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HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 STATE OF VERMONT 
 
 FROM ITS 
 
 DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CLOSE OF THE YEAR MDCCCXXX. 
 
 BY NATHAN HOfeKlNS. 
 
 ** ////, libertaie adepta, fioruerunt.''^ 
 VERGENNES: 
 
 PUBLIKMED BY J. SHEDD. 
 
 IS31. 
 
^41 
 
 > 
 
 DISTRICT OF VBUIMONT, to wit r 
 
 Be it remembered, that on tlie twelltli day of February, m 
 the fifty-fifth year of the lnde))eiidenre of the United States oi 
 America, Nathan Hoskins and J. Shedd, of the said District, 
 have dejx^sited in this office, the title of a b.X)k, the right wherof 
 they claim as proprietors, in the words following, to wit: "A 
 History of the State of Vermont, from its discovery and settle- 
 ment, to tlie close of the year 1830. By Nathan Hoskins. — 
 ' Jlli, libertate adepta, floruerunt.' " In conformity to the act of 
 the Congress of the United States, entitled "an act for the en- 
 couragement of learning, by securing the coj^ies of maps, chart.s, 
 and -books, to tlie authors and proprietors of such copies, during 
 the times therein mentioned." 
 
 JESSE GOVE, 
 Clerk of the District of Vermoni 
 A true copv of record, 'examined and scaled bv me, 
 
 J, GOVE, rierk. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 Gamaliel Small, printer. 
 
PREFA<i^li!ir 
 
 History is indeed th® store house of experience, 
 the mirror of duties, the source of morality, and the fouu- 
 dation of virtuous conduct. It informs us of those events 
 which the triumphs of time have obliterated from the vis- 
 ible operations of the world. It unfolds to view the pro- 
 ceedings of antiquity, nnd gives us a knowledge of the il- 
 lustrious dead, by setting forth their transactions, their 
 virtues, and tlieir faults. Without its aid^ tlie boundaries 
 of our own observations, and the limited sphere of our 
 own prejudices, must always keep uS in a state of infan- 
 cy and ignorance. The utmost extent of human longevi- 
 ty is an imperceptible point, in comparison with the sericF 
 of ages that have rolled back into obscurity since tlie ccm- 
 mencemcnt of Creation. And all we can know is cGi>- 
 fined to this point, unless we call to our aid the study of 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 History. Impressed with such ideas of the advantages 
 and happiness acquired from historical researches, the 
 author of this work has attempted to give a general and 
 correct History of Vermont. Under this title, however, 
 a complete developement of all the proceedings which 
 may have had an influence upon the formation of national 
 character, or the establishment of the liberty and indepen- 
 dence of our country, cannot be expected within our pres- 
 ent limits. Much embarrassment has been experienced 
 in designating such military or political matters of the 
 general government, as have an immediate or remote in- 
 jRnence upon the History of this particular State. The 
 events which have succeeded, since the shores of Cham- 
 plain were first viewed by civilized man in this and the 
 other hemisphere, have presented the most brilliant epoch 
 in th« annals of time. Every empire or government on 
 the globe has shared in the sufferings or participated in 
 Ihe benefits which the conquests of two centuries have 
 produced. From the reign of William HI. to the recent 
 peace with Great-Britain, the waters of this Lake have 
 
 been a common highway for contending nations. Hence 
 1* 
 
PREFACK. 
 
 the territory lying within the present lin)its of this Stntr. 
 wa8, anterior to any settlement in the same, a scene ot'wr.r 
 and bloodshed. It becomes therefore necessary to era- 
 brace so much of the iiccounl of the French and Indiafi 
 wars as eventiiated in the limits of the State. My airr\ 
 has been, in giving a narrative of the most important 
 events in the History of Vermont, to place Hiot^c princi 
 pies of civil and religious freedom for which our ances- 
 tors contended, in the most conspicuous light, and to re- 
 cord those multiplied instances of patience, bravery, and 
 patriotism, which have honored their names; and to elfect 
 by the tenor of a narrative, rather than by moral rcflec- 
 tionp, impressions of patriotism and virtue upon the mind 
 df the reader. There v, ill doubtless he many imperfec- 
 tioiis in the ^urh, which ti:e author would very kindly re- 
 ceive corrected by an intelligent public. 
 
 THE AUTHOU. 
 
 Wrgcnnes^ FtLruanj 1, 1^31. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 ISiiuation— Extent — Mountains — Rircrs — Lakes — Baj/.'^ 
 ^Climata—ForeHt Trees— Esculent and Medicinal 
 Plants — Quadrupeds— Birds, Fishes, Insects, Miner- 
 alogy and Geology. 
 
 The first and most |>erfect accounts we have of the dis- 
 covery and settlement of countrie?, furnish but a partial 
 representation of the real character of the times. The 
 features of particuhir transactious are unknown by the col- 
 orings in the picture of recorded events. J3uring the 
 period of the first settlement of Vermont, the events of 
 the American revohition, and the extensive conquests in 
 Europe by the arms of the French, gave a powerful^ im- 
 pulse to the patrioism and enterprise of the people. Such 
 causes have established a highly prosperous and respect- 
 able character for the State. The situation of Vermont 
 on the terraqueous globe, is between 42 degrees M min- 
 utes and 45 degrees of North latitude and between 3 de- 
 grees 31 minutes and 5 degrees and 24 minutes east longi- 
 Tude, from Washington. It is entirely an inland State, being 
 separated at the shortest distance about eighty miles from 
 any part of the ocean. This State is bounded on the south 
 by Massacliusetts. This is part of the divisional line, 
 being 40 miles in length, as established by a division of 
 (Jeorge the II. between Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
 shire, and was surveyed by Richard Hazcn, in February, 
 1741. Conneticut river form.s the eastern boundary of 
 V^ermont. This line by pursuing the course of the river, 
 is about 215 miles in length and is derived from a decree 
 of Geor'^e the III. by v* hich the western bank of the afore* 
 said river was declared to be the boundary line between 
 the Provinces of ?>^ew Hampshire and New York. The 
 north line of the State runs on a parallel of 45 degrees 
 north latitude, from Connecticut river to lake Champlain. 
 This line, dividing a portion of the United States from 
 Canada, is 90 miles long, and was surveyed in 1772 by 
 I. Collins and I. Carden, but very erroneously aiUr- 
 wards Doct. Williams made some observations for deter- 
 mining it, and it was again surveyed by commissioners 
 appointed by the United States and (xrcal Britain, under 
 the treaty of Ghent. Tlie wej?tern botmdarx was eottlod 
 
S HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 157 1 9 n.iinl ?^ I "^ ^^^^® ^'"^"^ north to south is 
 
 .ho„f f- ? ' """"^ '^' '"^^'""^ ^^'^^th from east to west s 
 
 m the Uninn ;n^ • ™°"''' "'"^ '"''^' mountainous State 
 emove L j'" "T} "'' "'^•''^'"^ '° ^-^'^''^'ve as 
 ' "i me spectatoi. I he Cireen Mounto ns extend fmm 
 ^outh ,0 north through the whole length otUe State 
 Keepmg about a middle direction from Connec icut Hv*; 
 en the oast, and lake Champlain on the west. Th " nonr, 
 ams eommence near the sea coast, and after running 
 trough Connecticut, Massachusetts and ¥0™'"?! 
 ractof notless than four hundred miles in en"h ler 
 minate >n the Province of Canada. This ran"e Vs one 
 continued chain or collection of mountains. Th^ir vidll 
 ^^generaliy from ten to fifteen miles, and among hmt 
 ficquency of vall.es, an abounding of springs and an u,^! 
 
 of°tt"st:;r;o"\^ r°'r '''■°" ""^ -utircm boLary 
 
 }LT ,u Washmglon county, the range continue^ • 
 
 Imt here he tnountains separate inio two ra.,ges, t" e easV 
 ern .s called the height of land, which separales^he waters 
 fall.ng from this part of the State and Connecticut rm 
 from those wh.ch flow into the lakes Champlain any 
 Al.mphremagog. The western range is interZned and 
 broken through by the Onioa ..d L.Loille rner ; C««- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 9 
 
 els Rump or Hump, and Mansfield mountains, the loftiest 
 eminences in the State, are in this range; the height of 
 the former above tide water is 4188 feet, and that of the 
 latter is 4279 feet. There are several other considerable 
 eminences in the State, some of which do not belong to 
 the chain above described. The tops of these mountams 
 are generally composed of rocks and covered with moss 
 and pine, spruce, hemlock, and other species of trees 
 called evergreens, intermixed with bushes and wmter 
 grass, which constitute the principal varieties of vegeta- 
 ble productions that nature brings forth on the tops of 
 these mountains. Upon ascending the summits of these 
 mountains, the powers of creation regularly degenerate^ 
 and the trees in their dimensions are only shrubs of two 
 or three feet high, whose branches are so thickly interwo- 
 ven as to prevent passing between them. A view from 
 the summit of one of them has been described in the fol- 
 lowing manner : on the east side of the mountain— every 
 where all around, you have rocks frowning upon rocks a/j 
 imperial elevation, and dark depths such as nature alone 
 can excavate— you can see through the mists, v.'hich al- 
 most perpetually surround them, hugh masses so high, so 
 rugged in their outlines and yet so heaped and wedged 
 together that it is difficult to distinguish the large and bold 
 cliffs and ravines among which their foundations have 
 been pitched. At such a place as this there is no want 
 of enthusiasm •, the whole surrounding country appeared 
 like the delineations upon a map— mountains, hills, val- 
 lies, rivers and lakes completed the enchantment of the 
 Bcene— here the works of man seemed like a speck in the 
 solitude of the ocean, the loftiest edifice was lost in the 
 blueness of space, and villages, iiumbly catching the shad- 
 ows of the mountain, looked like the dwellings of pigmies^ 
 perched upon the. bulwarks of creation. The situation of 
 Vermont is such, that all the rivers and smaller streams 
 have their origin within the limits of the Stata. Eleven of 
 the largest of them have an easterly course, and full into 
 the Connecticut river. About ten flow westerly and dis- 
 charge their waters into Lake Champlain. Two running 
 in the same direction fall into the Hudson river, and three 
 have a northerly direction, falling into Lake Memphrema- 
 gog and pass otf by the River ^t. Francois, through the 
 
10 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 Province of Lower Canada. The largest of those on the 
 West side of the mountain, are Missisque river, which 
 rises in Kellyvale, and pursues a northeasterly course un- 
 til it crosses the line of the State into Canada, and then 
 turning re-enters the State near the south east corner of 
 Richford, and falls into Missisque Bay at Highgate. This 
 river is navigable as far as Swanton Falls, and is seventy 
 five miles in length, including all its windings. The riv- 
 er Lamoille originates in Greensborough,and after running 
 a westerly course of 75 miles discharges itself into Lake 
 Champlain at the north west corner of Colchester. This 
 is a fine smooth stream, end upon its banks border pleas- 
 ant and fertile tracts of interval. It was discovered by 
 Champlain in 1609. Onion river proceeds from a pond 
 in Cabot, flowing in a northwesterly direction about 70 
 miles J it then falls into Lake Champlain between Col- 
 chester and Burlington, five miles from Burlington village, 
 north. Its principal tributaries are Kingsbury and North 
 Branch, Mad, Waterbury and Huntington rivers, and 
 Muddy Brook. The several channels which have been 
 Vr'orn in the rocks by this river, arc a great curiosity. — 
 One of these, at Middlesex, is about 80 rods long, sixty 
 feet wide, and thirty feet deep. Another at Waterbury, is 
 ^^till more grand and sublime, being 65 feet in depth ; a 
 third channel is between Colchester and Burlington, of 
 tlie same depth of that at ATaterbury. Otter Creek is the 
 longest, and one of the most useful streams in Vermont, 
 It heads in Mount Tabor, runs northwesterly 90 miles, 
 falling into Lake Champlain at Ferrisburgh. From 
 Pittsford to Middlebury, a distance of twenty-five miles, 
 it is navigable for boats, and from Vcrgennes to its 
 mouth, a distance of eight miles, the Creek is naviga- 
 ble for the largest vessels on the lake. The rivers that run 
 northerly into Lake Memphremagog, and those whicli 
 tmite with the Connecticut river, on the east side ol the 
 mountain-,are much smaller than those on the west. Among 
 liieni. White river is the most considerable stream. This 
 ri\er rises in Kingston, and flows in a southern direction 
 jibout fifty miles, until it unites with Connecticut river, at 
 Hartford. West, and Pasoomsuck rivers are near the 
 eize of White river. The Connecticut, so highly celebra- 
 ted as the Nile of New-England, has its source among th© 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 11 
 
 mountains of Lower Canada,and coming within the jurisdic- 
 tion of New-Hampshire, forms for some distance the boun- 
 dary between New-Hampshire and Canada, and for the 
 whole length of the states the boundary between New- 
 Hampshire and Vermont, it runs through Massachusetts 
 and Connecticut, which with the former part of its course 
 amounts to four hundred miles, and empties into the 
 ocean at Seabrook. The breadth of this river when it 
 first enters the state, is 150 feet, in the course of sixty miles 
 increases to 390, and its meridian width through Massa- 
 chusetts and Connecticut may be calculated at 725 feet. — 
 With respect to its length, utility and beauty, this is one of 
 the first rivers in the eastern States. In the opening of the 
 year, it overflows its banks, and for 300 miles increases 
 and fertilizes an extensive tract of fine interval. This riv- 
 er is navigable for vessels requiring 10 feet of water 36 
 miles, to Middletown — for sloops 50 miles, to Hartford; 
 and for boats two hundred and fifty miles, to I>arnet : ex- 
 cept the falls, which are now made, and making navigable 
 by means of locks and other improvements. Lake Cham- 
 plain, into which the rivers from one half of Vermont flow, 
 and from them are discharged to the north west, by the St. 
 Lawrence into the Atlantic Ocean, was the first large body 
 of fresh water, discovered in the interior of North America. 
 This lake lies between the States of Vermont and New- 
 York, but more than one half of it comes within the limits 
 of this State. It extends from Whitehall to Alburgh,a dist- 
 ance of 105 miles, and thence 24 miles to St. Johns, in 
 Lower Canada; it varies in width from 1 to 15 miles; 
 but its medium is almost 4 1-2 miles ; an area of 970 square 
 miles. The principal rivers that flow into it from Vermont, 
 are Poultney river at Wiiitehall ; Great and Little Otter 
 Creeks and Lewis Creek at Ferrisburgh ; Onion and Mis^ 
 aisque rivers at Colchester, and Lamoille river at Swan- 
 ton. A large number of rivers and streams fall into it from 
 New-York and Canada; considerably exceeding those of 
 this State. The waters, therefore, which form Lake Cham- 
 plain, seem to be collected from a country of greater ex- 
 tent than the whole State of Vermont. The river Sorel!, 
 after a course of 60 miles, conveys the water of the Lake 
 to the St. Lawrence, about 45 miles below Montreal. The 
 shcyes of this Lake, are indented with numerous bays, a- 
 
12 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 mong whicli are East Bay at Whitehall, Button Bay in 
 Ferrisburgh, Selburn, Burlington and Colchester Bays, 
 in the same towns : also Beianiaqueens at St. Albans, Mc- 
 Q,uams Bay at Swanton, and Missisque at Highgate. — 
 Some of the principal Islands scattered through the Lake, 
 are South and North Hero and Vineyard. No Lake in 
 the United States tor the importance of the events, in the 
 colonial and national wars of our country, is so highly in- 
 teresting and justly celebrated, as Champlain. In the ear- 
 ly settlement of North America, the rude craft of the savr 
 ago was wafted on its surtace, in his excursions for plunr 
 der, and in the war between England and France, and the 
 more recent struggle betwixt the United States and Great 
 Britain, its waters have been critnsoned with the blood of 
 those w^ho suffered, or perished in their successive encoun- 
 ters. The name of Lake Champlain, in the eventful peri^ 
 ods of history, stands in connection with some of the most 
 remarkable events in the annals of our country. At Ti- 
 conderoga, 20 miles north of Whitehall, was a fort, of the 
 same name: and it was here the British army under the 
 command oi General Abercrombie, were repulsed in their 
 attempt to take the fort from the French, with the loss of 
 1941 men ; and on the succeeding year it was surrendered 
 to General Amherst. This fort was taken from the Eng- 
 lish by Col. Allen in lv75, and retained until 1777 ; when 
 it was evacuated upon the invasion of General Burgoyne } 
 Crown Point fortress at Moriah, 14 miles north of Ticon- 
 deroga, was built by the French, in 1731, surrendered to 
 Gen. Amherst in 1759, and held in the possession of the 
 British until the capture of Burgoyne. Fortifications were 
 erected during our last encounters with Great Britain, at 
 Plattsburgh, where the American fleet, under Commodore 
 McDonough, gained a signal victory over theBritisH squads 
 ron, on the 11th of September 1814, and at Burlington, 
 which is now in disuse. The northern line of this State 
 passes across Lake Memphremagog, dividing it into two 
 parts, so that about 8 miles comes within the jurisdiction 
 of the States, and 32 miles in the Province of Canada. — 
 This Lake discharges its waters by the river St. Francois 
 into Lake St. Peters, about 15 miles below the mouth of 
 the river Sorcll. It is surrounded with a rich soil, and 
 /iqe lercl country. In addition to ^his description of our 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 13 
 
 rivers, and lakes, something may be added respecting the 
 alluvial deposits, vegetable and organic remains, which 
 abound in many places. The interval lands, which bor- 
 der upon the numerous streams in the State, incontestably 
 demonstrate that nature ha.s, by slow and silent operations, 
 performed great and wonderful revolutions. From thirty 
 to fifty feet in depth the soil has been changed by attrition. 
 Remains of ditferent substances have very often been re- 
 moved, which have lain imbedded for centuries at a great 
 depth in the earth. These alluvial deposits have a claim 
 to antiquity far anterior to any knowledge the Europeans 
 possessed of the American continent. Such changes have 
 undoubtedly been eftected by the high lands, rocks and ear- 
 thy substances,being worn down and removed by the force 
 of the streams precipitating from the hills and mountains. 
 Thus in the low grounds, vegetable and other loose sub- 
 stances have accumulated to a great depth. The alluvial 
 lands are the best in the State, being of a very strong and 
 durable quality, and suffering but little from rains or drouth. 
 There are many indications that lake Champlain was once 
 much more extensive than it now is, and covered with its 
 waters a considerable proportion of the land, which is now 
 greatly elevated above its surface. Shells and clams are 
 found in the highest parts of the islands in the lake, im- 
 bedded in the marl, or incorporated with the stones ; and 
 on the continent they are scattered at heights of forty or fif- 
 ty feet above the level of the lake. The soil also, in many 
 places, exhibits the appearance of being deposited in reg- 
 ular strata on the subsiding of the water. These layers or 
 strata are exlensive'y composed of substances varying in 
 size and quality. Some are large pebbles, and others fine 
 fiilicious sand, which has been cleansed of all earthy par- 
 ticles by the attrition of overflowing waters. The obstruc- 
 tions to the outlet of the lake were probably somewhere near 
 St. Johns,and it appears it was not reduced to its present level 
 at one time, but at three or four distant and distinct peri- 
 ods. The strongest indications of this, are, a succession 
 of banksvone above another, which have every appearance 
 of being for a long period washed and beaten by the waves. 
 Probably the outlet of the lake was opened on a scale the 
 most stupendous and sublime. The extremes of high and 
 
14 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 low water are about eight feet. The waters of Vermont, 
 particularly on the east side ofthe mountain, are soft, and 
 tree from foreign substances. On the west side, many are 
 impregnated with iron, carbonate of lime, and epsom salt. 
 Several springs in the State possess the quality of chaly- 
 beate water, or a strong infusion of sulphur. Those at 
 Alburgh, Clarendon, Tunbridgc, Newbury, and some oth- 
 ers, have been considerably resorted to by invalids. 
 
 ClimaiCf Temperature of the Weather, Snow, Wind, and 
 Rain, 
 Vermont, lying within the same parallels of latitude with 
 Spain, France, Italy, Turkey, Tartary and China, would, 
 if corresponding situations could produce similar climates, 
 be a very warm and temperate region. Tlie cold and 
 sudden changes of weather so frequent here, would be 
 succeeded by a temperature as felicitous to health, and 
 productive in animal and vegetable varieties as the fertile 
 fields of France, or the exuberant vallies of Italy. The 
 manufacturer might acquire a profit from an adventure in 
 the fabrication of silks, and the farmer gather a reward 
 for his labors in the cultivation ofthe grape and the olive. 
 And Vermont, an inland and the only entirely mountainous 
 State in tlie Union, would, like the elevated regions of 
 Spain, be covered with a crown of perennial verdure,or as 
 the champaign parts of Turkey, be abundant in her har- 
 vest of rice. On comparing the American climates with 
 those of the same latitude in Europe, a difference of 12 
 degrees should be allowed for the peculiarities of the 
 American Continent. The cause of this difference is such 
 n predominance of cold as subjects the American, in north 
 latitude 45, to an equal degree of cold with the Europe- 
 an, residing in north latitude 57. The climate of Vermont 
 is on a medium between that of the warm and frigid lati- 
 tudes. It resembles the former in the degree of its sum- 
 mer heat, and the latter in its sudden changes. The ex- 
 tremes of heat and cold are 100 degrees above, and 27 
 below zero ; and the mean annual tem perature, according 
 to the observations that have been made, is about 44 de- 
 grees. December, January and February are the coldest 
 woxilhs ; June, July and August, the hotest ; May, the 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 15 
 
 wetest, and September the pleasantost. November is 
 uniformly the most dreary season in the year. The sky 
 is generally enveloped with clouds, and a freezing and 
 thawing state of weather ensues. From observations 
 made by Doctor Saunders, at Burlington, it appears that 
 the mean temperature of the climate for five years was 
 on a medium 43 degrees and one third. From 1701, ob- 
 servations of the weather, the result appears to stand thus : 
 1025 fair days, 676 cloudy, 2S9 rainy, 117 snowy, 19 fog- 
 gy, 45 thunder, aurora borealis, hail and hazy none. As 
 the season advances, the coldness of the air increases rap- 
 idly, and winter usually commences the first of December, 
 and continues until April. The ground is generally fro- 
 zen during this period, and sometimes covered with snow. 
 The seasons, however, are milder and more variable than 
 they were on the first settlement of the State, and the at- 
 mosphere is often rendered dark and obscure by smoke 
 arising from the spontaneous decay of vegetation. The 
 frost usually ceases in May, and comes on again in Sep- 
 tember. The winds in this State are of a variable kind, 
 and their courses follow the direction of the different ran- 
 ges of the mountains. Sometimes they continue to blow 
 from one point for several days, but usually change cour- 
 ses once or twice in twenty-four hours. In 1G82, obser- 
 vations made at Burlington by the gentleman above 
 mentioned, the wind blew from the north 739 times, from 
 the south 826, from the east 19, from the west 43, from 
 the north east 11, from the south east 1, from the north 
 west IS, and from the south west 25. The eastern part of 
 Vermont is more exposed to the nerth east winds than 
 the vicinity of lake Champlain, and they are there more 
 experienced. The cause of the wind being so variable in 
 this Slate is occasioned by the heat and cold expanding 
 and condensing the atmosphere. Whenever the agitation 
 of the air ceases, and a calm ensues, the electric fluid im- 
 parts heat, and rarifies the surrounding atmosphere, this 
 becalmed strata becomes lighler than the circumambient 
 fluid, and consequently ascends when the cold air rushes 
 in from opposite directions. Thus at a distance of twenty 
 or thirty miles, the wind may blow from the north and south 
 in opposite directions. Violent and destructive winds 
 
16 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 rarely occur. Storms of tnander and lightning are com' 
 mon here in the summer months, and usually proceed from 
 the west and south west. The q.uantity ot^ rain which falls 
 in North America, has been lound to bs double of that 
 which falls in the same latitudes in Europe. The average 
 depth of water which falls annually in the United States 
 i% about forty-eight inches,and in Vermont about forty-t\\ q 
 inches. Although many parts of the Union sufler severely 
 i'rom drouth, yet it is not often the case in Vermont. The 
 soil is naturally moist, the mountaii\s are producti\c of 
 rain, and the heat of the sun is not so intense as suddenly 
 to disperse the vapors, dry up the waters or parch the 
 lands. The summ.er of 1S16 was the coldest ever known 
 in Vermont. In 1826, no rain fell at Vergenncs, and s6 
 through the greatest part of the State, from tlic ^th of Ju- 
 ly until about the 28th of September. The ground was 
 completely parched, and vegetation entirely dried up. — 
 Springs and wells generally failed of affording water. 
 
 Forest Trees, Esculent and Mtdicin al Plants. 
 The natural history of a country is so intimately con- 
 nected with the civil, that an omission of it would render 
 the^ latter less certain and useful. Without a knowl- 
 edge of this branch of history, the condition of that period 
 when the earth was covered with woods, and the hills and 
 vallie3 shaded with a variety of plants, flowers and trees, 
 as ancient as the powers of nature, would be forgotten 
 and unknown. The memorials of that period, when na- 
 ture's bounty furnished protection and sustenance to Ihe 
 animals of the forest, are but a sad lesson of extirpation 
 and decay ! The first settlers of the United States were 
 furnished with a living and employment by mear^s of 
 agriculture, which had a great inliuence in the formation 
 of their habits and character. An understanding of this 
 i>art of history, becomes, therefore, necessary in delinia- 
 ting our national customs and pursuits. In an inland 
 State like this, where agriculture is the principal busi- 
 ness, the original growth of the soil is mutilated and de- 
 stroyed with a progiess as rapid as the increase of its in- 
 habitants. The forests, which had for centuries heen ma- 
 turing, wore regarded as an incumbrance, rather than ca- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 17 
 
 timated for their value. Thus by gradual improvements, 
 and cultivation of the lands, Vermont has been stripped 
 of her native grandeur. The white pine, the greatest or- 
 nament of this, and probably of any forest on the Ameri- 
 can Continent, is principally destroyed. It was often 
 found six feet in diameter, and two hundred and 6fty feet 
 in height, with a beautiful foliage, perfectly suited to the 
 8tem which it adorns. The oak, so highly valuable for 
 strength and durability of its timber, remains but in small 
 quantities, and those mostly in such situations as discove- 
 ry has not reached, or neglect has preserved. The sugar 
 maple affording a luxury from its saccharine juices, and 
 great convenience in its timber and fuel, has been so di- 
 minished by the progress of cultivation, that groves of this 
 majestic and valuable tree, once overspreading a large 
 proportion of this State, are now found only on unfeasi- 
 ble, or mountainous lands. A similar destruction has 
 been made of many other valuable species of trees; and 
 some of which are entirely extirpated. The different situ- 
 ations and qualities of land peculiar to the growth of dif- 
 ferent kinds of forest trees, range in tiiis order. The in- 
 tervals along the large rivers were formerly timbered with 
 oak, butternut, elm and walnut.. The plain lands were 
 generally covered with pine. On the medium land, the 
 timber was usually beach, birch and maple, often inter- 
 mixed with spruce, hemlock, elm, ash, bass, butternut, 
 cherry and hornbeam.. In some parts of the State are 
 swamps which afford a plentiful supply of cedar. The 
 sides and tops of the mountains are covered with ever- 
 greens, mostly hemlock, spruce and fir.. Respecting the 
 small trees, or shrubs, vines and vegetables, which grov/ 
 wild and without cultivation, the following are some of 
 the esculent vegetables : red, yellow and thorn plumbs ; 
 black, red and choke cherries; hazlenut, black currant, 
 wild goseberry,. whortleberry, barberry,, mulberry, black 
 grape, fox grape, black raspberry, red raspberry, upright 
 blackberry, cranberry, strawberry, artichoke, groundnut, 
 long red potatoe, wild onion, wild hop,, the latter of 
 these are only valuable for their roots and seeds. Those 
 possessing medicinal qualities are considerable numerous, 
 but not very powerful.. The whole number of indiginoue 
 
18 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 }>i{ints, together with the most common exotics in th3 
 State, amount to something more than six hundred and 
 fifty. The ginseng >vas discovered in this part of the 
 country about 1750. It grows tg great perfection in tlie 
 north part of this &tate, and has been a considerable arti- 
 cle for exportation. The Indian turnip is a valuable and 
 harmless medicine when dried, but taken green, is a most 
 violent poison, producing spasmodic attections, and some- 
 times immediate death. The balsam obtained from the 
 bark of the lir tree, which abounds in our mountains, pos- 
 sesses healing virtues highly valuable as a medicine.— 
 The extract obtained from the bark of the butternut, is a 
 very good cathartic. To these are added some others, 
 which operate as poisons. The thorn apple, henbane, 
 nightshade, ivy, cre^^ping ivy, swampsumac and bane- 
 berry. There is also the bayberry, distinguished for its 
 beautiful green wax, and fine perfume. The prickly ash, 
 for its uncommon aromatic properties. The witch hazle, 
 which blossoms after its leaves have been destroyed by 
 the frost. And the sumac, celebrated for its medicinal 
 qualities, and for dyeing. The great variety, extent and 
 number of our plants and trees, together with their rapid 
 increase and duration, denotes a power and energy which 
 nature has never exceeded in the same climate, in any 
 other quarter of the globe. 
 
 Quadrupeds. 
 Upon settling a new country, or state, the advantages 
 derived to society lYom such settlements are valuable, as^ 
 they extend the boundaries of civilization, and increase 
 the subsistence and numbers of ma4ikind, but they are 
 detrimental to the existence of v.ild animals, and conse- 
 quently they are almost exterminated from the soil. The 
 wilderness, untouched by the efforts of industry, and un- 
 trod by the footsteps of man, is their only secure and 
 peaceful dominion. A destruction of many species, and 
 a diminution of those that remain, on settling this ^tate, 
 are among the most important events in the progressive 
 stages of natural history. The deer no longer ranges 
 over the rough and craggy tops of our mountains, or 
 browses upon the green verdure of our vallies. The moose 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 19 
 
 has been obstructed in his pathway, and his loftj mien 
 13 no longer seen in the covert of our forests. The hoarse 
 and tarrific bowlings of the wolf have ceased, and that 
 most ingenious, harmless and industrious animal, the 
 beaver, has been extirpated, the fraternity of his united 
 and social intercourse prostrated, by the success of our 
 improvements. But these are not the only animals which 
 have shared the hard fate of extermination. The rivers 
 and streams which water this State, were formerly stored 
 with fish in abundance, the bubbling brooks were darken- 
 ed with crowds of speckled trout, and the deliqate salmon 
 resorted in great numbers to our rivers; but the places jf 
 their resort and protection are swept away by the chang- 
 ing channels of the streams, so that the size and number 
 of the former are too diminutive for notice, and the latter 
 have entirely deserted our waters. The soil of Vermont, 
 ia an uncultivated state, was rich and fertile, and the 
 powers of vegetation extremely vigorous : it was over- 
 spread with an unbroken forest, and a great variety and 
 number of animals, which lived on its surface. The pro- 
 ductions of animal life, appeared in the various forms of 
 quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, fishos and insects, which in 
 their increase and growth, were numerous and rapid. Of 
 the native quadruped in Vermont, thirty-six different. kinds 
 may be numbered, some of the most common and largest, 
 are the moose, bear, wolf, deer, fox, raccoon, porcupine, 
 skunk, woodchuck, cat, martin, rabbit, weasel, squirrel, 
 mole, mouse, together with the amphibious animals, the 
 beaver, otter, muskrat and mink; all of these animals, ex- 
 cept the beaver and otter, still continue. The birds which 
 are common to the inland parts and lakes of northern 
 climates, are found in this State ; and those most 
 distinguished for the variety of their notes, and the 
 melody of their sounds, termed singing birds, are the rob- 
 in, thrush, thrasher, boblincoln, yellow and blue bird, wren, 
 black bird, sky lark, catbird, goldfinch, hanging bird, and 
 spring bird. The birds of passage are those which ap- 
 pear in the middle of April, and depart in the middle of 
 September : the house, barn and ground swallows, the 
 black martin, wild pigeon, wild goose, and snow bird ; the 
 la«tof which appears the 20th of November, and departs 
 
20 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 the 1st of April. Of those birds which generally resort to 
 ponda, rivers and lakes, called waterfowls, are the heron, 
 goose, teal, gull, crane, loon, stork, water hen, and duck. 
 There are many kinds of these. The birds which winter 
 in our climate, are the partridge. Crow, forkecl tailed hawk, 
 owl, snow bird, and wood pecker. There are other kinds 
 of birds, not belonging to those above mentioned, such as 
 two species of eagles, three of hawks, two of crows, and 
 seven of wood-peckers, kingbird, cwckoo, whippoorwill, 
 humming bird, and many others ; some of which have nev- 
 er been enumerated and described. Thebat,a mammilla- 
 ry biped, is very common, and forms the connecting link 
 between the beast and bird. 
 
 Fishes. 
 
 The variety of Fishes in the waters of Vermont, of the 
 most consequence, are the salmon, trout, shad, pickerel, 
 bass, sturgeon, perch, pout, eel, shiner chub, sucker, and 
 dace. Some of them were formerly very abundant in the 
 State. 
 
 Serpents, 
 
 The Serpents are the black snake, rattle snake, green 
 snake, striped snake, and adder. The striped snake is 
 very common, and harmless ; but the bite of the rattle 
 snake is poisonous, and fatal. The amphibious reptiles 
 are two kinds of toads, six kinds of frogs, turtles, and liz- 
 ards. Many instances are related of living frogs being 
 found inclosed in the wood of trees, in yolid rocks, and 
 the bowels of the earth, where they must have Iain in a 
 torpid state for a long period of time. At Burlington, Cas- 
 tleton and Windsor, living frogs have been found in the 
 eolid earth, from 6 to 30 feet below the surface. 
 
 Insects. 
 The Insects are numerous, but the most common are the 
 grasshopper, cricket, spider, ant, butter-fly, beetle, v/asp, 
 hornet, musquetoe, bumble and honey bees. From all ac- 
 counts, respecting the honey bee, in Mexico and South 
 America, there is no doubt of its being indigenous and 
 common to North and South America. They live in hol- 
 low trees in the woods of Vermont, from year to year, are 
 rigorouf, attain their full dimensions, and plentifully sup- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. . 21 
 
 plied with honey. They wero frtuiid by the earliest set- 
 tlers, along the shores of lake Champlain, more than one 
 hundred miles from any permanent English or French set- 
 tlement. 
 
