furs_." And what, in our
opinion, fully evinces that the general was giving his sentiments upon
settlements at _Detroit_, &c. and _not_ on the territory in question,
is, that he says "it will be a question likewise, whether colonization
of this kind, _could be effected without an Indian war, and fighting
for every inch of the ground_." Why the Lords Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations should encumber their _report_ with the opinion of
General Gage, on what he calls the settlement of a "_foreign country_"
that could not be effected without "_fighting for every inch of
ground_," and how their Lordships could apply that case, to the
settlement of a territory, purchased by his Majesty near four years
ago, and _now_ inhabited by several thousand British subjects, whom the
Indians themselves, living on the Northern side of the Ohio [as shall
be fully shewn in the course of these observations] have earnestly
requested may be immediately governed, we confess we are wholly at a
loss to comprehend.
VIII. The eighth paragraph highly extols, not only the _accuracy and
precision_ of the foregoing representation of the Lords of Trade in
1768, [which, as has been before observed, expressed, that the
inhabitants of the middle colonies _would have liberty to settle over_
the mountains, and on the Ohio], but also the above mentioned letter
from the commander in chief in America; and at the same time introduces
the sentiments of Mr. Wright, Governor of Georgia, "on the subject of
large grants in the interior parts of America."
When this letter was written, what was the occasion of the Governor's
writing it,--whether he was _then_, from his own knowledge, acquainted
with the situation of the country _over_ the mountains,--with the
disposition of the inhabitants of the middle colonies,--with the
capability of the Ohio country, from its soil, climate, or
communication with the river Powtomack, &c. to supply this kingdom with
_silk_, _flax_, _hemp_, &c.--and whether the principal part of Mr.
Wright's estate is on the _sea-coast_ in _Georgia_,--are facts which we
wish had been stated, that it might be known whether Governor Wright's
"knowledge and experience in the affairs of colonies ought, as the
Lords of Trade mention, to give great weight to his opinion" on the
present occasion.
The doctrine insisted on by Governor Wright appears to us reducible to
the following propositions:
1st, That if a _vast_ territory be granted to any s
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