One issue facing this administration was the land speculation of Humphrey Atherton in the Narragansett country (later to become Washington County, Rhode Island).

In addition, he was also hired by the Connecticut Colony as their agent to support their claims to the Narragansett country.

Members of the Atherton Company, which had extensive land holdings in the Narragansett country, were asked under whose jurisdiction they chose to be, and they promptly decided on Connecticut.

The Crown, tired of dealing with the constant claims and counter claims, turned the Narragansett country into a separate royal province known as King's Province in March 1665.

In 1675 Gorton had received word that the Indians living in the Connecticut Colony intended to invade the Narragansett country.

The Narragansett country was given to both colonies by their respective charters, creating many decades of friction.

In a separate issue, he also directed that taxes not be collected in the Narragansett country until the dispute with Connecticut had been resolved.

Also during this October session, a letter of remonstrance was sent to the Connecticut colony concerning claims in the Narragansett country.

Before the commission arrived, trouble had already erupted in Narragansett country.

Also, the township of Kingston was established in the Narragansett country, and became incorporated as the seventh town of the colony.