 Mineralogv. 
 An examination of tlie Miilerals found in this State, haa 
 not till recently received much attention. Iron is very 
 abundant. In some parts of the State, lead, zinc, copper, 
 manganese, copperas, garnets, and kaolin clay, have 
 been discovered. The various mineral substances aboun- 
 ding in the mountains, might be turned to very profitable 
 account, both for useful and ornamental purposes at home, 
 and as profitable articles for exportation abroad, was a 
 sufficient attention bestowed upon the subject, to ascer- 
 tain their properties, and acquire a competent t-kill in 
 working and selling them to advantage. Iron, so indis- 
 pensable to the arts, commerce and agriculture, and even 
 tiic continuance of civilized life, has been wrought in con- 
 siderable quantities, and of a superior quality, from the ore 
 abounding on tlie west side of the mountain ; and could,, 
 by proper attention, -be made a very general and lucrative 
 article of trade. Timber, for coal, is, and will continue 
 to be, very abundant upon the broken lands. Convenient 
 water privileges, for erecting works, flow near the mineral 
 localities, and a water communication from New-York 
 reaches within short distances of the places where the ar- 
 ticles would be fabricated. Encouragement only is wan- 
 ted to bring these vast resources into an immediate public 
 advantage. Business so propitious to the rising interest 
 of the country, requires notiiing more for its promotion 
 than the active cntecpriso of the people. Had the fcame 
 attention and spirited exertions been given to manufactur- 
 ing, there has to agriculture, and the inveterate habit of 
 considering manufacturing establishments schools of in- 
 iquity, and calculated to exert a demoralizing influence 
 on society, no doubt the prosperity of tlie business would 
 augment the commercial resources of the State, and hold 
 the artizans of Europe at defiance. So far from the as-- 
 isertion being supported by facts, that vice and immoral 
 habits are tl»e consequent inmates of manufacturing estab- 
 lishments, that industry and business habits of the work- 
 
2U . HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 shop, are among the best methods of checking the intero- 
 periince of the indolent and licentiousness of the profligate. 
 
 Geology. 
 The eastern shore of lake Champlain, from ten to fifteen 
 miles distance, the rocks belong to the transition class, 
 and on t!ic rivers are very considerable tracts of alluvial 
 (icposits. The ranges on the west side of tlie mountain, 
 are, beginning at the lake,—!. Old red sand stone— 2. Grey 
 wack — 3. Transition lime stone, alternating with Transi- 
 tion Argillite— 4. Transition or Caciferous sand stone— 5. 
 Transition Argillite— G. Primitive Argillite — 7. Sparry 
 lime stone— 8. Granular lime stone — 9. Granular quartz, 
 containing hematitic ore and manganese, and lying at the 
 base of the Green Mountains, on the west side — 10. Horn- 
 blende rock — 11. Gneis, with alternating layers of gran- 
 ite, — Micha slate, constituting the middle ridge of tho 
 Green Mountain range, and extending in many places a 
 considerable distance down the eastern side. On the east 
 side of the mountain, the geological features are not so 
 well known as on the west. Lime stone is found in many 
 towns near Connecticut river; also argillaceous slate, 
 which isextensively quarried at Vernon, Dummerston, and 
 many other towns. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 23 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Discovery of Vermont — Situation of Indian Trihes. 
 — Indian Character. — Battle between the Algonquina 
 and Iroquois. — Expedition against the Mohawks. — Dis^ 
 covcries, grants, and settlement on the American conti- 
 nent.- — New-England and other colonies founded. — 
 King William^ s War. — Destruction of nchenectadi' in 
 1790. — Queen Anne^s War. — Burning of Deerfield in 
 1704. — Crown Point built in 1731. — Incursions of tha 
 French and Indians in the War of George the II. de- 
 clared in 1744. — Encroachments of the French upon 
 the English colonists, from Maine to the Mississippi. — 
 Expedition against Canada,by William Johnson. — Ma$- 
 eacre at Fori William Henry in 1757. — Change of Brit- 
 ish Ministry inlUbS. — Abercromhie^s Invasion and Da- 
 feat at Ticonderoga. — General Amherst takes the com- 
 mand of the American forces. — Captures Ticonderoga. 
 — Expedition against the village of St. Francois, by 
 Maj. Rogers. — Surrender of Canada to Great-Britain, 
 
 The first discovery of the interior of North America, 
 by civilized man, was by Samuel Cjiamplain, who sailed 
 up the lake which now bears his name, in 1609. At that 
 period, European settlements, in this part of New-Eng- 
 land, had not commenced, nor were they until the Eng- 
 lish colonists arrived at Plymouth, in 1620, when tho 
 shores of New-England were first inhabited by civilized 
 beings. The Indians occupied the whole country, for 
 raising corn, hunting, and fishing. Their habitations and 
 cultivated grounds were usually npon the rivers and plains, 
 while the hills and mountains were resorted to for tho 
 chase; and to this use they appropriated the wilderness 
 of Vermont. The Mohicans, a minor tribe of the Iroquois, 
 whose principal residence was at Albany, claimed tjie ju- 
 risdiction, and had an occasional residence in Vermont. 
 Antiquities of an Indian character are discovered in many 
 parts of the State, particularly upon the largest rivers, and 
 lake Champlain. On the island of South Hero, they had 
 « settlement near the sand bar that crosses the lake into 
 Milton; and another iii Colchester, on what aro denomi- 
 
2i HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 naled the Indian fields. Arrows and other utensils are 
 frequently thrown up, on breaking the soil. The St. Fran- 
 cois Indians had a settlement of about fifty huts, and a 
 considerable quantity of cleared land, on which they rais- 
 ed corn, in Swanton. They had also quite a station 
 at Coos, now called Newbury, on their passage from tho 
 tribes in New-England to those upon lake Memphrema- 
 gog. • The settlers of the town of Clarendon derived their 
 title t>om the Indians ; and this was the only grant obtain- 
 ed from them in tho State. 
 
 The principal tribes of Indians at this time, located in 
 New-England, were those of the Pawluckets, and their 
 auxiliaries, the Agawams and Piscataquas : these had their 
 principal residence near the mouth of theMerrimac river. 
 The tribes inhabiting Massachusetts bay,were the Nepon- 
 sotts and Nashuas — the Acumtucks resided at Deerfield. 
 The eastern part of Rhode-Island, including Cape Cod, 
 was inhabited by the Pokanockets. Here tho grand Sa- 
 chem lived, on the arrival of the English, holding his scat 
 near mount Hope, in Bristol. On their coast the pilgrim 
 fathers first landed, and were at one time charitably sus- 
 tained by their kindness and attention, while at another, 
 tiiey were nearly destr*)yed by their valor. Various other 
 tribes were scattered through New-England. A short 
 time previous, to the arrival of the New-England Colony, 
 a terrible pestilence, conjectured to be the yellow fever, had 
 s"vept off more than half of their numbers. This ©vent, 90 
 destructive to the natives, was very favorable to the Eu- 
 ropeans establishing themselves, upon the American 
 •bores. The Tarateens or Abenaquies were located upon 
 the Penobscot, Androscoggin nnd Saco rivers, in the 
 north part of New-England. Tliey removed afterwards, 
 and settled on the river St. Francois, and were said to be 
 the first Indians who become acquainted with the use of 
 gun powder and fire arms. The Five Nations, who took 
 their stations before the commencement of the English 
 settlement, possessed the country from the eastern limits 
 of Lake Erie to Lake Champlain. From the Kittatinny 
 mountains, and the highlands, to I-ake Ontario, and the 
 Cataragui, or the St. Lawrenc©. The Mohawks settled 
 on the Mohawk riv«r, and held their chief residence about 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 25 
 
 IS miles from Schenectady, being the tribe adjoining those 
 who passed the territory of Vermont. The Indians resid- 
 ing in Canada, when it was first discovered, were the Ab- 
 gonquins, along the banks of the St. Jjawrence, from Que- 
 bec to Montreal; and the Hurons, who were dispersed a- 
 bout the Lake, which bears ■'heir name. Those were some 
 of the principal tribes and their allotted territories, who 
 were engaged, in the controversies betv/een tlie French 
 Pul English colonies, and usually effected a passage, in 
 tiieir hostile encounters upon the waters of Lake Oham- 
 plain. 
 
 The origin of the Indians cannot be determined by his- 
 tory, nor will calculation ever arrive at a probable certain- 
 ty. Some writers have declared, tiiat they were indigenous, 
 whilst others maintain the opinion of their migration : but 
 consider them the extremes of human depravity, and out- 
 casts of the world. Criminations have been throv.-n upon 
 them, they have been driven from their possessions, and 
 the quietness of their dwellings have been interrupted by 
 insolent invaders. Dissipation, introduced among them 
 by their civilized neighbors, has brought on tlie pain of 
 disappointment, and the conflict of barbarity. 
 
 The Indians are well formed, of a copper complexion, 
 v/ith long black hair, and high cheek bones. Their lan- 
 guage is composed chiefly of natural sounds, and is deficient 
 in such as are arbitrary. From a want of copiousness, it 
 requires to be illustrated by many gestures; and abounds 
 in metaphor, and allusion. They seem to be delighted on 
 all possible occasians to make their meaning known by 
 significant gestures. Hence hostilities are proclaimed, bv 
 Bending their adversary some weapon of war. Among 
 the Indians, the v/omen were treated as brutes, rather tlian 
 the companions of human beings. 1'he contract of mar- 
 riage was in fact a purchase, and so was considered br 
 themselves. The savage, without tenderness, or refine- 
 ment, does not look for pleasure, in the beauty, chastity 
 and aflection, or in the attachments, conversation and re- 
 fined manners of the female, but in the labors and menial 
 services she is able to perform. Tiie character of the In- 
 dians may be properly compared to the aspect of an un- 
 cultivated country ; whose pleasing variety and dreary 
 
 3 
 
26 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 wildness alternately delight and amaze us. The Indian^ 
 unacquainted with civilization, exercises his inventions 
 only for the immediate conveniences of life. He has no 
 contested beauty to win by his gallantry, and no applause 
 to expect from his refinements. His renown is placed in 
 the hazard of his undertakings, and the success of their 
 execution. To a mind fierce and implacable, and a reso- 
 lution bordering upon desperation, the barren and inhos- 
 pitable region, has no discouragement for his ambition ; 
 distance, no mitigation for his resentment. The Indian, 
 accustomed to the speed of the chase, is active and en- 
 during; the mountain, the river and the forest, are th© 
 scene of his delight, and the harvest of his wants. His 
 body is weak for want of laborious exercise, which in 
 civilized countries invigorates the mind, and gives energy 
 to the system. In this rude condition, he scarcely exer- 
 cises his reason, his ideas are confined to a narrow sphere^ 
 his intellect is limited and his emotions languid. His 
 attention is employed about a few objects, which are only 
 conducive to his present enjoyment. Thus, where nature's 
 gifts are spontaneously bestowed, he dozes away his time, 
 in spiritless apathy or senseless stupidity. His political 
 regulations are few and unimportant, for the extension of 
 his rights are no greater than the possessions of his toil. 
 His lands are not cantoned for cultivation, but remain a 
 wild for animals and game. He engages in war,not so much 
 for interest as revenge ; the desire of vengeance, which 
 inflames the savage, resembles the instinct of a brute rath- 
 er than the passions of man; he turns with fury upon the 
 weapon which wounds him; as though endowed with sen- 
 sensibility and life. His milita.*-y operations arc diflerent 
 from those of civilized nations. The glory of the soldier, 
 is not in the attack of an open force — to surprise is tho 
 chief merit of the commander, and the pride of his follow- 
 ers — success obtained witliout blood, is considered a dis- 
 grace to a veteran savnge.^ The torture w hich is inflicted 
 upon a prisoner exceeds th.e utmost pains of sickness op 
 natural decay. Insult and violence, which would shock the 
 heart of depravity, are offered and endured w ithout a look 
 of pity or thought of regret. The burning stake, with all 
 the horrors of dissolution, is welcomed, without a groan. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. ^ 
 
 A display of fortitude in so dreadful a situation, is the no- 
 blest triumph of the Indian warrior. Freedom is the pride 
 of his feelings. Witii him slavery is unknown, and like 
 tli8 A^stolic union, all things are possessed in com- 
 mon. His^ligion, like that of many of the eastern na- 
 tions, consisTs in worshiping some visible objects, to which 
 he ascribes the attributes of a God. The Indians in the 
 territory of the United States, made no advances towards 
 the discovery of letters. Tlie Only things they seemed 
 desirous of recording, were the deeds of their warriors. — 
 Whenever they v/ere victorious, they made rough figures 
 and imitations upon the trees, to represent the direction of 
 their march, and the numbers they had captured and slain 
 of their enemies : sometimes, their inscriptions v^ere made 
 upon rocks, but were confined to warlike afiairs. Where 
 West river, in this State, forms a junction with Connecti- 
 cut river, several of these inscriptions remain. They are 
 irregularly placed and rudely scratched upon a rock, and 
 sunk but little below its surface ; four of these represent 
 the wild duck, and the fifth was probably designed to rep- 
 resent a fox or wolf. Ten or twelve figures of a superior 
 workmanship, are wrought into the surface of a rock, at 
 Bellows' Falls, in Rockingham. The heads of men, wo- 
 men and children, and some animals, are represented by 
 these inscriptions. The outlines of these figures are awk- 
 ward and badly executed; being sunk into the rock at 
 least one third of an inch. What transactions they were 
 intended to represent, tradition gives us no account. At 
 the time Champlain founded the colony at Q-uebec, and 
 circumnavigated the Lake which now bears his name, the 
 Algonquins, a tribe inhabiting Canada, whose principal 
 seat was at Hocklega, were at war with the powerful na- 
 tion of the Iroquois. Champlain and his party of Indians 
 of the Huron tribe, who had sullered severely from the in- 
 roads of the Iroquois, and two Frenchmen went on an ex- 
 pedition through Lakes Champlain and St. George, to a- 
 venge themselves upon their enemies. Being discovered 
 upon the shores of the Lake, a skirmish took place. The 
 Frenchmen were armed with muskets, which was the first 
 time, probably, that the Iroquois had ever seen the efiect 
 c?f gun-powder, and the vicU)ry obtained over them, was 
 
!» HISTORY OF VERxMONT. 
 
 complete. Fifty were killed and the remainder put to 
 flight. Tiiis transaction gained tor the new settlers tho 
 iViendly attention of their Indian neighbors. The colony 
 at Q,uebec, by reason of the Five Nations regaining 
 their former ascendency over their anci^ enemi(>s, 
 were full of apprehensions, that the time was not far dist- 
 fant, when they should be forced to abandon their country. 
 The court of France interfering in their distress, sent a 
 detachment of four hundred troops, which in the course of 
 two years were reinforced with a regiment more, nnd went 
 out on an expedition against the Mohawks, one of the Fivo 
 Nations, in 1665, This detachment marched by th.e way 
 of lake Champlain, on snow shoes, and came very near 
 perishing, when they accidentally fell in with a settlement 
 at Schenectady, and were saved by the interposition of 
 Corlear, one of its inhabitants. After another expedition 
 into the country of the Mohaws, attended with great ex- 
 pense and fatigue, but with little advantage, a general peace? 
 was concluded in 1667. During this season of peace, M, 
 Courcclies, the Governor of Canada, was not inactive. — 
 He foresaw that peace with savages would be of short du- 
 ration. Accordingly he made preparations f(jr the future 
 defence of Canada. To prevent the irruptions of the Iro- 
 quois into his province l>y the way of lake Champlain, he 
 built, in 1665, the forts Chambly and Sorel. Such were 
 the inhabitants of America at the time of its discovery and 
 (settlement : a race of uncivilized and ferocious savages^ 
 Tho first attempts at forming a settlement within the pres- 
 ent limits of the United States, was by the French, in 1562. 
 This colony, commenced by Jasper Coligni, at Port Roy- 
 al, was probably designed as an asylum from religious per- 
 secution, which then raged in France. Fifty years after 
 the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, and 
 forty-seven years before the discovery of lake Champlain 
 and the green mountains of Vermont, by Samuel Cham- 
 {)luin, this settlement was commenced, which, however, 
 was entirely broken up. The first permanent settlement 
 commenced in the United States was under the direction 
 of Christopher Newton, at Jamestown, in Virginia, J6C0. 
 The Dutch began the colonization of New-York in 1614 ; 
 tad the Pilgrim colonists, c<Jisisting of 120 persons, bo- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 2d 
 
 gan tholr settlement at Plymouth, in 1620,under the direc- 
 tion of Mr. Carver. The whole number of itihabitants 
 among all the colonists, in 1G20, did not exceed 2G0O. A 
 general convention of the English colonies was held at Al- 
 bany in the year 1631. Their object was to guard against 
 the incursion of the French, and against the Iroquois 
 tribes, who were under the influence and instigation of the 
 French Jesuits. The storm was averted by a treaty of 
 peace, trade, and alliance, entered upon by Howard, pres- 
 ident of the convention, and the Five Nations. In treating 
 upon the events which transpired within the limits of tiie 
 New-Hampshire grants, it will be necessary to describe 
 the transactions of the colonies, which led to the frequent 
 navigation of lake Champlain and traversing the then v.il- 
 dcrness region of the green mountains. The wars occa- 
 sioned by the vices and follies of the Kings of England and 
 France, produced most of the controversies and sufferings 
 experienced by the early settlers. The colonists engaged 
 in warfare whenever the European governments were at 
 issue with one another. Thus they had not only to shara 
 the troubles of the mother countries, but also the barbar- 
 ism and ven^^jeance of the sava£fes. 
 
 The affairs of the colonies were always in confusion un- 
 til a pacification between France and England took place. 
 The first hostilities between the settlers of Canada and 
 the British Colonies, originated on William's accession 
 to the throne of England, in 16S9, which terminated in 
 the peace of Ryswic, in 1697. Queen Anne's war, so 
 called, commenced in 1702, and continued to the peace 
 of Utretcht, in 1713. The third controversy was declar- 
 ed by George II. in 1744, and continued lyitil the prelimi- 
 naries of peace were signed between France and England, 
 at Aix-la-Chapelle, in 174S. The last conflict between 
 these powers, anterior to the American revolution, was 
 formally declared by Great-Britain in 1756, and was re- 
 ciprocated the same year on the part of France. Louis 
 XIV., king of France, in attempting to support the fugi- 
 tive sovereign of England, kindled a war between his coun- 
 try and Great-Britain. The French in Canada directed 
 their arms against New-England and New-York, and in- 
 stigated the Indians to join in these hostilities. In 1C89, 
 
 3* 
 
30 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 throe expeditions were fitted out in the dead of winter ; cut 
 iigainst New-York, a second a^^'^inst Ne\v-I!anipbhirc\ 
 and the third against Maine. That against New-York 
 was put under the direction of D'Aillebout, wlio had un- 
 der his command about two hundred Frenclimen and fifty 
 Indians. Being well acquainted with the country, they 
 proceded by the way of lake Champlain, and after a march 
 of twenij-two days, in the most reduced circumstances, 
 arrived in the month of January at Schenectady, a village 
 upon the Mohawk. The inhabitants, although notified of 
 the designs of the enemy, felt perfectly secure, consider- 
 ing it impracticable for any men to march fronj Canada at 
 this inclement season of the year, bearing their provisions 
 on their backs. On Saturday night, about II o'clock, 
 Februarys, 1690, they entered the village whilst the inhab- 
 itants were reposing in profound sleep, and invested with 
 Jimall parties every house at the same time. Th.e noise and 
 violence of the onset had scarcely awakened them before 
 the most inhuman barbarities were perpetrated. I'liey set 
 fire to their houses, and men, women and children were 
 dragged from their beds and inhumanly murdered. Sixty 
 persons fell by the hands of the enemy, twenty-seven wero 
 carried away into captivity, and the remainder fled naked 
 to Albany, through a deep snow, twenty-five of whom lost 
 their limbs through the severity of the weather. The/ 
 were pursued by a party of young men from Albany, wh» 
 took twenty of their number prisoners. To avenge thia 
 atrocious and unprecedented outrage, an expedition was 
 fitted out of 2000 troops to penetrate Canada, by the way 
 of lake Champlain, and attack Montreal at the same time 
 that a naval arwjament should invest Q,uebec. This plan, 
 liowever, failed, without accomplishing any thing. The 
 troops did not cross the lake, for want of boats and pro- 
 vifeions. The undertaking terminating so unpropitiously, 
 that the Five Nations received very unfavorable impres- 
 sions towards the English colonies. To retrieve which, 
 and keep alive their hostility towards the French, Major 
 Scliuyler, of Albany, placed himself at the head of a party 
 of Mohawks, passed through lake Champlain, and made 
 a vigorous irruption upon the French settlement on tho 
 river Sorel. la this encounter about three hundred of tko 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 31 
 
 enemy wore slain. This invasion of Canada exciter! tho 
 veteran Frontenac to return them a call by the same way. 
 Arriving January i5th, 1695, tliey attacked the Mohawk 
 castle, lost thirty of their men, but carried the Indian for- 
 tress, v/ith the capture of 300 iNIohawks. The pro.^ecu- 
 tion of hostilities in the reign of Q,ueen Anne, was mar- 
 ked with the most savage brutality on the part of the French 
 and Indians, in their excursion against Deerlield, in tho 
 winter of ITOl. 
 
 A force of about three hundred, under the command of 
 De Rouvillc and his two brothers, took their route by the 
 way of lake Champlain, until they came to the French (now 
 called Onion) river — passing up that stream, thence over 
 to Connecticut river, on which they travelled upon the ico 
 to Deerfield. Tiiis place was slightly fortified by two or 
 three garrisons, which were nearly covered by snowdrifts. 
 The party approached on the 29th day of February, and 
 embraced the opportunity about two hours before day, 
 when the sentinels were all asleep, to rush on to the at- 
 tack. Entering the house of Rev Mr.Williams,they seized 
 and bound him, butchered two of his children and a black 
 servant, before his eyes. Having conquered the placo 
 and killed forty-seven of its inhabitants, they set fire to it, 
 and departed the same day in great haste. A skirmish en- 
 sued, but the enemy were completely successful, and car- 
 ried 112 of the inhabitants of Deerfield into captivity. -~ 
 Attempts v/ere further made at the reduction of Canada; 
 in one ot which, the troops to attack Montreal advanced 
 as far as lake George, under the command of General 
 Nicholson; but returned, on account of the wreck of tho 
 fleet that was to co-operate with them on the French lines. 
 A treaty of peace, concluded at Utrecht, put an end to tho 
 difficulties. France ccdedNewfoundland and NovaScotiu 
 to England, and stipulated that the subjects of France, ia 
 hostile to her, in Canada and other places, should here- 
 after give no hindrance to the Five Nations, nor any oth- 
 er nation of Indians who are at peace with Great-Britain. 
 The French now determined on making nearer approach- 
 es to Albany, while the attention of New-York was enga- 
 ged on the western lakes. Accordingly, in the year 1731, 
 they sailed through lake Champlain with a considerablo 
 
52 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 force, and erected a fort at Crown point. This was a well 
 devised measure to promote their own interest. The lake 
 bad been a thorough-fare, through which their expeditions 
 against Schenectady, Mohawk castle, and Deeriield, had 
 been directed. In all attempts at the conqijest of Cana- 
 da, lake Champlain was the contemplated way for making 
 Buch excursions. A fort at the straits of lake Champlain, 
 Becuring tlie whole navigation of it, commanding a largo 
 portion of the English and Indian frontiers, furnishing a 
 magazine of arms and ammunition to supply troops, pro- 
 viding an asylum for the Indians when retreating from 
 their plundering and murdering expeditions against the 
 English frontiers, was an establishment of the highest 
 importance. The garrison was first stationed on the east 
 side of the lake, now in the town of Addison ; but after- 
 wards they established it on a peninsula on the west side, 
 now called Crown point. During the war declared by 
 George the II. which continued four years, from 1741, the 
 only achievements in the then wilderness vale of Cham- 
 plain, were by scouting and navigating parties of French 
 and Indians, who spread destruction and dismay, by plun- 
 dering, killing and scalping wherever they could find de- 
 fenceless individuals or settlements. At Charlestown, on 
 Connecticut river, a fort had been built some time previ- 
 ous to tiie commencement of the present war, to protect 
 the frontier settlements of New-Hampshire. In the spring 
 of the year 1747, after having killed and captivated some 
 of the inhabitants, and destroyed their cattle in this place, 
 the enemy made attempts to take the fort and destroy the 
 settlement. A large party of French and Indians, under 
 the command of M. Debeiine, commenced the attack. — 
 Captain Stevens, a bold and successful officer, resisted 
 their encroachments with eflect. The next movement was 
 to eet fire to the fences, log-houses, and other buildings 
 adjoining, and burn down the fort. For two days thia 
 method of aysault was continued, and then they prepared 
 Q wheel carriage, and loaded it with dry faggots, which 
 was moved before them to set fire to the fort. These at- 
 tempts were frustrated by the. bravery and discernment of 
 Stevens and his men. Debeiine urged the garrison to 
 Burrendcr, but was answered, that the fort would be de- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 33 
 
 fended to the last extremity. An offer was then made, 
 that if Stevens would sell them provision??, they would 
 depart; to which he replied, that he would give tivc bush- 
 els of corn for any ca])tive they would bind themselves by 
 a hostage to bring back from Canada. On receiving this 
 answer, Debcline withdrew his troops to Crown point. — 
 Sir Charles Knowles, of the British navy, presented Capt 
 Stevens, for this distinguished act of bravery, vvitli an el- 
 egant sword. Small parties of Indians continued killing 
 and captivating the settlers, pillaging their property, 
 and burning their dwellings, during the continuance of 
 this v/ar. 
 
 The most advanced fortress, at Williamstown, was be- 
 sieged in 1748, by an army of 900 Frencli and Indians, 
 who continued the siege twenty-eight hours, until the gar- 
 rison, consisting of thirty-three persons, had expended all 
 their ammunition, and were obliged to surrender. Colonel 
 Hawks, the English commandant, lost but one, rpa] tho 
 <;ncmy forty-nve. At this time, encroachments were mak- 
 ing upon Nova Scotia, a considerable part of v/hich tiio 
 French laid claim to, and were erecting fortincations in 
 several places. Crown point was sett'ing in the Dorth, 
 and in the west attempts were not only making to com- 
 plete a line of forts from the head of the St. Lawrence to 
 the Mississippi, but they were advancing tar into Virgin- 
 ia. A circumstance, which served to bring on the war, 
 was, the alledged intrusion of the Ohio Company upon 
 the territory of the Frencii. This company, consisting 
 of individuals from London and Virginia, had obtained 
 a grant of 600,000 acres of land on or near the Oi»io riv- 
 er, for carrying on the fin- trade and settling the country. 
 The Governor of Canada, supposing they would deprive 
 him of the this trade, and prevent communications between 
 Canada and Louisiana, claimed, by a former grant, the 
 country i?ast of the Ohio river to the Alleghany moun- 
 tains, and forbid encroachments by the English. The 
 French Governor manifested his hostile determination, by 
 t^eizing several of the English traders and carrying them 
 away captives, which aroused the indignation of the 
 Twightwee Indians, who, by the way of retaliation, took 
 several of the French traders and sent them to PennsyJ- 
 
34 IIISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 vania. Complaints were laid before Governor Didwid- 
 die, who presented the subject to tlie Assembly, which 
 ordered a messenger ((jcorge Washini^ton, atterwarda 
 t!)G illustrious benefactor of the United States, being the 
 person cjiosen) to attend and settle the dispute ; but the 
 jttLempt proved fruitless, and all prospect of a reconcilia- 
 tion terminated. Hostilities were commenced without a 
 formal declaration of war, which happened near the first 
 settlement of Vermont. 
 
 Among the expeditions fitted out against difTerent pla- 
 ces upon the Canadian frontiers, was one against Crown 
 Point, under Colonel William Johnson. The Provincial 
 troops, to the amount of 6,000, were ordered to rendez- 
 vous at Albany. 'J'he command of tlie expedition was 
 given to Generals Johnson and Lyman, who collected an 
 array together before the first of Jime, 1757, and were 
 joined by Ilendrick, a Mohawk Sachem, with a consid- 
 erable body of Indians. The main army under the direc- 
 tion of General Lyman, marched as far as the carrying 
 place, four miles from thci south end of lake George. — 
 Fort Edward was built at the carrying place, where Gen- 
 eral Jobnson arrived fronj Albany, with the provisions, 
 erllUery and batteaux, necessary tor the enterprise, and 
 they were in readiness to advance to the lake at the lat- 
 ter dnd of August. lie proceeded from Albany to the 
 Bouth end of lake George, where all were engaged in mak- 
 ing j)reparation^ for crossing the lake. The army was 
 Btationod on rising ground, having a thick woods on each 
 side of them, the lake in the rear, and a breast work of 
 trees in fiont. 'j'he Indian scouts, while matters were 
 tl)U3 conditioned, brought intelligence that a largo body 
 of the enemy were advancing by South Bay, from Ticon- 
 deroga, to Fort Edward, where General Johnson had 
 stationed a garrison of about five hundred troops, under 
 the command of Colonel Bianchard. One of the expresses 
 «ent to Colonel Bianchard, returned in the silence of the 
 night, with tidings that the enemy had advanced within 
 four miles of Fort Edward. A council of ofhcers was 
 summoned, by whom it was concluded, that Colonel* 
 Williams and'Whiting, with ilendrick, the Mohawk com- 
 mander, and his Indians, should be detached, with a par- 
 
FIISTORY OF VERMONT. 36 
 
 if of one thousand men, to intercept the enemy. The ar- 
 my of the enemy, for the purpose of cutting otfthe garri* 
 eon at Fort Edward, marched from Ticonderoga under 
 the command of Baron Dieskau, and received informa- 
 tion that it was strongly fortified, but that the army at tho 
 lake were destitute of arms and cannon. He resolved to 
 attack the main camp, which was discovered by the ad- 
 ranced parties, at the distance of three miles. An am- 
 bush was immediately laid to surprise the party, which 
 was completely successful. Colonel Williams, Hendrick, 
 and many other officers and men were slain. Those who 
 escaped this fatal ambuscade made safe their return to 
 the corps under Colonel Whiting, the successor in com* 
 mand. The victors pursued the fugitives within about 
 thirty rods of the camp — made a little halt, and began the 
 attack by a brisk and heavy firing of platoons. They 
 fought with great resolution, after a few moments trepi- 
 dation, and the reception of a few fires. The Canadians 
 and Indians were so intimidated at the firing of the artil- 
 lery, that they retired in coufusion behind the trees and 
 bushes. Baron Dieskau, finding that he could make no 
 impression from any movement, to force a passage, was 
 obliged to abandon the attempt. The provincials seeing 
 the confusion of the er»emy, leaped their breastworks, and 
 attacked them with such resolution as to put them to ao 
 entire rout. About TOO were killed, and 30 taken pris- 
 oners. Baron Dieskau was found among tlie number 
 who were slain. The loss of the provincials was about 
 two hundred, principally from the detachment under CoL 
 Williams, together with forty IiKiians. As a detachment 
 under Captain Mc(iinnes wa* marching the next day from 
 Fort Edward, to reinforce the camp, when near tiie spot 
 where Williams was defeated, discovered between 3 and 
 409 of the enemy, sitting by the ford. He attacked them 
 with such impetuosity, that after a severe contest, they fled 
 iu the utmost confusion. The brave commander received 
 Q mortal wound in the contest. Nothing of further impor- 
 tance occurred at this place, except the erection of a fort 
 at lake George, called Fort William Henry, and the com- 
 pletion of the works at Fort Edward. The troops return- 
 
36 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 cd to their respective colonies, except those retained to 
 keep the garrison. 
 
 That part of the campaign for 175G, which related to 
 the fortresses upon Lake George, was committed to the 
 brave and active Montcalm. He concentrated his forces 
 at Ticonderoga, consisting of Regulars, Canadians and 
 Indians, during tlie absence of most of the British troops, 
 and passing up Lake (Jeorge, commenced the siege of 
 Fort William Henry with 500 men. At this time, General 
 Webb, with tlie English army consisting of 4 or 5000 men, 
 was encamped at Fort Edward. Colonel Monroe, an 
 English ofncer, had under his command at Lake George 
 H force of 2300 regulars and provincials, a part of vrhom 
 were stationed at Fort William Henry and the remainder 
 at a fortified place afterwards made the site of Fort 
 George. After some skirmishing, the batteries of the 
 French were opened on the same ground where the village 
 of Caldwell now stands. M. Levi and the Chevalier La 
 Corne stationed two divisions of the army in the woods, 
 south of Monroe's position, to cut otf the communication 
 with Fort Edward, and an advanced party lay on the road 
 near an extensive morass, about five miles towards that 
 Fort. Monroe defended his precarious situation from the 
 3d to the 9th of August, expecting relief from General 
 Webb, at Fort Edward, who iiad received pressing soli- 
 citations for relief, from the besieged, whicii he treated 
 with the most emphatic and inlmman indifference. Many 
 of Monroe's guns burst, and his ammunition expended, he 
 was theref^ore obliged to surrender. On the Otii, articles 
 of capitulation were signed, the terms of which ■nere, that 
 the vanquished should retain their arms, and be escorted 
 to Fort Edward. The possession of the works were im- 
 mediately given up to the French ; wiien the Indians 
 rushed instantly over the parapet, and seized such arti- 
 cles as they could, with imi)unity; then they commenced 
 their depredations upon the baggage of the officers, which 
 was represented as a violalation of the terms of the capitu- 
 lation. But, in contempt of this, the Indians attached to 
 the French army, fell upon the defenceless prisoners, and 
 massacreed whoever came in their way. Tlie whole gar- 
 rison, consisting of two thousand men, women and cliildren, 
 
HISTORY OF VERxMONT. 37 
 
 Out of which fifteen hundred were killed or made prisoners, 
 and many of them never returned. Major Putnam was 
 despatched with a companj of rangers to watch the move- 
 ments of Montcalm ; but he arrived at the shore of thu 
 Lake just after the French had embarked on their return 
 to Ticonderoga. The prospect was awful and horrid in 
 the highest degree. The fort was demolished — the bar- 
 racks and oot-houses were a heap of ruins — the cannon, 
 stores and utensils were carried away — the fires were still 
 burning, with smoke and stench suffocating and offensive. 
 Numberless fragments of human skulls, bones, and car- 
 cases half consumed, were still broiling and frying in the 
 decaying fires. Dead bodies mangled with scalping 
 knives, in all the wantonness of Indian barbarity, were 
 •every where to be seen. 
 
