posed in the Commissioners will appear to have been
executed with great ability, and the utmost fidelity,
yet, their report, from the novelty and magnitude of
its subject, may induce the Legislature to seek fur-
ther information, before it finally decides on the
course to be pursued. Thus, a final decision may
be delayed longer than the ensuing session of the
Legislature; and, when every proper source of inform-
ation has been exhausted, that decision may be
against the enterprise. There is nothing in the pre-
sent act to preclude such decision; and hence we
are of opinion, that the act furnishes no adequate
motives for private subscriptions, either in lands or
money.

We submit these sentiments to the Commissioners,
with all deference, and we remain, with respect,

ROBERT TROUP.
JOHN NICHOLS.
S. YOUNG, Esq. New York, 12th mo. 10th, 1816. ESTEEMED FRIENDS,

Your favour of 28th ult. was last evening laid
before our Committee on Indian Affairs

, and we
were directed to communicate to you such remarks
as we might judge suitable, relating to the subject
alluded to in your letter.

Many of our Committee

have been, for some time,
attentive to the situation of the Seneca nation, and
have had great fears lest they might be sadly im-
posed on, by the person who has purchased the pre-
emption right of the Holland Company. It may be
useful to state, that all the land on the west side of
the River Genesee, belonged originally to the state of
Massachusetts—that is, the right of soil, or the exclu-
sive right of purchasing the same of the Indians; the
right of jurisdiction has always been considered to
be in the state of New York. The state of Massachu-
setts sold their pre-emption right to the whole coun-