406 | To Michael Francklin

    Boston Oct: 25 1765

    Sr:

    I was favoured with yours of Octr: 10 some days before that of Octr: 14 with Mr Morris’s Plan & Observations, arrived;1 & should have answered the former without waiting for the latter, if any Opportunity had offered being desirous that if possible my Thoughts should reach you before the first of Novr: but that now is impossible. Having now seen Mr Morris’s Plans I can only say that I should most readily accept the designation Mr Morris has made upon Cobscook Bay, & on the South West of Passimaquoddy (Scoodick) River, if it could be done with propriety. I should also, if I was authorized therefor, as readily accept the boundary line he has marked out on behalf of this Province for I think it very probable that if it should be allowed to come as far as St: Croix,2 you may have a boundary line much more confined assigned us. But I think it incompatible with a decent Regard to the Claims of this Province, which not only I but one or two of the Grantees would choose to observe to take lands westward of Passimaquoddy ^(Scoodick)^ River, under the Seal of Nova Scotia; untill such lands by some formal Act are taken from our Province & added to yours. For nothing can be more certain than that the River Passamaquoddy, if it is not itself Snt: Croix, lies to the Westward of it. Champlain who describes it most exactly by the name of the Riviere des Etechemmes, expressly sayes it is the most westerly River in the Bay of Snt: Croix & other than the River Snt: Croix: whereas Cobscook, which I have been acquainted with before is a Bay & not a River; the falls there being Tide Falls flowing both Ways. And yet I have been sensible that Passimaquoddy River, although it certainly is not Champlains River St: Croix, may with some Propriety be adjudged to be the River St Croix intended in the Charter of Nova Scotia as it is the Principal River which falls into the Bay of that Name & has two large Branches one running Westerly. For these Reasons I would consent to take the Grants on the North East Side of that river. Now as Mr Morris allows the two most westerly of the five Lots east of Scoodick to have very good Land but some Mountains, I could be content to have those two to be the most Easterly lots & 3 others laid out, westerly of them on the Banks of Passimaquoddy or Scoodick River. The fourth of these and consequently the fifth will be above the falls of Passimaquoddy.

    These indeed will have no Sea Navigation, but probably will be good Lots for farming, as they will lay on the Banks of a very fine River. Notwithstanding I propose this from the apparent Necessity of the Thing yet I own I should like better to have three lotts to reach as far as the falls of Passama on the North East Side of the River,3 & two lotts to reach to the same falls on the South west Side of the River if it was practicable: but I cannot propose it myself as Things are now situated. All therefore that I can desire is that the Warrants, if it is not too late may be made out for 4 lots upon the North East Side of Schoodick, unless your Government of its own Accord should think proper to order one of the 4 & the fifth (which is to be reserved in expectation of another Order) on the Southwest Side of the River. This latter certainly would make the Townships if the whole 5 Lotts are to compose one, more compact that  if they all lay on one Side of the River. And therefore I could wish that Means might be found to obviate the difficulties which attend it. But if the Warrants are already made out for Cobscook & are unalterable, I must then acquaint my Friends with the doubts I have of it, & leave them to judge of their completing the Grants in that Site as they shall think most Advisable.4

    I am very sorry that this Business gives you & Mr Morris so much trouble: but as the Gentlemen have depended upon me I am desirous their Business should be done as effectually as possible, and therefore I must still rely upon the continuance of your friendly ^assistance^. The Affairs of this Province are growing worse instead of Mending. The Assembly is so tinctured with the Prejudices & Passions of the People, that they are Pursuing measures which none but their worst Enemies could advice. What End will be no one can say: but at present nothing but ^Evils of^ the worst kind is to be expected

    I am Sr Your most Obedient &c

    the Honble M Franklin Esq:5

    L, LbC BP, 4: 76-78.