By this means the bargains may be more easily
made, the price not inhanced by numerous bidders, future disputes
about private Indian purchases, and monopolies of vast tracts to
particular persons (which are prejudicial to the settlement and
peopling of a country) prevented; and the land being again granted in
small tracts to the settlers, the quit-rents reserved may in time
become a fund for support of government, for defence of the country,
ease of taxes, &c.
Strong forts on the lakes, the Ohio, &c. may at the same time
they secure our present frontiers, serve to defend new colonies
settled under their protection; and such colonies would also mutually
defend and support such forts, and better secure the friendship of
the far Indians.
A particular colony has scarce strength enough to extend itself
by new settlements, at so great a distance from the old: but the
joint force of the union might suddenly establish a new colony or two
in those parts, or extend an old colony to particular passes, greatly
to the security of our present frontiers, increase of trade and
people, breaking off the French communication between _Canada_ and
_Louisiana_, and speedy settlement of the intermediate lands.
The power of settling new colonies is therefore thought a
valuable part of the plan; and what cannot so well be executed by two
unions as by one.
_Laws to govern them.
Pages:
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433