pinion, it is quite sufficient,
more especially as we are able to prove to their Lordships, that there
are no "possessions," within the boundaries of the lands under
consideration, which are held "_under legal titles_."
To conclude: As it has been demonstrated, that neither royal nor
provincial proclamations,--nor the dread and horrors of a savage
war,--were sufficient (even _before_ the country was purchased from
the Indians) to prevent the settlement of the lands _over_ the
mountains--can it be conceived, that, _now_ the country is purchased,
and the people have seen the proprietors of Pennsylvania, who are the
hereditary supporters of _British policy_ in their own province, give
every degree of encouragement to _settle_ the lands _Westward_ of the
mountains,--the legislature of the province, at the same time,
effectually corroborate the measure, and several thousand families, in
consequence thereof, settle in the _new county_ of Bedford,--that the
inhabitants of the Middle Colonies will _be restrained_ from
cultivating the luxuriant country of the Ohio, joining to the
_Southern_ line of Pennsylvania? But, even admitting that it might
formerly have been a question of some propriety, whether the country
should be permitted to be settled,--that cannot surely become a subject
of enquiry now, when it is an obvious and certain truth, that _at least
thirty thousand British subjects are already settled there_.--Is it fit
to leave such a body of people _lawless and ungoverned_?--will sound
policy recommend this manner of colonizing and encreasing the wealth,
strength, and commerce of the empire? or will it not point out, that it
is the indispensible duty of government to render _bad_ subjects
_useful_ subjects; and for that purpose _immediately_ to establish law
and subordination among them, and thereby _early_ confirm _their_
native attachment to the laws, traffic, and customs of this kingdom?
On the whole, we presume that we have, both by facts and sound
argument, shewn, that the opinion of the Lords Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations on the object in question, is _not_ well founded, and
that, if their Lordships opinion should be adopted, it would be
attended with the most mischievous and dangerous consequences to the
commerce, peace, and safety of his Majesty's colonies in America:
We therefore hope, the expediency and utility of erecting the lands
agreed for into a separate colony, without delay, will be conside
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