Treaty of Hartford
Following the American Revolution, western New York was to be eligible for development as soon as New York and Massachusetts reached a compromise settling their competing claims for the area. This occurred in December 1786 with the signing of the Treaty of Hartford. The treaty stated that New York would have sovereignty over the land, but Massachusetts would have the pre-emptive right to obtain title from the native Americans.
By an act of the Massachusetts Legislature approved April 1, 1788, it was provided that "this Commonwealth doth hereby agree, to grant, sell & convey to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham, for a purchase price of $1,000,000, payable in three equal annual installments all the Right, Title & Demand, which the said Commonwealth has in & to the said 'Western Territory' ceded to it by the Treaty of Hartford."
Read more about this topic: Phelps And Gorham Purchase
Famous quotes containing the word treaty:
“He was then in his fifty-fourth year, when even in the case of poets reason and passion begin to discuss a peace treaty and usually conclude it not very long afterwards.”
—G.C. (Georg Christoph)