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stirred) the same privilege in Maryland, it would be a great disadvantage to this Colony, Especially as (notwithstanding they maintain their Ministers by contribution) they are Equally taxed with others to support the Established clergy; a charge to which they are not liable in Pennsylvania, where there is no such Establishment.

The Effect of this Act is merely local; the design of it was in no degree to set aside the limitation contained in the Statute and the provisions of it are all most necessary on account of the privileges Enjoyed by foreigners naturalized in Pennsylvania. On these Considerations I hope for your lordship's most favorable construction.

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I acknowledge myself greatly obliged to your lordship your polite attention to my request should my business call me home; and only beg leave to add, that I hope any consideration such a proposition may induce will not remove me from my Government, so long as my conduct therein merits the approbation of his Majesty and his Ministers for this department, which shall always be the Endeavour as it has ever been the sincere wish of

&c.

[Prop. Z 51. Recd. 20 Dec. 1773.]

ROB EDEN.

COPY OF THE KING'S ORDER, RESTRICTING THE GOVERNORS IN AMERICA FROM GRANTING ANY MORE LANDS.

At a Council held at Fort George in the City of New York, on Wednesday the Ninth day of June 1773.

PRESENT

His Excellency WILLIAM TRYON Esq Captain General &c!

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His Excellency laid before the Board his Majesty's Order given at the Court at St James's the 7th day of April last, prohibiting until further Order the issuing of any Warrant of Survey, or the passing of any Patents for Lands, except to Commission and non Commission Officers and Soldiers, and the same being read was ordered to be entered in the Minutes, and is as follows.

At the Court at St James's the 7th Day of April 1773.

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Whereas it has been represented to his Majesty, that the State and Condition of his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America, do both in Justice and Expediency require that the Authority for granting Lands, contained in the Commissions and Instructions given to his Majesty's Governors in the Plantations, should be further regulated and restrained, and that the Grantees of such Lands should be subjected to other Conditions than those at present prescribed in the said Instructions. His Majesty having taken the same into His Royal Consideration, is pleased, with the Advice of his Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby Ordered that the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, do take into their immediate Consideration, the Powers and Authorities for granting Lands contained in the Commissions and Instructions to his Majesty's Governors in the Plantations, and that the said Lords Commissioners do Represent to his Majesty at this Board such Alterations as they shall think fit and necessary to be made therein. And his Majesty is hereby further pleased to Order, that in the mean time, and until His Majesty's further Pleasure be signified, all and every his Majesty's Governors, Lieutenant Governors or other Persons in Command in his

Majesty's Colonies in North America who are Entrusted with the Disposal of his Majesty's Lands, in the said Colonies, do forbear upon pain of his Majesty's highest Displeasure, and of being immediately removed from their Offices, to issue any Warrant of Survey, or to pass any Patent for Lands in the said Colonies, or to Grant any Licence for the purchase by private Persons of any Lands from the Indians without especial Direction from his Majesty for that purpose, under His Majesty's Signet or Sign Manual, or by Order of His Majesty in His privy Council, excepting only in the case of such Commission and non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, who are intituled to Grants of Land in Virtue of his Majesty's Royal Proclamation of the 7th October 1763 to whom such Grants are to be made and passed, in the Proportions and under the Conditions prescribed in his Majesty's said Proclamation.

STEPH: COTTRELL.

GOVERNOR MARTIN TO LORD DARTMOUTH.

MY LORD,

N CAROLINA Dec 16 1773.

I have the honour to transmit your Lordship herewith a Copy of my Speech to the Council and Assembly of this Province at the opening of their Session on the 4th inst. and of their addresses and my answers.

The address of the Assembly contains Expressions so unfit and breaths a spirit so unbecoming a people living under the mild and just government of his Majesty that it gives me pain to lay it before your Lordship: I transmit with no less concern, a copy of certain Resolves entered upon the Journals of that House, which display like discontent and disrespect to Government. These will no

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doubt appear to your Lordship very inauspicious presages; and the proceedings of that branch of the Legislature since afford me no hopes that any advantage will result to the public from its present measures, This body my lord unfortunately consists for the most part of men in the lowest state of ignorance that are gulled into any absurdities by a few artful and designing men influenced by selfish and interested motives, who lead them implicitly into their views, by representing every Salutary proposition of government as injurious and oppressive: And thus make them instruments to their own little purposes and their Countrys ruin. The poor misguided herd renounce out of the House the sentiments they have the moment before blindly concurred in and Execrate their own conduct as soon as they are made to discern its obvious consequences.

The few mischievous but too successful dema(go)gues who have hitherto governed the Assembly at the present Session seem by their conduct in the House as well as out of doors from its beginning to have challenged a dissolution. But, as I have a sincere feeling for the Country and a just contempt for their provocations and sinister designs I shall I trust be superior to resentment while it is consistent with the dignity of government to overlook their rash and hasty proceedings. They are acting my Lord if I may believe report contrary to the sense and wishes of the people at large, and I hope, if they leave me opportunity to prorogue the Assembly, that after its consulting its constituents I shall soon meet the House in more corresponding temper and disposition. And in all events I will pursue with my best discernment my duty to his Majesty and promote to the utmost of my power the good of this Country. I have &c

[F 38 Read 25 Oct 1774. No papers.]

JO. MARTIN.

[The Resolves alluded to were against the appointment of Courts of oyer & terminer by the Governors Commission alone, as illegal.]

26 Jan. 1774.

N. B.

27 Jan. 1774.

5 Feb. 1774

MINUTES OF G. CHALMERS.

Pensylvania. Sec. off. Prop. 1773-4.

Various printed papers (Pensylva" Newspapers and handbills, shewing the, conduct of the people of Boston New York and Pensylvania) were sent under an anonymous cover to Lord D. The opposition to the landing of the Tea at Boston began the middle of December 1773 - & before the End of December Ships with Tea had been sent back from N York and Philadelphia. Capt. Ayres of the Polly was obliged to carry back the Tea without entry.

These printed papers, which contained much important information, were read by the King.

Mr. Penn (Spring garden) presents his respects to Lord D.-* He was not returned from taking the air when he was honoured with his Lordships note. He is extremely astonished the Deputy Gouvenor of Pensylvania has sent no information to his Lordship on the subject of the Teas: and is himself under great concern as he has received no letters from him, but supposes the next ship must bring

some.

Lord D. wrote to Dep. Gov! Penn. The insult that has been offered to this Kingdom by the inhabitants of Philadelphia in the case of the Polly Capt. Ayres, is of a very serious nature and leads to very important consequences.

It is matter of Equal surprise and concern to the King that such a transaction should have happened in any of his Colonies without the least appearance of any Endeavour on the part of the Government either to check or oppose the

* Dartmouth, Secretary for the American Department. -T. A.

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