THE TOWN OF BEDFORD. 23 



At a meeting of ye governor and council, held at Hartford, January 

 19th, 1696, protection was granted to the towns of Rye and Bedford, as 

 members of their corporation; and on the ioth of May following, 

 Daniel Simpkins was appointed ensign for the latter town. January 

 21st, 1696-7, Rye and Bedford applied to be united to Connecticut, 

 upon which that colony concluded to receive them.* 



In a letter from Governor Fletcher, to the authorities of Connecticut, 

 dated April 5th, 1697, the former complains about the latter's receiving 

 Rye and Bedford, and thus withdrawing them from the obedience of 

 New York. b 



To compel the refractory towns into obedience, Governor Fletcher 

 issued a proclamation upon April 15th, 1697, in which he required Rye 

 and Bedford to return to their allegiance. c 



April 19th, 1697, Governor Fletcher states that Major Sellick had 

 interfered in favor of Connecticut, with fifty armed men/ 



In reply 30th of April, 1697, Connecticut disclaims the use of violent 

 measures, and refers the whole matter to the King. 



Governor Fletcher and council, in answer to Connecticut, May ioth, 

 1697, entitles the reasons of the latter subterfugees, and complains of 

 her making a disturbance in time of war. In conclusion, Connecticut 

 may rest assured that New York will use all lawful means to reduce 

 the people to obedience. e 



From the following document it appears that in 1696/ the action 

 of 'the Council of Connecticut was favorable towards the inhabitants of 

 Bedford in granting these requests, and that, that action was approved 

 by the general court in May, 1697 : 



May, 1697. 



To the Hon rd Govern 1- and Gen r11 Assembly sitting in Hartford. 



Whereas God by his providence orders all things : Att a General Court held 

 in Hartford May the 11th, 16S2, upon the petition of the people of Hopground the 

 Court did see cause to grant them the priviledg of a plantation as doth upon record 

 appear— And in the year 16S4, there was a conditional agreement made between 

 Colon 11 Dougan of New York and some of the heads of the freemen of this Cor- 

 poration which proved almost our undoing for severall years together th^re was 

 almost a c among us, because they cutt off Rye and Bedford from 



this Colonic Some said they were under New York, and some said they were 

 not, but for peace sake we submitted to, and paid rates to New York — But if so 

 be that Connecticut and New York could have made a firnie bargain without 



a Bound, letters, fol.10, p. 138. 



b Bound, letters, 140. 



c Bound, letters, 141. 



d Bound, letters, 141-2. 



e Bound, letters, Ino. 144. Bound, letters, 145. 



/ Printed Col. Rec. of Conn., Vol. iv, p. 192. 



