A fingle old colony does not seem strong enough to extend itself otherwise than inch by inch it cannot venture a fettlement far diftant from the main body, being unable to fupport it: But if the colonies were united under one governor general and grand council, agreeable to the Albany Plan, they might eafily, by their joint force, eftablifh one or more new colonies, whenever they fhould judge it neceffary or advantageous to the intereft of the whole.

But if fuch union should not take place, it is propofed that two charters be granted, each for fome confiderable part of the lands weft of Penfylvania and the Virginian mountains, to a number of the nobility and gentry of Britain; with fuch Americans as fhall join them in contributing to the fettlement of thofe lands, either by paying a proportion of the expence of making fuch fettlements, or by actually going thither in perfon, and fettling themselves and families.

acres

That by fuch charters it be granted, that every actual settler be intitled to a tract of for himself, and acres for every poll in the family he carries with him; and that every contributor of guineas be intitled to a quantity of acres, equal to the fhare of a fingle fettler, for every fuch fum of guineas contributed and paid to the colony treasurer; a contributor for shares to have an additional share gratis ; that fettlers may likewise be contributors, and have right of land in both capacities.'

That

That as many and as great privileges and powers of government, be granted to the contributors and fettlers, as his Majefty in his wisdom shall think moft fit for their benefit and encouragement, confiftent with the general good of the British empire for extraordinary privileges and liberties, with lands on eafy terms, are ftrong inducements to people to hazard their perfons and fortunes in fettling new countries; and fuch powers of government as (though fuitable and much to the circumstances, and fit to be trufted with an infant colony) might be judged unfit when it becomes populous, and powerful; thefe might be granted for a term only; as the choice of their own governor, for ninety-nine years;-the fupport of government in the [colonies] of Connecticut and Rhode Island, (which now enjoy that and other like privileges) being much less expensive, than in the colonies under the immediate government of the crown, and the conftitution more inviting.

That the first contributors to the amount of guineas be empowered to choose a treasurer to receive the contribution.

That no contributions be paid till the fum of thousand guineas be fubfcribed.

That the money thus raised, be applied to the purchase of the lands from the Six Nations and other Indians, and of provifions, ftores, arms, ammunition, carriages, &c. for the fettlers; who after having entered their names with the treafurer, or perfon by him appointed to receive and T 2

enter

enter them, are, upon public notice given for that purpose, to rendezvous at a place to be appointed, and march in a body to the place deftined for their fettlement, under the [charge] of the government to be established over them. Such rendezvous and march however not to be directed, till the number of names of fettlers entered, capable of bearing arms, amount at least to thoufand.

It is apprehended, that a great fum of money might be raised in America on such a scheme as this; for there are many who would be glad of any opportunity, by advancing a small fum. at prefent, to fecure land for their children, which might in a few years become very valuable; and a great number it is thought of actual settlers, might likewife be engaged, (fome from each of our prefent colonies) fufficient to carry it into full execution by their ftrength and numbers; provided only that the crown would be at the expence of removing the little forts the French have erected in their incroachments on his Majesty's territories, and fupporting a strong one near the falls of Niagara, with a few fmall armed veffels, or half-gallies to cruize on the lakes. *****

For the fecurity of this colony in its infancy, a fmall fort might be erected and for fome time maintained at Buffalonic on the Ohio, above the fettlement; and another at the mouth of the Hioaga, on the fouth fide of lake Erie, where a

port should be formed, and a town erected, for the trade of the lakes.-The colonifts for this Settlement might march by land through Penfylvania.

The river Siotha, which runs into the Ohio about two hundred miles below Logs Town, is fuppofed the fittest feat for the other colony; there being for forty miles on each fide of it and quite up to its heads, a body of all rich land; the finest fpot of its bignefs in all North America, and has the particular advantage of fea-coal in plenty (even above ground in two places) for fewel, when the woods shall be destroyed. This colony would have the trade of the Miamis or Twigtwees; and fhould, at firft, have a small fort near Hockkokin, at the head of the river; and another near the mouth of Wabash. Sandofki, a French fort near the lake Erie, should also be taken; and all the little French forts fouth and weft of the lakes, quite to the Miffiffippi, be removed, or taken and garrifoned by the English.-The colonists for this fettlement might affemble near the heads of the rivers in Virginia, and march over land to the navigable branches of the Kanhawa, where they might embark with all their baggage and provifiand fall into the Ohio, not far above the mouth of Siotha. Or they might rendezvous at Will's Creek, and go down the Mohimgahela to the Ohio.

ons,

The fort and armed veffels at the ftrait of Niagara would be a vaft fecurity to the frontiers of thefe new colonies against any attempts of the

French

French from Canada. The fort at the mouth of the Wabash, would guard that river, the Ohio, and Cutava river, in cafe of any attempt from the French of Miffiffippi. (Every fort should have a small settlement round it; as the fort would protect the fettlers, and the fettlers defend the fort.)

The difficulty of fettling the firft English colonies in America, at fo great a diftance from England; must have been vaftly greater than the fettling these propofed new colonies: for it would be the interest and advantage of all the prefent colonies to fupport thefe new ones; as they would cover their frontiers, and prevent the growth of the French power behind or near their present settlements; and the new country is nearly at equal distance from all the old colonies; and could easily be affifted from all of them.

And as there are already in the old colonies, many thousands of families that are ready to fwarm, wanting more land; the richness and natural advantage of the Ohio country would draw moft of them thither, were there but a tolerable profpect. of a safe fettlement. So that the new colonies would foon be full of people; and from the advan-tage of their fituation, become much more terrible to the French fettlements, than those are now to The gaining of the back Indian trade from the French, by the navigation of the lakes, &c. would of itself greatly weaken our enemies:-it being now their principal fupport, it seems highly

us.

3

probable

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