Indians, in the year 1763, only. The terms and purport of this Grant which appears from the Compromise above mention'd of most of the grantees to be intended for the particular Emolument of a very few of these grantees only, and that to the Exclusion of all other Sufferers by Indians, and absolutely omiting the Sufferers in former years, the whole Execution of this Indirect Scheme, greatly alarms the other Sufferers, some of them who had been Sufferers, Even in the year 1763, having furnished Cap? Trent with their accounts, had them returned for no other cause, than their refusing to sell out their Claims, for the uncertain Chance of 333 p Ct.

In consequence of the above proceedings of Mess Trent, Wharton &c. the Merchants here in behalf of themselves, and Traders who suffered by Indian Robberies, at the approach of the last War, have remonstrated to his Majesty in Council, praying, That if his Majesty would be pleased to confirm such Indian grants, he wou'd only give it to some person or persons in Trust for themselves and others who suffered by means of French and Indian Depredations, made on his Majesty's Subjects in America, from 1750 to 1763, or that he would be pleased to grant such other relief as to his Majesty might appear most expedient. Now if it were certain that the first part of the remonstrance and Petition of these persons woud be granted we would have spared you this Trouble, as in that Case, we should have shared Equally with other Sufferers, But perhaps a Special Grant of Land to these Petitioners out of the new purchases may be chosen as the alternative, in which case, our Attorneys have Instructions to apply for the like grant for us, and for that purpose, as furnished with a Description of the Land, we expect may be granted. Inclosed are a few remarks which I have drawn up, in conjunction with Mr. Buchanan, the Gentleman mentioned above, who has a pretty general acquaintance with the State of our Colonies, perhaps they may furnish you with

hints, which you may improve to some valuable purpose, If it shou'd any how tend to his Majesty's Interest, the relief of his Subjects, or your own private Emolument, I shall count myself fortunate in having communicated them. I remain with respect

From your Excellencies acquaintance with this Country, or from a Transient view of any good Map of North America, you may observe that the Lands lately ceded to his Majesty Southward of Fort Pitt, from a very large Tract of Country, which will doubtless claim his Majesty's particular attention, the more so probably at this time, when Independance, in regard to manufactories, seem to be our avowed Sentiments, it will certainly be consistant with the Policy and Interest of Great Brittain to encourage the Settlement of our New Countries, as that will encrease our demand for your Manufactories, and draw our attention from that of our own.

But it does not seem probable that this new Territory can be Peopled to advantage without erecting a new Government on the Ohio, it is so far distant from the Capital of Virginia, that the continuing under that Government, would subject its Inhabitants to Inconveniences not easily to be born. And as to any more Proprietary Governments, they are neither expected, nor wish'd for by Ameri

cans. Therefore we shall suppose it a Royal Government (if any) and for the settling of which, that his Majesty is not only desirous, but willing to give proper encouragement in the Land way, and some necessary aid to the first adventures; If this be resolved upon, the following Measures is thought wou'd greatly expedite the Settling of that Country, lessen the National Expence usual in such Cases, tend much to its security in case of any future rupture with the Indians, and at the same time be an Exercise of Justice, and Humanity to many of his Majesty's suffering Subjects. And that is, That the losses or some fix'd proportion thereof, sustained by the Frontier Inhabitants, as well as the Traders, of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, after being properly Examined and Liquidated, by Persons appointed for that purpose, be paid them in Lands in the New Colony, at a Moderate price, on Condition of their settling the same, in a Limited time; on these Terms many Thousands wou'd flock thither from the Frontier Settlements, and many who fled from thence into the interior parts, in the time of the late war, and unable since to return, by reason of the losses they sustained by the Enemy, would become Adventures to this new Country. These people having been accustomed to hardships and frequent conflicts with the Indians, will be proper Inhabitants for a new Frontier Colony, while their places will be occupied with Emigrants from Europe, and the Interior parts of the Country.

The number of Sufferers, and their demands for Losses, woud no doubt be very considerable, but there is Land enough for them all, and cannot well be better disposed of. Some few of the Suffering Traders are Solliciting very large grants in this Country, & to be under no limitation for settling the same, others more equitably Pray, that such grant, or grants, be made to some person or persons, in trust for the Sufferers in General, if these Gentlemen were meant by Sufferers in General to include the Frontier In

habitants, and the restitution to be granted to the Individuals on Condition for settling, it will answer the end proposed, but if only the Trading Sufferers are to be understood in this case, A Restitution made them in Lands, will naturally fall in large Tracts, into the hands of a few of the ablest Merchants, who being under no Engagement as to time of settling will keep it up for an encrease in value, and thereby effectually prevent the peopling that Country. But as we have no Right to construe or interpret these Gentlemen's words, otherwise than their literal meaning, we will return thereto, viz. That such grants be made to person or persons in Trust, for the common use and benefit, as well of your Petitioners as of all others who suffered by means of French or Indian Depradations committed on your Majesty's Subjects in America from 1750 to 1763.

Now the quantity to be granted, and the person, or persons to whom such grant is to be made in trust for the Sufferers, seem to be the principal things to be determined in the proposed scheme, and on this determination the whole depends, as to the first we are of Opinion that the whole Boundary would be well bestowed by his Majesty on any Gentleman who would engage for the settling of such a Wilderness, and at the same time parcelling out such a part of it, as might be a Reasonable Compensation for the Sufferers by Indians, in the late War. As to the Second we humbly presume it is a subject that deserves. your Excellencies speculation, whether such a grant would not be worth your acceptances. Many of the Sufferers have express'd great Satisfaction in the Hopes of your receiving this grant, and we are fully of opinion it is worth your attention. But in case the Land should be granted in Trust to several persons, tho' we cannot flatter ourselves with being of that number, yet whatever Quantity his Majesty through your Interest, shall be pleased to allow, we shall readily undertake the settling of it, in any reasonable time that may be proposed.

In case your Excellency should be concerned either solely, or in company, we beg leave to assure you, that we shall chearfully render you every service in our Power, and be happy in Every opportunity of convincing you, that we are with respect,

Having obtain'd the Inspector General's leave of absence for the recovery of my health, I returned here on the 13th instant, I now in obedience to your commands signify'd to me, when I had the Honour to attend the Board, do lay before your Honours the following account of the disturbances which happened at Philadelphia viz.

On Saturday 1st instant about Ten o'clock in the morning a seizure was made by the Collector in consequence of an order from the Inspector General of near fifty pipes of Madeira Wine, which was lodged in a store belonging to M: Andrew Hodge, the supposed owner of the wine was one Capt. Caldwell. In about half an hour after the seizure was made, I received a letter from the Inspector General directing me to attend my Duty. I shew the same to the