TO THE KING'S Most Excellent Majesty.  
The Humble Petition of William Dyre Gent.  
showeth;  
THat whereas their late Royal Majesty's King James and King Charles the First, of ever blessed Memory, did (upon the Resignation of the Grand Charter) Grant by their Letters Patents, several Colonies in that part of America called New-England, beginning in the West, to the Lord Mougrave, running Eastward to Hudsons' River. Secondly, To his Grace the Duke of Richmond. Thirdly, To the Earl of Carlisle. Fourthly, To the Lord Edward Gorges. Fifthly, To the Marquis of Hamilton. Sixthly, To Captain John Mason; and Lastly, To Sir Ferdinando Gorges. All or most of which Colonies having been Planted and Peopled at the Charge, and by the Noble Encouragement of the Proprietors, and many Adventurers, do increase and flourish daily: Notwithstanding some of those, and them not the least considerable; are much obstructed in their Prosperity and greatly Ruined by the continual Disputes and Controversies arising from their unsettled Limits and Bounderies, which hath occasioned much dissension amongst the Governments, Treason of the Massathusets usurping a Power and imposing Laws, or Tyrannical Edicts upon the Inhabitants of the Provinces of Main and Newhampshire, using Acts of Hostility against the Institutions of the Proprietors (and in direct opposition to Your Majesty's express will and pleasure strictly commanding the contrary) have subverted the Government settled there by your Majesty's Commissioners in the year 1666. to the Injury and Disquiet of the Commonalty; and Contempt of Your Royal Authority.  
Wherefore, to Compose the matter, and put an end to the aforesaid Differences, and for settling Peace, Union and Concord amongst Your Majesty's Subjects and Plantations; it is most humbly Prayed, that Your Sacred Majesty will be Graciously pleased to purchase of Mr. Mason and Mr. Gorges, the abovesaid Provinces of Newhampshire and maine, which now may be bought at an easy Rate, the which will give your Majesty an absolute and immediate Dominion of all New-England, and bring into Your Majesty the most considerable advantages that either have been, or are to be made by any of those Your Majesty's Plantations, as shall be demonstrated by Your Petitioner with Your Majesties Leave.  
And Your Petitioner shall ever Pray, etc.   

AN EXPERIMENTAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL Description  
Of the PROVINCES of Main and New Hampshire in North- America; now belonging to Mr. John Mason and Ferdinando George's Esquire, with a brief Collection of such advantages as are to be made by the same if in case they were in your Majesty's possession, and settled under your immediate Government, most humbly offered to Your Majesty's Consideration; By W. D. Gent.  
First concerning the Entrance, Latitude and Course of Merrimeck River for decision of the Northern bounds of the Massathusets Colony in New England.  
THe River Monomack, alias Merrimack, hath its inlet, or Easterly beginning about 22 miles' North and by East from Cape Ann, the North side of the said Rivers Mouth being in 42 degrees and 57 minutes Northerly Latitude, running West Southerly, as far as 〈◊〉 the South, and Salisbury on the North, where the River is about half a mile over, and the Torrent swift, though mitigated by an Island in the midst thereof; and from thence to Haverhill West, South-west, and so continues its course Westward as high as any settlement of English, or discovery hath yet been made, and is said to proceed from the Lake of Troquoys, which falls into Hudsons' River, and this of Merrimack; but to my certain knowledge there is no principal branch, nor part of Merrimack that lies or extends more Northerly than the North-side of the entrance or River's mouth, three English miles to the Northward of which, into the Land, was built a little Hutt called Bound-house; which said Cottage, or place where it stood being in 43 degrees of Northern-Latitude, is the Septentrional Confines of the Massathusets line, nor did they pretend to any more, till the New-setled Plantations in the Provinces of Main and Newhampshire, being without Government, and in danger of the Savages, craved their Temporary protection, which having been long continued, is now by the Bostonians claimed as their Rights.  
Indeed, if Merrimack River or any branch of it were found to run so far Northward as 45 degrees, and then taking into the Land three English miles farther North, from whence stretching a direct line Eastward into the Atlantic Sea, it must be owned, that then the Provinces of Main and New-Hampshire do fall inclusively within the Massathusets bounds.  
And so likewise, from the Southward of the South-west stream of Charles River, and three English miles Southward of that running a due South course into the Ocean, will be comprehended the Provinces of Novum-belgium, New-haven, Conecticutt, Rhod-Island, and New-Plymouth: The thoughts of which boundless possessions might swell them of the Massathusets Colony into an ambitious conceit of being absolute Lords and Proprietors of a Great Empire, and so arrogate to themselves a Liberty of prescribing Laws, and exercising their Dominion over all the Inhabitants of New-England.  
