24 July 1796 Observations on papers transmitted from the Secy of State respecting settling the Nova S. Croix desputes. [Observation on —] [1 Question by M^r H[ouse].] If the third commissioner is to be filled up by Col. as an answer [undecipherable] [Bales?], the astronomer [undecipherable] be ought to go with M^r House & Whitelaw to Nova Scotia, [lot?] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] business immediately after his accession to the commission. Being of opinion that the two commissioners will not come to a [undecipherable], and that the feelings [undecipherable] of the commission [undecipherable] be by Col. I would [undecipherable] therefore a little [undecipherable] ordinary expense to facilitate the early commencement of the business rather than save a little money by leaving them behind till the result of the conference at Nova Scotia could be known. [strikethrough: [undecipherable] by [undecipherable] from [undecipherable]] [2 Question by M^r House.] M^r House [and?] doubt ought to endeavour to obtain a disinterested person for third commissioner, by [undecipherable] with Col. [Barkley?] and [undecipherable] ought to [undecipherable] a disqualification [undecipherable] from [undecipherable] by [undecipherable] why Col. But he ought not to refuse to draw lots should he see no probability of [obtaining another commissioner?] by negotiation. [3 Ques[tion] by M^r House.] A Person claiming land [and/where?] title [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] day may be [undecipherable] by the [office?] of the dispute [undecipherable] objectionable as a commissioner in the first degree. A citizen of the State or Province [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] will be [undecipherable] objectionable in the next degree. So far as an inhabitant of Massachusetts, New Brunswick or Nova Scotia falls and in either distinction [they?] cannot be considered as equally objectionable. [Conclusion.] On the whole [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] that one commissioner is a citizen of the [undecipherable] and another a subject of Nova Scotia. Consider [undecipherable] in the first place, that [undecipherable] is more chance of [undecipherable] agreeing upon a third commissioner, and in the second [undecipherable] that the dispute will be decided by the [party?] who is so qualified to obtain his man by [lot?], of course that it sooner [undecipherable] knows the better, after allowing the two former [undecipherable] a reasonable time for the display of their respective abilities [undecipherable] those die immediately for the cause in question [undecipherable] the better. MH. 24^th July 1796