoverish the Inhabitants ofthe said Counties and have at Length incited many of them to disown their allegiance to this State.

That Persons of considerable Rank Influence and Authority in the neighbouring States aredeeply concerned in the said Designs with a view of dismembring this State and for that Purposehave promulgated a Report that it is the Intention «of the honorable the Continental Congress toaid and assist in the Independence of the said Counties.

That such Report hath received great weight and authority from the appoiutment of Seth Warnerto be the Colonel of a Regiment to be raised within that Part of this State and to appoint his own