porary lines of Jurisdiction, as a means of putting a stop to Acts of Violence and oppression, but as the Crown has by the Charter to the Massachusetts Bay, granted the Jurisdiction as well as the property, it does not appear to us, that such a measure can take place with respect to that part of the dispute. In the case of New York and New Jersey, it undoubtedly may be done; but even that could not be done without in some degree affecting private property, and would be ineffectual, unless provision be made for the expense of running out and making such a line, when determined upon. As to the appointing Commissioners here for determining the controversy upon a supposition that it depends entirely upon the words of the Grant to the Duke of York, the establishing such a Jurisdiction is altogether without precedent, liable to numberless objections, and might be attended with very bad consequences; besides it could not be done without as great, if not much greater, expence than that which has been proposed, and therefore upon the whole, we are of opinion, that the only proper and effectual method of determining these disputes will be by a Commission, in the nature of that, upon which the limits between Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire were settled; and we desire you will acquaint the Assembly that, as this is a matter of high concernment to the peace and quiet of Govern and the lives and properties of His Majesty's subjects, His Majesty does expect, that they will forthwith make a proper provision for the expence of such a Commission, and give their Agent here proper Instructions thereupon, that there may be no further delay upon a matter of so great Importance. We are Sir Your most obedient humble servant, 13 April 1756 DUNK HALIFAX SOAME JENYNS RICHD RIGBY Letter from Governor Belcher to the Lords of Trade— informing them of the Death of James Alexander, Esq., one of the Council and recommending his son William Alexander, Esq., as his successor. My Lords [From P. R. O. B. T. New Jersey, Vol. 8, I. 26.] ELIZA TOWN (N J) April 23 1756 In Duty to His Majesty, I am to advise You, that the honoble James Alexander Esq of New York, died the 2a Ins! and as he was one of his Majesty's Council for this Province his death makes a Vacancy; and his only Son William Alexander Esq" of N. York, has applyed to me to recommend to Your Lordships his filling up his late Father's Place; and I can with much Freedom say, he is a very worthy Gentleman, & every way qualified according to His Majesty's 8th Royal Instruction to me, in that behalf; but I think his Appointment wou'd militate with the King's 6th Instruction, Copy whereof I have the Honour now to inclose to Your Lordships, and humbly submit the Matter to Your Lordships just and wise Determination, and am with great Regard, My Lords, Your Lordships most obedient and 1 WILLIAM ALEXANDER, afterwards known (by courtesy) as Earl of Stirling, became a Major-General in the Continental Army. See his life by his grandson, Wm. Alexander Duer, LL. D., in Vol. II, of the " Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society." See also the Stirling Papers, in New York Historical Society Library, and copies in the Library of the New Jersey Historical Society, many of which are printed in the Proceedings of the Society, Vols. V, VI and VII.—ED. Letter from the Lords of Trade to Governor Belcher— directing him, in case of his inability to attend any meetings of the Governors appointed by the Earl of Loudoun, to depute Lieut.-Governor Pownal to act in his stead. [From P. R. O. B. T., New Jersey, Vol. 16, Page 7.] To Jonathan Belcher Esq Governor of New Jersey Sir As the Earl of Loudoun Commander in Chief of His Majestys Forces in America may have frequent Occasion to call together the Governors of His Majestys Colonys to advise and Consult with them upon such measures as may be proper, to be taken for their general Interest, and Security, and as We are sensible that your Age and Infirmity may make it very painfull and hazardous if not impractible for you to attend such Meetings, We think it for his Majesty's Service to desire that you will upon all such Occasions when you are unable to attend Yourself authorize and depute Thomas Pownall Esq' His Majestys Lieut! Governor to attend such meetings with full powers to act in every respect as representing the Province of New Jersey. We are, Sir Your most Obedient, and most humble Servants DUNK HALIFAX I. TALBOT SOAME JENYNS T. PELHAM JAMES OSWALD W G. HAMILTON WHITEHALL May 11th 1756 Representation of the Lords of Trade to the King on the state of defence of the different colonies. [From P. R. O. B. T. Plantations General, No. 40, Ent. Book L, p. 41.] To the King's most Excellent Majesty. May it please your Majesty, As it appeared to Us to be of the greatest Importance, at a time when your Majesty judged it necessary to take vigorous Measures for asserting and maintaining your just Rights and Possessions in America, and for protecting your Subjects there against the Encroachments of a foreign Power, that your Majesty should be truly & exactly informed of the State of Defence of your several Colonies & Plantations, We thought it Our Duty in Sept: last to direct the respective Governors thereof to prepare and transmit to Us, with all possible dispatch, an Account of the actual Quantity and State of the Cannon, Small Arms, Amunition and other Ordnance Stores belonging to their respective Governments, either in the publick Magazines or in the Possession of the Militia or other private Persons, as also the true State of all Places either already fortified or which they should judge necessary to be fortified, together with their Opinions respectively in what manner your Majesty may further contribute to the Defence and Security of such Colony: And having lately received Returns from your Majesty's Governors of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, and the Virgin Islands, We humbly beg leave, without delay, to lay the same before your Majesty, and shall think it Our Duty humbly to represent to your Majesty the State of Defence of the rest of your Majesty's Plantations, so soon as we shall have received the like Returns from the respective Governors of them. [Here follows accounts of the Provinces of New Hampshire, Rhode Island and New York.] NEW JERSEY. Your Majesty's Province of New Jersey appears to be in the most naked and defenceless Condition. For Jonathan Belcher Esq', your Majesty's Governor, in his Letter dated the 5th of December last, acquaints Us, That there are no Cannon, Small Arms or other Ordnance or Military Stores, belonging to the said Province, and that there is not, nor (as he is informed) ever was in all the Province, one Fortification or Place of Defence. That he has recommended it to your Majesty's Council to consider, what may be necessary to be done for the Defence and Security of the said Province, and in what manner your Majesty may contribute thereto; and when he has received their Advice, he shall make a further Representation to Us thereupon. With respect to the Number of the Inhabitants and of the Militia in your Majesty's said Province, M' Belcher informs Us, That there may be about 80,000 Whites, of which about 16,00 may be able to bear Arms, and that the Number of Blacks is computed to be between 15 & 1800. That from the return made the last year by the Colonels of the several Regiments, the Number of the Militia appeared to be about 13,000 effective Men, who are obliged by a Law of the Province to be muster'd |