 More than one hundred women, inhumanly stabbed and 
 butchered, lay naked on the ground, with their bowels 
 torn out and stiil weltering in their gore. Some had their 
 throats cut, and with others their brains were oozing out, 
 where the hatchet had cleaved their heads. Destruction 
 and horror every where appeared — a spectacle too diabol- 
 ical and horrid to be described or endured. A most for- 
 tunate change for the safety of the Colonies and the honor 
 of the British arms, took place in the English iMinistry 
 in 175S. Th© celebrated Lord Chatham was now placed 
 at the head of the administration, who animated, the Brit- 
 ish council and invigorated the energies of the Colonies, 
 that were exhausted and discouraged by a series of ill 
 planned and unfortunate expeditions. The English met 
 "with success in almost every encounter, until Cafiada was 
 entirely subdued. Circular letters were addressed to the 
 Colonial governors by the prime minister, by which they 
 were assured of the determination of the ministry to send 
 a large force to America, and called upon them to raise as 
 many troops as their numbers and circumstances would 
 permit. Massachusetts and Connecticut together fur- 
 nished 15,000 men, who were ready for service in May, 
 An expedition was fitted out this year, 1758, against Ti- 
 conderoga, under the direction of (ireneral Abercrombie, 
 commander in chief of the British forces in America. — 
 His troops, amounting to 16,000 strong, were conveyed 
 
 4 
 
33 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 across lake George by means of one thousand and thirty- 
 five boats, and hmded under the cover of a heavy artille- 
 ry, without opposition. The English General advanced 
 towards the fort as the French retired through an almost 
 impassable woods. On approaching the fort, Lord Howo 
 was killed in a skirmish with an inconsiderable number of 
 the enemy. The army pressed zealously on to revengo 
 his death, when 300 of the French were killed and one 
 hundred taken prisoners. Information was communicated 
 to Abercrombie, that a reinforcement of 3000 men wero 
 immediately expected : therefore he determined to storm 
 the fort, before the arrival of his artillery. The expedition 
 was abandoned after four hours of severe fighting, with 
 the loss, on the part of the assailants, of 1941. But Cew 
 of the enemy were killed, and most of these were shot 
 through the head ; their bodies being defended by the 
 breast work. General Amherst succeeded Abercrombie 
 as commander in chief in the campaign of 1759. He led 
 on his forces, the 22d of .Tuly, against Ticonderoga, wliich 
 surrendered soon after his arrival. The enemy, after- 
 wards evacuating Crown point, returned to the Isle Aux 
 Noix. General Amherst, relinquishing his successful 
 pursuit, marched his army back to Crown point, where 
 he encamped for the winter. Measures were concerted, 
 in the mean time, to make the enemy feel the resentment 
 of the Colonies, on account of the brutal ravages of the 
 Indians upon the frontiers. The St. Francois tribe, set- 
 tled on the St. Lawrence in 1703, had for a long time 
 committed their bloody depredations upon the provinces 
 of New-Hampshire and Massachusetts. Major Rogers, 
 a bold and successful ofncer from the province of New- 
 Hampshire, was appointed by Gen. Amherst to proceed 
 with two hundred men in batteaux down lake Champlain, 
 and from thence to the Indian village, and there revengo 
 themselves upon these merciless cannibals, who had so 
 dastardly and promiscuously murdered men, women an<l 
 children — burnt their dwellings and destroyed their elTects. 
 After several misfortunes by the way, they came in sight 
 of the town on the evening of the Sth of October, 1759. — 
 He then ordered his men to refresh themselves, while he, 
 dressed in the Indian manner, took an interpreter, and 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 39 
 
 wont out to reconnoitre the town. Finding them engaged 
 in a great dance, he returned at2 o'clock. About4 o'clock, 
 on the breaking up of their powwow, Rogers rushed into 
 the town, knocked down, shot and killed in real Indian 
 style, all who came in his way. The settlement contain- 
 ed 300 inhabitants, of which 200 were slain and 20 were 
 taken prisoners ; every thing was destroyed or taken 
 away that could be, and the place was reduced to ashes. 
 Several hundred scalps were seen on poles, waving ifi 
 the air ; two hundred guineas, a silver image weighing ten 
 pounds, together with aquantity of wampum, and clothing 
 and provisions, were found. The assailants suffered great- 
 ly, from hunger, on their return by the way of Memphre- 
 inagog to Charlestown. Some of their number were lost 
 by tiie annoyance of the enemy, and thirty-six died. While 
 Rogers was engaged in subduing the Indians on the St. 
 Lawrence, General Amherst was preparing to march his 
 army against the forts and settlements in Canada. Th« 
 superiority of a naval force had as yet secured to the ene- 
 my the command of the lake. Amherst, on ascertaining 
 their strength and situation at the Isle Aux Noix, directed 
 Captain Loring to construct, with the greatest despatch, 
 a sloop of sixteen guns and a boat sufficient for carry- 
 ing six large cannon. These vessels, together with abrig- 
 antine, were completed and manned on the eleventh of 
 October, when the army, with the commander, embarked 
 in batteaux, to engage the enemy. The weather became 
 Bo tempestuous, they were obliged to land the next day on 
 the western side of the lake. Captain Loring, in the mean 
 time sailing down the lake, discovered the French fleet. 
 He gave chase to them, drove their vessels into a bay, 
 where two were sunk and the other was run aground by 
 the crew, who escaped into the woods. One of the ves- 
 Bels was repaired and taken away by Loring, who had so 
 far succeeded as to leave but one schooner remaining to 
 the French. The army again re-em.barked, and procee- 
 ded down the lake ; but the General, finding the season 
 for acti on had elapsed, and the severity of the winter com- 
 ing on, considered it impossible to engage in a new expe- 
 dition without endangering his army or running too great 
 a risk of not accomplishing his object Ue therefore re- 
 
40 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 turned to the bay, where his men had been sheltered from 
 the storm, and marched to Crown Point for winter quar- 
 ters. A new fortress and three new out works were erect- 
 ed here, for the more effectual defence of the place. In 
 concentrating the provincial forces, to proceed to Montre- 
 al on the last English campaign against Canada, in 1760, 
 the business was committed to Colonel Haviland. To fa- 
 cilitate these operations, Amherst directed that a road 
 should beopenodfrom Number Four, on Connecticut riv- 
 er, across the green mountains, to Crown Point. Colon- 
 el Gotf, with a New-Hampshire regiment, performed this 
 service. The road was begun two miles north of the fort 
 nt Number Four,and completed tor twenty-six miles, where 
 they discovered a path which led to Otter Creek, and a 
 good road from thence to the lake. On the l-5th of Au- 
 gust the forces under the command of Haviland procee- 
 ded down the lake and took the Isle Aux Noix. In eflect- 
 ing it, but little resistance was shown, and few were slain 
 in the contest. The post was deserted and the forts at St. 
 Johns and Chambly became an easy conquest. They then 
 crossed over to Montreal, which surrendered on the 8th of 
 September, 1760, together with all the French settlements 
 in this part of America. During the continuance of six 
 years war, but two battles were fought in the valley of lake 
 Champlain. The first at lake George, where Dieskau 
 was vanquished and Johnson successful; the second at 
 Ticonderoga, in which Abercrombie was repulsed and 
 Montcalm defended bis post. The population of the Brit- 
 ish provinces, afterwards erected into the Republic of 
 America, so far as enumeration had been made, amounted 
 to 1,499,000. Boston was the most populous town, con- 
 taining 15,000— New-York 12,000, Philadelphia 13,000, 
 and Charleston between 5 and 6,000. 
 
 On reviewing the operations of the Colonial wars, a few- 
 remarks upon their rise, and moral and political efiects^ 
 may be worthy of attention. The Europeans first settled 
 their country with a determination to secure their rights 
 and make a permanent residence on the lands of which 
 they took possession. But the natives, alarmed at these 
 encroachments, l)ecame jealous and resentful. Contro- 
 versies about property gradually resolved themselves into 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. ii 
 
 open hostilities, attended vvith all that cruelty insepara- 
 ble from the Indian passions and habits. The interest and 
 mutual hatred between the French and English sovereigns, 
 furnished another cause for these wars. Whenever they 
 supposed it would be for their interest to involve their 
 kingdoms in the calamities of war, the Colonies were re- 
 quired to join in the cruelties of those bloody contests. 
 
 The moral effect of these wars tended greatly to debase 
 and eradicate every principle of justice, humanity and can- 
 dor from the mind, and establish feelings of malevolence, 
 revenge and injustice. Men who were endeavoring to 
 destroy, could not possibly wish to assist one another : in- 
 stead of this, they were continually cultivating a spirit of 
 abhorrence and revenge. The effect of these wars on the 
 eettlement and agricultural prosperity, was still m®re de- 
 trimental. The people were obliged to observe a debili- 
 tating caution and slowness in advancing their settlements 
 into the country; and so fearful were they of being des- 
 troyed in their advances on the frontiers, that a proposal 
 for locating and settling a township at Coos, (now New- 
 bury) in 1752, was abandoned, on the St. Francois In- 
 dians refusing this privilege to the public authorities of 
 Massachusetts and New-Hampshire. 
 
 Their political effects operated very injuriously Wf)on 
 the Colonies, and kept them in a state of absolute depen- 
 dence. The governments were embarrassed — necessa- 
 ry and useful manufactures were checked — commerce and 
 trade were restricted ; and finally, they were designed to 
 keep the intellectual powers of the people in a state of im- 
 becility and ignorance. 
 
43 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 CnAPTEll III. 
 
 A Vis?r of the Civil Policy from 1760 to 1775.— First 
 Settlement in Vermont. — Grants from New-Hampshire . 
 
 — Proceedings of New-York occasion di^^turhance a- 
 mongthe settlers. — American V/ar commenced. — Croicn 
 Poi7it and Ticonderoga taken hy Colonel Allen. — (Min- 
 eral Montgomery invades Canada. — Allen taken pris- 
 oner. — Surrender of the Forts at Chamhly and St, 
 Johns. — Montreal given vp. — Ge?ieral Prescott taken. 
 — Flight of Carleton. — Arnold and Montgomery arrive 
 at Q.uehec. — Hepulse at the seige of that City. — Dis- 
 aster at the Cedars. — The Americans retreat from Can- 
 ada^ under General Sullivan. — Defeat of the Ameri- 
 cans vpon lake Champlain. — The English Axrniy land 
 at Crown Point., and return to Canada. — General 
 Bvrgoyne appointed to the command of the British Ar- 
 my. — Invades the United States. — Invests Ticondero- 
 ga. — St. Clair leaves the icorks. — Ilubbardion Battle. 
 
 — The American Vessels destroyed at Skecnsborough, — 
 Opposition cf New-England to Burgoyne. — Victory at 
 Bennington. — Transactions at lake George. — Batilt 
 at Saratoga. — Defeat and Surrender of the Royal 
 Army. 
 
 No settlements were made in Vermont until the inhabi- 
 tants of New-England, New-York and Canada had pro- 
 ceeded by regular advances into its t-eqnestered bounds. 
 The Governor of New-York had made a grant of land to 
 (rodfrey Dellitis, in 1796. This tract extended from the 
 northern part of Saratoga to Willsborough, about 70 miles 
 in length and 12 miles in width from Hudson's river on the 
 cnst ; but was afterwards vacated by the government of 
 New-York. Another tract was granted in the south-east 
 corner of the State, consisting of 100, (K)0 acres, in 1716; 
 but no settlement was made upon it until 1724, and this 
 T/r.s nothing but a garrisoned station. At Crown Point a 
 settlement was begun by the French, in 1731 ; yet it was 
 continually exposed to ravages of hostile parties and the 
 cruelties of the Indians, which rendered the settlement of 
 thia State very^slow and uncertain. However, upon th® 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 43 
 
 reduction of Canada, the frontiers of the other province* 
 were no longer exposed to the ravages of the French and 
 Indians. This afforded a favorable opportunity for settler* 
 to establish themselves upon the new lands and advance 
 their fortunes by clearing them up and raising produce. — 
 The soil was very productive and prospects encouraging. 
 Accordingly numerous applications were made for grants 
 of new townships. The divisional lines between Nevr- 
 Hampshire and Massachusetts being established in 1740, 
 the former concluded their jurisdiction extended as far 
 west as Massachusetts had claimed ; that is, within twen- 
 ty miles of Hudson river. Fort Dummer, erected by 
 New-Hampshire, on the west side of Connecticut river, was 
 considered as coming within the jurisdiction of that State. 
 Notdoubting from these circumstances, that the jurisdic- 
 tion of New-Hampshire extended beyond Connecticut 
 river, the Governor made a grant of land, in 1749, of the 
 township of Bennington, six miles square and twenty miles 
 east of Hudson's river and six miles north of Massachu- 
 eetts line. Several other towns were chartered in the 
 course of four or five years. War breaking out betweea 
 Great-Brit^vin and France, put a stop to any further grants 
 until the conquest of Canada. By frequently passing 
 tiirough these lands on the military road from Charles- 
 town to Crown Point, their situation and fertility became 
 very generally known, and under Iho direction of tho 
 Governor and Council of New-Hampshire, one hundred 
 and thirty-eight townships of six miles square were grant- 
 e<] on the west side of Connecticut river, extending within 
 20 miles of Hudson's river, and to the eastern shore of 
 lake Champlain. Governor Wentworth received a large 
 amount of money, besides a reserve of 500 acres of land 
 in each town. These proceedings roused the feelings of 
 the government of New-York, as they, by the grants of 
 Charles II. to his brother the Dtike of York, extended 
 their claim to all the land west of Connecticut river and 
 east of Delaware bay, and intended to have the profits aris- 
 ing from the disposal of the same. Governor Colden, of 
 New-York, issued his proclamation in December, 1763, 
 asserting the validity of the former grants and comman- 
 ding the sheriff of Albany to make a return of the names 
 
14 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 of all the people who, undercolor of the New-IIanipshirc 
 grant?, had taken possession of any lands to the west ot" 
 Connecticut river. The Governor of New-Hampshire is- 
 sued another proclamation to prevent the effects of the 
 foregoing manifesto and to quiet the feelings of the set- 
 tlers, declaring the grant to the Duke of York obsolete, 
 and that the diligent should be confirmed in their grants 
 and disturbers of the peace punished. After such assur- 
 ances, the honest purchasers had no idea the contest for 
 jurisdiction would ever atfect the property of individuals. 
 New-York, as if distrusting the grant to the Duke of 
 York, applied to the crown for a decision of the contro- 
 versy. The Ring, on hearing the representation purpor- 
 ting to be made at the request of the settlers, concluded 
 it would be for their advantage to be annexed to the colo- 
 ny of New-York, ordered, on the 20th of July, 1761, that 
 the western banks of Connecticut river, where it enters 
 Massachusetts bay, as far north as the 45th degree of north 
 latitude, to be the boundary line between the provinces of 
 New-Hampshire and New-York. This division, made 
 without the saHCtion of any evidence, occasioned no seri- 
 ous apprehensions among the people. They concluded 
 that it only gave the future jurisdiction of their territory 
 to New-York; to which they would cheerfully acquiesce, 
 but had no idea of its afTecting the title of their lands, pur- 
 ■chased under grants from the crown. The Governor of 
 JVew-Hampshire, dissenting to the change, but finally 
 yielding the contest, issued his proclamation to the set- 
 tlers, recommending obedience to the authority of New- 
 Y'ork. A construction very dillerent from that of the set- 
 tlers was given by the authorities of New-York. They 
 claimed that the meaning of the order intended that which 
 iiad been^ as well ae what now ie, the western limits of 
 New-Hampshire, and that the grants of New- Hampshire 
 were void of course. Inexercising their jurisdiction, the 
 Governor of New-York divided it into four counties, Al- 
 bany and Charlotte on the west,Cumberlaad and (ilouces- 
 ter on the east side of the mountain ; and established 
 ^courts of justice in each of them. A surrender of the 
 charters from New-Hampshire was demanded, and new 
 grants, at great expense, were ordered to be taken out 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 45 
 
 from the authorities of New-York. Few, liowever, com- 
 plied with the requisition. Grants were made to new ap- 
 plicants, who instituted actions of ejectment and recover- 
 ed without opposition, in the courts at Albany. V>ui to 
 carry their judgments into execution, and eject the inhab- 
 ifants from their houses and lands, was difficult, and met 
 with a spirited opposition. The governn>ent perceiving 
 how contemptuously their proceedings were viewed, call- 
 ed upon the people to assist the sheriff in the execution of 
 liis duty. But it was soon found that no dependence could 
 he placed upon this force; for as soon as the settlers ap- 
 peared in arms, the militia deserted and the sheriff" found 
 himself alone. The opposition, on account of tliese trans- 
 actions, became so bold and universal that some of the 
 officers became sufferers in attempting to carry their judg- 
 ments into effect. At length no officer of New-York dar- 
 ed to di:^possess any occupant from his farm. The courts 
 at Albany continued to render judgments, which were 
 never carried into effect. 
 
 Associations were formed among the settlers for the 
 purpose of giving greater forf'e to their resistance, and 
 finally a convention of delegates from the towns on the 
 west side of tiie mountain was called. This body, nfU-r 
 cop.sulting upon the subject, chose Samuel R ohinson an 
 ngent to represent their grievances to the court of Great 
 ]>ritain. and if possible, obtain a confirmation of the New- 
 Hampshire grants. Tlie result of his mission proved fa- 
 voraljle to ttheir desires. The King and Council granted 
 the request of the petitioners. By this, tlie Governor of 
 the province of Nevv'-York was required and conmianded, 
 from the time being, not to make any grants of lands de- 
 scribed in said report, until his majesty's pleasure should 
 he further known concerning the same. This mandate 
 gave them the fullest confidence that their lands would not 
 he regranted. However, they were soon disappointed, for 
 thoseorders were contemptuously disregarded. 'J'he Gov- 
 ernor made an attempt to conciliate the minds of the peo- 
 ple to his regulations, by writing to the Rev. Mr. Dewy, 
 and the inhabitants of Bennington, desiring them to slato 
 the causes of their unlawful proceedings, and proffering 
 i'j the settlers conciliatorv terms, as the circumstanceii 
 
45 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 would justify, with safety to those they might send on the 
 business, except Warner, Allen, and three others, who had 
 been leaders in the opposition to New-York, and had stim- 
 ulated the public mind by their writings and councils. — 
 Answers were given by the excepted persons, in explanation 
 of their motives and conduct, and two persons, James and 
 Stephen Fay, were delegated to transact this business. — 
 Much kindness was shewn them, and stipulations entered 
 upon that all public and private prosecutions should be 
 suspended until his majesty's pleasure should be known. 
 While these regulations were advancing, certain persons 
 settled upon Otter Creek were disturbed by one Cockburn, 
 a noted surveyor, who undertook to mhke pitches of lands 
 upon their possessions. The inhabitants pursued and 
 overtook him and his party at Vergennes, where they dis- 
 possessed Colonel Reed and his coadjutor,one Bcnzell, of 
 a saw-mill and other property, that w as illegally obtained, 
 but these persons were delivered up in conformity to the 
 wishes of the government of New-York, and lionorablj 
 dismissed. During this asperity of feelings, the govern- 
 ment of New-York passed an act the most despotic and 
 minatory of any thing which had evei appeared in the Brit- 
 ish colonies. It provided that if any oflbnders shall not 
 Bur render thenisehes pursuant to the Governor's orders, 
 they shall be adjudged and attainted of felony by the ver- 
 dict and judgment, without the benefit of the clergy. Al- 
 bany was the place of trial for all crimes committed in the 
 crants. A proclam.ation was issued by the Govcrnor'of 
 New-Yoik, proflering 50 pounds as a reward for appre- 
 hending Ethan Allen, 8eth Warner, and six others. 8u(h 
 increased violence of proceedings terminated every pros- 
 pect of reconciliation. Resolutions v»ere adopted Ij 
 committees at their meetings in the ccunties of Albany 
 and Charlotte, declaring their readiness to defend thota 
 denominated rioters, and to use their best endeavors for 
 keeping up the administration of justice. The persons 
 proscribed announced their determination still stronger to 
 kill and destroy every one who should presume to be ac- 
 cessary to their capture. About this time a scheme wrs 
 concerted by Colonel Skeen, to evade the governnicnt of 
 New -York, by uniting the settlers and forming a province 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 47 
 
 under the authority of the King. He accordingly receir- 
 ed a commission as governor of Crown Point and Ticon- 
 deroga, and in March, 1775, informed liis agent that hs 
 should call on the inhabitants to ascertain their sentiments 
 on the subject of submission to the royal authority. 
 
 On the meeting of Congress in 1774, they advised their 
 constituents to maintain their liberty against British ag- 
 gression, which stopped the prosecution of business in 
 courts held by the authority of the crov/n. The officers 
 of the court holden at Westminster, inCumberland county, 
 were refused admittance to the court house, which they,with 
 the sheriff and an armed force, undertook to accomplish 
 by violence about 11 o'clock at night, and in the contest 
 one man was killed and several wounded by the assailants. 
 This rash proceeding occasioned the assembling of a largo 
 concourse of people the next day. A jury of inquest r^ 
 turned a verdict that murder had been committed by the 
 adherents of the court. Several of the officers were com- 
 mitted to jail in Northampton, xMassachusetts, who were 
 ofterwards released from imprisonment by the chief jus- 
 tice of New-York. Resolutions were passed by the com- 
 mittees of the people assembled at Westminster, in April, 
 1775, stating that it was the duty of the inhabitants to re- 
 sist the government of New-York, until such times as 
 they shall have security for their lives and property, and 
 an opportunity for representing their grievances "to tho 
 -King and Council, together with the remonstrance against 
 such unlawful acts, aad a petition to be removed tVom such 
 an oppressive power, and either be united with some other 
 state, or formed into a separate government,as might seem 
 besL 
 
 At this stage of irritation between the settlers and their 
 opponents, the American war commenced at Lexington, 
 April 19th, 1775, which turned the attention of both par- 
 ties from their own contest to one of more importance and 
 grandeur. A long time before hostilities commenced, 
 dissensions existed between Great Britain and her colo- 
 nies. These difficulties aroso on account of the absolute 
 despotism in making laws to bind the colonists in all cases 
 whatsoever, and taxing them without their consent. As 
 soon as the controversy commenced, the necessity of ee- 
 
48 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 curing the forts of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, for rea- 
 sons tliat they had suliered much when these were in the 
 possespion of the French, and the probability that they 
 would be equally as fatal in the hands of the English, be- 
 came evident, and engaged the attention of many individ- 
 uals in the province. The plan was projected by Messrs. 
 Dean, Wooster and Parsons, of Connecticut, but they were 
 in want of money to defray the necessary expenses of the 
 expedition, which they obtained by way of a loan to the 
 amount of 1800 dollars,from the government of Connecti- 
 cut. Several officers proceeded to Salisbury, purchased 
 a quantity of powder and ball, and went to engage Ethan 
 Allen at Bennington, in the enterprise. Allen joined Dean 
 and others at Castleton, having a small quantity of provis- 
 ions,with a force of 270 men, and then took proper meas- 
 ures to learn the state of the works and strength of Ticon- 
 deroga. 
 
 Colonel Arnold, from Connecticut received a com- 
 mission and instructions to enlist 400 men for the reduction 
 of Ticonderoga, then represented to be guarded only by 
 40 soldiers, and containing large stores and munitions 
 of7\'ar. The situation of this fortress was ascertained 
 by Capt. Phelpp, who, attired in the dress of a poor man, 
 enquired for a barber to shave him : he entered within the 
 walls, and appearing very awkward, had an opportunity 
 to discover the situation of things, and passed unsuspected. 
 
 They arrived at Champlain, opposite Ticonderoga, on 
 t!ie 9th of May. Allen and Arnold embarked willi eighty- 
 three men, and landed near the works. At the dawn of 
 day a dispute arose concerning the right of seniority, when 
 it was agreed, upon receiving the advice of their friends, 
 that both should enter the fort together, with their men in 
 the rear, which they accordingly did, and so unexpectedly 
 was the approach of a hostile force that no other resistance 
 was shown than the snapping of a sentinel's gun. Capt. 
 De la Place, as soon as he appeared, was ordered to sur- 
 render. Re demanded upon what authority they required 
 it. "I demand it (said Allen) in the name of the great 
 Jehovah and the continentalCongress." Incapable of ma- 
 king any defence or resistance, the British Captain sur- 
 rendered the jrarrison, which consisted of only three offi- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 49 
 
 cers and forty-threo privates. Colonel Seth Warner and 
 a part of the men repaired immediately to Crown Point, 
 •;vhich was garrit^oned with but twelve men and a sergeant, 
 who surrendered on the iirst summons. A detachment of 
 continental troops seized the fortress at Skeensborough, 
 captured Maj. Skeen, and took possession of his mansioii 
 house. 
 
 To secure the command of lake Champlain, an armed 
 sloop must be taken. Arnold therefore manned and arm- 
 ed a schooner found at South Bay, then sailed and cap- 
 tured the armed vesijel at the outlet of the lake. Thus, 
 \vithout bloodshed, two important posts, a British captain, 
 sergeant, forty-three privates, and two hundred cannon, 
 some mortars and howitzers, Vt^ith a large quantity of mil- 
 itary and naval stores, were taken. Gov. Carleton, sur- 
 prised at the forwardness of the Americans in the defenca 
 of their country, endeavored to raise a force from the 
 Canadians, by proclaiming martial law ; but almost eve- 
 ry man refused to interfere in the affray. 
 
 The Bishop of Quebec was next called upon to em- 
 ploy the influence of his sacerdotal character to rouse the 
 people to arms, but he passed it otf as being inconsistent 
 with the canons of the catholic cliurch. He in the next 
 place attempted to bring the Indian rage and ferocity in- 
 to the contest, but they did not wish to take up the hatchet 
 and injure a people with whose affairs and quarrels they 
 had no connexion. On the intelligence that the Canadi- 
 ans and Indians would not engage in the war, the Ameri- 
 can Congress concluded that the present was the most 
 favorable time to destroy the British power and effect a 
 union between Canada and the provinces, in the same 
 revolution, as the Canadians could not sustain their neu- 
 trality any longer than the arrival of forces competent to 
 force them to submission. The command of 20C0 men 
 fitted out for this expedition, was assigned to General 
 Schuyler. Information was vsoon received that Curleton 
 was prepared to oppose their undertakings, and that sev- 
 eral armed vessels lay at St. Johns, filled with forces and 
 munitions of war, which would probably get the immedi- 
 ate command of the lake. This project being communi- 
 cated to Gov. Carleton, he despatched about 800 men to 
 
 5 
 
50 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 strengthen St. Johns on the river Sorel, a station com- 
 manding the usual entrance into Canada. Montgomery, 
 a young officer of splendid talents, was ordered to move 
 down the lake with his troops and prevent the passage of 
 the vessels into the lake. General Schuyler pursued on 
 from Albany, though in an ill state of health, and joined 
 the forces at the Isle Aux Noix, in the vicinity of the 
 British works, and from thence published proclamations 
 addressed to the Canadians, assuring them that the 
 American army had no design against their freedom, 
 religion or possessions, but only against the British gar- 
 rison. It contained an animated request for all the Can- 
 adians to join them, in asserting their independence. The 
 situation of St. Johns being found so much stronger than 
 was expected, they landed about one mile and a half from 
 the fort, and advanced to reconnoiter the vvorks, when 
 they were attacked by a company of Indians, and threo 
 of their number were killed, and eight wounded. The as- 
 sailants retreated with a loss of five killed, and four woun- 
 ded. Not proceeding to the attack for want of artillery, 
 tliey returned to the Isle Aux Noix. Schuyler left for 
 Albany, and the chief command devolved on Montgome- 
 ry, who on receiving reinforcements, invested St. Johns, 
 but was retarded in his operations by a want of powder 
 and ball, and also by the insubordinate and undisciplined 
 behaviour of his men. Colonel Allen, a subordinate offi- 
 cer under Gen. Montgomery, being sent with a force of 
 SO men against some hostile Indians in the interior of 
 Canada, mot JNlajor Brown on his return, and made an 
 arrangement with him for attacking Montreal. Alien 
 v/as to land at the north part of the city, and Brown with 
 two hundred men at the south. Allen succeeded in cros- 
 eiing the river, but Brown failed of performing his part of 
 the undertaking. Instead of retreating, Allen, with great 
 rashness, resolved to maintain his position. Carleton 
 learning what Allen's situation was, met him with about 
 forty regulars and some hundreds of militia and Indians. 
 Fifteen of the Americans were killed, and the survivors 
 being overpowered by numbers, were obliged to surren- 
 der, when their brave commander and his associates were 
 loaded with irons and sent on board a man of war to Eng- 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 51 
 
 land. While Montgomery was pressing the siege at 
 Montreal, the revolting Canadians greatly assisted him. 
 On the 8th of October, these Canadians, under Majors 
 Brown and Livingston, entered upon the project of taking 
 Chambly, situated below St. Johns, on the river Sorel : 
 they passed safely down the river by the works at St. 
 Johns, with their artillery, and gained possession of the 
 fort with small loss. One hundred prisoners, with 120 
 barrels of powder, and a considerable quantity of other 
 stores, were the fruits of this encounter. The besiegers 
 having obtained a supply of powder, made vigorous ad- 
 vances toward the fort. Carleton, elated by his victory 
 over Allen, collected SOO men, v/ith the idea of raising 
 the siege of St. Johns, and embarked at Montreal to pass 
 over to the southern shore of the St. Lawrence, when 
 Col. Warner, with 300 green mountain boys, watched their 
 motions and prepared, under the covert of some bushes, 
 to salute the enemy on their approach, which was done so 
 etfectually with grape shot that the flotilla returned in 
 confusion to Montreal. Carleton was deserted by the 
 Canadians, and McLean, one of his Colonels, made a 
 precipitate retreat to Quebec. On the tirst day of No- 
 vember, the fortress at St. Johns was cannonaded by 
 Montgomery. 
 
 JMajor Preston, hearing of Carleton's defeat, and Mc- 
 Lean's retreat.could no longer deiay the proffered capitu- 
 lation, but surrendered his garrison on the third day, a- 
 mounting to six hundred men and a considerable quantity 
 of cannon and military stores. Montgomery hastened to 
 Montreal, and having despatched Colonel Easton down 
 the river Sorel, he secured the passage on the river St. 
 Lawrence, with a number of cannon, boats and muske- 
 teers, so that vessels could not pass without danger of 
 being sunk or taken. General Prescot, with 120 men, 
 appeared, and was obliged to surrender. Eleven armed 
 vessels were taken, with cargoes of provisions, military 
 stores, and various other articles. The day before Mont- 
 gomery entered Montreal, Carleton, considering this city 
 not tenable, quit it in the night, and in a boat with muf. 
 fied oars, was conveyed through the American squadron. 
 General Montgomery, after engaging to allow the inhub- 
 
52 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 itants the free exercise of tlieir religion, and the posses- 
 sion of their property, with the privilege of governing 
 themselves, entered the tov»'n with his ariiiy. By his gen- 
 erous behaviour, many of the Canadians enlisted under his 
 banner. More, however, of liis own troops, whose terms 
 of enlistment had expired, insisted on returning to their 
 homes. So dear to tliem were the delights of the domes- 
 tic fireside, and so vividly were they riveted on the n:em- 
 ory by the severe duties of their campaign, notwithstand- 
 ing tlie high character of their commander, his address, 
 his entreaties to induce them to proceed, availed nothing. 
 With the remnant of his army, which consisted of no more 
 than three hundred men, he began his march to Quebec, 
 expecting there to meet another body of troops, sent to act 
 in concert with him. On the 13th of September, Arnold 
 set out Vv"ith 1103 men,(of w'hose character it has been well 
 said, as a soldier,he was vigorous, impetuous and fearless ; 
 jis a man, over-bearing, avaricious and profligate) to meet 
 JMontgomery at Cluebec. After enduring excessive hard- 
 ships and distress in passing over rapid streams, deep 
 swamps, mountains and precipices, and being reduced by 
 hunger to the alternative of eating tiieir cartouch-boxes, 
 breeches and shoes, they arrived at Point Levi, opposite 
 Clnebec, on the ninth of November, with about seven 
 hundred men, after having been thirty-one days out of 
 Fight of any liu::jari habitr.tiori, ir. c cold inhospitable wil- 
 derness, where not even the Indian presumed to tread. — 
 Tlie French were surprised to see a hostile force proceed- 
 ing from a barren Vv-ilderncss. On the 13tli of November,. 
 Arnold passed the St. Lawrence, marched up the preci- 
 pice which Vv^olfe had ascended before him, and arrayed 
 his army, which, often enduring so great hardships, was 
 "reduced to 700, on the plains of Abraham. Being pur- 
 suaded by the cannonade from the walls, that tlie garrison 
 was ready for t!ic combat, he was compelled to retire, and 
 inarched on the ISth to Point Aux Tremble, there to a- 
 w^ait the arrival of Montgomery. Carleton withdrew from 
 Montreal, and reached Cluebcc immediately after Arnold 
 left the place, and began to prepare his troops, am.ounting 
 to 1530, for a vigorous defence. 
 
