.

1764, as a confirmation of a prior Right, & not as having altered or enlarged the ancient Jurisdiction.

am now cautious to give an opinion on the propriety of this decision, but barely mention the principles as they have been represented to me for your Lordp's information.

Whether the Dominions of the French in Canada interfered with the bounds of this Colony as anciently established by King Charles the Second, remains to be considered.

All the Country to the

Southward of the River St. Lawrence originally belonged to the five Nations or Iroquois, and as such, it is described in the above mentioned and other ancient Maps, & particularly Lake Champlain is there called " Mere des Iroquois]' Sorel River which leads from the Lake into the River St. Lawrence " Rivier des Iroquois] and the Tract on the East side of the Lake, Irocoisia.

So early as the year 1683, the Five Nations by Treaty with the Gov of New York, submitted to

the Sovereignty & protection of Great Brittain, and have ever since been considered as subjects, & their Country as part of the dominions of the Crown.

By the Treaty of Utrecht, the French King expressly recognized the Sovereignty of Great Brittain over those Nations.

Godfrey Dellius's purchase from the Mohocks, & grant under the Seal of New York in the year 1696, is esteemed a memorable proof of the Right of this Province, under the Crown, to the Lands

on Lake Champlain.

It comprehends a large Tract extending from Soraghtoga along Hudson's River,