I was favored the Day before Yesterday with your Letter of the 24th. June1 respecting Compensation from this State for Lands Claimed by the Mohawks— Not possessing sufficient Information I cannot at present form a Judgment of the Merits of those claims, whatever they may be I think it would be advisable for the Claimants to unite in appointing and sending here at the next Session of the Legislature, two or three deputies with full and well authenticated powers to state those Claims with accuracy and to make a final settlement with the State Respecting them.— Claims of this kind become more and more obscure by time, and they ought always to be determined while the Facts on which they depend remain capable of being ascertained and proved in a satisfactory manner.— The Young men who were here did not appear to possess either the Information or the Powers necessary to a conclusive Settlement—2 I do not as yet know whether Justice demands any thing or what for the Claimants from this State but I assure you and them that nothing on my part shall be wanting to cause what may be right to be done— For altho’ the state ought firmly to Reject and resist all spurious Claims, yet every consideration of Justice and sound Policy, which I believe to be inseperable, demands that all Claims which on Examination appear to be well founded, should be readily and fairly satisfied—3 I have the Honor to be with sentiments of Respect Sir Your most Obt. & H’ble Servt.