"Now, sir, we all hope you will view the place yourself, and the people well all be satisfied that the College will be set in the best place for its benefit; or, if a disinterested man should come and view the places, and make a representation, it is generally thought it would come to Hanover or Lebanon. Now, sir, I shall endeavor to set before you some of the benefits of this place for the College. First, here is a large tract of land of near three thousand acres or more, all lying together, and the greater part some of the best of land. I shall only add that there may be a good road to Portsmouth; and it is in a line to Crown Point from Portsmouth; and a very narrow place in the great river, for a brig; and it is by a long pair of falls; and where salt and other articles, brought up the river, will be cheaper than they will be further up.
"Having given some short hints of what is commonly talked of where I have been, I hope you will condescend to forgive what is amiss in this broken letter.
"So I remain, yours to serve,
James Murch.
"Hanover, New Hampshire, March 13, 1770.
"P. S. I would inform you we all got up here well."
"The Company expected to attend Commencement at Dartmouth College, August 26, 1772, with his Excellency Governor Wentworth, viz.: The Honorable Mark Hunking Wentworth, Esq.; George Jaffrey, Esq.; Daniel Rogers, Esq.; Peter Gilman, Esq.; the Honorable John Wentworth, Esq., Speaker of Assembly; Major Samuel Hobart, Esq., John Giddinge, Esq., Colonel John Phillips, Esq., John Sherburne, Esq., Members of Assembly; John Fisher, Esq., Collector of Salem; Colonel Nathaniel Folsom, Esq.; Rev. Dr. Langdon, of Portsmouth; Rev. Mr. Emerson, of Hollis; Dr. Cutter; Dr. Bracket; Samuel Penhallow, Esq.; William Parker, Jun., Esq.; Benjamin Whiting, Esq., High Sheriff of Hillsboro' County; Honorable Samuel Holland, Esq., Surveyor-General of the Northern District of America and a Councillor of Canada; Thomas Mac-donogh, Esq., Secretary to the Governor. About ten more are invited, but I think uncertain whether they'll undertake the journey." From Gov. Wentworth.
"Dartmouth College, June 3, 1777, at break of day.
"My dear Sir: I trust you have received my two late letters, by my son and Sir Trimble, with orders, if you can to good advantage, to make sale of my tenement at the Crank, and pay my debts to Mr. Dean, Mr. Watson, and yourself. If you have successfully attempted the affair, or shall soon so do, I should be glad to see you, and if it may be with the remainder of the money as soon as may be; or if you could, before you come, visit Dr. Mead, who was principal of, and agent for, the first grantees of the town of Landaff, the settlement of which is now retarded and discouraged by the influence of Mr. Joseph Davenport, who has inspired an apprehension in the minds of the populace that they shall be exposed to a quarrel, if they should settle there, etc. I wish I could send you a copy of the College Charter, and enable you to discourse understandingly with Dr. Mead, and let him see how amply this incorporation is endowed, and how independent it is made of this government or any other incorporation; that the first object of the royal grant of said township was the dispersed Indian natives, and to this corporation only in trust for that purpose; that such a matter of controversy can be decided by no judicatory but supreme, or one equal to that which incorporated it, that is the Continental Congress; that unless they can prove that the fee of those lands was not in reality in the king when the charter thereof was given to the College and the grant made to the grantees (however irregular and unkind the steps taken may have been), they will find it difficult, if not impracticable, to recover it. However, to prevent any expense in that matter, quiet the minds of people and facilitate the settlement, as well as exercise proper regard to those who have looked upon themselves injured thereby, I would propose some conditions of agreement with those first grantees, whereby I might obtain their quitclaims to the premises; that is, either a sum of money, or some other way. What if you should see Dr. Mead and discourse with him before you come hither? But the bearer is waiting. Accept love to you and yours, etc., from your affectionate,
"Mr. Jabez Bingham, Jun."