 Monto;omerv's arrival was on tlie first of December* 
 
HISTORY OP VERMONT. 53 
 
 With three vessels and three hundred men, amninnition 
 and provisions, for his army. It was a cause of great re- 
 joicing to meet their companions in a foreign land, after 
 a lonjx absence, and after suffering everv thinj^ but death 
 from the inclemency ot the season, and to receive a sup- 
 ply of winter clothing. The united forces amounted to 
 no more than nine hundred effective men. A flag de- 
 manding the surrender, having been previously sent out 
 by Arnold, was fired upon by the enemy. They, there- 
 fore concluded to risk a general assault. Accordingly, 
 on the morning of the 31st of December, during a heavy 
 fall of snow, the troops were led on to storm the place. — 
 The upper and the lower parts of the city were to be at- 
 tacked at the same time, but those in the upper were only 
 to give a false alarm, to divide the strengtii of the garri- 
 son. As Montgomery was leading on his men, a violent 
 discharge of grape shot from a cannon fortuitously point- 
 ed, terminated the life of this brave officer, and several 
 other officers and men who were w^ith him. The men ob- 
 serving their leader fall, drew back. Colonel Campbell, 
 on whom the command devolved, ordered a retreat for an- 
 other part of the city already attacked by Arnold. He 
 made a bold assault upon the other quarter of the city and 
 carried a small battery. Soon a ball shattered his leg, 
 and he was sent to the hospital. They continued the en- 
 gagement about three hours longer, till they were con- 
 vinced of the fall of Montgomery. Some retreated and 
 others were unwilling to encounter another tempest of 
 shot, surrendered as prisoners of war; about one hun- 
 dred were killed in the engagement. The fall of Gen- 
 eral Montgomery was bewailed by the whole continent. — 
 He was eminent for his zealous devotion to the cause of 
 American liberty, and was endeared to the good by the 
 exercise in war of the most amiable virtues. His soldiers 
 adored him for his lofty spirit and daring bravery. The 
 enemy respected him for his honorable conduct and dis- 
 tinguished talents. Until this bold enterprise, continued 
 success bore testimony to the greatness of his mind, and 
 defeat, when he was no more, confirmed the grandeur of 
 his character. In 181S, his remains were removed from 
 Quebec to New-York, his adopted state,where Congreea 
 
 5* 
 
54 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 luid erected a monument to perpetuate bis f\iiTC. Arnold 
 liad about tour biindred men, stationed tbroc miles tVom 
 tbe city. This beroic band, though f\u- inferior ia num- 
 bers to the garrison, had so cut oti' the communications 
 betwesn them and the country, that they were very near 
 starving lor want of provisions, and the cold weather, with 
 the small po^ wliich prevailed in the army, reduced them 
 to extreme suflerings. Although a reinforcement of troops 
 bad arrived from Montreal, Arnold could scarcely number 
 more than one tliousand eQective recruits. When the 
 disasters at Quebec were communicated to the American 
 Congress, they ordered ten battallions to Canada, under 
 the command of General Thomas. The most of the 
 troops wore on the march by the first of May ; ' but on ar- 
 riving at the city, their luimbers did not exceed 1,90G. — 
 This force was soon reduced by that loathsome disease, 
 the small pox* to about nine hundred men fit for duty. — 
 The siege of Quebec, after many unavailing ef.brts, was 
 raised by order of General Thomas, the very day that the 
 British lleet reached tbe confines of Quebec, with rein- 
 forcements to the garrison. It was now found necessary 
 to retreat with the utmobt speed, as the fieethad intercept- 
 ed all communication between the different parts of the 
 American camp. The baggage, artillery and many of the 
 sick, fell into t!ie bands of the enemy. Mucli is due to 
 Carleton for his generosity and kindness to the sick, who 
 fell into his hands, as they were destitute of every neces- 
 sary for convenience and comfort. He clothed, fed and 
 relieved the soldiers and officers when prisoners at Que- 
 bec, and invited the latter to participate in the hospital- 
 ities of his own house. He discharged the officers on a 
 parole of honor, and returned the soldiers to their respec- 
 tive provinces, furnished with every necessary for their 
 convenience and happiness. S'orcl was the first place at 
 ■which the retreating party halted, where General Thomas 
 with several rcgimtnts was stationed at their arrival. — 
 Here their worthy commander died witli the small pox, 
 wliicb yet prevailed in the camp. While the Americans 
 were unsuccesstully exerting their valor against superior 
 numbers at one place, they experienced a very severe 
 mistbrtune in the pusillanimous conduct of certain officers 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 55 
 
 ia another. A party of three hundred and ninety Ameri- 
 cans, posted at tiie Cedars, forty tiirce miles above Mon- 
 treal, with a few pieces of cannon, under the command of 
 Colonel Beadle, were assailed by Captain Foster, descend- 
 ing the river with a detachment of forty regulars, one 
 liandred Canadians and about five hundred Indians, who 
 were armed only with muskets'. Beadle leaving Butter- 
 lield, a subordinate officer, with the command, repaired 
 to ^lontreal to procure a reinforcement. Kutterfield, be- 
 ing destitute of valor, surrendered the fort on the iiitima- 
 tion of Foster, that if an Indian should be killed they 
 would, without the probability of his restraint, n>assacre 
 the whole garrison. Sherburn left Montreal to assist the 
 f->rt at the Cedars with an hundred and fifty men, and was 
 t iken prisoner by the savages before its surrender. — 
 Tv.'enty-eight were murdered, seven or eight carried into 
 captivity, and the remainder, after being deprived of their 
 clothing, were delivered to Foster. Arnold marclicd vvitii 
 nine hundred men to check the progress of such barbarity. 
 Foster informed iiim that if he did not assent to the cartel 
 agreed upon bv Sherburn and others, he would sufler th« 
 Indians to put every prisoner to immediate death. Fear- 
 ing he would resort to such measures, Arnold hesitated. — 
 The business, was, liowever, concluded. The whole pro- 
 ceeding v/as highly censured by Congress, and Arnold's 
 agreement was considered by them, nothing but a spon- 
 sion, which might be annulled or affirmed by them, as he 
 had no power to make such stipulation. Beadle and But- 
 terfield were cashiered and declared incap^ible of ever 
 liolding a commission in theAnierican armies. A British 
 armanient of thirteen thousand men pursuing tjie fugitive 
 array of the republicans up the rapids of the St. Lawrence, 
 entered the city of Montreal a short time after Arnold 
 evacuated it with his troops to cross the St. Lawrence for 
 Chambly. The Americans, with great resolution and 
 zeal, ascended the river, and preserved their artillery and 
 stores. JNiore than one hundred batteaux heavily loaded, 
 were drawn up the rapids by the men in tho water to their 
 middle, and v.hatever stores they were unable to remove 
 were destroyed. Laving arrived at St. Johns, General 
 Sullivan, the successor of General Thompson, in obedience 
 
53 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 to an order from SchMyler,continuec! his march to Crown 
 Point, at the head of Like Champlain, which they just 
 reached when the British took possession of St. Johns. — 
 The retreat from Canada, under such disasterous circum- 
 stances as the American troop& had to encounter, was high- 
 ly creditable to the commander, Sullivan, and his asso- 
 ciates, Stark, Poor, Wayne, and other excellent oflicerp. 
 Gates took the command of the army on their arrival at 
 Crown Point, July 12, 17T6, and of the regiments which 
 were ordered to Canada, only seven thousand and six re- 
 turned. The army had been greatly reduced by deaths 
 and desertion at Quebec, Trois, Rivieres, the Cedars, 
 and in their retreat from Canada. This terminated the 
 campaign of 1775, which in its conception was singularly 
 bold and romantic, and in its progress was displayed for- 
 titude seldom equalled in military annals. The object of 
 the expedition not being attained was a severe disappoint- 
 ment. Had it been accomplished, such an extensive and 
 defenceless frontier to protect with a military force, would 
 probably have been injurious to the cause of independence. 
 It was now the business of the army to provide necessary 
 accommodations and place themselves in a situation for 
 defence. Mount Independence, east of Ticonderoga, waa 
 selected as the the most eligible situation to erect a forti- 
 fication ; and fort George, at the south end of that lake, 
 for a general hospital. Six hundred men arrived in Au- 
 gust, from Nev.'-Hampshire, and were active with the 
 I'ormer forces in strengthening and extending- tiie works 
 for defence. Preparations for constructing the first na- 
 val force that ever fought on the lake, engaged their at- 
 tention, iiut the timber was growing in the wilderness, 
 and had with most of the materials for a naval equipment 
 to be dragged by the men to the place of use over roads 
 almost impassable. But amidst all these and other diffi- 
 culties and embarrassments, such was the resolution, in- 
 dustry, and perseverance of the men, that one sloop, three 
 schooners, five gondolas, carrying fifty-five guns, besides 
 seventy swivels, were equipped by the 18th of August, and 
 three hundred and ninety-five men,composed the armament, 
 well fitted for action. This fleet was constructed with the 
 most unparalleled rapidity, considering the disadvanta- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 57 
 
 ges which the Americans had to encounter. The British 
 liad also been activdy engaged at Si. Jolins, in building a 
 r.oet which would give t!iem the superiority over the lake, 
 and enable tlicra to attempt the reduction of all the for- 
 tresses and country as far as Albany. Some of their ves- 
 sels were constructed in England, which were taken iii 
 pieces, and brought by the rapids, tiien put together again 
 upon the hike. Vessels,consisting of one gondola, weigh- 
 ing thirty tons, tljirty long boats, several flat bottomed 
 boats, and four hundred batleaux, had been drag- 
 ged up the rapids. The whole fiotilla of the British now 
 in readiness for service, consisted of the Inflexible, Ma- 
 ria, Carlcton, Thunderer, twenty gun boats, four long 
 boats and some gondolas, mounting upwards of eighty 
 cannon and some howitzers. These wxre followed by an 
 extensive train of vessels, batteaux, and boats, built for 
 transporting the royal army, wjih the military stores and 
 munitions of war. Captain Pringle conducted the ar- 
 mament, and seven hundred prime sean;en navigated the 
 ficet. Every thing was in complete readiness on their 
 part, the weight and strength of their guns and vessels was 
 double to tliut of the Americans. Lake Champlain, whose 
 v/aters had been celebrated as a seat of hostilities ever 
 since the commencement of the European settlements, 
 V, as in 1776, overspread with a fleet sufricient to compete 
 with the defying squadrons of former ages. General Ar- 
 nold, who had been a sailor in his youth, proceeded down 
 the lake in the last of August, to gain intelligence of the 
 enemy. On the eleventh of October, General Carleton 
 sailed up the lake with the British fleet, and discovered 
 the American squadron drawn up in a very safe and stiong 
 line of defence, in tlie passage between tiie island of Val- 
 cour and the western main. The situation of the An^eri- 
 can commander formed a safe retreat, and was discover- 
 ed only by accident. After a short contest, the enemy, 
 not being able to bring their whole force into action, re- 
 tired. A continuance of unfivorable wind, induced Cap- 
 tain Pringle to withdraw those vessels that were engngcd, 
 from the action, and as the dusk of evening came on, 
 formed aline as nenr the Americans as possible, to pre- 
 vent their escape. The Washington galley, comnianded 
 
^ HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 by General Wiiterbury, had sufiered the most severely.— 
 Fortune seemed to favor the enemy, but not so much so, 
 as to give tliem any great degree orself-complacency; two 
 of their gondolas were sunk, and one blown up, with sixty 
 men. The Americans had one schooner burnt, a gondola 
 sunk, and several vessels much injured. 
 
 All hopes of success against a force so far superior, 
 were perfectly idle. The only way to save the American 
 fleet was to retreat to Ticonderoga under cover of dark- 
 ness. This was accomplished with such promptitude that 
 the next morning tlie vessels were out of sight of the 
 Britit^^h line. A renewal of the chase, together with a fa- 
 vorable wind, October 11, 1776, gave the British a suc- 
 cessful chance of overtaking them at Ferris' Bay, in Pan- 
 ton. A spirited engagement ensued, the British pressed 
 with resolution, and the Americans made desperate re- 
 «i^)t:ii:ce: one of the American vessels headed by General 
 V/aterbury, had so many men killed, and was so shatter- 
 ed to pieces as to be obliged to surrender. After contes- 
 ting for four hours for the pre-eminence of the lake, Ar- 
 nold finding it iinpossible for the exertions of skill or cour- 
 age to endure the force and fire of the enemy with safety 
 to liis men, dexterously covering the retreat of his vessels, 
 ran them ashore, s;ived his men, and blew up the Oeet. 
 The Americans had now, of every description,iHit six arm- 
 ed vesbcis upon the lake. Having been unsuccessful up- 
 on the water, they set fire to the fort at Crown Point, and 
 marched their army to Ticonderoga. The fortifications 
 were stren;;the:ie;l and an army of tu-elvc tliousand effec- 
 tive men under the command of Gen. Gates, were posted 
 here. The British commander landed at Crown Point, and 
 after continuing there one month in examining the direc- 
 tion of the channel and sounding its depth, re-embarked 
 his army for Canada, without making an attempt at the re- 
 duction of Ticonderoga. The militia were dismissed 
 from service the same day. The Colonies had long en- 
 dured tlie oppressive measures and misrule of the British 
 government — years multiplied their afllictions, and their 
 remonstrances were answered only with insults. The 
 public mind revolted at such treatment and determin- 
 ed to be free. Cruelly produced the revolution, patriot- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 59 
 
 ism and knowledge estimated the extent of its adv^anta- 
 ges. As a prelude to independence, Congress recom- 
 mended to those colonists that had no constitutions, to 
 adopt indefinitely such governments as might best con- 
 duce to the happmesb of the people. The Colonics had 
 been accustomed to consider themselves an independent 
 government, and some desired that they should declare 
 them as such ; accordingly a declaration was prepared by 
 a committee of Congress, and almost unanimously adopt- 
 ed on July 4th, 1776. We hold these truths (sfiys the 
 conlcx) to be self evident, that all mankind are created 
 equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with cer- 
 tain unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty 
 and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights 
 govern;i^ents are instituted among men, deriving their 
 just powers from the consent of the governed thai when- 
 ever any form of government becomes destitute of these 
 ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and 
 to institute a new government, laying its foundation on 
 such principles, and organizing its powers in such form as 
 to them shall &eem likely to effect their safety and happi- 
 ness. An enumeration of the oppressions complained of 
 by the Americans is closed by a representation of the 
 character of the British King, who in their language is 
 unfit to be the ruler of a free people. The inefiectuai ap- 
 peals to the English nation are also enumerated, with re- 
 vnarks upon their indifierence to the voice of justice, and 
 a determination to hold them like the rest of mankind, 
 friends in peace, and enemies in war. In conclusion, 
 they declared themselves absolved from all allegiance and 
 political connexion with the British crown, and invested 
 with the full powers of self government. The tempest of 
 war lowering upon the continent, threatened the hallowed 
 sanctuary of freedom with ruin. At the north, the Ameri- 
 cans had been driven from Canada, and their fleet destroy- 
 ed on the lake. General Howe had been successful ia 
 defeating them on Long Island and at New-York, in tak- 
 ing forts, men and magazines, and had also got posses- 
 sion of New-Jersey, and Newport, in Rhode-Island. Their 
 only success had been in the defeat of Cornwallis on Sul- 
 livan's Island, and in the action of Trenton, where one 
 
60 HISTORY OF VERxMONT. 
 
 thousand German troops siirrenclored to General Wash- 
 ington. The British vvere so far superior in their naval 
 and military forces, and munitions of war, that whoever 
 computed the issue of the controversy by the natural 
 course of things could- hardly avoid Ihe conclusion that 
 the Colonies would have to submit to the sovereignty of 
 Great Britain. At the opening of navigation upon the 
 Ifike, preparations were making for an invasion of tho 
 United States, from Canada. General Burgoyne, distin- 
 guished as a scholar and a courtier, having fought with 
 some celebrity in Portugal, and served under General 
 Carleton during the last campaign, had the command of 
 Canada and the lakes assigned to him, instead of Carle- 
 ton, who was by far the most able of all their Generals in 
 America. A division of the states, effected by sending a 
 powerful force from Canada through the lake to form a 
 junction witii the British army at New-York, was calcu- 
 lated upon as a direct means of subduing the states, by 
 cutting off all communication between the nortli and the 
 south, and thus their whole strength be turned against one 
 part. The force allotted for this excursion exceeded sev- 
 en thousand and one hundred men, exclusive of a corps of 
 Germcn artillerists, amounting to more than three thou- 
 sand two hundred, besides a large retinue of Canadians 
 and Indians. An excellent train of brass artillery was 
 supplied, together with every thing which could add effi- 
 ciency to the army. And for the assistance of the com- 
 manding (reneral, were selected. Philips, Frazier, Pow- 
 ell, Hamilton, Reidsel, and Sperht, all officers who had 
 distinguished themselves by former services. General 
 Schuyler had been indefatigable in making preparations 
 for defence, but the fortifications were commenced late ia 
 the spring, and only few troops were collected. Soon af- 
 ter Burgoyne's arrival at Quebec, he despatched Colonel 
 8t. Ledger with a force composed of regulars, tories and 
 Indians, up the St. Lawrence, to Oswego,5,directing them 
 to proceed to the Mohawk river and join him at Albany. 
 With an army increased to ten thousand men, he proceed- 
 ed up lake Champlain as far as the river Boquet,in New* 
 York, a few miles north of Crown Point. Ilere he had 
 a conference with a large number of savages, whg had 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 61 
 
 been persunded to join the army. In conformity with the 
 high ideas General Burgoyne entertained of himself and 
 his army, he issued a most pompous proclamation, setting 
 forth the cruelty that would be practiced upon those who 
 continued obstinate to his invitations. Encouragements 
 were offered to those who should assist the king in re- 
 deeming the colonies from oppression, and restoring them 
 to the privileges of English liberty and laws. After ter- 
 minating his addresses he moved on with his army to Ti- 
 conderoga. The old forts and out-posts had been strength- 
 ened, and on the eastern shore of the inlet opposite to Ti- 
 conderoga. Mount Independence had been fortified very 
 securely. A bridge connecting the two posts was thrown 
 across the inlet, supported by twenty-tv.'o pieces of large 
 timber, fifty ieet distant from each other. Tlie side next 
 to the lake vvas defended by a firni constructed boom. — 
 This work for connecting the forts and cutting off all ac- 
 cess by water on the northern side, was not completed. — 
 The garrison, under the command of general St. Clair, 
 had not a sutlicient number of men to v.ithstand so pow- 
 erful a force. They, therefore, evacuated the station, tak- 
 ing with them the baggage of the army and such munitions 
 of war as the hurry of the occasion permitted, on board of 
 two hundred battenux, convoyed by five armed gallies, to 
 Skeensborough. The main army marching by land through 
 Castleton, which is about thirty miles south of Ticondero- 
 ga, were directed to join the yrmy at Skeensborough. — 
 The number of continental soldiers and militia belonging 
 to St. Clair's forces amounted to S./1:46. Ahout3 o'clock in 
 the morning, July 6, 17TG, the troops were put under mo- 
 tion. Tiie retreat would have been eflected without the 
 knowledge of the enemy, had not a house, contrary to or- 
 ders, been set on fire by a French officer. This circurn- 
 slance gave the enemy complete information of what was 
 going on and a discovery of every movement of the Amer- 
 can army. When the army arrived at Hubbardton, they 
 halted for nearly two hours, where many having been un- 
 able to keep pace with their regiments, fell in with the 
 rear guard. This body of the army was transferred /rom 
 Colonel Francis, of Massachusetts, to Colonel ?eth 
 Warner, of Vermont, with orders to pursue tho army as 
 
 6 
 
^ HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 soon as the whole came np, and to halt about a mile and 
 a half behind the main body. The place of destinatioa 
 was reached by a part, who encamped at Castleton, and 
 Warner with the remainder tarried at Hubbardton. As 
 soon as the retreat of the Americans was perceived, Gen- 
 eral Frazier began a speedy pursuit with 350 men. Gen- 
 eral Reidcsel, v.'ith a great proportion of the Brunswick 
 troops, joined in the pursuit. Frazier continuing the pur- 
 Buit through the day, and received intelligence that the re- 
 treating army were not far distant, ordered his men to lie 
 on their arms through the night. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th of July, Frazier commenc- 
 ed the attack upon the three regiments commanded by 
 Warner, Francis and Hall. They formed at the distance 
 ofsixly yards, but Hall being fearful of danger, did not 
 bring his regiment into action • he fled and was afterwards 
 taken prisoner by the British. Francis fell fighting with 
 great resolution and bravery, and Warner was left to sus- 
 tain the battle,with about eight hundred men. The Ameri- 
 can officers and soldiers supported their gallant comman- 
 der with such intrepidity and firmness that theBritish lines 
 gave way. Recovering, they formed again, and advanced 
 upon the Americans with their bayonets, but were soon 
 thrown into disorder. The. issue of the battle was uncer- 
 tain, until Reidesel appeared with his advanced column. 
 The Americans, overpowered by superior numbers, fled 
 at every point. Warner collected the most part of his 
 men and conducted them with safety to Fort Edward.- — 
 The Americans lost in killed and wounded and prisoners 
 three hundred and tv/cnty, and the enemy not less than 
 one hundred and eighty-three in killed and v/ounded. — 
 Frazier pursued the Americans by land, and Burgoyne 
 by wafer. The obstructions to the navigation being in- 
 complete, were easily destroyed, and by nine o'clock the 
 vessels passed the works. Before the Americans arrived 
 at Skeensborough, they were attacked by the foremost 
 brigades of the enemy's gun-boats : and on the approach 
 of their frigates, two of the American gallics were taken 
 and the otiier blown up. Tiie republicans not beirg suf- 
 ficient to withstand the force of the enemy, set Are to the 
 works at Skeensborough, and retreated up Wood Creek 
 
tllSTORY OF VERMONT. 63 
 
 lo Fort Anne, where they were joined by a party from 
 Fort Edward. Colonel Hill was detached with a view to 
 intercept the fugitives on Wood Creek, and secure Fort 
 Anne. He was attacked with so well directed a fire that 
 his only safety consisted in retreating to the top of a bill 
 to prevent being surrounded. At this difficult crisis a 
 party of Indians arrived and were answered in their war- 
 whoops, by the British regiment, whom the Americans 
 concluded to be a large reinforcement come to their as- 
 sistance. They thereupon relinquished the attack, redu- 
 ced the fort to ashes and retreated to Fort Edward. In 
 their retreat they v»ere peculiarly unfortunate : one hundred 
 and tv.enty-eifiht pieces of camion, batteaux, stores, mag- 
 azines, 319,760 pounds of flour, 143,830 pounds of pork, 
 and a large drove of cattle fell into the hands of the ene- 
 my. St. Clair, the commander of the Americanfj, after 
 suffering much from want of provisions, and great fatigue 
 upon a wretched road through Rutland, joined Schuyler 
 on the twelfth of July. The people, not aware of the weak- 
 ness of the army, atirlbuted its retreat to connivance and 
 treachery, and trembled at the dangers v.'hich threatened 
 them from the British, Canadians and savages. The 
 management of General St. Clair was generally condem- 
 ned, and whatever might have been his excuses, his plans 
 proved fruitless, and he did not seem to possess that gen- 
 ius which finds relief in instantaneous resource, decisive 
 counsel and animating action. The united forces of St. 
 Clair and Schuyler, at Fort Edward, did not exceed four 
 thousand four hundred men. These were engaged in re- 
 tarding the march of the British army, by falling trees in 
 the road, tearing up buildings and throwing every obsta- 
 cle in the way that was possible. With the loss of three 
 hundred men the enemy penetrated into the heart of the 
 country, and were from their past success calculating up- 
 on a speedy submission of the whole country to their arms. 
 The first business of the British was to render Wood 
 Creek navigable and the roads passable, to transport their 
 artillery and stores, which was accomplished only at the 
 rate of one mile in twenty-four hours. Burgoyne arrived 
 at Fort Edward on the thirtieth of July. The joy of the 
 srn}y was inexpressible ; they considered all their difficui- 
 
61 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 ties termiiiatfd, and nothing remaining for tiiem but afi 
 easy march, through a fertile country, totake possession 
 of Albany, and form a junction with the British army at 
 New-York. Saratoga, and afterwards Stillwater, 25 
 miles north of Albany, became the chief seat of the Repub- 
 lican army, consisting only of four thousand regular troops 
 and fifteen hundred militia, and these almost destitute of 
 the habiliments of war. All the towns north of Manches- 
 ter and Sunderland, were abandoned by the settlers who 
 were seeking safety in the other states, or wherever they 
 could find it. A meeting of the committee of safety was 
 holden at Manchester, July 15, 1777, when it was agreed 
 that they should collect ail the forces in their power to op- 
 pose the enemy, and at the same time write in the most earn- 
 est manner to the states of Massachusetts and New-Hamp- 
 shire, to send troo})s to their assistance, before the remain- 
 der of the inhabitants should be compelled to leave the 
 grants for provisions and safety. The Assembly of New- 
 Hampshire was convened, and during a session of three 
 days, arrayed the whole militia of the State into two bri- 
 gades, and placed them under the command of Generals 
 Whipple and Stark. One fourth of Stark's brigade, and 
 about one regiment from the other, were ordered to pro- 
 ceed immediately with Stark *' to stop the progress of the 
 enemy on the western frontiers." Stark proceeded to 
 Charlestown with his men, amounting to eight hundred, 
 and sent them forward to join the troops of Vermont, un- 
 der Colonel Warner, at Manchester, then about six hun- 
 dred. A difference of opinion between Schuyler and 
 Stark, as to the best method of approaching General Bur- 
 goyne, led Congress to interfere upon the subject, and ex- 
 press their disapprobation towards the Council and Gov- 
 ernor of New-Hampshire, for giving him instructions de- 
 etructive of military subordination. Stark however as- 
 sured Schuyler before the interference of Congress, that 
 be would lay aside all private resentment, when it appear- 
 ed in opposition to the public good. Massachusetts sup- 
 plied a large quota of militia, over whom General Wash- 
 ington wisely judged that General Lincoln would pro\e 
 an able and influential commander, and sent him forward 
 for that purpose. Lincoln and Stark joined Schuyler 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 65 
 
 with all their forces, except Warner's regiment. x\rnold 
 was also sent on by Washinnrton, with a train of artillery, 
 to assist Schuyler. General Gates was appointed byCon- 
 gress to relieve General Schuyler, which was very en- 
 couraging to the New-England troops. The English 
 commander, with fifteen days labor in removing provisions 
 und stores from Fort George to the Hudson, finding they 
 had not more than four days subsistence in store, resolv-, 
 ed to furnish themselves at the expense of the Americans. 
 He accordingly despatched a body of troops under tho 
 command of Colonel Baum, to surprise, and take a large 
 quantity of provisions, guarded only by a force of militia. 
 This detachment amounted to about seven hundred Brit- 
 ish, Canadians and Indians, with two pieces of light artil- 
 lery. Another corps for the support of Colonel Baum, 
 was posted at Battcnkill, under the ccmmand of Colonel 
 Breyman. Stark collected together his brigade and the 
 militia that were present, and sent to Colonel Warner, at 
 Manchester, to bring on his regiment. He also sent ex- 
 presses to the neighbouring militia, to join him speedily. 
 General Stark marched his troops on the fourteenth about 
 eight miles, and met the enemy. Skirmishes were kept 
 up through that and the next day, during which thijty of 
 the enemy and two Indian Sachems, v/ere wounded. On 
 the sixtee:ith of August the Americans Vv-ere led an to the 
 •attack of Colonel Baum, at his intrenchments upon the 
 bank of tlie Hoosick river. A general action ensued, which 
 lasted about two hours, and was like one continued roar 
 ofrliander. The German dragoons and their brave com- 
 mander, after expending their ammunition, charged with 
 their swords, but were soon repulsed. Two pieces of 
 cannon were taken, Colonel Baum was mortally wounded, 
 and all his men, except a few who escaped into the woods, 
 v/ere killed or taken prisoners. The militia dispersed in 
 search of plunder, wiicn a reinforcement under Colonel 
 Breyman, arrived. At this juncture Colonel Warner very 
 fortunately arrived, and instantly led on his men against 
 Breyman. At sunset, the Germans were driven^from the 
 field with considerable loss, and made safe their yetreat 
 under the cover of darkness. The Americans took in 
 tbose action^, about seven hundred prisoners, with their 
 
 6* 
 
G(5 PIISTORY OF VERxMONT. 
 
 equipments, four brass field pieces, and a large amount of 
 swords and other military stores. The loss of the British, 
 in killed, was 207, and the number of wounded unknown. 
 I'he Americans had thirty slain and forty wounded. 
 
 Fortune now began to favor the Americans. The de- 
 risive victory at Dennington dilibsed contldence and joy. 
 The friends of independence, before dispirited by misfor- 
 tune and defeat, were now animated by the prospect which 
 suddenly burst upon them of a distinguished victory over 
 an arrogant and once dreaded enemy. The greatest ex- 
 ertions and enterprise were every whfsre displayed. To 
 see the American militia without any military attire or 
 weapons, except a tarmer's gun, destitute of a bayone?, 
 force entrenchments, kill and niake prisoners of the royal 
 troops, filled the enemy with indignation and amazement. 
 Congress presented their thanks to General Stark* his 
 officers and men, for their signal victory at Bennington, 
 and appointed Brigadier Stark a Brigadier General in the 
 army of the United States. The garrison at the junctioii 
 of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, having been increas- 
 ed to 5000 men, was marched from that encampment on 
 the Sth of September, and proceeded on their way to 
 Behnran^s heights, at Stillwater. While the Atr:ericars 
 were greatly encouraged by the prospect of success, tho 
 feelings of human sympathy were excited by the brutality 
 of Burgoyne'a Indian allies. An instr.nce of an awfid 
 kind happened in the murder of Miss INicBea, a young 
 lady of distinguished amiai)lencss and virtue, who was en- 
 gaged to a young olfieer of the British army. Slie was 
 taken out of a house near Fort Edward, carried to tho 
 woods, and there scalped and disfigured in the most in- 
 human manner. Tlie circunjstances of her shocking fate 
 were heightened by her being dressed to receive her pron;- 
 ised husband, when she was met by those cannibals of 
 British cupidity. More th,an one hundred of dillerent sexes 
 and ages perished in a similar manner, by the sam.e ruf- 
 fians, who were rewarded for their cold blooded murders 
 by the facetious and accomplished General Burgoync, 
 Every, circumstance and plan that could be made to bear, 
 wa3 resorted to lor rousing up the minds and filling the 
 ranks of the American army. General Lincoln, after re- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. G7 
 
 ceiving large reinforcements, determined to make a di- 
 version in the rear of the enemy. He marched with a 
 body of militia from Manchester to Pawlet. Colonel 
 Brown proceeded from thence lo tlie landing place at 
 lake George, to destroy the enemy's stores, and release 
 the American prisoners confined there. Colonel Johnson 
 was stationed at Mount Independence, to annoy the ene- 
 my at the north end of lake George, and if an opportuni- 
 ty tavored, to unite their forces, and attempt the reduc- 
 tion of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. At the 
 same time Colonel Woodbridge, with five hundred men, 
 was ordered on to Skeensborough, thence to Fort Ann^ 
 and so on to Fort Edward. These expeditions were man- 
 aged so discreetly, that by the 18th of September, all the 
 out posts at lake George, part of Fort Ticonderoga, Mount 
 Defiance and Hope, two hundred batteaux, an armed 
 filoop and several gunboats, were almost instantly taken. 
 Two hundred and ninety-th.ree of the enemy were taken 
 prisoners, and one hundred Americans, who had been 
 captured, were set at liberty. Finding themselves unable 
 to carry the works at Ticonderoga or Mount Indepen- 
 dence, they made a safe and speedy return to the head 
 quarters of the commander. During these proceedings, 
 Burgoyne having secured provisions for thirty days, 
 marched his army across the Hudson on the T2th of Sep- 
 tember, and on the 11th encamped at Saratoga, within 
 four miles of the American army. Three tiiousand Amer- 
 ican troops marched out to attack the British, on the 
 ISth of September, at 1 o'clock. The contest began be- 
 tween the scouting parties of the two armies, which were 
 respectively and repeatedly reinforced until nearly tho 
 whole of eacl>army were engaged. The battle now be- 
 came general, and both armies appeared to conquer. The 
 fire was kept up for three hours. They alternately drove 
 and were driven by each other, a blaze of fire was con- 
 stantly to be seen. The British line broke, the Americans 
 then pressed in from the woods which lay between the 
 camps, and drove them to the high lands, where their 
 flanks being sustained, they recovered, cliarging in their 
 turn. The Americans were then driven back with a 
 dreadful fire, and again the British were dispersed. Tho 
 
68 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 Hrtiilery fell into tlic hands of the Annericans as often as 
 they were repulsed by the assailants, but they could nei- 
 tiier remove nor employ it against t!ie enemy. Night, put 
 an end to the conflict. This bloody and undecisive con- 
 test proved a loss to the British of more than five hundred 
 men in killed, wounded and captured, and to the Americans, 
 in killed, wounded and missing, of three hundred and 
 uineteen. Each claimed the victory, but (he consequences 
 of defeat were felt by the Br-itisli alone. The English 
 coaimandcr tried in vain by his maneuvering to allure 
 the disquieted feelings of many in his army ; bul the bru- 
 tality of the Indians liad not been gratified with the usual 
 amount of plunder, and disliking tiie hard service and the 
 checks they received for their w'anton murders, at Fort 
 Edv/ard, deserted in large numbers, some to the woods, 
 end some to the arrny of General Gales. The Canadians 
 and Americim loyalists quit in considerable bodies. Gen- 
 eral Burgoyne's expectation of meeting Clinton upon the 
 Hudson river, was now completely frustrated, as the 
 American army had surrounded him, and cut off all his 
 supplies. General Lincoln joined Gates on the 29th of 
 September, with two thousand troops. 
 
 In tiie beginning of October, General Burgoyne found 
 his provisions growing too scanty to last until tliey should 
 receive assistance from New-York, ordered a diminution 
 of the soldiers rations, which was patiently submitted to 
 by Viw. troops. The foraging party of the British army 
 BUifering from scarcitj', Burgoyne found that it could only 
 be relieved by making a movement of his army to the left of 
 the Americans. For the accomplishment of this ^lesign, 
 1500 regular troops were ordered out, with a train of ar- 
 tillery. Burgoyne commanded in person, assisted by Gen- 
 erals Philips, ivcidesel and Frazier. These were some of 
 the best Generals and troops that now belonged to the 
 British service. The distance of the embodied arniies was 
 only three quarters of a mile, (general gates being in- 
 formed of the march of the royal army instantly put his 
 troops in motion. About four o'clock, the American col- 
 umn approached the enemy and was fired upon by their 
 artillery. The Americans, disregarding their fire, ruslied 
 impetuously to tHe assault, and being reinforced, the Brit- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 69 
 
 ish left was entirely overpowered and obliged to give way. 
 The Americans chased them nearly two miles, and storm- 
 ed their camp through a severe fire of grape shot. That 
 part of the assault conducted by Arnold did not succeed 
 in forcing the intrenchment, but Colonel Brooks in anoth- 
 er quarter entered the fortifications sword in hand, com- 
 pletely routing them, with the loss of their baggage, tents 
 and artillery. The Americans maintained their ground, 
 and nothing but the approach and darkness of night, put 
 an end to the action, or left quietness to the remaining part 
 of the British camp. Two hundred of the enemy were 
 made prisoners. This action was more furious, obstiiiato, 
 and bloody than any that had ever been fought in America* 
 The British now found in the Americans, an unshaken res- 
 olution to defend their country and capture the royal army^ 
 The situation of the British forces was such, that General 
 Gates designed to surround, rather than attack them, and 
 to effect this, large detachments were posted at Saratoga 
 and Fort Edward. Burgoyne perceiving his plan, deter- 
 mined to prevent it, by removing his camp to Sarr.toga, 
 which was accomplished in the evening, leaving the sick 
 and wounded, amounting to three hundred. On their ar- 
 rival here, a large force of Americans were stationed, not 
 far distant, with whom, they thought not best to enter upon 
 an engagement ; therefore, a retreat to lake George was 
 ordered. But the difficulties of the way, and the Ameri- 
 can garrisons stationed on every practicable route of retreat, 
 prevented all possibility of escape, and Burgoyne was obli- 
 ged to recall an escort which had been sent out for that 
 purpose. All that was now wanting to complete the re- 
 duction of their army, was to cut off their supply of pro- 
 visions, hitherto carried up the Hudson river to Saratoga. 
 Not a single batteaux of provisions was received secure 
 from the annoyance of the Americans. Such were the 
 losses of the enemy that a council v/as called for attempt- 
 ing a retreat by night, at the fords near Fort Edward. — 
 The Americans, they learned, were strongly intrenched 
 there, so that maneuver was abandoned. No hopes of as- 
 sistance from Clinton, to whom urgent application had 
 been made, now remained. Burgoyne called his princi- 
 pal officers for a council of wa.»", vv^hilst a cannonade per- 
 
70 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 vaded the camp, and the grape shot fell in every part o( 
 their lines. There was not a spot of ground in the whole 
 encampment, secure for holding a council, for while they 
 vrere deliberating an eightv^en pound ball crossed the ta- 
 ble around which they sat. By the unanimous determina- 
 tion, a negociation was opened on the 17th of October. — 
 On the intelligence of this glorious victory, universal joy 
 pervaded the country. Past injuries were forgotten in the 
 elevation of prosperity. The number of troops surrender- 
 ed by GJeneral Burgoyne, were 5T52,which being added to 
 those of the sick and wounded, in the hospilnl, and those 
 lost in battle, in sickness and desertion, made an entire 
 loss to Great-Britain, of 9213, togctiier with forty-two 
 pieces of cannon, and live thousand muskets. From feel- 
 ings of regard towards the prisoners. General Gates kept 
 his forces within the lines, whilst the captured were pil- 
 ing up their arms. Both soldiers and officers were treat- 
 ed^witli great kindness by the Americans. The cruel de- 
 predations commiited by them upon the defenceless in- 
 habitantt-, were not retaliated upon the prisoners, on their 
 march to Massachusetts. A regiment of Green rslountaia 
 Boys, under the command of Colonel Warner, proceeded 
 with General Gates' troops down the Hudson river, to 
 check the desolating ravages of Vaughan and Wallis. — 
 These exterminators hearing of their approach, retreated 
 with their troops to New^-York. The garrison at Ticon- 
 deroga, on hearing of Burgoyne's defeat, rendered their 
 cannon useless, and returned to Canada, leaving the nor- 
 thern frontier in perfect tranquillitj'. Those w ho had by 
 the rava^^es of war, been driven from their habitations, re- 
 turned. The benefits of agriculture, so far as a crop of 
 grain or hay remained, were attended lO and collected to- 
 gether even in the months of November and December. 
 After an engagement in their domestic concerns, the peo- 
 ple of Vermont found it necessary to establish such a con- 
 stitution and laws, as would silence the claim and contro- 
 versies of New-York, establish their indepenxlence, and 
 secure to them protection and the administration of justice. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 71 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Indian depredations upon the early settlers. — Destruction 
 of Royalton. — Political Affairs in Vermont, fromthe 
 commencement of the revolution in 1T75, mitilits termi' 
 nation in 1.733. — Meeting of Conventions, — Declara^ 
 Hon of the Independence of Vermont. — Transactions 
 of New-York. — Acts of Congress. — Controversy and 
 Claims of Ncio- Hampshire, New-York and Massachu- 
 setts. — Commissioners open a negociation Jtnth Ver- 
 mont. — Proceedings of Vermont — Measures pursu- 
 ed by Congress. — Management of the British Agents.-^ 
 Resolutions of Congress. — Transactions between Ver- 
 mont, New-York mid Ncw-IIampshirc. — Washington'' 8 
 commmiication. — Congress defer the admission of Ver- 
 mont into the Union. 
 
