562
CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
BRIEF CONSIDERATIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF
[ Miscellaneous Papers XXXIV. ]
1 st Would it not be proper that Congress should first determine the Jurisdiction as the people ofthose Counties are willing to submit it to them.
2 d Would not the taking of the Quitrent unask’d appear as if we were purchasing Those peopleto a compliance, and would therefore take aw'ay the merit of such an action and seem as if wedoubted our Jurisdiction over those Counties.
3 d As the legislative body of the State will soon be formed will it not be more proper to submitit to their decision, than a Committee of Safety, a small part of a body chosen by the people forthe sole purposes of framing a Government a body who hitherto has regulated no more of theInternal policy of the State, than there was an absolute and Immediate necessity for.
4 th Would it not be proper to call the principal people of those Counties before this house heartheir Complaints and know the Terms they are authorized to settle upon.
5 th have not many of the hampshire Grants been forfeited by the Grantees is it equitable toconfirm their titles in preference to a just one, tlio theirs be of an older date.
6 ll > [Repetition of No. 2. |
7 th Are we not rather precipitate in giving up so great a revenue at a time we are not assuredit will have the desired effect upon the receivers.
8 th Many in those Counties hold lands under New York by purchase of officers rights, whichtogether with the fees comes very high to them, in what manner is it to be setled when Tenants underthose people and others under New hampshire are setled on the same lands.
THOMAS YOUNG TO THE PEOPLE OF THE GRANTS.
[Miscellaneous Papers XXXTV.]
Gentlemen, Numbers of you are knowing to the zeal with which I have exerted myself in yourBehalf from the Beginning of this struggle with the New York Monopolizers. As the SupremeArbiter of Right has smiled on the just Cause of North America at large, you in a peculiar Mannerhave been highly favored. God has done by you the best Thing commonly done for our species.He has put it fairly in your power to help yourselves.
I have taken the Minds of several of the leading members in the Honorable Continental Congress ,and can assure you that you have Nothing to do but send attested Copies of the Recommendation totake up government to every Township in your District, and invite all your Freeholders andInhabitants to meet in their respective Townships and chuse Members for a General Convention, tomeet at an early Day to chuse Delegates for the General Congress or Committee of Safety, and toform a Constitution for your State.
Your Friends here tell me that some are in Doubt whether Delegates from your District wouldbe admitted into Congress . I tell you to organize fairly, and make the experiment, and I will ensure