But, to prevent their Title to so Copious a Claim, and settle other Patentees into their just deuce; It's presumed, there is nothing more plain and demonstrable (both from the course of the Rivers, and the express words of the Charter) then that the intent of the Patent, and bounds of the Massathusets Grant, was, three English miles to the Northward of the Northernmost banks of Merrimack, taking it Gradually into the Land parallel with the River as it runs up into the Country, which is West-Southerly; and, in the same manner not to exceed three English miles to the Southward of the South-west part of Charles River, still taking it up along the said Rivers side, and not from the heads or extreme Branches thereof, and then three English miles to the Southward or Northward of each River, and so run by course into the Sea: which would include all the Southern and Northern Colonies abovesaid, rendering their Patents insignificant and improperly Granted. Wherefore the hope of Your Majesty's suffering Subjects depends wholly upon Your Majesty's Gracious Clemency, Wisdom and Justice for Relief in the matter; it being only in Your Majesty's Royal Power to put a final issue to the Controversies: which is earnestly desired by all that wish well to Your Majesty's interests, and may be happily, honourably and successfully done by Your Majesty's Purchasing the Provinces of New-Hampshire and maine, of the abovesaid Proprietors, which are situated and furnished according to the Description here following.  
THe Province of New-Hampshire, which was the assignment of Captain John Mason, is bounded on the South and South-west by the Massathusets' line Northeastward upon the Province of maine, on the East and Southeast, by the Sea, stretching Westward into the Continent, and lies between 43 and 44 degrees of North-Latitude; in which is comprised Newhampton, with several other Towns, Villages and spacious Farms pleasantly situated, some fronting the Sea, some within Land, and some upon the South-West-side, or part of Pascataway-River, where are built many Commodious and profitable Saw-mills, for cutting Plank, Timber and Board's.  
THat part of America called Province of Main, takes its beginning at the entrance of Pascataway River, extending up the same to the River Newchewannick, to the extreme part thereof; and from thence North-West, 120 miles, and from the mouth of Pascataway River aforesaid Northeastward along the Sea-coast, to Sagadehock; and up the same to Kenebeck-River, as far as the head thereof, comprehending several Islands in the Sea, viz. the North, half of the Isles of Richmonds-Island, the Clap-board Islands, and sundry others of very great importance for Fishing, Farming and Planting.  
The Climate and Air of this Province (as well as that of New-Hampshire) is Temperate, Sweet, Clear and Healthy; the Soils Fertile; the Harbours, Ports and Havens commodious and safe, and the Country every where well furnished with Rivers, Brooks, Lakes, Ponds, Streams and Springs; with store of Champion-Ground, Ranges, Level-Land, Meadows, Swamps, Thickets, Marches, Uplands, Hills, and fruitful valleys: where grows Tall Cedars, sturdy Oaks, brave Elms, tough Walnut, and straight Chesnut Trees; Fragrant Birch, brown Beech, and multitude of Ash, Maple, Asp, Holly, Ivy, Hazle, Hawthorne, Shumach, Willow, Buttonwood, Alder, Poplar and Sassafras; with curious Cypress, Fir, Sprewse and Pines of a vast magnitude; and the most incomparable Timber for building Ships in the World.  
There are also plenty of Vines which naturally yield three sorts of pleasant Grapes, the first a large Whitish and mellifluous Grape, the second a Purple colour of the same size, and very delicious, the third a small Black Winter-grape, somewhat tart, but very wholesome and good.  
As for Orchard and Garden-Fruits, there are Apples of all sorts, Pears of most kinds, Peaches, Malagatoons, Quinces; Apricocks, Plums, Cherries, Currants, Hurts, Strawberries, Cramberries, and Blewberries, also Musk-melons, Water-mellons, and Cucumbers, with all manner of Plants, Herbs and Roots; each Tree, Herb, Plant and Root, according to its kind, brings forth Nuts, Berries, Fruit and Seeds.  
The Pastures are clothed with Grass, and the Fields produce plenty of Wheat, Pease, Barley, Rye and Oats, with some other sorts of Grain, in which Fields and Grounds are bred and raised huge droves of good cattle, Horses, Sheep and Hogs.  
But the natural inhabitants of the abovesaid Woods, Hills and Swamps, are incredible numbers of wild Beasts, as Bears, Moose, Deer, Wolves, Foxes, Bevers, Otters, Minks, martin's, Musquashes, Sables, Squirrels, Rackoons, Wild-Cats, Hedgehogs, Porcupines, Wild Rabbits, Hares and Woodchucks.  
The Bowels of the Earth being no less enriched with plenty of Iron, Ore, Tin, Copper, Led, Coals, Sulphur, and other Minerals, which voluntarily offer themselves to public view, without searching after, as if Nature were willing to discover, and disburden herself of what our Ingenuities are slow in seeking.  
