an old English map, as ex-
tending, as it must, some distance beyond Otter Creek, and inclu-
ded Middlebury and other lands east of that stream. Soon after
the execution of the treaty, by which the French government sur-
rendered Canada to the British, on the_7th of April 1763, Hoc-
48 • iir.vruRY of addison couxty.
QUART conveyed liis seigniory to Michel CuiUTiEii LoxBiNiERE.
As the inhabitants of Canada, by tlic treaty, became the subjects of
the British government, it was claimed that the grants by the French
government were valid, and should be confirsned by the British
government, and Lotbiniekb prosecuted his claim perseveringly
before the latter goveenment, from the time of his purchase until
the year 17TG, before it was settled.
LoTBiNiERE claimed, as evidence of his title, the "frequent
clearances," and " various settlements," on these lands, which the
warhad not wholly obliterated ; although it is probable that none of
them were made under the authority of this grant. It is stated by
Governor Tkyon' of New York, in a letter to Lord Dartmouth,
president of the board of trade and plantations, "that when the
French, on the approach of Sir Jeffhey Ar.iriERST, in 1T59, aban-
doned Crown Point, there were found no ancient possessions, nor
any improvements worthy of consideration, on either side of the
lake. The chief were in the environs of the fort, and seemed in-
tended mostly for the accommodation of the garrisons."
The lines between the provinces of Quebec and New York, had
been settled by the British government on the 20th of July 1764,
at the latitude of 45'^ on the lake. It was finally decided, that as
the territory south of