Page:The Life of George Washington, Volume 1.djvu/316

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285
INTRODUCTION.

chap. vii. 1713. Adjustment of boundary line between Massachusetts and Connecticut.

dary between Massachusetts and Connecticut was adjusted,[1] much to the satisfaction of all parties. As settlements had been made by emigrants from the body of each province, before the line was established, it was apprehended that each had made grants of lands within the territory of the other. It was therefore agreed, that the towns already settled should remain under the same jurisdiction which had settled them, and that the party losing territory by this compromise should be compensated by a grant of vacant lands in some other place. It appeared from the report of the joint commissioners appointed to ascertain the matters in controversy, that 107,793 acres of land were due from Massachussetts. This quantity was conveyed to Connecticut, and sold by that province, principally for the support of Yale college. In the same year, the contest between Connecticut and Rhode Island respecting boundary, was also settled by agreement; Connecticut consenting to relinquish her claim to lands within the charter limits of each colony.


  1. This question was supposed at the time to have been compromised and is so stated by Hutchinson, but the author is informed by Mr. Webster that the controversy was only finally adjusted in the year 1804.