 Tise settlers of Vermont were occasionally annoyed bj 
 the Indians, from the commencement until the termina- 
 tion of the revolutionary war. Their encroachments were 
 made by scoutins; {Darties, whose pursuit was for the ac- 
 quisition of plunder and riotouG entertainments, while 
 their unwelcome visits were obtruded among the distres- 
 Bed inhabitants. The northern hive of Indians residing 
 upon the Canadian frontier, poured in upon the wilder- 
 ness territory of New-England, throughout the French 
 and American wars, carrying many of the settlers into 
 captivity. Such accounts of these depredations as have 
 been preserved, will be concisely noticed in our narrative. 
 The inhabitants in the south-east part of Vermont en- 
 countered in their early settlements, all the dangers of 
 the Indian wars and hardships incident to the frontier im- 
 provements. The settlers confided their safety to for till- 
 ed places, of which tliere was upon the banks of the Con- 
 necticut river, one at Brattleborough, called Dummer's, 
 and Bridgman's, and Sartwell's Forts, at Hinsdale, now 
 Vernon. But these v/ere insutricicnt to shield the inhabit 
 tants from the incursions of the savages. 
 
 In ITlo, a party of twenty Indians attacked a number of 
 men at Bridgman's Fort, killed and wounded four, and 
 made two prisoners. The nCxt year they burned the Fort, 
 
72 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 killed and carried several away into captivity. Eight 
 years after tiiis outrage, in the month of July, they am- 
 bushed Caleb Howe, Hilkiah Grout and Benjamin Gaf- 
 field, as they were returning from their labor. Howe was 
 killed, Gaffield was drowned in attempting to cross the 
 river, and Grout escaped unhurt. Their wives and chil- 
 dren were carried away as prisoners into Canada. The 
 namber of captives was fifteen. They Vvcre marched 
 through tills state, then a wilderness, in eight days, to a 
 place on the lake fifteen miles from Crown Point : pro- 
 ceding then with them to St. Johns, where they were sold 
 to the French, or distributed amongst the Indians. 
 
 On the 30th of August, 1754, they surprised Charles- 
 town, New-Hamps'nire, and made •prisoners of Messrs, 
 Labaree, Farnsvvorth and Jolmson, v/ith his fi^mily. — 
 These savages proceeded to the wilderness, and encamp- 
 ed with their prisoners; within the present limits of the town 
 of Cavendish, wiien Mrs. Johnson had a daughter born, 
 whom she called Captive. Mrs. Johnson v/as co'.npelled 
 to continue her march over the green moimtains, a dist- 
 ance of two hundred miles. After enduring many hard- 
 ships in captivity tliey v/ere ransomed and returned again 
 to their friends and the society of their native ytate.»— 
 A battle was fought at New-Fane, in 1756, between a par- 
 ty of thirty soldiers on their way from Charlestown to Fort 
 lloosac, in [Massachusetts, commanded by Captain Mel- 
 vin and a sUj)crior force of Indians. Being overpower- 
 ed by numbers, the captain and his men retreated from tho 
 field, leaving two killed and one missing. Repairing to 
 FortDumner for assistance, the next day he returned to 
 the battle ground, and found that the Indians had departed ; 
 he then proceeded on his way. There were numerous 
 other instances of savage depredations upon the lives and 
 property of the settlers at this period. So great were their 
 fears of these merciless cannibals, that the hallooing of a 
 hunter, which the people supposed v*as the yell of sava- 
 ges, roused all the inhabitants to arms. Tliey fled with- 
 out preparations, seeking only for the safety of their lives, 
 These fearful apprehensions were, however, soon corrected 
 on hearing their mistake. In the revolutionary war, the 
 Indians, though under ditlerent matters, continued their 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 73 
 
 irruptions upon tlxe inhabitants. Cieorge and Aaron Rob- 
 ins were killed by. them in 1777, in the town of Brandon : 
 most of the inhabitants were made prisoners and their 
 ciwellings burned. Amonj: the captives were Joseplj Bar- 
 ker, his wifo and child. Mrs. Barker, on account of her 
 peculiar situation, was with her cliild set at liberty, and on 
 the following night became the mother of another child, 
 with no other convenience than the comfortleys solitside of 
 the forest. Mr. Barker made his escape at Middlebury 
 by feigning himself sick. After the capture of Bnrgoyne, 
 and previous to tiie evacuation of Ticonderoga, a party of 
 men from Otter Creek, entered and plundered the house 
 of a Mr. Prindle, inimical to the American cause — not 
 being theov/ner of the house, he set it on fire, retifeated on 
 board a British vesbel on the lake, and implicated his 
 neiglibor, Mr. Stone, in the robbery and burning of it. — 
 The accused undertook to secrete himself, but Vvas discov- 
 ered and taken prisoner to Ticonderoga, wheie he remain- 
 ed three weeks. In November, 1778, Major Carleton 
 collected 39 men and boys at Bridport, from the adjoining 
 towns, and carried them away prisoners to Canada. Two 
 of the prisoners, Elijah Grandy and Thomas 1-Iinkly,vvere 
 discharged to carry the women and children to the Amer- 
 icans, while the husbands and eider sons were detained. 
 The prisoners arrived at Quebec on the 6th of December, 
 and v»'ere detained 16 months and 19 days. In the spring 
 after, several had died, tiiey were removed oO leagues 
 down the river to work. On the night of the 13th of May, 
 1779, eight of tliem escaped, and crossed the river, here 
 27 miles wide ; by noon the next day, tiiey reached the 
 opposite shore. They separated into two parties of four 
 each. Messrs. Sturdifit, Ward and Smiths, composed 
 one company, and proceeded up the river, for Sorell. — 
 Most of the people treated them with Li.idness, until the 
 20th, when nearly opposite Quebec, the river was so 
 swollen that tiiey durst not attempt to cross it, and there- 
 fore, requested the aid of a Frenchman, whom they saw in 
 the field. He conducted them to his house, where they 
 were made prisoners by a French officer. All of them, 
 except Sturdifit, effected an escape, who remained a pris- 
 oner until the close of the war. Ward was separated from 
 
 7 
 
74 HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 the Smiths a week, when he accidentally fell in with them. 
 Two days after they came together, four Indians, with 
 their guns and dogs, come upon them, whom tliey outrun 
 through the night, and the next day till noon, when they 
 were taken hy the Indians, ahout six miles from the Three 
 Rivers, and imprisoned. One side of the prison, where 
 they were committed, was wood, through which they cut 
 a hole with an old jack knife, and in a week made an es- 
 cape hy a rope formed of their hed clothes, hy which they 
 let themselves down from a window, into a room aojaccnt 
 to the prison. Fourteen days they eluded the search of 
 the Indians by travelling in the woods. Having crossed 
 over from the north side of the St. Lawrence, they reached 
 the Sorell in the night, and the next day ascended the 
 Chambly mountains, to take observations for directing 
 their course through the forests of Vermont. They arriv- 
 ed at Missisque Bay, after four days travel, through 
 8v/amps and a dreary wilderness. During the whole route 
 thev subsisted entirely on what fiesh they killed and cock- 
 ed in the v/oods. At Panton, they fell in with a scout of 
 three Americans, who readily supplied their wants. In 
 Bridport, they were entertained at the house of Asa Hem- 
 ingway, the only one that was not destroyed in the rava- 
 ges ot war. The day following, they reached the picket 
 forts at Pittsford. Of the prisoners who were carried a- 
 way into captivity, Messrs. Nathan Smith, of Bridport, Jo- 
 seph Hoicomb, of Panton, Nathan Griswold, of Waltham, 
 and Mrs. Grandy, whose husband was released to collect 
 and carry the women and children to the Americans, and 
 many others who shared in the sufferings of those calami- 
 tous times, are still living. 
 
 The transactions of Lieutenant Berijamin Everest, dur- 
 ing the first settlement of Vermont, furnish a pretty fair 
 example of the bravery, fortitude and sufTerings of the 
 people. Mr. Everest, soon after his father removed to 
 Addison, in 1769, was engaged with Colonel Ethan x\l- 
 Icn in suppressing Benzell, and other Yorkerp, in their 
 intrusion upon the inhabitants of Panton and New-Haven. 
 Receiving a commission from the Continental Congress, 
 he was engaged at Hulihardton battle in Colonel War- 
 ner's regiment, and at Bennington, in the regiment com- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 75 
 
 manded by Colonel Hcrrick. The next year he had the 
 command of Fort Vengeance, at Rutland, and after this, 
 was taken by the British as a spy, and confined nine days 
 in prison, from whence he was removed on board- of a 
 prison ship for Canada. Perceiving that death was his 
 inevitable doom if he did not succeed in making an es- 
 cape : accordingly he conceived the plan of having his 
 irons taken off and himself placed upon the quarter deck 
 by his entreaties, then to overcome the guard with a gen- 
 erous supply of liquor, and escape to the shore by swim- 
 ming the lake from the vessel. All this he accomplished, 
 but with much suffering. He passed through the Indian 
 encampment as a British officer, and travelled in the night 
 over west mountain through the snov/ a foot and a half 
 d-rjp, to Westport. From this place he passed over the 
 lake a!id through the wilderness to Castleton. Afterwards 
 he was surprised by seven Indians, when on a scouting 
 party, and taken a prisoner. They delivered him over to 
 General Powers, who confined him in irons. From these 
 he extricated himself and fled to the covert of the woods. 
 The whole encampment were rallied in searching after 
 him, but he eluded their grasp by concealment in a thick 
 growth of vegetation, lying near the whole day in plain 
 sight of an Indian guard. He proceeded to lake George 
 in the night, and through that to Fort Edward. During 
 the whole time of his flight he was pursued by (he Indians, 
 and entirely destitute of tbod for three days. 
 
 A scout of twenty-one Indians, on the 9th day of Au- 
 gust, 17S0, entered the township of Barnard, ancl made 
 prisoners of Messrs. Wright, Haskell and Newton. Two 
 of v/hom made an escape the spring following, and the 
 other was exchanged some time afterwards. They suffer- 
 ed many severe hardships while prisoners, but all of them 
 returned and lived on the same firms from which they 
 were taken. In October 16lh, 17S1, five men proceeding 
 from the fort in Corinth, on a scout down Onion river, 
 were fired upon in the town of Jerico, by a company of 
 sixteen tories. Three of the number were wounded, one 
 mortally, who died within 40 hours, and was buried in 
 Colchester. The others were taken to Quebec, and de- 
 clined till the next spring, when they were permitted to 
 
re HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 return. Major Breckenridge, with a scouting party of 
 twenty men, after annoying the settlers of Newhury, killing 
 one man and taking anotlier prisoner, marclied to Corinth, 
 where tlioy obhijjcd the inliabitants to take the oath of al- 
 legiance to flio kinir of (jlreat-Britain. 'J'he settlement at 
 Peacham, on Ilazen's military. road, was, when the soldiers* 
 had left the forts, invaded hy a party of French and Indians-, 
 wiio took Colonel Elkittf* and several other prisoners. — 
 Elkins wassent a prisoner to Eiigland, with 150 others, 
 and confined in mill prison. In 17S2 they were exchanged 
 for the troops of Cornwallis ; when the Colont-1 returned 
 to his residence. The lives and safety ofthe settlers upon tho 
 New-Hampsliire grants were exposed to the depredations 
 of the Indians and lories — many were killed or tortured, 
 having all their propeity destroyed, and others lived in 
 constant fear of being brought to a like situation. Royat- 
 ton, a township upon White river, containing three hun- 
 dred inhabitants, and some of the towns adjacent, were in- 
 vaded in 17S0 by two hundred and three Indians and seven 
 white men, under the command of Lieutenant Ilorton, 
 w^ho had proceeded up Onion river, on an expedition a- 
 gainst Newbury, for the purpose, as was supposed, of tak- 
 ing Lieutenant Whitcomb, who had wantoj.ly shot Gen- 
 eral (Jordon, an English otBcer, in July, r77(), between 
 St. Johns and Chanibly, and took from him his sword and 
 watch. The British, resenting this act as unjustifiable 
 nnd mean, were anxious to aveige themselves on Whifi- 
 <;omb. While on their way, falling in with seme l.unters, 
 they were informed that tlie people ol' Newbury were ex- 
 pecting an attack and prepared tor defence. Tiiis turned 
 their attention towards Royalton. They accordingly pro- 
 ceeded Uj) Stevens' and Jail branches, then down tiie first 
 branch ofWhite river to Tunbridge, where they Iny in Llieir 
 encampment during the Sabbath, and on i\londay,the IGtli 
 of October, they commenced their depredations at the 
 house of John Hutchinson, living near tiie line between 
 Tunbridge and Rf^yalton. Alter taking him and his broth- 
 er prisoners, they proceeded to Robert Havens', where 
 they killed Messrs. Button and Peniber; from thence to 
 Joseph KneclarKrs,took him, his fatlier, Simeon I^dknsip^ 
 (sriles Gibbs, and Jonothan Brown prisoners. Proceed- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 77 
 
 ing to Elias Curtis', they took him, John Kent, and Peter 
 Mason prisoners. Thus tar they had gone with the great- 
 est silence, and when they arrived at the mouth of the 
 branch, they made a stand, sending out small parties in 
 different directions to plunder and bring in prisoners. By 
 this time the alarm had become general, the inhabitants 
 were flying for safety in every direction, and the savages 
 filling the air with their horrid yells. One party extended 
 their ravages down the river into Sharon, took two pris- 
 oners and burnt several houses and barns. Another party 
 [)rocceaed up the river, made prisoner of a youno- lad, 
 plundered and set fire to the house of General Stevens, 
 and advanced about three miles in that direction, killing 
 the cattle, plundering and setting fire to the buildings as 
 they passed. After finishing their work of destruction, 
 they returned with their booty to the place of their attack 
 ia the morning. They then proceeded across the hills to 
 Randolph, where they encamped for the night, on the sec- 
 ond branch of White river. In the course of the day, they 
 had killed two persons, taken twenty-five prisoners, burnt 
 upwards of 20 houses and about the same number of barns, 
 killed 150 head of cattle, and all the hogs and sheep that 
 fell in their way ; having suftbred no loss themselves, and 
 scarcely met v^ith any opposition. So sudden and pow- 
 erful was the attack that the people took no measures for 
 their defence. The alarm, however, spread so soon that 
 several hundred marched from the towns on Connecticut 
 river, by evening, to the place v/here the attack commen- 
 ced. They organized themselves under the command of 
 Captain John Ilouse, an experienced officer in the Conti- 
 nental army, v.ho began his march with this brave and 
 undisciplined corps, in quest of the savage army, who by 
 this time v/ere encamped seven or eight miles' ahead. — 
 With great animation they pursued on their way, in a dark 
 night, guided only by a ihw marked trees, amidst logs, 
 rocks and hills, until they arrived where the last houses 
 had been burnt. Apprehensive that the enemy were near, 
 they now proceeded v/ith more caution. The Indian sen- 
 tries were placed nearly half a mile in the rear, behind 
 some trees near the path. When the van was in a short 
 distance of the sentries, they were fired upon and one man 
 
 7* 
 
78 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 was wounded. The Americans returned the fire, killes? 
 one Indian and wounded one or two moro. Elouse pro- 
 ceeded within three hundred yards of the Indir.n crmpaud 
 halted, to await the approach of day light. The Ijidiana 
 were alarmed at tiiis intelligence, but they soon ccvifccd 
 means for tlieir safety. An aged prisoner was? sent out to 
 inform t!ie Americans tliat if they proceeded to attack 
 tiiem, they would instantly put all the prisoners to dealjj. 
 Savage barbarity had consigned over two of the prii^oners, 
 to bescal{)ed and tomahawked — one onaccountof'his refus- 
 ing to march, from an expectation of relief from the Amer- 
 icans, and the oliicr, by way of retaliating the c'eatii oftho 
 Indian who was slain, 'i he Indians Imstily retreated, cov- 
 ering their rear with their warriors. Having consummated 
 their plans, ihoy quickly crossed the strean', marched up 
 t!io west side into Randolph, took one prisoner, proceeded 
 througli the wolH part of Brooklield, thence to Onion rivei', 
 and by that route to St. Johns and Montreal. lionsc and 
 his forces, not apprehensive of the enemy's departure, 
 waited until day, when they were all gone. Tliis delay 
 deprived them of the opportunity of attacking the enemy^ 
 whom they pursued five utiles into Brookfield, where they 
 found all quic;t. Considerirjg by this, that any further at- 
 tempt at a pursuit would be unavailing, they, therefore, re- 
 turned to their own habitations. At the time ol the attack 
 upon Royalton, the Indir.n character seemed to have un- 
 dergone considerable charge : although they plundered, 
 burnt and destroyed every thing that ciune in their way, 
 yet they killed only those wlio attempted to esciipc, or 
 opposed them. The women and female children, in par- 
 ticular, were treated with lenity and forbearance, such as 
 had not been exhibited upon any former aggression : and 
 it appears they were well aware of it, by the manner in 
 which they conducted themselves toward the savages. — 
 One woman had selt-possession enough to address them in 
 spirited ter^ns, telling them that if they had the spirits and 
 souls of men they would cross the stream, go to the fort 
 and fight with the men. They tiinn^ly bore her remarks, 
 nnd only replied, "Squaw should not say too muti^'' — 
 Yet more bold and praiseworthy encounters were perform- 
 ed by others who received butl.ltle repulsion, particularly 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 70 
 
 by an clo'crly matron. They Imd taken lier little boy, but 
 eiio foUowcd with her other chihJroiiancl imporLiuicd th.era 
 to return Iiim. Unwilling to contend with her, tliey yield- 
 ed, and by her further earnest solicitations, released ten 
 or twelve belonging to her neig'jbors. At length, wisii- 
 ing to be rid of her, and being tired of her importunities, 
 an Indian very politely oHerc(i to carry her over the stream 
 upon his back. Slie without hesitation accepted, and ho 
 safely carried her to the opposite b;ink, after passing 
 throiigii tijc water np to his middle. When she had suc- 
 ceeded in getting the children across, slie directly retunn- 
 ed, to the great surprise and exaltation of their parents 
 and friend^?. On their way to Canada, the prisoners wero 
 not treated with severity. Wiicn ihey arrived at Montre- 
 al, several of them were sold to a British Colonel, at tho 
 price of eight dollars a head. One only of the twenty-six 
 that was taken olf, died in captivity : the remainder wero 
 liberated, and returned to tiieir friends the next summer. 
 The Nevv'-Mampshire grants had co-operated with tho 
 general government in furnishing men and provisions for 
 carrying on the war of independence, and following up a 
 rigorous prosecution of the contest, with as great Zealand 
 fidelity as those who were member.s of the confederated 
 states. Whatever was thus done in aid of the general 
 cause of American liberty, rested entirely with the wil|3Bf 
 the state. The government of Vermont was tiien, in re- 
 lation -to tlic general confederacy, as independent of its 
 power or control, as any kingdom in Europe. Their pro» 
 ceedings, however, as a body politic, had scarcely tho 
 form of a civil government. Tiiey had no ollicr method 
 of transacting business, than to follow, when collected to- 
 gether, tlie general advice of the most vigilant and am- 
 bitious of tiieir leaders. When called upon for supplies, 
 the people assembled to determine what was best to be 
 done, and when a vote had passed upon any sul ject,therG 
 wa5 no other power to carry it into effect than the consent 
 and inclination of each individual. Custom alone, gavo 
 the torce of law to their proceedings. ''The scntiment9 
 and maxims derived from tiie opinions and feelings of tho 
 neighbours and leaders, were all the powers that subsisted 
 to put any restraint on the most vicious, or to preserve 
 
80 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 the lives or properties of the inhabitants." Such a sfata 
 of society was found to be incompatible with the safety 
 and prosperity of the people. The attention of the public 
 had been so much engaged in the concerns of war, that 
 the controversy of New-York had almost ceased. The 
 government of Vermont was then vested in town meetings 
 and councils of safety, which. gave directions in all mat- 
 ters of public concern. Business which related to a whole 
 community could not be conducted with any despatch or 
 certainty, so long as the general voice could not be taken 
 irrone place, either by the whole people or by a delegated 
 power. Combinations on a more general plan were ne- 
 cessarily introduced among the several town?, to be hol- 
 dcn at different times a-nd places in the grants. A general 
 Gtate government had not been attempted nor ever thought 
 of; nor had the independence of Vermont as yet been 
 contemplated. Without any government or plan of pro- 
 ceedings, the people seemed to have approached nearly to 
 a state of nature : combining together only so far as ne- 
 cessity required to promote their common interest and 
 safety. In the latter part of the year 1775, som.e of the 
 principal men went to Philadelphia, to obtain the advice 
 of Congress, and on -their return, dispersed several letters 
 containing the advice of that body upon the subject of 
 their affairs; which was, that the people should form a 
 temporary government, by committees and conventions, 
 as the circumstances of society might require. In com- 
 pliance with this advice, a convention assembled at Dor- 
 f5et, January 16th, 1776,and a petition from that body was 
 forwarded to Congress. They avowed their willingness 
 to render every possible assistance in prosecuting the A- 
 merican war, wlienever they should be called on by gov- 
 ernment for that purpose, but expressed an unwillingness 
 to put themselves under the provincial government of 
 New-York, lest it should be construed as an act of sub- 
 niission to their authority. They concluded by request- 
 ing of Congress, should it find their services necessary, 
 that they should not be styled inhabitants of New-York, 
 or be subject to the limitations, restrictions, or regulations 
 of that province ; but as settlers of the New-Hampshire 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 81 
 
 grants, and that wliatcver commissions were issued, they 
 injfjht so 1)0 re^iarded. 
 
 Tlic Committee entrusted with this business recom* 
 mended to the petitioners to submit, for the present, to tho 
 government of New-York, i^.nd contribute tlieir assistance 
 in the present contest with Great-I5ritain, and that such 
 submission ought not to prejudice tl'cir riglits to the lands 
 in controversy, or be construed to affirm or admit the ju- 
 risdiction over it whenever the present hostilities are end- 
 ed. At a time when the fate of America was problemat- 
 ical, the committee could not but desire that all internal 
 controversies migiit terminate. To prevent a decision 
 the petition was withdrawn. The settlors on the New- 
 Hampsliire grants had never been recognized by the crowa 
 as holding a distinct jurisdiction, nor invested with sepa- 
 rate powers. They had never enjoyed the privilege of a 
 regular organization, under which tliey could act with 
 isystem and effect. They had no other bond of union to 
 Btimulate tliem, than a common interest in opposing tho 
 claims of New- York, and necessity, which urged them to 
 resistance, operated to give the force of law to the recom- 
 mendations of their committees and conventions, while a 
 tew adventurous spirits gave impulse, energy and systcra 
 to their operations. 
 
 The ati'airs of the settlers were thus peculiarly situated, 
 when the m.emorable declaration of Independence was 
 published to the world, July 4th, 1776, by the Congress 
 of the United Colonies. Their situation nt the dissolu- 
 tion of theColonifS wilhGreat-Britaifi was unprecedented. 
 Colonel Skcen had received a royal commission to bo 
 governor of Ticonderogn, Crown ]*oint,and an uncertain 
 extent of country bordering tliereon. The possession of 
 their lands was originally had under royal ,grants from 
 the governor of New-itlampshire : but New-York now 
 claimed the jurisdiction and the right of the sale. Tho 
 settlers had petitit>ned the crown for an adjustment of 
 their dispute, and when there was indication of a favorablo 
 decision between the contending parties, the connection 
 between the crown and the colonies was dissolved. Tl era 
 was no power recognized Uy the parties as superior, or 
 possessing the right of deciding the .controversy. AU 
 
82 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 claims bv New-Hampshire to the grants were renounced* 
 The convcnrion of New-York now reviving the controver- 
 sy, unanimous!)' declared on the 2d of August, 1776, that 
 all quit rents formerly due to Great-Britain, are now duo 
 and owing to this convention, or such future government 
 as shall hereafter be established in this state. The situa- 
 tion of the settlers v/as such as would naturally suggest 
 to them tiic right and expediency of declaring themselves 
 independent. The claims of New-York had never been 
 admitted, and allegiance to the crov^-n was no longer ac- 
 knowledged : therefore the time had now arrived, and re- 
 gard to their own safety reo'iired their assumption of the 
 power of self-government. A variety of opinions origina- 
 ted from the difficulties. With some a union with New- 
 Hampshire was considered expedient, and others thought 
 submission to New -York would be their only safety. — 
 But those v/ho were the most determined, considered that 
 the powers of goverimient might as well be assumed, and 
 the consequences arising from such a measure, be hazard- 
 ed at the present time. Accordingly a convention was 
 called, by notices from some of the most influential indi- 
 viduals, to ascertain what the general voice of the people 
 v/ould be on this subject. This body, consisting of dele- 
 gates from thirty-five towns, assembled at Dorset July 24, 
 1776. A resolution was passed in this? convention, that 
 they would defend their liberties to the utmost of their 
 pou'er. The people v/ere inclined to think that an entire 
 Beparation from New -York would be altogether best. — 
 The convention met a'gain September 25, and unanimous- 
 ly resolved to declare the New-Hampshire grants a sepa- 
 rate district, and that no law or laws should be accepted 
 from any otlipr source. This body were again convened 
 at Westminister, January 15, 1777, and there passed a 
 resolution that their only safe course was to form Ihem- 
 tjelves into a new State, and assume all the powers of gov- 
 ernment : with this view the following sentiment wab de- 
 clared. *' Tliis convention, M'hose members are duly 
 chosen by tlie voice of their constituents, do hereby pro- 
 claim and publicly declare that the district of territory 
 comprehended and usually known by the name and de- 
 Bcription of the New-Hampshire grants, of right ought to 
 
HISTORY OF VEPJilONT. 63 
 
 be, and is hereby declared forever hereafter to be consid- 
 ered a free and independent state, called, known, and dis- 
 tinguished by the name of New-Connecticut, alias Ver- 
 mont. And tliat the inhabitants who at present are,or may 
 hereafter become residents witliin said territory, shall bo 
 entitled to the same privileges, immunities, and enfran* 
 chisements, which are, or which may hereafter at any 
 time be allowed to the inhabitants of any free and indepen- 
 dent state in America. And that such privileges and im^ 
 munitiet^ shall be regulated by a bill of rights, and by a 
 form of government, to be estabSished at the next adjourn- 
 ed session of this convention. Having come to this decis- 
 ion, they drew up a declaration and petition toCongresg,ad- 
 dressing them as tlie Supreme Power of the land. '*That 
 tliey should hereafter consider themselves as a free and in- 
 dependent state, capable of regulating their own internal 
 police, in all and every respect whatever,and that the peo- 
 ple pof^'sess the sole and exclusive right of governing them- 
 selves in such manner and form as they in their wisdom 
 should choose, not repugnant to the laws of the general 
 government. And farther they declared their readines to 
 act in conjunction with the poopje oCthc United States, in 
 contributing their full proportion towards maintaining the 
 present just war against the fleets and armies of Creat- 
 Britain. A petition was also raised and forwarded, re- 
 questingCongress to recei\*e their declaration and secure 
 to this territory a free and independent situation among 
 the confederated states, and also the privilege of a dele- 
 gation in Congress. To this declaration and petition arc 
 subscribed in behalf of the inhabitants, the names of Jo- 
 nas Fay, Thomas Chittenden, Keman Allen and Reuben 
 Jones, statesmen of high respectability and talents. The 
 character of most of the leading men in Vermont was at 
 this time conspicuous for wisdom and stability. The 
 measures they took, placed Vermont in a commanding 
 situation ; it inspired others with confidence and increased 
 firmness among themselves. An appeal corresponding so 
 well with the spirit of the times, could not be otherwiso 
 than approved of by the neighboring colonies. A wil- 
 lingness was manifested by New-Hampshire to admit Ver- 
 mont to an independent government; Connecticut and 
 
81 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 Massachusetts also approved of tlie measure. But to 
 IVow-York, her condiii t r.ppcnred to be a renewal of pre- 
 vious opj)ositioa and a rebellion agains^t lawful autbority. • 
 Apprebcnsive of bad consequences IVorn siicb proceedings, 
 the committee of satVty for tlie State of New-York, then 
 in session, (January 2L)t}i, 1777,) investigated t'le matter, 
 and directed the president to communicate this informa- 
 tion to Congress, that certain designing men, by tb.eir arts 
 nnd influence, iuid prevailed on a portion of the State of 
 Nevv-York, to revolt and disavow the authority of its le- 
 gislature. The evidence received by them produced the 
 conviction that persons of great influence in the neighbor- 
 ing states have encouraged these divisions, and even some 
 members of the honorable Congress were implicated in 
 (lie scheme, but decency required a suspension of this be- 
 lief. The commission conferred upon Colonel Warner, 
 with the power of selecting the oflicers of his regiment, 
 to be raised within the present disputed tract of country, 
 which lately declared its independence, and supported by 
 tiie general j^ovcriimcnt, has given too much weight to 
 the insinuntionsof those who predicted that Congress wiss 
 determined to support these insurgents, especially as this 
 Colonel Warner has been outhnved for his opposition to 
 the legishiture of New-York. For the satisfaction of jus- 
 tice and the conviction of these deluded pcop!c, that Con- 
 gress lias not been prevailed on to assist in dismember- 
 ing a btate, which of all others, has Buffered most in tho 
 common cause, the conjmission given to Colonel War- 
 ner must absolutely ■ be recalled. In pursuance of tho 
 same subject, another representation was made to that 
 body, March 1777. In this the convention of New-York 
 declare tlsat tlicy depiended upon the justice of tliat honor- 
 Rble house to suppress by some proper means, the mis- 
 chiefs which must ensue to the general confederacy from 
 the unjust and pernicious designs of such of the inhabi- 
 tants, as merely from selfish uiotives, have fomented tho 
 dangerous insurrection. That r.otwithslanding all tho 
 erts of the seducers, Congress may now be informed that 
 the spirit of defection was by no means general. 'J'ho 
 county of (Gloucester, and a large [)ortion of Cumberland 
 gnd Charlotte counties, continued steadfast in their alio- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 85 
 
 glance to the government of New-York, nnd that thera 
 was not the least probability liiat Colonel Warner could 
 raise such a number of men as would be an object of 
 public concern. A general attention had now began to 
 be given to the introduction of regular forms and pro* 
 ceedings in Vermont, and for their encouragement in the 
 formation and adoption of a government, Tljomas Young, 
 of Philadelphia, sent a printed i)aper to tiie people of Ver- 
 mont, to which was prefixed a resolution of Congress, 
 passed May 15, 1776, recommending to all bodies of peo- 
 ple who look upon themselves as returned to a state of 
 nature, to adopt such a form of government as would con- 
 duce to the happiness and safety of their constituents. — 
 The address gave it as the sentiment of several leading 
 members of Congress, that Vermont had nothing further 
 to do than to take up a government in every township in 
 the district, and invite the inhhbitants to meet in their res- 
 pective towns and choose members for a general conven- 
 tion, to meet at an early day, for choosing delegates for 
 the general Congress, and to form a constitution for the 
 state ; at the same time telling them to make the experi- 
 ment, and he would insure them success. And further, 
 that they had as good a right to choose how they would 
 be governed, and by whom, as others had. The people 
 of New-York were highly indignant that publications es- 
 pousing the cause and calculated to establish the inde- 
 pendence of Vermont, should be circulated. The presi- 
 dent of the New-York council of safety, wrote on the 
 23th day of May, 1777, to the Frebidentof Congress, that 
 a report prevailed, and daily gained credit, th;U the revolt- 
 era were privately countenanced in their designs by cer« 
 tain members of Congress, and for fear of injuring the 
 reputation of that honorable body by imputations so dis- 
 graceful and mean, they esteem it their duty to give this 
 information on the subject, unwilling tiiat suspicions so 
 disrespectful to any member of Congress should be en- 
 tertained, yet the fact is that numbers of the people in 
 this state do believe the report to be well founded. 
 
 The representations of Thomas Young, were laid be- 
 fore Congress on the 23d of June, to bring the matter to 
 some decision. The papers and letters which had been 
 
 8 
 
86 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 received from the Convention of Nen-York, and from the 
 people of the New-Hamnsliire granti?, were rclored to a 
 committee of the vvhole, who, after several adjournments, 
 acted on them June 3i}. This body declared that the de- 
 sign of their creation, was fordefendin^ the several states 
 against the oppressions of Gr<;at-Britain, and, therefore, 
 it was not intended tliat Congress would countenance anv 
 thing injurious to the rights and jisrisdiction of the several 
 communities which they represent. They further resolv- 
 ed that the inhabitants of the New-Ijampshire grants, can 
 derive no countenance or justification, for declaring them- 
 selves an independent government, tVom the act of Con- 
 gress declaring t'ne united Colonics, independent of the 
 crown of Great Britain, nor from any other act of Con- 
 gress. The petition of Jonas Fay and others, that their 
 declaration, styling themselves a free and independent 
 State, might be received, and that delegates from the same 
 be admitted to seats inCongress, were dismissed. Congress 
 disclaimed all intentions of giving any encouragement to 
 the claims of the people for an independent state, by tl;eir 
 cominissioning Colonel Warner to raise and command a 
 regiment of Green Mountain troops; but tiie desicn ^vas 
 to reinstate many officers of the difleront stntes, who had 
 served in Canada, in the army of tlie United Slates. In 
 concluding their strictures upon the aflairs of Vermont, 
 they declared Young's letter to be derogatory to the hon- 
 or of Congress, and a gross misreprcsenlation of the resolu- 
 tion therein refered to, and tended to deceive the people to 
 whom they are addressed. These resolutions appeared to 
 be dictated by the influence of New-York, from the most 
 favorable construction that could be given then), and the 
 people of Vermont concluded that they should have to sup- 
 port their independence with the same firmness witii which 
 it had been declared. Tiiis furnished an occasion for the 
 people to becom.e more acquainted with the nature and 
 origin of their rights. New-Hampshire had conceded more 
 in favor of the independence of Vermont, than any other 
 State. The American army posted a 'J'iconderoga, w as 
 compelled to leave tha.t station on the 6th of July, l'^'<7, 
 by the British, under Burgoyne. JNlost of the people on 
 the west side of the mountain, left their habitations in 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. Q7 
 
 great consternation and trouble. The council of safety in 
 Vcrtnont, revqiiestcd as^5istance from tlie council of safety 
 in New-Hampshire, and assured tiicm that if none should 
 be granted, they should be under the necessity of putting 
 themselves under the protection of the enemy, and others 
 adjoining would be obliged to do the same. They de- 
 clared at the same time, their willingness and ability to 
 support an army and do every thing in th.eir power to es- 
 tablish the independence of the jrovernment. By an or- 
 der of the General Assembly of Nevv-Hampshii'e, a large 
 force of militia were put under tiic command of General 
 Stark, with orders to repair to Charlestown, on Connec- 
 ticut river, there to consult with a committee of the New- 
 Hampshire grants, respecting his future operations, and 
 the supply ol' his men with provisions, to lake the com- 
 mand of the militia and march into the grants, and to act in 
 conjunction with the troops of thnt new state, or any other 
 of the states, or of the United States. About the same 
 time, Ivlr. Weare, President of New-Hampshire, sent a 
 comnjunication to Ira Allen, Secretary of theSfateof 
 Vermont, on the subjiict of the fijrces being supplied for 
 the aid of t!ie frontiers, couched in a style and form of 
 expression acknowledging Vermont as a free ajid a sove- 
 reign, but a new State. There was no doubt but that 
 New-Ham.pshire had conceded the independence of Ver- 
 mont, and would use her influence to have Congress do 
 the same. A new controvprsy now arose amongst tho 
 inhabitants of New-Hamps!iirc, v.'hich produced a very 
 serious difficulty wilh that stiite. New-Hampshire was 
 originally granted as a province, to John Mason, and was 
 circumscribed by a line drawn at the distance of sixty 
 miles froni the sea. The original bounds of New-Hamp- 
 shire were well known to tlie inhabitants on the east sid© 
 of the Connecticut river, who were now anxious to unite 
 with the people on the west side of the river, in forming 
 a new state. With these views it was an easy matter to 
 offer reasons in justification of their proceedings. The 
 original limits of the province of New-Hampshire extend- 
 ing only sixty miles from the sea coast, and the additional 
 towns bsinii' annexed lately by virtue of the royal commis- 
 gions, which could operate no' longer than the power of 
 
83 HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 the crown siibsistctl, ncre urged, together with the ces- 
 sation of nil obligations to New-Iiiirnpshire, on their 
 denial of the authority of the crown. These, they asserted, 
 gave them the full liberty to join whatever government 
 they chose. Success attended the propagation of such 
 ideas in the towns near t!ie river; conventions assembled, 
 and in a few months sixteen towns declaring themselves 
 in a state of nature with regard to th.eir internal police, 
 requested Vermont to receive them into union with her- 
 self. This application was j)r.rple.xing to the government 
 ofthe states, a majority of which were opposed to the pro- 
 jected union. 
 
