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U. H. J.
Liber No. 36
May 24
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Affairs in this District of North America, relative to a Representa-
tion which had been made to him on behalf of the Maryland Indians,
some of whom are, it seems, desirous to remove to Ossiningo, and
be incorporated with the Six Nations, if they may be permitted to
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p. 371
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dispose of the Lands, which, by the Legislature of this Province,
were heretofore appropriated to the Use of these Peoples Ancestors
Together with Sir William's Letters, I shall communicate to you
a Petition that hath been presented to me by several of those Indians,
also the fullest information I have been able to get, concerning
their Number and the Lands they Occupy, or Claim so that You
may be better able to Judge what Compensation it will be reasonable
to give for their Rights, should You think fit to repeal the Laws,
by which they are at present restrained from Selling the Lands
they Possess
As the Person, who is Authorized by Sir William Johnson, as
well as by the Indians, to Act for them on this Occasion will wait
here for the Result of your Deliberations, I must recommend this
Business in the first place to your Consideration
Gentlemen
The frequent Disputes and great Confusion occasioned in this
Province by the Loss of Boundaries, and the Variation of the Com-
pass, are Matters well worthy your Notice, some remedy for so great
an Evil is indisputably wanting, but it might, perhaps, be difficult to
point out One adequate and unexceptionable, That a just and equit-
able Regard may be shewn to the Rights of all concerned the utmost
Caution and Foresight, as well as the Strictest Impartiality, are
requisite.
The Defects of our present Road Laws are obvious, and striking,
You must be sensible what great Advantages would arise to the
Community, from the Public Roads being made more direct, and
kept constantly in Good Repair, I hope therefore You will take this
Matter likewise into Consideration
I must also observe to You, Gentlemen, that an accurate Review
of the Criminal Laws, made or introduced here, seems to be highly
expedient, when it becomes a Question whether a Law is in force or
not. A Tenderness towards Convicted Persons, they may not seem
to deserve, Usually takes place, and, by that Circumstance, En-
couragement is probably given to the Commission of Crimes. Let
therefore some Criterion be Established so plain and explicit for
determining what Criminal Laws are in force here, that all Doubts,
on this Head, may in future be prevented.
Gentlemen of both House
The Proofs I have, on all Occasions, endeavoured to give of my
Desire to promote the Welfare and Happiness of the People, over
whom I have the Honour to preside, make it, I hope, unnecessary
for me now to assure you, that you will always find me ready to
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