The Mohawks Castles and Villages are surrounded by English plantations; Oswego which has so long been established is in the heart of the Country of the five

nations.

A Civil Magistrate for many years resided in that district and was paid a Salary out of the Treasury.

In a Purchase was made for the use of this Colony of lands called Tirondiquat, midway between Oswego and Niagara.

Civil processes from the Supreme Court have been executed at Niagara, which was considered as subject to the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court & within the County of Albany.

If it should be asked how it has happened that the Massachusetts bay has extended her possessions so far to the westward of Connecticut River? The answer formerly given by the Government of New York "that it was by violence and encroachment" is the true an

swer.

1726. Some years since the Massachusetts bay attempted to make a settlement of what they call Housitoneck Tract on the Easternmost bound of Hosick patent, for which they were arrested under the authority of this Government.

About this time their Assembly granted much of the controverted land perhaps (says Douglass one of their Historians) "in good policy and foresight to se"cure the property by possession." This fact Douglass mentions in his summary 1 vol p 417.

24 March 1726-7. A communication of the Massachusetts concerning our Eastern boundary.

13 April 1727. New York Patentees restrained from further settlements near the line of division.

30th Sept 1727. Governor Burnet tells the New York Assembly that he has made an agreement with the Massachusetts to abstain from Settlements on both sides till the division line be ascertained. Nevertheless that Government proceeded to make good their grants by erecting a fort at Housetonac, which

covered their Intrusion; and took possession of the Eastern parts of Renselaerwyck. A sharp contention arose between the Proprietors under this, and the Claimants under that, Government; and several people lost their lives in executing the Civil process under our authority. Various Complaints were made to this Government which produced attempts to settle the boundary by Commissioners, finally terminating in the agreement at Hartford in 1773 before mentioned.*

This Evidence is conceived to be sufficient to maintain the Jurisdiction of New York on the Eastern, Northern, and Western boundaries. The arguments which it suggests are we trust conclusive, and give us room to hope for a favorable determination of the federal court on every one of the points for which we contend.

*The file No. 2 contains the Petitions & Depositions which were laid before this Government by the New York Proprietors, and the proclamations issued for their protection; such as may be thought material can be selected at the hearing.

II.

OLD NEW YORK AND TRINITY CHURCH.

OLD NEW YORK AND TRINITY CHURCH.

TAKEN out of Trinity Church in New York, between Wednesday the 25th August and Sunday the 30th Instant 1730, a new Common Prayer Book, cornered and clasped with Silver marked L. R. and in the Book written Wm. Ricketts. Whoever has taken the aforesaid Book, are desired to return it again, and no Questions shall be asked; and whoever shall discover the said Silver or Book and give Notice thereof to said William Ricketts, or to the Printer hereof, they shall be well rewarded for their Pains.-The New York Gazette, September 21. 1730.

WHEREAS it is industriously reported about this Province That the Reverend Mr. William Vesey has offered to leave the Matters in Difference between him his Nephew Joseph Penniman and myself, to the Arbitration of honest Men, and that I refused to do so.

I now take the Liberty to inform all Persons: That I have both by word of Mouth and in Writing, sundry Times offered to the said Mr. Vesey, to leave all things in Dispute to the final Determination of any Merchant or Merchants in this City, and did propose for my self, to give good Security for the Performing all Things so determined, on Condition that they would do a like.

This being so fair and Christian-like a Proposal, I thought I might have good Reason to believe Mr. Vesey would not have rejected it; but to my great Surprize, he has, and said, He would never leave Things to Arbitration again.