 Tiiose towns contiguous to Connecticut river, were in 
 favor of receiving the towns from New-Iiampshire, and 
 proceeded so fur as to propose withdrawing from their 
 connexion with Vermont and forming a new state. The 
 question for altering the jurisdictional hounds ofthe state 
 rested with the people, and great activity was shown by 
 the party in favor ofthe union, for securing a majority of 
 members in the next assembly. On the meeting of the 
 legislative body u vote was obtained in fa\'or of the con- 
 federation and an admission of any other town, on the cast 
 side ot Connecticut river, on their producing a vote of the 
 majority ofthe inhabitants, or sending a rej)resentative to 
 the assembly of Vermont, was also agreed to. The six- 
 teen towns withdrew from New-Hampshire, and announc- 
 ed their separation, and roqticetod a divisional lino between 
 them and the state. Justly alarmed at this proceeding, 
 iMr. VVearo, then Presidojit of New-Hampshire, wrote to 
 (jovernor Chittenden, churning those seceding towns as a 
 part of the state before the revolution. He gave informa- 
 tion also that a minority in tliose towns had claimed pro- 
 tection from that state, wiiich the assensbly of Nevv-FIamp- 
 bhirc viewed themselves as bound on every consideration 
 to afford. He desired tlie Governor, tor the sake of pub- 
 lic tranquillity and peace, to relinquibii so improper and 
 dangerous connexion. 
 
 The delegates in Congress from New-Hampshire were 
 urged by Mr. Wcare to take the advice and procure the 
 interposition of Congress, stating at the same time as his 
 opinion, that this probubly was the only method of settling 
 
HISTORY OP VERMONT. 8d 
 
 the controversy without the effusion of blood, as all attempts 
 «t reconciliation had proved fruitless. On the rcceptioa 
 of this intelligence, the Governor and Council of Vermont 
 requested General Ethan Allen to repair to Philadelphia, 
 and ascertain in vvhat light their proceedings v/cre view- 
 ed by that body. The agent reported on his return that 
 Congress u'as unanimously opposed to the union of those 
 towns v;ith Vermont, and if the proceeding were disan- 
 nulled no member of Congress would oppose their inde- 
 pendence. The Legislature on hearing the report of Con- 
 gress, took up the subject of the union. At their session 
 in Windsor, October 13th, 177S, a question was moved 
 whether the towns on the east side of Connecticut river, 
 which had been admitted into the union with Vermont, 
 should be erected into a county by themselves. The 
 question was decided by 2S in the affirmative, and 31 in 
 the negative. After ascertaining the feelings of the as- 
 sembly on this subject, the members from fifteen towng 
 on Connecticut river withdrew from the house, and with 
 them proceeded those from tlie sixteen towns in New- 
 Hampshire, together with the deputy governor and two as- 
 sistants. The assembly of Vermont consisted of sixty 
 members, two-thirds of which were necessary to make a 
 house to do business. This was just the number left 
 when the seceding members had retired. 
 
 The business was pursued and finished by the remain- 
 ing members. But the arrangements with New-Hamp- 
 ehire were referred over for the instructions of the people. 
 The legislature was now adjourned to meet again on the 
 second Thursday of February next, and an order was is- 
 sued to the constables of the several towns, whose repre- 
 sentatives had withdrawn to lead them to another choice. 
 The seceding members immediately assented and entered 
 upon a plan for calling a convention of delegates from the 
 towns along the valley of Connecticut river. The real 
 object of this movement was now well understood and it 
 proved very injurious to Vermont. The plan was to form 
 a new state with the seat of government upon Connecti- 
 cut river, which would eflectually dismember Vermont.— 
 This convention met at Cornish, N. H. on the 9th day of 
 December, 1778, They agreed first to unite generally, 
 
 8* 
 
90 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 without any rcfrnrd to the ori<:inal lino n&signed by Ne\T- 
 Hampshire, nrul to make the. roilouij^g pro[)os;.!ls to that 
 goverumoni : — cither to agree among themselves as to 
 the (Hviyionnl lino or submit it to Congress ; or to arbi- 
 trators rnutiially chosen. ICneitlier of the above j>ropo- 
 sals sliould bo accepted, the convention concluded to 
 connect thems(!lves with iVew-Kr.mpshirc ar.d become a 
 state as it was before tiie settling of the said line in 1764. 
 The design of these towns,eight of which were represent- 
 ed in tiie convention, was now apparent. TIjo people of 
 Vermont v^eio fully awake to tlicir danger, 'ihe injustice 
 of aiding in the disn.emberment of ?\^ow-Kamp«^hire be- 
 come too evident to admit a doubt as to the course prop- 
 er to be pursued. 
 
 If their scheme should succeed, tlie government of one 
 or the other of the states must be broken up. To get rid 
 of this dangerous connection, the union was dissolved on 
 the 12th of February, 1779 by an act of the legislature. — 
 These dilTkultics about the division of the states^ induced 
 several of the leading uiembers of the Kcvv-Hampshire 
 ftssembly to lay claim to the wliole of the lands. New- 
 York also put iri her claims for the jurisdiction of the same. 
 It was not to be dou.bted now, as ?^ew-i]ampshire could 
 make no legal claim to the prciuises, that it was a con- 
 trivance amonust the leading men in \he two states to di- 
 vide Vermont between, them. A natural division would 
 be formed by the range of tlie Green JMountains running 
 through the state, betwcenNew-Hampshire andr'^ew-\ ork, 
 Avhich would fully terminate all the controversies ot the 
 people of Vermont, as to their limits, tiie validity of their 
 grants, or the powers of the government which they had 
 assumed, had no other state laid a claim or interfered in 
 the cont rovers}'. But Massachusetts extended h.er right 
 to a large portion of Vermont : whether her designs were 
 earnestly expressed, or whether it was a manoeuvre she 
 employed to disappoint the views of New-Hau?pshire and 
 New-York, did not appear. The claim of Massachusetts 
 appeared much more plausible than that of New-Hamp- 
 ehire, because the line between these states might be con- 
 sidered settled; but that between Massachusetts and New- 
 York had never been. In treating upon tiic controversy 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 91 
 
 ^'ith New-York, it will be neccssnry to return to (be proc- 
 lamation of Governor Clinton, Febrtiary 23, 1773, froni 
 whicb it appears that New-York, though < lnin;i!ig juris- 
 diction over the contested territory, liad evidently chang- 
 ed her policy towards Vermont. Tiie overtures for recon- 
 ciliation, afler enumerating; the canses of disagreement, 
 were, that all persons should be quieted in possessii-iir and 
 improving lands acquired by title under grants from New- 
 Hxampshire or Massachusetts ; that persons holding or 
 possessing lands not granted by either of ti)e three gov- 
 ernments, should be confirmed in their possessions, and 
 have a quantity of land contiguous to tl)eir possessions, 
 sufficient for a convenient farm : that all controverted ca- 
 ses concerning lands cannot bo decided by rules, exhibit- 
 ed in the articles aforesaid. Tiic legislature of New-York 
 will provide for the determination of the same, according 
 to tlie rules of justice and equity, arising out of such cas- 
 es. That quit rents shall be reduced to what they were 
 originally, under the grants of New-Hampshire and Mas- 
 sachusetts. That th.e aforesaid regulations and directions 
 must be observed at the peril of tlie people. Tliere was 
 an appearance of fairness in these propositions .which 
 might have deceived those who were not very perceptive 
 and jealous of their rights. But the peo'plo of Vertnont 
 were not to bo deceived by such presentments of conde- 
 scending authority. No relief was perceived in these o- 
 vertures by tliose who had long been accustomed to a 
 thorough investigation of every point in the controversy. 
 The idea kept strengthening with the progress of the diffi- 
 culty, that the claims of Nev/-York v^'ere entirely ground- 
 less. Under such convictions, they declared their inde- 
 pendence and proceeded to organize a government. The 
 supremacy of New-York they utterly disavowed. Colo- 
 nel Ethan Allen published an answer to this i)roclamation, 
 in August, 1779, observing, after he had replied to the o- 
 vertures in that document, that the principal inducement 
 he had in answering them was to derive full proof from 
 the same, tliat the best way for vacatijig the interposing 
 grants of New-York, is to maintain inviolable, the suprem- 
 acy of the legislative authority of the state of Vermont. — 
 This will put it in the power of the people to enjoy th« 
 
02 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 great blessings of a free and independent government. In 
 a correspondence with one of the inhabitants of Vermont, 
 Governor Clinton observed that he should earnestly re- 
 commend a firm and prudent resistance to the drafting of 
 men, and raising taxes, and the exercise of every act of 
 government under the ideal state of Vermont, and ia 
 Buch towns where thS friends of New-York are sufficient- 
 ly pov* erful for the purpose, would advise the entering in- 
 to an association for the mutual defence of their persons 
 and estates, against this usurpation. In a communication 
 to Congress on their controversy with Vermont, he affirm- 
 ed that the violence of the inhabitants would soon bring 
 on a civil war, and that all the troubles of the people in 
 tiiis district, arose from the former, not the present gov- 
 ernment of New-York. A difficulty of a more serious as- 
 pect, originating among certain persons disaffected tow- 
 nrds the government of Vermont, in the south-east part of 
 the State, ensued. 
 
 Some of these persons who were commissioned by Gov- 
 ernor Clinton, asserted tlnit th.ey had a regiment of five 
 hundred men, and that the county committee was oppo- 
 sed to the authority of Vermont. Tlie government of 
 this state found tlieir associations so direful in their con- 
 sequences, that Colonel Ethan Allen was directed to raise 
 a pa;-t of the militia to suppress them. On tliis intelli- 
 gence, a person under a commission from New-York, 
 Bent a communication to Governor Clinton, for his advice 
 and direction, stating the propriety of having the Albany 
 militia in readiness to attack any armed force that should 
 assemble for that purpose, and that it would be an easy 
 matter to give information by employing some of their in- 
 imical townsmen in Vermont. In answer to this appli- 
 cation, general firmness and prudence were recommended, 
 and in no instance acknowledgement of the authority of the 
 State of Vermont, unless there was no alternative between 
 submission and inevitable ruin : — assuring them at the 
 wame time, if any attempt was made at their reduction, 
 the militia should be ordered out against the enemies of 
 the State of New-York wherever they might be found. — 
 At this critical juncture, a convention was organized from 
 the different persons inCumberland county, who met atBrat- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 93 
 
 tleborougli, May 4tb, 1779, which gave a new impulse'to 
 the controversy of r-^ew-York. They represented their 
 aggrievancos to be a deslitution of the regular means for 
 punishing the most atrocious offenders or of obtaining pri- 
 vate justice; that the officers of tiie pretended State .of 
 Vermont, have exercised authority over those who contin- 
 ue loyal to tlic State of New- York, and have quite lately 
 taken away our cattle with their illegal orders, and took 
 a magistrate a prisoner, who was acting under the author- 
 ity of Ncv/-York, in a matter which no v/ay concerned 
 them, and placed him under bonds of 1000 pounds for hia 
 appearance at the next court. Demand was made, on tho 
 authorities of New-York, to carry their solemn engage- 
 ments, entered upon with the loyal inliabitants, into im- 
 mediate execution. Fearful of civil commotions, Gov- 
 Clinton informed the President of Congress, that matters 
 were approaching to a very serious crisis, which nothing 
 but tbe immediate interposition of Congress could possi- 
 bly prevej't ; that he sliouh! be obliged to defend by force 
 those who adhered to New-York. Congress was remin- 
 ded of the consequence of submitting the controversy, es- 
 pecially at that period, to a decision of the sword, and al- 
 so that the justice and faith of government, the peace 
 and safety of society, would not allow them any longer to 
 be the familiar spectators of the violence committed on 
 their fellow citizens. On the 29th of May, 1779, these 
 and various other papers relating to the disputes with 
 New-Flampshire, were laid before Congress, and by them 
 referred to a committee of the whole. Immediately after, 
 Congress resolved that a committee be appointed to ex- 
 amine into the reasons why the people in tlie New-IIanip- 
 shire grants refuse to continue citizens of those States, 
 which heretofore exercised jurisdiction over them, and 
 that every prudent measure should betaken to prevent an- 
 imosities so prejudicial to the Union and every measijro 
 adopted to promote a settlement of diOicultics. Hostili- 
 ties ensued between a party of green mountain boys, under 
 the cemriiand of Colonel Allen, and a militia ofHcer, act- 
 ing under the authority of New-York. Relief was imme- 
 diately sought of Governor Clinton, who represented (he 
 same to Congress. The committee yvho had beenappoin* 
 
^4 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 te(l to confer with the inhabitants, was higiily disnpproved 
 of, and II delay in their journey, unti' ii rci-olulion of Con- 
 gress couhi be taken on the subject, requested. Con- 
 gress ordered the oflicers deprived of their liberty to be 
 irumediately freed from arrest, and (hat, on the arrival of 
 the connnittce, ail matters would be investi-^ated. But 
 two of {"ivQ of the committee, Dr. Witherspoon and Mr. 
 Atle, attended. On entering Vermont, many enquiries 
 were made \u]d several conferences hold, botli with those 
 in the interest of Vermont and New-York. V/ritten an- 
 swers were given to some of their interrogatories. Tliey 
 seem to have endeavored at a reconciliaJion between tiio 
 parties; but no part of the business for which they v»ero 
 sent appeared from their report to be accomplished. 
 
 The various claims of of New-York, New-Idampsbire, 
 Massachusetts and the settlers, to the disputed territory, 
 became so serious a matter ti»at alarming consequences 
 were justly to be feared. It therefore became Con- 
 gress, to whom all parties appealed, to inlespose in a mat- 
 ter which snemed essentially to affect the common inter- 
 est ol' the Union. Accordingly, on the 21lh of Septem- 
 ber, 1TT9, a resolution was un;ini:iionsly })assed, request- 
 ing the states of New-Hampshire, New-York and Mas- 
 sachusetts to enact laws, expressly authorizing Congress 
 to hear and examine into all I'^e disputes and ditl'erences 
 relative to the jurisdiction aforesaid, between the said 
 three states respectively : and it waslurther resolved, that 
 it was t:ie duty of the people in said district, to abstain 
 from exercising authority over any power or any inhabi- 
 tants v.ho profess themselves to bo citizens or owe allegi- 
 ance to any, or eithpr of said states ; and also that the 
 three states aforenamed, ought to suspend exerting their 
 laws over any of the inhabitants of said district, except 
 suc'i as confess th.c jurisdiction of the same; and finally, 
 th;it all unappropriated lands or estates which are or may 
 be adjudged forfeited or confiscated, lying within said 
 district, ought to await the final decision of Congress in 
 the premises to be sold or granted. The evasions of 
 Congress evidently showed tljat tV.c union and atle.ction of 
 New-IIampsiiire, New-York and MassiiLliusetts was con- 
 sidered by that body of more importance tube preserved, 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 95 
 
 than the existence of Vermont. This evasive policy was 
 probably best at a time wiien tiie bonds of union n:;ight bo 
 bevered by the di^aliVction of one of these slJites. Acta 
 in compliance with the recommendations of Congress, 
 were passed by all the states, except Massachusetts, who 
 withheld prol)ably to save Vermont from dismemijenrent. 
 The resolutions of Congress establishing four separate 
 jurisdictions in the same territory and at the snme time, 
 was impossible, and such as the people who had assumed 
 the powers of governtnent could not comply with. A 
 constitution, laws and courts of justice were already set- 
 tled, and civil authority fully exercised. 
 
 The plan of encouraging a system of espionage, was in- 
 consistent with the exisleuce of Vermont. Siie was lit- 
 erally struggling for an existence, but hnppily, her citi- 
 zens possessed resources of mind equal to the emergency 
 of the occnsion. Five agents were appointed by the Leg- 
 islature of Vermont, to agree upon, and finally settle cer- 
 tain articles of union and confederulion, between this 
 State and the United States, v/hich should be binding upon 
 the inhabitants in all cases wjuitever. 
 
 Governor Ciiiltenden sent General Alien, October 28, 
 1779, to wait on the Council and General Court of Mas- 
 sachusetts, and be inibrmed over what part of the State 
 they extended their chiim, and to what extent they should 
 endeavor to carry their pretentions into execution, in the 
 trial at Congress. Every necessary step was there prom- 
 ised to he tiiken, in order to bring about an equitable ac- 
 commodation of all difficulties, agreeable to the strictest 
 rules of justice and equity; but this could not be done 
 without an acknowledgement of the independence of the 
 State. Tlve reasons for supporting their independence 
 were fully exhibited, nor did they, in the least measure, 
 evince a disposition to abandon it. After t!ie aforemen- 
 tioned resolutions of Congress, communicate*! to Gover- 
 nor Chittenden, were laid before th.e Council, he replied, 
 "that they could not view themselves as holden in the 
 Bight of God or man, to sulomit to the execution of a plan 
 which they had reason to believe, was commenced by a 
 neighboring state, for the purpose of suspending their lib- 
 erties and privileges, upon the arbitrament and final dc- 
 
9Q HISTORY OF VERMONT. • 
 
 termination of Congress: when, in their opinion, they 
 were things too sacred, ever to bo arbitrated upon, and 
 what they were bound to defend, at the expense of their 
 possessions and lives.'' They also denied the right of Con- 
 gress to intermeddle in the internal police and govern- 
 ment of Vermont — a governmcnt,which existed independ- 
 ent of the United States, and was not accountable to them 
 for liberty — the gift of the beneficent Creator. Slie v^'as 
 not represented in Congress, and therefore could not sub- 
 mit to resolutions passed without her consent, or even 
 knowledge, which put every thing valuable at stake. — 
 They declared their willingness to assist v/ith their blood 
 and treasures in supporting the war v.ith Great-Britain, 
 but were not so lost to all sense and honor, as that after 
 four years' v/ar with Great-Biitain, that they would yield 
 every thing worth contending for; tlie right of making 
 their own la^ys, and choosing their own form of govern- 
 ment, to the arbitrament and determination of Congress. 
 
 The business of settling the centroverted claims upon 
 the territory of the Nev/-Hampshire grants, was not taken 
 up on the first day of February, nor on the 2lst day of 
 March, as was ordered by Congress, but the business 
 was postponed. Nine States, exclusive of those who were 
 parties in the question, were not represented. On June 
 2d Congress resolved that the proceedings of the people 
 in the New-Hampshire grants, were highly unwarrantable 
 and subversive of the peace and welfare of the United 
 Slates, and they are hereby strictly required to forbear 
 and abstain from all acts of authority civil or military, over 
 the inhabitants of any town or district, who profess alle- 
 giance to any other State. The question was again dc-. 
 fered to the second Tuesday in September. 
 
 These resolutions being communicated to the Governor 
 of Vermont, he declared that hov/ever Congress might 
 regard them, the people of Vermont viewed them as sub- 
 versive of the right they have to independence and liberty, 
 as well as incompatible with the principle on which Con- 
 gress grounded their own rights to independence, and 
 their tendency went directly to the subversion of Ameri- 
 can liberty. Vermont being a free and independent State, 
 bad devised the authority of Congrcos to judge of Ibcir 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 97 
 
 jurisdiction, and were not incliiden in the tlilrfeen United 
 States. Tlierefore they were at liberty to oflcr or accept 
 terms of a cecessioa of hostilities with (jreat-Britain, with- 
 .out the approbation of any power, on the supposition 
 that neither Congress nor the Legislature of t!iose States 
 wiiicli tiiey represent, will support Vermont in her indepen- 
 ■dence, but devote her to the usurped ^overnnient of any 
 other power. She has not the most distant wish to contin- 
 ue hostilities with (ireat-Britain and niaint:.^in an iiV.port- 
 -ant frontier for the bcnefU of the United States, and for no 
 otiicr reward than tha ungrateful one of being enslaved by 
 them. Yet, notwitiistanding the usurpations and injustice 
 of t!ie neighboring governments toward-: Yermont, and tlio 
 Jatc resolutions of Congress, from a principle of virtue and 
 ■close attaclinient to the cause of liberty, as well as from a 
 thorough examination of their own policy, theywcre int'iued 
 once more to oiler union Vv'ith tlie United States of Ameri- 
 ca, of which Congress v.'as the legal representative [)ody. 
 The claims of Nevv-Iiampshire and IVev.'-York to tiic ju- 
 risdiction of Vermont, were brought forward for a decis- 
 ion. Ira Allen and Stephen II. Bradley, Esvi'rs, agents 
 for Vermont, presented themselves, but were notconsider- 
 ,ed as the representatives of any stat3 or con;. try invcst- 
 <3d with legislative a)jthority. Yet they required of 
 Congress to be notified wlienever any subject relating to 
 the independence of Vermont cjime before them. In 
 iSeptember, being cited to appear, the agents of New- York 
 furnished evidence to substantiate theii^clainis to the New- 
 Hampshire grants, and that the settlers had no right to a^ 
 separate and independent jurisdiction. Vermont, having 
 never consented to submit the question of her right to en 
 arbitrament of Congress, was very mucli disconcerted on 
 finding that Congress was admitting testimony to decide 
 the controversy without considering her as one of the par- 
 ties or her agents in any other capacity than that of private 
 persons. A feeling of obligation for the character and des- 
 tiny of Vermont, constrained the agents to enter a remon- 
 strance to the proceedings of Congress. The towering 
 ppirit of independence was not chechcd by this repulse 
 They declared it would lead to their own abasement and 
 betray the trust reposed in them, to sit any longer us idl« 
 
 9 
 
98 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 spectators. They professed their willingness to furnish 
 their full proportion of troops and money for the Ameri- 
 can war, until that should be terminated, und readiness to 
 submit their dispute to the mediation of one or more disin- 
 terested States, for final determination and adjustment. — r 
 But they reprobate the idea that Congress should sit as a 
 court of judicature to settle the dispute by virtue of any au- 
 thority given to them by the acts of the States, which make 
 but one party. 
 
 The evidence of Nev/-Hampshire being heard, Congress 
 delayed for further consideration. This delay of a decis- 
 ion in the national legislature did not meet the approbation 
 of the people of Vermont, although it furnished pretty 
 conclusive evidence that the situation of the State iiad 
 made some impression upon Congress. However, the 
 immediate recognition of her independence, and admission 
 into the Union, could not be expected. While the perti- 
 nacious adiierence of New-Hampshire and New-York to 
 their claims bufrettcd their designs and roused their re- 
 Bentmeat, they determined upon a different kind of poli- 
 cy. Congress' were fearful of deciding against them, 
 knowing that the leading men would rather have Vermont 
 become a province under the British government, than 
 submit to the authority of Nevv-York. Thrrelbre a decis- 
 ion upon the controversy of Vermont v.as v.isely avoided, 
 which would have been as dangerous as to have done the 
 same agr,i ;st New-Hampsliire or New-York. Congress 
 avoided a decision uj^on the constitutional question, wheth- 
 er they had the power to form a new State within the lim- 
 its of the Union. The repulse V^ermont received on being 
 refused an admission into the Union, and the alarm she bad 
 taken from the measures pursued by New-Hampshire and 
 Nevv-York, roused her to persue the snme measures that 
 the other States had, in claiming jurisdiction beyond the 
 •ettled boundaries of their governments. A majority of 
 the inhabitants of the western parts of New-Hampshire 
 were still desirous of uniting under the government of 
 Vermont, — others were wishing to support the claims of 
 New-Hampshire over the whole territory of Vermont. — 
 A meeting of delegates from several towns in New-Hamp-. 
 •hire was held at Walpole, and a committee was appoint* 
 
History of Vermont. 9& 
 
 ed to report their views upon the sulijsct of uniting Ver- 
 mont with New-Hiimpshire, which reported that a con- 
 vention otight to he called from tlse towns on bothsidesof 
 Connecticut river, to settle the controverted^ claims of 
 New-Hamps:hire and Vermont. On the 16th of January, 
 1789, representatives from forty-three tov/ns repaired "to 
 Charlestown; hut to the great disappointment of lliose who 
 moved tlie measure, a mtijority of t!ie convention was in 
 favor of joining with the government of Verm.ont. A 
 committee was appointed to consult with the legislature 
 of Vermont, on the subject of the proposed union; and 
 they reported to the legislature, then sitting at Windsor, 
 February 10, 1732, that the convention were desirous of 
 uniting with Vermont in one separate and independent 
 government, upon such principles as should be mutually 
 thought to he equitable and benelicial. In pursuance of 
 the desires of tbe convention, the legislature resolved, on 
 the 14lh day of February, " that in order to quiet the pres- 
 ent difcturbances and enable the inhabitants on both sides 
 of Connecticut river to defend their frontier, the legisla- 
 ture ol tliis Slate do lay a jurisdictional claim to all tho 
 lands whatever, east ot Connecticut river, north of Mass- 
 achusetts, west of Mason's line, and south of latitude 45 
 degrees. The articles of union Vv'ere agreed on by tho 
 convention of New-Hampshire, then in session at Cor- 
 nish, opposite Windsor, and the assembly of Vermont, 
 which were declared sacred and inviolable. 
 
 A number of the inhabitants in tho adjacent parts of 
 New-York bad previously petitioned Vermont to receive 
 them into union, and aiibrd them assistiince for the de- 
 fence of the frontiers; informing them likewise, if their 
 petition was rejected, ib.ey must retire into the interior of 
 the country for protection and safety. This petition of 
 the inhabitants;, the necessity of defending the l^ontiers, 
 and the measures New-York was pursuing to subdue 
 Vermont, were considered by the legislature as sufficient 
 reasons for receiving tbe petitioners into her union. Ac- 
 cordingly a resolution was passed on the 14th of Februa- 
 ry. The b^gislature of Vermont determined to lay a ju- 
 risdictional claim to all the land north of Massachusetts, 
 and extending; ths same to Hudson's river, thence east of 
 
100 HISTORY O? VERMONT. 
 
 the centre of the deepest cb.nnricl ofi?aid river to (he lieaa 
 thereof, being extended to latitude forty-five degrees, and 
 Bouthcf the same river, embracing all lliG lands and wa- 
 ter to the present line of thit; state. 
 
 Vermof^t now ovlended her claims into thejiirisdictions 
 ofNew-York and New-Hampshire, witii nrore ))ropriety 
 than these States liad in claiming the lands of Vermont, 
 This policy was liighly siicce:^sful. The sixteen towns that 
 had formerly connected themselves with Vermont, and 
 those towns attached to New-York, imir.ediately joined 
 in the njeasure. Also most of the tovvns in the adjoining 
 counties of Grafton and Cheshire, in i\ew-IIampshire, de- 
 clared for t!je union. Thirty-five towns were represent- 
 ed from Ncw-Iiampshire, at the April session of the gen- 
 eral Assembly. A com'-nittee was appointed by Vermont 
 to take into consideration the request of the people, in tUo 
 eastern parts of New-York, and in May 15, articles of un- 
 ion were agreed, on by the representatives of twelve dis-. 
 tricts in that stale, and the commiltee from Vermont. Juno 
 16th, representatives from tea districts took their scats 
 in the legislature of Vermont. 
 
 This bold and decisive measure pursued by Vermont 
 in defi^nding herself against the encroachments of the 
 etates, produced, if nothing more, a high estimation of 
 the bravery :ind fortitude of th.c people. Tlieir capability 
 for self -government could not he doubted after so suc- 
 cessful an experiment in organizing, and administering 
 thcaiT.iirs of the state, and their loyalty and firmness in 
 supporting the cause of American Independence. An in- 
 fant settlement, destitiito of the wealth of older communi- 
 ties, generously furnishing troops and provisions tor car- 
 rying on a war with one of ilie most potent kingdoms in 
 the world, merited the highest praise, and the full enjoy- 
 ment ofits rights. The union forn:»ed, \\ ith the parts of 
 the cidjoining states, added an exteflt of territory equal at 
 least to the one over which she originally* claimed juris- 
 diction. By this policy, she increased her rcsourccs.gain- 
 ed the confidence of her friends, compelled the respect of 
 her enemies, united the disafi'ected at home, invited em- 
 igration, and laid the foandutionfor a large and powarfui 
 state. 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 101 
 
 The negotiation with Canada was a very fbrtiinale ex- 
 pedient for obtaining rroni Congress an ultimate adjust- 
 ment of their difiicuities, and securing an extensive front- 
 ier against t'le cruel depredations of an invading enemy. 
 At the time t!ie business was pending, no people in Ameri- 
 ca were more fu*mly attached to the cause oflndependence 
 than they, and none less liable to temptation ; hut sooner 
 than yield to dismemberment, Ihey would iiave joined the 
 enemy and established a royal government for their pro- 
 tection. I'he report that the settlers were adherents to 
 the British government, secured their favor, and such wag 
 their increase of population and power, that they had no- 
 thing to fear from the strength and policy of their oppos- 
 ers. The legislature of this state continued to make 
 grants of land, although Congress had resolved otherwise, 
 and they acknowledged no grants made by New-York. — 
 From the estimate the Britisli agents had fjrmed of the 
 people, they calculated upon a system of corru])tJon, and 
 Irelieved they could seduce them from their attachment to 
 the American cause, and induce them to unite with the 
 British government; and that Vermont would be per- 
 Buaded to become a British province. The first in'.ima- 
 tionof the kind was a letter from Colonel Beverly Robin- 
 son to Colonel Ethan Allen, dated March 30ih, i760,ancl 
 delivered to him in July, in t\\e ttreot at Arlington, by a 
 Britisli soldier, habited in disguise. The business com- 
 niunicated, and tenor of the letter, were expressed after 
 the following manner : — "I am nov/ undertaking a husi- 
 Des^ which I hope will be received with the same good in- 
 tention it is made. By information from many of the in- 
 habitants, I learned that the people were o;)posed to the 
 wild chimerical scheme of the Americans, in attempting 
 to separate this continent from Creat-Britain, and to es- 
 tablish their Independence. And that they would wil- 
 lingly assist in uniting America Vvith Great-Britain, and 
 in restoring that happy constitution which has so wanton- 
 ly and unadvisedly been destroyed. Ifthe information is 
 correct, and such be your sentiments and inclination, on 
 unreserved communication of your views on the subject 
 shall be f\iithfully attended to and laid before the Com- 
 Hiander-in-chicf according to vourdirections,which doubt- 
 
 9* 
 
102 HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 less will have as grent cfiect from n^e as any person what- 
 soever. Proposals cannot be made until your senlimer.ts 
 are made known. Should a friend he sent licr*^ witli pro- 
 posals, lie shall he protected and \vell trca{ed and allov.ed 
 to return whenever he pleases.''' On receiving this letter 
 Colonel Allen immediately Gommnnicated the contents of 
 it to the governor, and a number of gentlemen inVermont, 
 who unanimously agreed that it v^^as hett to return no an- 
 swer. Colonel Robinson again wrote toEtlian Allen, in 
 February, ITSl, inclosing th.c former letter in his commu- 
 nication, and saying: — ''The frequent accounts vvc have 
 had for three months past from your section of the coun- 
 try, confirm the opinion of your inclination to join iho 
 King's cause and assist in restoring An^erica to her for- 
 mer happy and peaceful constitution. This induces me to 
 make another attempt in e^ending this to you, especially as 
 I can write witii more authority, and assure you of obtain- 
 ing the terms nuntioncd in the above letter, provided you 
 and the people of Vermont take a decisive and active part 
 with us.'' And he further requested in wh.at manner the 
 people of Vermont could be most serviceable to the Brit- 
 ish, either by acting with the northern army, or in joining 
 the army from New-York. No anfivver was returned to 
 these letters by Allen; but they were sent in a conviiiUni- 
 cation to Congress, March 9th, 17S1. lie declared to 
 that body that no person could dispute his attachment to 
 and sufierings in the cause of his country; I at lie did not 
 hesitate to assert, that Vermont had an indubitable right 
 to agree on fernjs of cessation of hcsTilities with Great- 
 Britain, provided tiie United States persist in rejecting her 
 application for a union with th.e Stales. Vertnont, of all 
 people, would be the m.ost miserable, were she obliged to 
 defend the independence of the United Slates, and they at 
 the same time at full liberty to o\ erthrow and ruin the in- 
 dependence of Vermont. 1 am persuaded, when Congress 
 consider the circumstances of this Sfate, they will not bo 
 more surprised that I have transmitted llicse letters, than 
 that I have kept them in custody; lor I am as resolutely de- 
 termined to del'cnd the independence of Verm.ont, as Con- 
 gress arc that of the U. States; and rather than submit, will 
 retire with the hardy green mountain boys into the desolate 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. lOS 
 
 caverns of the mountains, and wnjie wnr with human na* 
 lure at large. In the spring of 1780, tlic friends of cer- 
 tain pri.soners, taken (>?' scouting parties and conveyed to 
 Canada, applied to (governor C'p.iltenden to send in u flag 
 and regulate their excl?angc. The husiness was accord- 
 ingly made known to the commanding ofTijer of Canada, 
 and in July, Ueneral IJaldimand's answer was brought by 
 the way of lake </harnp!ain to Governor Chittenden. A 
 f^ag was sent to Colonel Allen, the commanding officer in 
 Ver:nont, promising a cessation of hostilities with tho 
 same, durin*.^ the negotiation for the exchange of prison-^ 
 ers. Allen consented to the proposal, on condition that it 
 should extend to the adjacetit frontiers of New-York. — 
 After some hesitation upon treating with'any part of Amer- 
 ica, bat Vermont, the Briti-oli officer agreed to the prop- 
 osition. 
 