Nor know I any reason why Richer Mines should not there be found, as well as in the Neighbor-Colonies; in regard there is more external probality, and visible encouragement in these Provinces than was in any of them.  
The Production of the Rivers, Lakes and Ponds, is infinite quantities of freshwater Fish, as Bass, Salmon, Trout, Carp, Perch, Pinkerin and Pouts; also the Salt-water and Seacoasts abounding with Whales, Grampuses, Seals, Herring-hogs, Porpoises, Sharks, Dogfish, Sturgeon, Hollibut, Cod, Haddock, Hake, Pollock, Mackeril, Soles, Scate, Alewives, Smelts, Eels, Lamprons, Frost-fish, Cole, Thornback, Herrings, Capeline and Shad; and of Shellfish there be Lobsters, Muscles, Oysters, Crabs, Periwinkles, Tortoise, Clams, Cockles and Scollops.  
The Islands adjacent, together with the Woods, Sea, Rivers, and Shore's, yield swarms of Fowl and Birds, as Turkeys, Pheasants, Heath-hens, Partridges, Quails, Eagles, Hawks, Ravens, Crows, Stairs, Owls, Cormorants, Cranes, Bitterns, Herns, Kites, Pigeons, Thrushes, Turtle-doves, Swans, Geese, Brants, Murrs, Penguins, Mallard, Teal and Widgins, with abundance of other Sea-fowle and small Birds, all which variety of Creatures, being there placed by the infinite Providence of Almighty God, are so beneficial for the subsistence of Mankind, as contributes much to the Peopling and Planting of that Country, which in the Summer is most delightful and pleasant by the lovely shady Groves, sweet singing Birds, and cool Crystal springs.  
Wherhfore if the great worth and intrinsic value of the aforesaid Provinces were duly considered, and by Your Majesty's Gracious Favour brought under the obedience of Your Royal Authority, there are certain and almost incredible advantages to be made, as well conducible to Your Majesty's benefit, the honour of Your Crown and Dignity, as also to the public good of that place a●● this Nation, as may appear in the several particulars following.  
Imprimis. Were the Provinces of Main and Newhampshire Purchased by Your Majesty, your Majesty hath then the absolute, real, actual Dominion and Sovereignty of those Seas, with the sole propriety and benefit of all Fishing used on the Coasts of New-England, and may at your Royal Pleasure settle a Duty or Impost upon all Fisheries there, without entrenching upon the Liberties of the Bostoners Patent, the abrogation of their Privileges, or the least wrong to the Inhabitants, and also in a short time reduce, or win those of the Massathusets and Plymouth Colonies to a ready Subjection and complete Obedience.  
2. From hence Your Majesty may be (at all times both in Peace and War) supplied with Masts, Tarr, Timber, Plank, Board's, and Pipe-staves, at a much cheaper, and easier rate than now your Majesty is, or by any other means can be; wherein consists very much the safety of your Majesty's Maritime Affairs.  
3. In these Provinces your Majesty may settle a very considerable and profitable Trade with the Indians, for Beaver and all other peltry; in regard they border so near upon Nova-scotia, and are as well furnished with Lakes, Ponds and Rivers as that Country is, and also with little charge improve all Mines and Minerals of worth there.  
4. By Your Majesty's being the 〈…〉 of your Subjects, the prosperity of Your Plantations, the encouragement of Trade, Navigation and Commerce, be inexpressibly advanced, by uniting the Colonies, and securing the Ports and Country from invasion.  
5. To the aforesaid places Your Majesty may in time of peace employ some of Your great Flemish Prizes to bring over Masts, Deals, Timber and Staves, which will be of singular benefit both to Your Majesty and this Nation.  
6. By having the Propriety of these Provinces, Your Majesty will receive a considerable Revenue out of the Fish taken and made there, as also by a small Duty upon all kind of Timber and Raft that shall be Exported, which will be advantageous and of great value, in regard those Commodities are not to be had in any other part of New-England, but in the Provinces of Newhampshire and Main, which may now be Your Majesties for a small sum of Money, or Trifle, compared with their true value and Consequences.  
These particulars are in all Humility, Duty, and submissive Obedience Laid at Your Majesty's Feet, and most Loyally proposed by a Faithful Subject, to the end Your Sacred Majesty may be Absolute in your Sovereignty, Greater in Riches, Name and Power, and that Your Royal Commands may be with reverence obeyed, Your Majesty's Laws executed, the Protestant Religion cherished, the Privileges of Your Majesty's Subjects enlarged, Learning propagated, and all Virtue encouraged. And that Your Majesty's good Subjects in those parts may not only have the Name of Your Majesty, but also Your Power amongst them, and thereby live Peaceably, Happily and Quietly under Your Majesty's Royal Government, which Heaven grant may be long, long and Prosperous.  
FINIS.