"_every argument on
the subject is collected together with great force and precision_," and
yet that, almost in the same breath, their Lordships "should contravene
that very opinion, and advise his Majesty _to check the progress of
their settlements_?"--And that "settlements in _that distant part_ of
the country ought to be _discouraged_ as much as possible, and another
proclamation should be issued declaratory of his Majesty's resolution,
_not_ to allow, _for the present_, any new settlement beyond the
line;"--to wit, beyond the Allegany mountains?--How strange and
contradictory is this conduct?--But we forbear any strictures upon
it;--and shall conclude our remarks on this head, by stating the
opinion, at different times, of the Lords Commissioners for Trade and
Plantations, on this subject.

In 1748, their Lordships expressed the strongest desire to promote
settlements _over_ the mountains and on the Ohio.--

In 1768--The then Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations
declared, (in consequence of the boundary line at that time
negociating)--That the inhabitants of the _middle colonies_ would _have
liberty of gradually extending themselves backwards_.

In 1770--The Earl of Hillsborough actually _recommended_ the purchase
of a tract of land _over_ the mountains, sufficient for a new colony,
and then went down to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to know,
whether their Lordships would treat with Mr. Walpole and his
associates, for such purchase.

In 1772--The Earl of Hillsborough, and the other Lords Commissioners
for Trade and Plantations, made a _report_ on the petition of Mr.
Walpole and his associates, and referred to the _representation_ of the
Board of Trade in 1768, "as containing _every argument_ on the
_subject, collected together with force and precision_;"--which
_representation_ declared, as we have shewn, "_That the inhabitants of
the middle colonies_ WILL _have liberty to extend backwards_," on the
identical lands in question; and yet, notwithstanding such _reference_,
so strongly made from the present Board of Trade to the opinion of that
Board,--the Earl of Hillsborough, and the other Lords Commissioners for
Trade and Plantations, have _now_, in direct terms, _reported against_
the absolute engagement and opinion of the Board in 1768.

It may be asked, What was intended by the expressions in the
_representation_ of 1768, of _gradually extending themselves
backwards_? It is answered, The