 Col. Ira Allen and IMaj. Joseph Fay vverc appointed 
 commissioners by the Governor, to treat upon a negotia- 
 tion of an exchange of prisoners with the British agents, 
 Capt. J. Sherwood and (ieorge Smythe. Tho interview 
 afforded the British agents an opportunity to make propo- 
 sals and offers to found a royal estabiishnicnt in Vermont, 
 and such a one as should be desired. The overtures of the 
 royalists were treated by the commissioners with affabili- 
 ty, though notliing decisive was concluded upon. They 
 however considered the prospect fair, for effecting their 
 purposes. About this time, the Indians unfortunately 
 made a mischievous descent upon Royaltou; High expec- 
 tations were entertained the next year that their scheme 
 would succeed, and it was for the interest of Vermont not 
 to undeceive then). Tho continental troops in Vermont 
 and parts adjacent, had all been ordered out of the terri- 
 tory, leaving the people, who were destitute of money and 
 magazines, exposed to the northern army, consisting of 
 seven thousand men. Vermont had no other way but to 
 effect by policy v»hat she cordd not by power. The exec- 
 utive council concluded that this kind of management was 
 designed by Congress to force tlieir siibmission to New- 
 Y'ork : therefore they thought it best for their own safety, 
 to manage thf* British attempts at seduction to their own 
 adraritai^e. Col. Alien proccded to Canada, to complcto 
 
lO-i HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 R cartel for tho exchange of prisoners, in Mr.y, 17"S1.— - 
 The whole business was accomplished in seventeen days, 
 on a verbal agreeraent that hostilit- s siiould ccnf=e between 
 the British uiid those within the jurisdiction of Vermont, 
 until after the next session of the Icgishiture of the State, 
 and longer, if the prospects were agreeable to the com- 
 mander in chief. The rcge of party feelings ran so high 
 against the tories and those in friendship with the British, 
 that a person in Arlington, who ]i;id in this Vvay rendered 
 himself obnoxious to. the people, vvould have had his house 
 destroyed, if Col. and Capt. Brownson had not by their 
 advice prevented the outrage. Col. Allen being entrusted 
 v.'ith liie matter, v/asfully competent to transact the busi- 
 ness of his commission. Possessed of a ready talent at ne- 
 gotiation, the British agents were suffered to deceive them- 
 Belves with tlic idea of their own success, and he complete- 
 ly effected his objects by inducing them to torm an agree- 
 ment that no hostilities sliould be commenced against the 
 State of Vermont. An exchange of prisoners was eficct- 
 ed with the enemy on lake Chariiplain, by Major Fay, in 
 July; and in vScptcmbcr, Fay and Allen bad another con- 
 ference wit!i the British agents, and left them in high ex- 
 pectations of making a royal province of Vermont : so that 
 tho enemy avoided hostilities aad returned the irihabitants 
 wiio had been carried av/ay into captivity. The news of 
 Lord Corn walHs' surrender, October 19lh, lv8i, arrived 
 nt the time When the legislature of Vermont were sitting 
 at Charlcstown, New-Hampshire. General St. Lcger, at 
 the head of the Britisli army from Canada, ascended lake 
 Champlain, and encamped at Ticonderoga. At this time 
 General Enos commanded the troops of Vermont, and had 
 the head quarters of his army at Castleton. Although 
 the General and a number of his ofticers understood the 
 regulations v/ith the British, yet it becam.e necessary to 
 keep up aj)pearances by sending out scouts to Champlain, 
 to observe the enemy. One of tlie scouts fell in with n 
 party of General St. Lcger's. Some shots were cxclian- 
 ^d, when Sergeant Tupper was killed and his men rettirn- 
 cd. Tlie British agents sent letters to the seat of govcrn- 
 fTJcnt for the State, announcing their intentions, and odering 
 td publish proclamations immediately among the people. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 105 
 
 Tho news of Cornwallis' surrender, tiiey were informed, 
 would probably render such ii step G;ingerQus, and defeat 
 every prospect of success; thereiore their only j)riident 
 way was to fiv/;iit tlie disclosures of time. Tiie disasters 
 of the southern army disheartened them and they returned 
 down the lake for winter quarters, witliout having dona 
 any injury to Vermont, in the winter of 1762, the Brit- 
 isli in Canada were anxious to know what eHect the sur- 
 render of Cornwallis had produced upon the minds of tho 
 people, and two letters were written in February and Aprils 
 requestirig information on t'nat subject, in the most urgent 
 terms. My anxiety, (says the agent,) induced m.e to ap- 
 ply to his Excellency for permission to send the bearer 
 with this leiter, to which .1 earncsliy request you to re- 
 turn me an answer in the most candid and unreserved 
 terms, the present v.ishes and intenticns cf th.e people 
 Oivl leading men of Vermont, respecting your ibrmer 
 negotiations, and what clToct the catastropiic of Lord 
 Cornwallis has on them. Will it not bo well to consider 
 tho many changes and vicissitudes of war? Hov/ever 
 brilliant the last campaign may appear, the next may Vv-cay 
 a very different aspect. I hope you vvillview the matter 
 ns I do, and I think you will consider it more than ever 
 your interest to unite with those who wish to establish 
 you |i free and happy Government. Will there be a prop- 
 er time to send a proclamation? I repeat my request, 
 that you will tell me without liesitnnce, what may be ex- 
 pected in future. Another communicadon of April 22, 
 was addressed to the correspondents of th.e British in 
 Vermont, urging the necessity of an immediate decision 
 in the case, and proffering the aid and friendship of tlio 
 government in securing to them the great privileges of 
 peace and prosperity, should the peopje of Vermont ac- 
 quiesce in tlieir propositions. . 
 
 Fearful ahowt the event, and even anxious for an ans- 
 wer, on the 30lh of the same month they wrote again, with 
 elill greater promises. '• His Excellency,'"^ (observed tho 
 agent) "has never lost sight of his first object, and I am 
 happy to be able in tliis to inform you that li)e General 
 bus lately arrived, by tljo v/ay of Halifax, with full powers 
 from the King, to establish in V 1 a government ia- 
 
106 HISTORY OF VEltMONT. 
 
 eluding tho full extent of the east and west union?, with 
 every privilege and immunity formerly profiered to yon, 
 and he is likewise fully authorized, as well as sincerely 
 
 inclined, to provide especially, for and to mako 
 
 Brigiidier General, in the line ficld otricer, 
 
 with such other rewards as your sincerity and good servi- 
 ces in bringinp; about the revolution, may in future nr.erif. 
 In short, the General is vested with full powers to niak© 
 such rewards as he shall judge proper, to all those who 
 distinguish themselves in promoting the Iiappy union, and 
 ns his Excellency has the greatest confidence in you, and 
 
 , much will depend on your recommendations. '^ — 
 
 Two officers belonging to Vermont, were then prisoners 
 in Canada. Allen was sent by. Governor Chittenden, with 
 a letter to ^TCiieral Haldimand, requesting their release.-^ 
 All the arts of negociation were employed to persuade Ver- 
 mont to become a B/itisii province, and to do it without 
 bringing on a renewal of hostilities. Every species of 
 argument v/as employed by the Gcnei'al to eli'ect a treaty 
 with Vermont, but notliing more was done tlian to suspend 
 host■.litie^5, and write a friendly letter to Gov. Chittenden, 
 stating the liheriition of the prisoners. *' You may rest 
 assured that I shall give such orders as will eueclually 
 prevent hostilities of any kind being exercised in the dis- 
 trict of Vermont, so long as t!)e public affairs arc subject 
 to my management. And you n)ay have my authority to 
 promulgate in such manner as you shall think f.t, this, my 
 inteiition, to t!ie people of said district; that they may, 
 without any apprehension, continue to encourage and pro- 
 mote the settlement and cultivation of that nev/ country, 
 to the interest and happiness of themselves, and their pos- 
 terity.'' The war and these t:egociations terminated in 
 producing t'le highest impressions of amity and friendship 
 in Canada, towards Vermont. The last communication 
 of tlie British, on this subject, was on the twenty-fifth of 
 March, ITS3, before tlie news of peace was oflicially 
 known or relied on as suoh in Canada. An expression of 
 tiieir sentiments upon this subject may'be infered from the 
 letter of General Haldimand, in the spring of 1TS3; ** I 
 am commanded to acquaint you, that, actuated from tho 
 beginning, by the sincere desire of serving ycu ^nd your 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 1G7 
 
 people, as well as Rf promoting the royal.causc,l)y rc-iinil- 
 ingyou willi the mother country, his excellency never lost 
 nn opportunity ot representing every circumstance that 
 could he advanced in your favor to the Ring's ministers, 
 in th.ehope ofaccomplishing a reconciliation. His excel- 
 lency will continue by such representations to clo all in 
 bis power to serve you, but what efli^ict it may have at this 
 kite period is very uncertain. While his excellency sin- 
 cerely regrets tlie happy moment which it is much to l)e 
 feared cannoi be recalled, of restoring to you (he blessing 
 of the I^ritlsh government, and views with concern tliG fatal 
 consequences ;\pproaching, which he has so long and so 
 frequently predicted, from vour procrastination ol' reject- 
 ing the adoption of bis desired measure. 
 
 In the present imccrlain state of affairs, uninformed as 
 his excellency is of what is doing or perhaps clone in a 
 general accommo lation, he does not think fit, until t\w 
 result shall be known, to give any opinion which may in- 
 fluence you, perhaps to the prejudice of your interest, or 
 that mighlinterfere with the views of government. Should 
 any thing favorable present, you may still depend on his 
 excellency's utmost endeavors for your salvation. In this 
 manner term.iuiited a correspondence which, on the part 
 of the Britisii, consisted of various attempts to induce tho 
 leading men of Vermont to desert the Americaii cause and 
 become a British province. The correspondence was, 
 on the partof t;)03e in Vermont v/ho were acquainted with 
 the secret, a doubtful and evnsive course oi' general an- 
 swers and proposals, calciilat:;d to support the British 
 hopes of seduction, by carefully avoiding the imiplication 
 of governmer.t in such measures or engagements. The 
 object of these transactions was a cessation of hostilities 
 nnd security against an invasion from Canada, when Ver- 
 mont was deserted and unable to protect herself Thom- 
 as Chittenden, Moses Robinson, Samuel Safford, Ethan 
 Allen, Ira Allen, Timothy. Brownson, John Fasset and 
 Joseph Fay were the only persons in Vermont who had anj 
 knowledge of the Can;u!ian negotiation. And they, from 
 the commencement of the war, were among the most san- 
 guine for the independence of America : men who, through 
 the whole of the coriespondence, gave decisive proofs that 
 
108 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 they could neither be brihcd I)y v^-cnlth or seduced by lion- 
 ors. Tha proceedings of the English goveinrnent had be- 
 come so odious that the people, under a siisj)icion of iho 
 communication with t!ie Critisli ngents, rose luore than 
 once to demand e.\plcinations. Whether such a measure 
 was justifiable at this crisis of affairs, reason best can de- 
 termine. It may be said, that such a course of proceeding 
 at a time when the Republic of America was liii!)ie to bo 
 vanquished, was unjustifiable; but on the other side, it may 
 be urged, that thirty thousand {>eopie, neqlected by Con* 
 gress, distracted by intrigues and the policy of the adja- 
 cent states, had as good a reason for defending their lib- 
 erty as l!ie rest of the continent. Should it be found that 
 the only alternatlv^j for Vermont was to be ruled by the 
 power of their ancient enemies, their proceedings in th'iH 
 case will be applauded rather tliari condemned. The peo- 
 ple could hardly be made to believe that tljcy were under 
 tiny moral obligation to destroy themselves, for the sake 
 of securing the independence of those who had refused 
 them admittance into their confederation. But "however 
 the propriety of such policy might be viewed, the event 
 showed that a sound judgment had been fornicd respecting 
 its efieet. 
 
 The people of Vermont by this management were freed 
 from hoKtih'ties; their prisoners were restored, and them- 
 selves considered Jis fiicnda ralijer tiian enemies. Thus 
 while the British Generals imagined they were deceiving 
 and corrupting the people of Vermont by their superior 
 arts and addresses, the wise "poli^-y of eight honest far- 
 mers disarmed (lie northern army, kept them quiet and in- 
 -oflensive during three campaigns, opposed Cornwallis, 
 protected tlie northern frontiers, and finally saved the 
 etate. 
 
 The British Tvlinis^try, as well as the Generals, consid- 
 ,€red that they had nearly accomplished the defection of 
 Vermont, fiom the cause of the American Independence. 
 A letter, written by Lord (jSermain, then at tlie head of 
 the American department, was intercepted on the way to 
 Sir Heniy Clinton, and carried to rhiladelphia. Tho 
 purport, of it was, '' the return of the peo|de ofVermont, 
 to their allegiance is an event of the utmost importance to 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 109 
 
 the King's affairs, and at the sanne time, if Washington 
 really meditated an irruption into Canada, it may be con- 
 sidered as offering an insurmountable bar to the attempt. 
 General Haldimand, who has the same instructions witii 
 you, to draw over those people and give them support, 
 will, I doubt not, push up a body of troops to act m con- 
 junction with them, to secure all the avenues through tlyjir 
 country into Canada 5 and when the season admits, take 
 possession of the upper parts of the Hudson and Connect- 
 icut rivers, and cut off all communications between Alba- 
 ny and the Mohawk country. How far they may be able 
 to extend soiithward and eastward, must depend on their 
 numbers and the disposition of the inhabitants." This 
 letter was placed before tlie public, in the Fennsylvani<i 
 Packet, a newspaper of that time. 
 
 The evidence that orders were given to the British 
 Generals in New-York and Canada, to support the people 
 of Vermont, was now publicly known, and the heads of 
 the British government were apprised of this disposition. 
 Nothing was wanting to prevent it but the admission of 
 the State into the Union. After ascertaining th€ fact, that 
 the leaders of Vermont were capable of accomplishing 
 what they had undertaken with vigor and intrepidity in the 
 American war, and in the contest for the independence of 
 the State, public opinion was decidedly in favor of ad- 
 mitting Vermont into the Union, It was declared to be 
 dangerous to risk the independence of the United States, 
 upon a dispute with those who had shown that they deserv- 
 ed the blessings of freedom as much as their neighbors^ 
 (jreneral Washington was of the same opinion, which gave 
 additional weight. The subject of her admission was 
 acted upon in a style very different from what it had been 
 before. In August 7th, 1781, Congress by a majority of 
 its delegates, resolved that '' the claims of the people in- 
 habiting the New-Hampshire grants, to exercise the pow- 
 ers of a sovereign and independent State, and the rights 
 which New-Hampshire and New-York have to extend 
 their jurisdiction over the said grants, be retered to a com- 
 mittee of five persons, appointed to confer with such per- 
 sons as may be appointed by the inhabitants of Vermont, 
 in vindication of their said claims. And further to agree 
 
 10 
 
iJO HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 on such terms as may be proper for their admission into 
 the contederacy of tiie States. Congress also recom- 
 mended to the people to appoint an agent or agents to go 
 and confer with the committee at Philadelphia, on the 
 subject in contemplation, and decide upon the terms and 
 articles of union and confederation with the United States 
 of America, in case they shall be admitted into the union. 
 A conference was had between the committee of Congress 
 and an agent of Vermont, on the ISth of August following. 
 It was afterwards, on the 21st of August, made by resolu- 
 tion of Congress an indispensable preliminary to the re- 
 cognition olthe independence of Vermont, and their adr 
 mission into the Federal Union, explicitly to relinquish 
 uU claims to lands east of Connecticut river, and west of 
 the towns granted by the Governor of New-Hampshire, 
 and lake Champlain to the forty-fjfth degree of north 
 latitude, excepting a neck of land between JN'Jissisque F>ay 
 and the waters of the lake. These resolutions, with a 
 verbal message, requesting explicit information what 
 were the real intentions of the people of Vermont, were 
 bent by Washington to Governor Chittenden. Whether 
 the independence proposed by Congress vv'ould satisiy 
 them, or if they Jiad it in contemplation to beconie a 
 British province. The Governor returned a decisive 
 answer that no people were more attached to tliC cause of 
 American independence than the inhabitants of Vern:ont: 
 but sooner than be put under the government of New- 
 York, they vvouid submit to the crown of England. The 
 resolutiuiis were then laid before the General Assembly 
 of Vermont, convened at Charlestown, October, 1781', 
 but although Congress conceded all which Vermont claim- 
 ed, still, upon debating the subject, the assembly voted 
 that they could not comply with the resolutions, without 
 destroying the foundation of the universal harmony and 
 agreement that subsisted in the state, and violating the 
 {solemn compact entered into by articles of union and con- 
 federation. They however affirmed that they should con- 
 tinue steadfast in the principles on which the state first 
 assumed a government, and hold the union of the differ- 
 ent parts of it inviolate ; and that they would not submit 
 the question of their independence to the arbitrament of 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. llJ 
 
 ^.ny power, but were willing to reier the question ofi.heir 
 jurisdictional boundary wilh New-Hampshire and New- 
 York to commissioners mutually chosen, and when ad- 
 mitted into the Union, would submit any such dispute to 
 Congress. Though Vermont had not accepted the reso- 
 lutions of Congress, yet they were considered by New- 
 York as a virtual determination or" her claims. The sub- 
 ject was. brought before the legislature of that state, and 
 a number of resolutions, with a protest against the pro- 
 ceedings of Congress, were passed, mentioning their 
 claims to the disputed territory, and the former proceed- 
 ings of Congress. They declared by their resolutions, 
 that tlie federal government had no authority by the arti- 
 cles of union to intermeddle with the boundary limits of 
 either of the United States, except in cases of dispute 
 between any two or more of the states, nor to admit any, 
 not even a British colony, excepting Canada, without the 
 consent of nine states, and above all, to form a new state, 
 by dismembering one of the thirteen states, without the 
 consent of the whole. Should Congress attempt to carry 
 their resolutions into effect, the legislature declared it 
 would be an assumption of power and a manifest infrac- 
 tion of the articles of confederation, and against which 
 their solemn protest would be entered, and their delegates 
 were expressly directed and reqtiired to enter their dissent 
 at every step v.'hich may be taken to carry the said acts 
 of Congress into execution. 
 
 Among the early settlers of Vermont, no individual felt 
 a stronger solicitude or used more unwearied exertions 
 to confirm and establish the independence of the state, than 
 (rovernor Chittenden. Perceiving the state to be in a 
 very critical situation, he wrote to General Washington,, 
 statiuij their situation and difficulties. Placino- the ut- 
 most confidence in the General, the Governor gave him 
 an account of the proceedings with the enemy, and as- 
 signed for a reason that Vermont, drove to desperation by 
 the injustice of those who should have been her friends, 
 was obliged to adopt policy in the room of power, and 
 further added, that Lord George Germain's letter wrought 
 on Congress and procured that for them which the public 
 virtue of this people could not obtain. 
 
112 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 Difficulties of another character appeared in a different 
 quarter while these transactions were occurring. The 
 executive of Vermont was informed by one of the sheriffs 
 in that part of New-Hampshire which had united with 
 Vermont, that the government of the former state were 
 about to compel the insurgents to submit to their laws and 
 authority. The militia on the east side of the mountain 
 were ordered out by the Governor, under the command of 
 Lieutenant Governor Paine, to assist the sheriff in the ex- 
 ecution of the laws, and to protect the citizens against, 
 any insults ; and if an attack should be made with an ar- 
 med force, to repel them by the same strength. A copy of 
 the orders received were forwarded to the President of 
 New-Hampshire, and Mr. Paine wrote that if New-Hamp- 
 shire began hostilities, he should put his orders into exe- 
 cution, and did not doubt but that the enterprise would be 
 sustained by the people, and that Nevv-Hampshire must 
 answer for all the consequences which might ensue. — 
 Commissioners were sent to the general assembly of New- 
 Hampshire, to effect a reconciliation of this alarming 
 difficulty — the western union of Vermont was visited with 
 troops, for the purpose of stopping the proceeding of 
 those citizens who had united with this fetate. Gansevoort 
 sent despatches to Colonel Walbridge, of Vermont, on 
 the ISth of December, stating that in pursuance of a law 
 of New-York, a body of troops had been ordered out to 
 suppress an insurrection among some of the inhabitants ; 
 that he had come to assist the sheriff of the county in sup- 
 pressing those who had revalled against the governmenJ, 
 and was informed that a large body of the green moun- 
 tain troops were on their march. He therefore desired to 
 be informed what was the object of their movement into 
 the interior parts of that state, and by what authority. 
 
 The commander of the Vermont force wrote that their 
 object was to protect those of the inliabitants who profess- 
 ed allegiance to the State of Vermont; he desired that 
 conciliatory measures might be employed, but declared 
 that he would not be answerable for any injurious conse- 
 quences which might ensue. Serious difticulties were 
 anticipated, but hapily they had more discernment auj^ 
 wisdom than to proceed to hostilities. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 113 
 
 The contest with Great-Brit;iin which now engaged 
 their attention, seemed to convince them that differences 
 among themselves should not be suffered to produce a 
 civil war. The danger apprehended from this controver- 
 sy to the United States caused much anxiety in the mind 
 of Washington. On the first day of January, 17S2, he re- 
 turned an answer to Governor Chittenden's letter, in these 
 words: '* It is not my business, neither do 1 think it ne- 
 cessary now to discuss the origin of the riglit of a num- 
 ber of inhabitants to that portion of country formerly dis- 
 tinguished by the name of the New-Hampshire grants, 
 and now by that of Vermont. I will take it for ganted 
 that their right was good, because Congress by their re- 
 solve of the 7th of August, imply it, and by that of the 21st, 
 are willing fully to confirm it, provided the new state is 
 contined to certain described bounds. It appears, there- 
 fore, to me, that the dispute of boundary is the only one 
 that exists, and that being removed, all other difficulties 
 would be removed also, and the matter terminated to the 
 satisfaction of all parties. You have nothing to do but 
 withdraw your jurisdiction to the confines of your own 
 limits, and obtain an acknovvledgoment of your indepen- 
 dence and sovereignty, under the resolve of the 21st of Au- 
 gust, tor so much territory as does not interfere with the 
 ancient established bounds of New- York, New-Hamp- 
 shire and Massachusetts. In my private opinion, while it 
 beiiooves the delegates to do ample justice to a body of 
 people sufficiently respectable by their numbers, and en- 
 titled by other claims to be admitted into that confedera- 
 tion, it becomes them also to attend to the interests of 
 their constituents, and see that under the appearance of 
 justice to one, they do not materially injure the rights of 
 others. I am apt to think this is the prevailing opinion 
 of Congress." The prudent and successful management 
 of Washington, in conducting the affairs of the war through 
 scenes of hardship and danger, gave him a pre-eminence 
 among the people, unattained before by any individual in 
 America. His influence rested not merely upon the su- 
 perior distinction of his generalship, but upon the steadi- 
 ness of his integrity and virtue. While politicians were 
 every where striving for popularity and power, the most 
 10* 
 
li-i HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 lionorable and important of all distinctions reserved for 
 him was a pre-eminence in the dominion of reason, wisdcrfj 
 and virtue. This letter from the General was laid before 
 the legislature of Vermont, then convened at Bennington, 
 February, 1782, and it reconciled all the difficulties which 
 before had operated as an impediment to their acceptance 
 of the resolutions of Congress. The idea of extending 
 the jurisdiction of Vermont beyond the bounds of the ori- 
 ginal grants from New-Hampshire was entirely given up 
 by the legislature. They very judiciously determined 
 that the resolutions of Congress which had been passed 
 upon the subject of the admission of Vermont into, the 
 Union of the States, were equitable and proper. They 
 therefore resolved, that the west banks of Connecticut 
 river, and a line beginning at the north west corner of 
 the State of Massachusetts, from thence northward tvven- 
 ty miles east of HudsGn's river, as specified in tl.e resolu- 
 tions of Congress in August last, be considered as the 
 east and west boundaries of this State. The legislative 
 body also relinquished all claims and demands to and right 
 of jurisdiction in and over any and every district of terri- 
 tory without said boundary lines. This union which had 
 kept andpreserved Vermont from dismemberment between. 
 New-Hampshire and New-York, was dissolved, but-; 
 not without resentment from those members who had a 
 seat in tlie legislature by the confederation, and which 
 they supposed would be perpetual union of the state with 
 those towns which were represented. 
 
 The resolutions were fully complied with, and four 
 agents, Jonas Fay, jMoses Robinson, Paul Spooner and 
 Isaac Tichenor, Esqrs. were elected delegates to negoti- 
 ate the admission of Vermont into the confederacy of the 
 United States, and in case an agreement should be ef- 
 fected, to ratify the articles of union with the confedera- 
 ted States of America. The friends of Vermont now con- 
 fidently anticipated an immediate termination of the contro- 
 versy with New-York ; and having complied with the 
 conditions demanded by Congress, she expected to be 
 immediately admitted into the Union. A law wqs enacted 
 by the federal government, providing that if in one month 
 from the time that it should be communicated to Thoma« 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 115 
 
 Chittenden, the inhabitants should comply with the con- 
 ditions of the resolves of Congress, passed Aug. 7th and 
 2lst, 17S1, then their admission into the Union should be 
 immediate, but in case they refui^e and continue to exer- 
 cise jurisdiction over tiie lands guaranteed to New-Hamp- 
 shire and New-York, Congress would consider such neg- 
 lect a plain indication of hostility to the Union, and that 
 all applications made by the inhabitants for admission 
 into the Union would be fallacious and delusive, and that 
 thereupon the forces of the United States should be em- 
 ployed against the inhabitants, and Congress Would con- 
 sider all the lands within the territory to the eastward of 
 the ridge of mountains, as guaranteed to New-Hampshire, 
 and all the lands to the westward of said line, as guaran- 
 teed to New-York ; and that the public functionaries do, 
 without further delay, carry it into full execution. After 
 various attempts a vote could not be obtained in favor of 
 adopting these resolutions. 
 
 A few days after these implacable feelings were expres- 
 sed in Congress, the agent arrived, and on March 31st, 
 the compliance of the legislature of Vermont with resolu- 
 tions of Congress were officially laid before that body. 
 
 A committee of five, to whom was referred the proceed- 
 ings of Vermont, reported " that in the sense of the com- 
 mittee, the people of said district by the last recited act 
 have fully complied with the stipulations made and reques- 
 ted of them in the resolution of the 7th and 21 st of August, 
 as preliminary to a recognition of their sovereignty and 
 independence and admission into the federal union of the 
 ;states. And that the conditional promise of Congress of 
 such recognition and admission is thereby become ahso- 
 iute and necessary to be performed." 
 
 Vermont was by report of the committee, recognized 
 and acknowledged to be a ivQid, sovereign and independent 
 state. On the report being read in Congress, a motion 
 was made for the consideration of the same on the first 
 Tuesday of October, which by the vote taken was decid- 
 ed in the negative. The third Tuesday in June was also 
 assigned for the transaction of this business, when a de- 
 cision like the former w^s given. A motion was then in- 
 troduced for considering the vote on the following Mon- 
 
tie HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 day, and the vote was found in the negative for the third 
 time. 
 
 The evasive policy formerly adopted by Congress to- 
 wards Vermont, seemed now to be revived. Having no 
 j)rospect of accomplishing any thing by their agency, the 
 business was concluded by the delegates in addressing a 
 communication to the President of Congress, reprpsent- 
 ing that V(umont in consequence of the plighted faith of 
 (.'ongress had complied with their resolutions in the most 
 ample manner. The delay of Congress in not executing 
 on their part according to the meaning of the resolve, oc- 
 casioned great disappointment. Vermont was now re- 
 duced to a critical situation, t^he was exposed to the prin- 
 cipal force of the enemy in Canada, and destitute of the 
 assistance of the United States, which occasioned a great 
 solicitude among the inhabitants that an unnecessary delay 
 might not deprive them of the advantages of the confed- 
 eration. 
 
 The proceedings of Congress, after making every rea- 
 sonable allowance lor their imperfections, cannot be very 
 favorably considered. Decisive measures were at this 
 time demanded in their proceedings upon the petition of 
 Vermont. The resolutions of Congress on the 7th and 
 21st of Aug. 17S1, were construed as a conditional prom- 
 ise on the part of Congress, and the condition had been 
 fully complied with on the part of the settlers.. The faith 
 of Congress and the honor of their distinguished and res- 
 pected Genera! demanded the most exact performance of 
 what they had engaged, and induced the people of Vermont 
 to confide in. llad the agents of Vermont expressefi 
 themselves in terms of the greatest indignation at the pub- 
 lic triflmgof those whose proceedings should have been 
 marked with the strictest fidelity and the most delicate 
 sense of honor, it would have been no more than just. 
 
 As soon as the resolutions of Congress were understood 
 by the people of Vermont, a general opinion prevailed 
 that they had been deceived, and there was no safety in 
 trusting to public proceedings which could be changed 
 by the intrigues and cabals of parties. Individuals and 
 public bodies determined to ma-intain the independence 
 of the state to the extent of their boundaries, and defend 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 117 
 
 tliemselves by force against any body of men who sliould 
 try to disturb or dissolve tbeir government, and to solicit 
 Conj^rcss no more on the subject of their union with the 
 confederacy; but that no blame should be attached to tr.em 
 for their neglect, agents were appointed at their anfiUal 
 session in October, to procure the admission of Vermont 
 into the Union of the States. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A survey of the political affairs of Vermont from the year 
 17S3, to her admission into the Union of the States.—^ 
 Proceedings at Guilford. — Commotion in the southern 
 part of the State. — Measures pursued by the Nctr' 
 York Legislature. — Resolutions of Congress. Fro- 
 test of thi government of Vermont^ar^ainst them. Cei>- 
 
 sation of hostilities with Great Britain. — Vermont a- 
 verse to an union with the Fe,deral Government. — New 
 Constitution of the Unite^l States. — New-York propo- 
 ses an adjustment of the controversy. — Settlement of 
 the same'. — Boundaries of the State established. Ver- 
 mont admitted into the Union. — Consequences of tht 
 controversy. 
 
 The civil commotions whicli agitated the external af- 
 fairs of Vermont did not interrupt her domestic tranquilli- 
 ty and success. Various opinions were entertained of the 
 utility and consequent effect of their assumption of the 
 powers of government. Some were fearful that the un- 
 dertaking could not be sustained, others were in principle 
 attached to New York, and another party were actuatefl 
 by a lawless kind of feelings to be freed from all restraints 
 of law and government. 
 
 Many of these sought protection and avowed ajlegianre 
 to New-York, from whom they received civil and milita- 
 ry commissions, and whose desires they endeavored ta 
 support to the great detriment of the government of Ver- 
 mont. I5ut with all these impedements, the "o\ernment 
 of this state became more efficient, not only from the cz.- 
 
118 HISTORY OF VERxMONT. 
 
 ertions of tho.se who were residents in the state, but by 
 the accession of large numbers of emigrants from the 
 other states who were generally in favor of the govern- 
 ment, and added very much to its force, unanimity and 
 numbers. These favorable occurrencies induced a de- 
 gree of amicable feeling towards those who l;ad opjDosed 
 the government of the state. Accordingly the legislature 
 of the state passed a general act of amnesty in Februarv, 
 17S1, in favor of those persons in the State who had pre- 
 viously opposed its authority. 
 
 In the Southern part of Vermont a considerable pro- 
 portion of the settlers were, as before stated, prepossesed 
 in favor of the governniGnt of ^Jew-York, and supixorted 
 it and those commissioned under its authority, with zeal 
 and fidelity. The town of Guilford, on the southern line 
 of the Sta^te, was celebrated for parties, particularly those 
 denominated tories, or the adherents of New-York and 
 the British government. As early as 17T6 t!iey declared 
 tiiemselves in favor of their ov/n State independence and 
 that of the United States.; and raised, paid and cquiped 
 nine soldiers for the contineiital army, which was done by 
 a tax on the town. Atler this, in 1778, different senti- 
 ments prevailed. — A committee was chosen to defend the 
 town against the pretended State of Vermont, and a selec- 
 tion of Yorkers was made to take particular care of the 
 powder, lead and other stores. A further vote was given 
 in 1780, upon tiie'busiriess of defending themselves against 
 the insults of the pretended State of Vermont, and several 
 other resolutions of a like character were also enacted. — 
 These meetings were held annually, at which time a com- 
 plete system of laws were passed for the government of 
 the town. The town books having come into the posses- 
 sion of the opposition by a majority of votes, they exclu- 
 ded the other party from the ballot box by the force of 
 arms. Armed tbrces frequently came from Brattlebo- 
 rough to stand sentry at their meetings, where hostile 
 skirmishes ensued. Those attached to the State of Ver- 
 mont kept up regular meetings, until their records were 
 lost; and they in turn frequent^iy sent scouting parties 
 to the assistance of their friends in Brattleborough. The 
 party in favor of the State of New-York having a disa- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. llU 
 
 grecincnt with the government of Vermont, relative to the 
 jurisdiction of the State, became so .incensed at the oth- 
 er as to proceed to open iiostilities. Captain TSIathaniel 
 Carpenter, of Guilford, commanding the Yorkers, com- 
 menced »T.n attack upon the inn of Josiali Arms, of Brat- 
 tleborough, the quarters of Farnsworth, the Commissary 
 General, Major Boyden, Captain Waters, and Lieutenant 
 Fisk, of the State troops, and demanded the immediate 
 delivery of Captain Waters, concerning whom General 
 Farnsworth expostulated with them in vain. The assail- 
 ants became exasperated, and fired about thirty balls 
 through the house, wounding Major Boyden and a trav- 
 eller slightly. Resistance became unavailing ; whereup- 
 on Captain Waters resigned himself up to the force who 
 immediately carried him into Massschusetts ; but a party 
 from Vermont pursued and overtook them the next day at 
 Northampton, and released Captain Waters. In the same 
 year, 1783, Lieutenant Fisk, witli about 40 men, marf:hed 
 to Guilford, and was fired upon by the Yorliers, when tlie 
 Lieutenant and several others were wounded. On hearing 
 of this afi'ray, about 59 green mountain boys appeared and 
 dispersed the insurgents. 
 
 Desperate and distressing was the situation of the in- 
 habitants of G uiiford, amounting at this time to 2,G00 souls. 
 They were so enraged at each other, that all w^ent armed, 
 to defend themselves against attacks. Connections and 
 neighbors were opposed to each other, and the sick could 
 not be visited by physicians, without a pass from tiie com- 
 mittee. Confusion had usurped the place of social order, 
 when, fortunately. Colonel Ethan Allen arrived in town, 
 with a force of one hundred Vermonters. He immediate- 
 ly issued a proclamation, declaring that unless the peopl-e 
 of Guilford peaceably submit to the authority of Vermont, 
 the same shall be made as desolate as Sodom and (lO- 
 morrah, by G — . The partizans of New-York, having 
 fired on Allen's troops, he determined on humbling them. 
 Martial law was proclaimed, and so.ne of the people were 
 made prisoners, and others put under bonds for good be- 
 haviour. Troops were quartered in town, under the com- 
 mand of S. R. Bradley and 1. Allen, to bring the Yorkers 
 to submission. Similar scenes revived in the winter of 
 
1-^0 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 1731, when Captain Knights, of Rockingliam, was sent (o 
 quell tlie insurrection, who, after entering Guilford, on the 
 5th of March, drove the New-York party to Massachu- 
 setts, where a battle ensued, and one man was killed. 
 
