<Hinman’s Antiquities

The reply made by the Governor of Connecticut
to Duke Hamilton’s Petition, December 1683.

That it appears not whether the coppie pre-sented, be drawn from a deed ratified by the great Councill of Plymouth, according to the direction of their Charter, or whether from a rough draught never sealed, the date being but a short time before the dissolution of the Councill. But if the Dukes deed were authentick, the ends aimed at, and propounded in the Kings Charter to the Councill, and the consideration upon which all their grants were founded, viz, propagating the Gospell, and planting colonies to the inlargement of his Majesties empire,have not been pursued by the Duke, neither hath to made any purchase from the natives, nor ever taken possession, or made any legal claime, or notification of his pretentions.

That we suppose the Lord say and Brooks deed or Pattent, from the Councill of Plymouth, bears date, Anno 1631, (or preceeds the Dukes,) and includes great part of what is claimed by the Duke.

That the Dukes pretentions being not known, his Majestys subjects to the inlargement of his empire, have purchased the natives right, and security of his Majesties Letters Pattents to Connecticutt, and incouragement of his Gracious Letters to the Colony, the Country hath been planted, and with great expence improved, and that his Majesties subjects have been engaged in and undergone a chargable and bloody warr, to secure their right and expell the Heathen, the Duke the mean while giving no aid nor any ways concerned.

That the Dukes title, if his deed had been good, failes by the Statute of Limitation, 21, Jac. 16, he not pursueing his title in twenty years.
December, 1683.