Having been absent from Boston I was not acquainted with the Letter you wrote Governor Hancock; untill near a Week after it had been recd—1 The Governor & Council being of opinion that all the rights of Government in this case were transferred to Mr. Phelps & myself in consequence of our purchas—and that they should take no step relative to the business— I immediately set of[f] for Rutland to engage (if possible) Colonel Rufus Putnam2 ^as our Agent^ a very able Surveyor and a Man of strict integrity & honor—but his engagements to the Ohio company are such as rendered it impossible for him to undertake the business, I have applied to some others who allso decline on account of the lateness of the Season & the shortness of the time— upon my arrival here I proposed the undertaking to Mr. DWitt but the avocations of his Office are such as to confine him here— I shall send a special Messenger to Mr. Phelps who is probably now in the Genese Country3 but I am not exactly informed at what time he proposes to leave the Country, or what rout he will take in his return, I am apprehensive the Messenger may not find ^him^—if so it will be impossible for us to have an Agent attending at the time of running this Line—which is a thing I shall very much regret as it is my most earnest wish to have it done in such manner as to prevent all future dispute—

I will thank you Sir to inform the President of the steps I have taken & propose to take— and remain with great esteam and respect Sir Your most Humble Servt