tracts to the eastward of the province of Main, excited by the
success of these settlements, are giving every encouragement to the
like settlements in that valuable country, lying between them and Novia
Scotia; and the proprietors of the twelve townships lately laid out
there, by the Massachussets government, now solicit your Majesty for a
confirmation of their title.

"Such, may it please your Majesty, is the present state of the progress
making in the settlement of the northern parts of the sea coasts of
North America, in consequence of what appears to have been the policy
adopted by this kingdom. And many persons of rank and substance here
are proceeding to carry into execution the plan which your Majesty
(pursuing the same principles of commercial policy) has approved for
the settlement of the islands of St. John and Cape Breton, and of the
new established colonies to the south. And, therefore, as we are fully
convinced, that the encouraging settlements upon the sea coast of North
America is founded in the true principles of commercial policy; as we
find upon examination, that the happy effects of that policy are now
beginning to open themselves, in the establishment of these branches of
commerce, culture, and navigation, upon which the strength, wealth, and
security of this kingdom depend; we cannot be of opinion, that it would
in any view be adviseable, to divest your Majesty's subjects in America
from the pursuit of those important objects, by adopting measures of a
new policy, _at an expence to this kingdom, which in its present state
it is unable to bear_.

"This, may it please your Majesty, being the light in which we view the
proposition of colonizing in the interior country, considered as a
general principle of policy; we shall, in the next place, proceed to
examine the several arguments urged in support of the particular
establishments now recommended.

"These arguments appear to us reducible to the following general
propositions, viz.

First, "That such colonies will promote population, and increase the
demands for and consumption of British manufactures."

Secondly, "That they will secure the fur trade, and prevent an illicit
trade, or interfering of French or Spaniards with the Indians."

Thirdly, "That they will be a defence and protection to the old
colonies against the Indians."

Fourthly, "That they will contribute to lessen the present heavy
expence of supplying provisions to the different f