 The town was soon at\er relieved from the martial law. 
 During this period of confusion, the adherents of New- 
 York had been so closely pursued by the civil and military 
 authorities of Vermont, and their property so much con- 
 fiscated, that they fled to New-York, and settled almost 
 the whole township of Bainbridge, which was appropria- 
 ted by that Slate to the New-York sufterers. While the 
 supreme power was vested in the town meetings, refugees 
 came from the neighboring states to this town ; but when 
 the civil law prevailed, they fled, and so great was tho 
 decrease of inhabitants, that where one farmer now pos- 
 sesses and occupies a tenement, there were formerly half 
 a dozen log huts. Transactions of a similar character 
 occurred in some of the adjoining towns, but this place 
 appeared to be the seat and center- for planning schemes 
 oC opposition and resistance to the government of Ver- 
 mont, and quite a resort for those who espoused tho cause 
 ofGreat-Britain. 
 
 New-York now perceived that she could only support 
 her jurisdiction in Vermont, by lenient meai^ures ; there- 
 fore, in April Hth, 1TS2, the assemldy of that Stnte passed 
 an act, stating that divers persons in the northern part of 
 Vermont, having denied the sovereignty of New-York, 
 by their unlawful combinations, and being mislead by art- 
 ful and designing men, from their allegiance to this State, 
 have professed repentance for their crimes, and desired 
 the passage of an act of oblivion and |)ardon ; where- 
 upon it was resolved, that all capital, corporeal or pecu- 
 niary punishments, fines, forfeitures, judgements and 
 executions, to which tliey were liable to in consequence 
 of crimes and oftences, are hereby remitted and discharg- 
 ed, and all such persons are fully restored to the same 
 condition they were before the commission of the crimes; 
 and that all charters of land, made by New-Hampshire, 
 when a colony, or by the government of Vermont, prior to 
 any granted by any other government, shall be ratified and 
 confirmed unto their respective grantees ; and all actual 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 121 
 
 settlers, holding lands by possession, shall be confirnned 
 in their possessions and improvements, and sliall have a 
 patent thereof from the government of the state, by paying 
 the customary fees. But all persons convicted of adher- 
 ing to the government of (Ireat-Britain, shall not be res- 
 tored in person or property, by virtue of any lav*' in this 
 vStatc. These measures did not produce in the minds of 
 the people, any dillerent feelings towards the government 
 of New-York. Exposed to an invasion from Canada, by 
 the departure of the continental troops to the soulli, tlic 
 government of Vermont found it necessary to order a 
 draft of militia, for the purpose of defence. Some of thcni 
 complied willingly, but others vvitii extreme reluctance, 
 particularly in the south-eastern part of the State, who by 
 tiie encouragement derived from the Governor of New- 
 York finally resisted the authority of the State. To bomc 
 of these persons he gave civil and military commissions 
 and a promise of support and protection. The exertions 
 of those made insolent by the support derived from the 
 government of N ew-York, proceded so high as to attempt 
 the execution of the laws of that State upon tlie citizens 
 of Vermont. Mild measures proved ineffectual: a mili- 
 tary force was sent by the public authority of Vermont, 
 to assist the sherifl" of Windham county, and to protect the 
 courts of Justice, against the violence and opposition of 
 a mob. Five of the principal persons engaged in the op- 
 position, were tried and sentenced by the Supreme Court 
 to perpetual banishment, and others were amerced in pe- 
 cuniary fines according to the usages of law. The au- 
 thority of Vermont had so effectually checked the attempt 
 at insurrection, that their only resort for protection and 
 reward, was to the government of New-York. But that 
 State was unable to afford them relief ; they, therefore, 
 made complaint to Congress, that their ordinances were 
 publicly violated — a jurisdiction had been exercised over 
 thcoc persons who were the professed subjects of Nevy- 
 York. On the 14th of November, 1779, a committee in 
 Congress reported that " the measures complained of 
 were probably occasioned by the State of New-York hav- 
 ing lately issued commissions both civil and military, to 
 persons resident in the district called Vermont." It was 
 
 11 
 
im HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 further recommended to the State of New-York to rev ok® 
 all the commissions which had been issued by that authori- 
 ty, since the first of iMay, and it was also recommended 
 to Vermont to make restitution to those who had suffered 
 damages. These resolutions, however beneficial they 
 might have been to the people at that time, did not, after 
 several attempts, receive the sanction of Congress. 
 
 When the business was taken up again, on the 5th of 
 December, Congress, instead of proceeding to fulfil her 
 engagements with Vermont, condemned them for punish- 
 ing the insurgents; and in the miniatory language of au- 
 thority, decreed "that the people inhabiting the district of 
 country on the west side of Connecticut river, called the 
 New-Hampshire grants, and claimed to be an independ- 
 ent State, in contempt of the authority of Congress, and 
 in violation of its acts, did unlawfully proceed to exercise 
 jurisdiction over those persons who profess allegiance to 
 the State of New-York, having banished them, not to re- 
 turn on pj^in of death and confiscation of estate. These 
 proceedings were pronounced dangerous to the government 
 of the United States, and such as demand the immediate 
 interposition of Congress, for the relief of such as have 
 suffered by them and for preserving the peace until the con^ 
 troversy relative to the jurisdiction of the same shall be 
 decided. They required of Vermont to make full restitu- 
 tion to those who were banished or had their property con- 
 fiscated, and commanded them not to molest anyoneinper^ 
 son or property on their return to their habitations in said 
 district. These injunctions Congress declared must be 
 obeyed, or effectual measures would be taken to enforce 
 compliance. These acts of Congress had a tendency to 
 do away all the remaining attachment and respect which 
 Vermont had for the proceedings of that body. The re- 
 monstrance of the Governor and Council, for severity of 
 rebuke and strength of reasoning, is not inferior to the 
 productions of the most eminent statesmen. The solemn 
 engagements which Congress had entered into with the 
 State, they informed them, had not been fulfilled. Their 
 own articles of confederation precluded them from inter- 
 meddling with the internal government of any of the Uni- 
 ted States, much mpre with this, from whom not even a, 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 123 
 
 delegated power had been received. Upon principles of 
 justice, this State has as good a right to independence as 
 Congress, and has an equal right to pass resolutions pre- 
 scribing rules to that body, as she has to order this 
 State to receive those that were banished, and make res- 
 titution to them and other criminals, of the property taken 
 from them by a due course of law, under the authority of 
 ihe State. They were reminded that their conduct to« 
 wards Vermont was the same which the British govern- 
 ment pursued towards the Colonies : that their proceed- 
 ings tended to make the liberty anii rights of mankind a 
 merebawble and the sport of State politicians: that it 
 v.'as of no avail to establish one arbitrary power on the ru- 
 ins of another: that they were free and should continue 
 independent, notwithstanding all the power and artifice 
 of New-York ; and further, that they had no difficulty 
 with the general government, complexly viewed, but were 
 at all times able to vindicate their rights and liberties a* 
 gainst the intrusions of NcAv-York. In their answer, 
 they enquire how the exercise of civil law in Vermont 
 could very much endanger the strength of the United 
 States or require the interposition of the general govern- 
 ment to establish peace in the State? Laws and civil 
 regulations, diey declare, were established in Vermont 
 foefbre Congress passed their late resolutions, and what 
 difficulties these could occasion time would unfold. It is 
 a general opinion, that if Congress had carried their agree- 
 ment with Vermont into effect, it would have had a more 
 ealutary influence in promoting the peace than their re- 
 cent resolutions. 
 
 In that part of the communication relating to the ban- 
 ishment and confiscation of those who opposed the gov- 
 ernment of New-York, they observe, that Congress had 
 been so mutable in their resolutions respecting Vermont, 
 that it is impossible to calculate their designs or compre- 
 hend their meaning. At one time, a space is left by the 
 limits of their guarantee to New-Hampshire and New- 
 York, for the existence of Vermont ; at another. Con- 
 gress are within these limits, controlling the internal gov- 
 ernment of the State ; again, the ratification of their pre- 
 liminaries of confederation, when complied with on the 
 
124 HISTORY OF VERxMONT. 
 
 part of the State, are unreasonably procrastinated. They 
 iinally close their appeal, in answer to the threats of Con- 
 gress, in case they should refuse to comply with their res- 
 olutions, in this manner: That General Washington and 
 most of the inhabitants of the contiguous States, were in 
 favor of the independence of Vermont, and that if Congress 
 had judicial authority to control the internal police of the 
 State, the State had a right to be heard in its defence; that 
 an e.rp«7'iffi de<;isionofso inrportant a matter, without any 
 notice to the State, was unjustifiable on their own princi- 
 ples and contrary to the law of nature and nations. The 
 remonstrance was concluded with a strong solicitation for 
 Vermont to be immediately admitted into the confederacy 
 of the States. 
 
 In the month of February, the assembly convened at 
 Windsor, and sent forward a petition declaring in plain 
 and decisive terms, that they were conscious of doing no 
 act derogatory to the dignity or in contempt of the author- 
 ity of CongrcciS, or to disturb the peace of the confedera- 
 cy; but solely with a view to the security ©f their just 
 rights and the internal peace and tranquillity of the state. 
 That they had from the commencement of the war brav- 
 ed every danger and hardship against the usurpation of 
 Great-Britain, in common with the United States. As 
 their inherent right of sovereignty and jurisdiction stand 
 confessed upon the pi'inciples of the revolution and impli- 
 ed by the solemn transaction of Congress, they could not 
 but be surprised at the resolution of that body, passed De- 
 cember 5th, and the manner in \vhich the business was 
 conducted. 
 
 The resolutions of Congress bad an effect entirely dif- 
 ferent in Vermont from what had been anticipated. They 
 considered them the result of their enemies' influ- 
 ence; a mere compound of contradictions and evasions, 
 that deserved neither the faith nor respect of the people. 
 A membership with the confederated states was no long- 
 er solicited, but was even viewed as detrimental to the 
 prosperity ot Vermont. 
 
 The hostile attitude of Great-Britain towards the Uni- 
 ted States, had been very distressing. But at the same 
 time the union was more tirmly cemented by the experi- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 125 
 
 ence of such difficulties. The removal of tlie cause,hovv- 
 ever, produced a cessation of hostilities, and America was 
 restored to a state of tranquillity and peace. The pre- 
 liminary articles of peace were executed by the Minis- 
 ters of the King of Great-Britain and the United States, 
 January 20, A. D. 17S3. This was the consummation of 
 their wishes and the fruits of their toil. They were rank- 
 ed by the concession of Great-Britain free, sovereign and 
 independent slates. This pacification relieved Congress 
 from embarrassments and Vermont from the apprehen- 
 sion of danger. The state had now no enemies to oppose, 
 or provisions for war to furnish : therefore, a connection 
 with the union was no longer a matter of urgent or imme- 
 diate necessity. Although the clouds of war had passed 
 from the atmosphere of America, still, want and weakness 
 encumbered the energies of the government. — Their cur- 
 rency had failed, their revenues were exhausted, and the 
 public debt was unfunded, which occasioned great dissat- 
 isfaction in. the army, and loud complaints among credit- 
 ors. Congress had no power to raise money, but merely 
 to make the requisitions upon the state?. These were oft- 
 en disregarded, as no authority was given to enforce obe- 
 dience. Thus the public affairs oftheUnion became more 
 and more embarrassed with disorder and a want of credit 
 and power. Neither did the articles ®f the confederation 
 give them the power to regulate commerce : consequently 
 treaties with foreign nations would not be obligatory up- 
 on the individual states. Unprotected by contracts, and 
 unsupported by countervailing regulations, the American 
 merchants were refused all participation in the commerce 
 of the world, except on terms, at once troublesome and 
 degrading. The commerce between the states, which 
 were regarded as distinct and independent sovereignties, 
 was also encumbered by numerous restrictions, occasion- 
 rng frequent collisions, and diminishing the advantages 
 which naturally flow from the unfettered enterprise and 
 industry of man. Trade languished, and from the want 
 of its vivifying influence, enterprise ceased, and the re- 
 sources of the country lay dormant. 
 
 In this state of public afiairs, it could be of no possible 
 service, or importance, for Vermont to join the confeder- 
 11* 
 
126 HISTORY OP Vl^RMOJVr. 
 
 acy of the states. She \vas now free from the burthen ct 
 debts which lay on tlie United States, and undisturbed 
 with the caHs of Congress to raise necessary sums of 
 money. The experience they had in the business of self- 
 government operated very favorably upon their legislative 
 and judicial proceedings. Their peculiar situation had 
 prevented them from incurring large debts ; therefore, 
 they were under no necessity of raising great sums in tax- 
 es upon the people. The state having extensive tracts of 
 uncultivated land, obtained a considerable revenue from 
 the sale, to purchasers who were continually coming in 
 from the ditierent states in New-England. These settlers 
 made large accessions annually to the numbers and wealth 
 of the state. The public affairs of the United States or 
 those of Vermont, otiered no inducements for the people 
 to join the confederation, if they could avoid the connec- 
 tion upon honorable terms. 
 
 The power invested in Congress was perceived by the 
 first statesmen in this country, to be wholly inadequate 
 to the purpose of administering and supporting the federal 
 government. In September, 1786, on the proposition of 
 Mr. jNIadison, of Virginia, a convention of commissioR- 
 ers from live of the middle states was held at Annapolis-, 
 for the purpose of planning and recommending to the 
 states, a uniform system of commercial regulations. On 
 deliberi.ting upon the subject, the commissioners conclu- 
 ded that nothing short of a complete reform of the exist- 
 ing government should be attempted. By a resolution of 
 Congress, a law was adopted recommending that a cgi> 
 vention of delegates from all the states should be held at 
 Philadelphia, for the purpose of forming a federal consti- 
 tution, adequate to the exigencies of government, and the 
 preservation of the Union. All the states complied with 
 this recommendation, except Rhode-Island, when a new 
 federal constitution was adopted by the people of the Uni- 
 ted States, and a new Congress met in the city of New- 
 York, iMarch 3d, 1789. 
 
 The lears which had been entertained by many,respec- 
 ting the operation of the federal constitution, were dispel- 
 led, as they found that the government had been struggling 
 to restore the public credit, and to establish a system of 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 127 
 
 equal laws and justice. Measures so strongly marked 
 with wisdom and jufstice, served to conciliate the public 
 mind, and to bring the strength of the state to act with 
 vigor and union in support of the federal system. 
 
 The ancient controversy with New-York was still un-- 
 settled. However, the idea of subduing Vermont by force' 
 or policy was abandoned by that state, and she well knew 
 that Vermont was, and would remain, free and independ- 
 ent. The only matters of dispute now agitated were the 
 title to certain tracts of land, which were granted by the 
 governors to individuals. These lands, by means of the 
 growing settlements and wealth of Vermont, had become 
 very valuable. The legality of these grants had been uni- 
 formly denied, and- all submission to the acts of the legis- 
 lature of New-York, refused by the government of Ver- 
 mont. The grantees of New-York kept complaining of 
 the injustice done them, in not being allowed the posses- 
 sion of their property. Endeavors were made to compro- 
 mise the difficulty, but without success,- New-York con- 
 sidered themselves under no obligation to refund to indi- 
 viduals, that which the state had no hand in granting, but 
 was simply the act of the crown, executed by the will of 
 the royal governors, usually for the benefit of friends, or 
 personal profit, but never for the advantage of the govern- 
 ment or people. 
 
 Circumstances at length occurred which mitigated the 
 asperity of feelings that New-York had so generally 
 indulged toward Vermont.. The permanent seat of the 
 federal government was a very desirable acquisition for 
 the rival cities, New-York and Philadelphia, which after 
 repeated trials, was fixed by a small majority at the latter 
 place. The exclusion of Vermont from a representation 
 in Congress, operated very much to the disadvantage of 
 New-York, in the removal of the seat of the general gov- 
 ernment. Interest in the case called loudly for some 
 measure to be taken for uniting Vermont with the confed- 
 erated States. Accordingly on the 13th of July, 1789, 
 commissioners were appointed by New-York, with plen- 
 ary powers to acknowledge the independence of Vermont 
 and adjust all difficulties with the same. Vermont also, 
 on the 23d of October, 1789, appointed commissioners to 
 
128 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 remove every obstruction to her connection with the Uni- 
 ted States. After much debate among the commission^' 
 ers, relating to a compensation for the lands claimed by 
 the citizens of New-York, which had been re-granted by 
 the authority of Vermont, the matter was brought to a just 
 and amicable settlement. 
 
 The commissioners for New-York, on the Tth of Oc- 
 tober, 1790, by virtue of the power granted to them, '* de- 
 clared the consent of the legislature of New- York that the 
 state of Vermont be admitted intotheUnion of the United 
 vStates of America, and that immediately all claims of ju- 
 risdiction of the state of New-York shall cease, and 
 thenceforth the perpetual boundary line betweer* the states 
 of New-York and Vermont, shall be,- as was then, and is 
 now, holden by Vermont." The legislature of Vermont 
 accepted the proposals of New-York, and paid them thir- 
 ty thousand dollars on the 1st day of June, 1794, for their 
 acquittance to all rights and titles of land in the state of 
 Vermont. All the grants, charters, find patents of land, 
 lying within the state of Vermont, made by and under the 
 late colony of New-York, v/ere declared null and void, 
 those only excepted which had been made in confirmation 
 of the grants of New-Hampshire. 
 
 In this amicable way the controversy between New- 
 York and Vermont was settled, which had been agitated 
 with great animosity for twenty-six years. The contest 
 had become irksome to both parties, and fortunately foF 
 them the general state of American at^Virs was such as 
 led to a wise and equitable adjustment of the controversy. 
 After the ditnculties with New-York were removed, 
 the assembly proceeded to call a convention of the people, 
 to see if they would connect themselves with the federa- 
 tion. At a convention, holden at Bennington, the subject 
 of the proposed union was discussed ; when some of the 
 members urged that it would be more for the interest and 
 safety of the State, to defer the question for future consid- 
 eration, but a large majority were of the opinion that tho 
 matter could not be suspended without prejudicing the 
 prosperity of the State. On submitting the subject to the 
 members, it was decided, by a majority of one hundred 
 and five to two, in favor of the union. The general as- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 129 
 
 sembly met at Bennington on the tenth of January, and 
 elected ?4athaniel Chipman and Lewis R. Morri^s com- 
 missioners to attend <'/ongress and negotiate the admission 
 of Vermont into the Union — Vermont was therefore by the 
 unanimous act of Congress, admitted into union with the 
 States, on the ISth of February, 1781. During the first 
 part of the controversy, there was no settled form of gov- 
 ernment : the people transacted their business in town 
 meetings, by leadera and officers and committees appoint- 
 ed or submitted to by general consent. The struggle 
 with New- York constantly agitated the minds of the set- 
 tlers, with the most violent and uncomfortable passions. 
 However, but one instance of bloodshed occurred dur- 
 ing the quarrel, and that took place at Westminster, 
 the 13th of March, 1775— Mr. French was shot through 
 the body in the court-house. A contrariety of claims at 
 this period proved very detrimental to the progress of set- 
 tling the country. Some cases of personal violence were 
 offered, which presented a very serious aspect. A con- 
 stable under tlie authority of Vermont, had arrested 
 one of the inhabitants of Chesterfreld, in New-Hamp- 
 shire, who still adhered to the jurisdiction of that 
 State. He denied his authority, and was assisted by an 
 officer in New-Hampshire to resist the execution of his 
 precept. This officer and his coadjutor were taken and im- 
 prisoned by the constable of Vermont. Orders were then 
 given by the government of New-Hampshire, to call out 
 the militia and liberate the imprisoned sheriff by force. — 
 The executive of Vermont despatched three agents to 
 Exeter, to settle the matter with the government of New- 
 Hampshire. One of these was a sheriff of Vermont, 
 whom by way of retaliation, they immediately imprisoned 
 at Exeter. Alarmed at this approach of hostilities, the 
 government of each state was obliged to interpose to pre- 
 vent more violenf measures, which threatened to burst in-» 
 to a civil commotion. In 1784, the secretary of Vermont 
 was taken in the city of New-York, on account of political 
 management in Vermont. The subject was brought be- 
 fore tlie legislature, and they resolved to make a reprisal of 
 so much land belonging to the citizens of New-York, in 
 the limits of Vermont, as would sell for money enough to 
 
130 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 make restitution to their secretary for all the losses which 
 niisht be sustained on account of his arrest in Nesv-York. 
 
 The people of Amerix^a showed by their forbearance, a 
 great unwillingness to proceed to the sad extremity of em- 
 broiling themselves in the horrors of civil war. On the 
 contrary, amidst the greatest animosity and personal re- 
 sentment, they united with the utmost vigor against the 
 insolence and power of Great-Britain, to secure the inde- 
 pendence of their country. They, however, ran into some 
 very great errors and mistakes on other points. Had the 
 government of NewY'ork been contented with the exer- 
 cise of jurisdictional authority over the territory of Ver- 
 mont, without regranting their lands which they obtained 
 from another power and improved with much hardship, 
 there would have been no trouble or controversy between 
 the states. But when she proceeded on this business, 
 the proprietors would not acquiesce in their imperious de- 
 mands. The settlers did right in opposing those acts of 
 oppression, committed under the ostentatious authority of 
 the king, the law, and the government of New-York. — 
 They felt as though those rights which they held in com- 
 mon with all mankind, were of higher authority than the 
 variable decisions of the British King, or the rapacious 
 views of a provincial governor and council. The union 
 with a part of New-Hampshire was ill-judged policy, and 
 operated very much to the prejudice of Vermont. And 
 the attempt of New-Hampshire and New-York, to divide 
 Vermont between them, was a sufficient justification for 
 euch an act retributive of justice. 
 
 The royal decision, made in 1774, gave New-York ju- 
 risdiction over the whole territory of Vermont. The set- 
 tlers acquiesced in this disposition of their rights, until 
 they were dispossessed or ejected from their lands. They 
 then applied themselves to the business of establishing a 
 government and forming laws to regulate the whole affairs 
 of the State. Ordinary perseverance, talents and enter- 
 prise could never have sustained them against the over- 
 powering influence, numbers and wealth of their enemies. 
 The claim of New-Hampshire to the whole state of Ver- 
 laoat, was very impolitic, having no color or shadow of 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 131 
 
 title, they could not expect to establish an ownership to 
 any part, upon rules of justice. 
 
 How far it was necessary or equitable for Congress to 
 adopt an erasive policy, under the peculiar circumstances 
 of the country, would be difficult for those unacquainted 
 with public affairs at that time, to determine. It was one 
 great object with the government to unite the States, and 
 prevent contention, from disturbing the common cause- 
 All parties seemed to be rather displeased with the meas- 
 ures respecting the controversy of Vermont with New- 
 York and New-Hampshire, than satisfied : — Such was 
 their uncertainty, their contradictory and evasive meas- 
 ures, that when the dangers occasioned by the war, were 
 removed, the people of Vermont had very little to desire, 
 or inclination to be connected with Congress. It was not 
 until more steadiness, vigor and ability appeared in the 
 federal government, that the people were willing to be 
 brought into the American union. 
 
 CHAPTER VI, 
 
 A Sketch of Politics from the year 1791 to the American 
 Embargo in X'SQS.^^Prosperity of Vermont on her iiniori 
 with the States,— r- Annual proceedings oftheLegidature 
 of the State. — Effect of the Revolution in France upon 
 the policy of this country. — Resignation and death of 
 Governor Chittenden. — Mr. Tichenor elected Govern-: 
 or. — His proceedings. — Civil affairs of the State^ and 
 measures pursued by the General Assembly at Ver- 
 gennes, Windsor^ Middlebury, Newbury., Burlington, 
 Westminster, Windsor, Rutland, Danville, Middltbu- 
 ry, and Woodstock, embracing a period of eleven years 
 from 1793 to 1S08. — Outrage committed by the British 
 ship Leopard upon the United States frigate Chesa^ 
 peake, 
 
 A season of peace, when the rage of controversy and 
 the calamities of war had passed from the council and 
 fields of the nation, was very welcome and propitious to 
 
132 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 the pursuit of private business and the prosecution of pub- 
 lic affairs. The federal and state government were both 
 conducted by individuals in whose talents and virtues the 
 people of Vermont had the utmost confidence and faith.- 
 (rovernor Chittenden, as a magistrate and as a man, had 
 long been endeared to the affections of his acquaintances 
 and the state ; his manners were easy and familiar, and char- 
 acteristics, such as a new state required. The only re- 
 quisition for the security and advancement of the people, 
 was the improvement ol' tliose natural and civil advanta- 
 ges, which were already in their ))ossession. J\o subject 
 of political consequence offered any great temptation lo 
 the people. The appointment of Councillors was not of 
 sufficient importance to make it a matter of much emula- 
 tion and striie. The only chance for ambition and in- 
 trigue w^as in the appointment of civil officers, which was 
 generally decided in a short time without much election- 
 eering or management. These matters were generally 
 determined on the first week of the legislature ; at^ter that 
 the greater portion of the time w as occupied in granting 
 new townships, laying out roads, authorizing a tax for 
 annual expenses of government, and enacting such laws 
 as the local circumstances or particular situation of indi- 
 viduals, or towns, or the state might require. About four 
 weeks was generally spent in the business of legislation. 
 While the Americans were enjoying under a government 
 of their own choice, the blessings of independence and 
 freedom, the French nation, by whose assistance these 
 privileges had been obtained, were suffering all the mise- 
 ries of anarchy. They, however, arose in the majesty of 
 their physical strength, with a determination to l3e freed 
 from those institutions which originated in times of igno- 
 rance and barbarism. Before the energetic exertions of 
 tlie people, prompted by enthusiasm, and directed by fatal 
 skill, their ancient government crumbled to the dust. — 
 Passing from a state of slavery to one of entire liberty, 
 their conduct was marked with the most shocking exces- 
 ses. In the heat of their zeal to accomplish a revolution, 
 they not only put down the monarch, the nob'lity and the 
 church ; but considered that perfection could be given to 
 republicanism by destroying churches of public worship 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 133 
 
 and matrimonial obligations. They praised the Ameri- 
 can discovery of true liberty, but boasted that it was re- 
 served for them to carry freedom to a slate of perfectibil- 
 ity. Its accomplishment, however, was babed upon the 
 destruction of all former attachments to the ancient cus- 
 toms and habits, and upon the absolute denial of the ex. 
 istence and perfections of Deity. Youthful ignorance 
 and passions were enlisted in tavor of the doctrine bv 
 treating the affection and chastity of the sexes as a mat- 
 ter of ridicule and I'olly, and the inclinations of the licen- 
 tious were engaged to set aside at the option of either par- 
 ty, all the vows and obligations that had been connected 
 with the institution and laws of marriage. "All that had 
 acquired and claimed respect, on account of its antiquity, 
 universality or supposed sanctity, was attempted to be 
 destroyed, and reason, the perfectibility of man, and the 
 clamors of the mob," were regarded and asserted to be 
 the true and only divinity of Heaven. 
 
 Some of the principal causes v.-hich led to the French 
 revolution were the progress of philosophy, the ditfusion 
 of general knowledge, and the freedom of examining sub- 
 jects of government and religion. The views and feel- 
 ings in favor of liberty elicited by the American revolu- 
 tion, and disseminated on the return of the French officerR 
 and troops from the United States, the despotism of the 
 government, the discontent among the great mass of co.t;- 
 munity on account of their oppressed condition, and the 
 derangement of their finances were also among other 
 causes which revolutionized the ancient government of 
 r ranee. 
 
 The people of the United States were, from principle, 
 almost universally in favor of this overturn in their gov- 
 ernment, and most of them thought it would produce a 
 more perfect system of government than that in America. 
 But when the principles of virtue and common sense were 
 deserted for impossibility and folly, the Americans became 
 decided in their views and feelings. Some of them wish- 
 ed to adopt the French doctrines of freedom and perfect- 
 ibility, but others were fearful of the experiment, and 
 chose to remain within the limits of their own experience 
 and government. The people of Vcrmont,and so through 
 
 12 
 
134 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 the United States, on embracing such views and senti- 
 ments, became separated into parties, one of which wished 
 to increase and strengthen the powers ot'the federal Con- 
 stitution, and the other desired that more weight of gov- 
 ernment should be pkiced at the disposal of the people. — 
 Thus, parties of different pl-inciples arose, both wishing td 
 alter the federal constitution, the one by adding, and the 
 other by diminishing the powers assigned to the President 
 and Senate of the United States. 
 
 The manner of conducting public business, at the Gen- 
 eral Assembly, had a great effect in checking the growth 
 of faction and party spirit. No speech was made by Gov- 
 ernor Chittenden at the opening of the legislature, of 
 course there was no opportunity for intrigue and contro- 
 versy, in furnishing a reply. After completing the appoint- 
 ments of civil officers, nothing more was necessary to be 
 accomplished, than to proceed with the usual business of 
 the State, which rarely presented matters of much inter- 
 est to those ambitious of political distinction and power. 
 
 When peace and intelligence prevail, the opportunity is 
 presented and often improved of accomplishing some wise 
 and judicious undertaking. Such a season ensued, and 
 the legislature of the State improved it in reducing the 
 statutes of Vermont to a concise and well arranged code. 
 The supervision of the work was refered to a committee 
 appointed for that purpose, and a faithful and judicious 
 system of laws v/ere compiled for the internal regulation 
 of the state. The laws of Vermont have been so altered, 
 revised and repealed, that the code then established has 
 almost passed from the statute book. The whole system 
 was compiled and arranged in 1807; in 1816 the public 
 acts up to that period, were compiled in a separate vol- 
 ume, and again in 1821, the statute was arranged, and such 
 parts of it as was inoperative and obsolete were left out of 
 the text. Law making has been a source of much per- 
 plexity to legislators, jurists, and the people ; but for dem- 
 agogues and partisans, it has furnished a fair opportunity 
 for displaying their consequence and obtaining offices of 
 power. 
 
 1797. This year was memorable for the resignation 
 and death of Mr. Chittenden, the first Governor of Ver- 
 
History of Vermont. 135 
 
 mont, and one of the earliest settlers in the northern part 
 of the vState. Among those who, in the new and unorgan- 
 ized territory of Vermont, contribuied to the establishment 
 of American independence, the organization and ultimate 
 acknowledgement of the privileges of this State, no one 
 was more active than Governor Chittenden. He was a 
 native of Guilford, Connecticut, but removed in early life 
 to Salisbury, where he was elected to a seat in the legisla- 
 tive councils of that State, and also received other civil 
 and military appointments. In the year 1773, he purchas- 
 ed a tract of land on Onion river, removed his family and 
 commenced a settlement, when there was scarce a family 
 or any roads in that part of the State. Soon after he be- 
 gan his settlement, the war of the American revolution 
 commenced. Tlie inhabitants of the infant settlements, 
 ignorant of the measures which the Indians would pursue, 
 and unable to protect their defenceless habitations, remov- 
 ed to the more settled parts of New-England. Mr. Chit- 
 tenden left his farm and removed to Arlington. More ac- 
 quainted with public business than most of the settlors, he 
 became the principal conductor of their councils and do* 
 bates. To the transactions of New-York, concerning the 
 title of their lands, he was early and strenuously opposed, 
 and become'one of the most influential members of the 
 convention. The American war, which distressed and 
 endangered every portion of the country, convinced him 
 that an opportunity would present itself for terminating 
 their controversy, by declaring their independence and es- 
 tablishing anew State, in this disputed territory. Pursu- 
 ing this firm and decisive plan of policy, he at length had 
 the pleasure of seeing it embraced by the inhabitants and 
 acknowledged by the federal government. His prudence 
 and information secured him the highest delegations of 
 power, which he always exercised to the advantage and 
 satisfaction of the people. He was u firm and consistent 
 friend of liberty. In difficulties, he did not hesitate, and 
 in want, he failed not in the resources of contrivance. — 
 The inhabitants of the New-Hampshire grants elected 
 liim with others, in 1775, to take the ad\ice of Congress, 
 upon the subject of the affairs. Two years after he was 
 chosen President of the council of safety, the only species 
 
133 HISTORY OF VERMOxNT. 
 
 of government that was known in tiiis district. This tri- 
 bunal exercised the functions belonging to the three of 
 powers which in the consternation of that period was al- 
 most unmanageable with perplexities and care. On the 
 declaration of the independence of A^ermont, Mr. Chitten- 
 den was called to the executive, branch of the government, 
 and so continued, for nineteen years, to fill by annual ap- 
 pointments, this important station, until he declined are- 
 election. From his acquaintance with the character of 
 tiie people and his judgment matured by observation and 
 experience, he appeared to be better qualified for.a gover- 
 nor of this State, than one more skilled in theoretical 
 knowledge, or possessed of more jjolite accomplishments. 
 He died on the 25th of August, 1797, in the 68tli year of 
 his age. In life he was sincerely esteemed, and his death 
 was universally lamented by his friends, acquaintances 
 and the people of the State. Concerning his character, it 
 may justly be said that he was intelligent, upright, and un- 
 ostentatious, open hearted and liheral, -the stranger and 
 unfortuna^o had tree access to his friendship and the boun- 
 ties of his fortune. 
 
 On the demise of GovernorChittenden politicians found 
 new motives, for their appearance and exertions, and still 
 more so on the resignation of President Washington. — - 
 Mr. Adams, the successor to the Presidency, was openly 
 opposed to the principles of the French revolution, which 
 occasioned dissatisfaction among a large portion of com- 
 munity. Restraints incident to feelings of respect for the 
 great and good had now somewhat abated in the public 
 excitement. New parties, styled Federal and Republican, 
 appeared, and each exerted themselves to secure the elec^ 
 tion of a governor of their political sentiments. The le- 
 gislature met at Windsor, and no choice was made of a 
 <jovernor by the people. Judge Tichenor had a i)lurality 
 of votes, and was afterwards constitutionally elected by 
 the legislature with a very large majority. The practice 
 of making a speech at the opening of the legislature waa 
 adopted by the new Governor. He asserted that the 
 state and federal constitutions were founded upon republi- 
 can principles, and that Washington's administration just- 
 ly merited the highest approbation. "ThTj known expe- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 137 
 
 rience, firmness and integrity of those'who are placed at 
 the head of its administration, he adds, ought to inspire us 
 with a proper degree of confidence in future," alluding to 
 those measures which Mr. Adams was pursuing. 
 
 An answer to the speech was returned, containing the 
 following sentiment : — "We are not disposed to call in 
 question the wisdom or integrity of those who have been 
 concerned in the administration of the general govern- 
 ment, nor to withhold our confidence where it ought to 
 be inspired by your wisdom and energy in every measure 
 which in our opinion will secure and promote national 
 prosperity." A degree of decorum was kept up in con- 
 ducting the public business. — The acrimony and fierce- 
 ness of party spirit had not assumed a very formidable 
 front, and the business proceeded on without the sarcasm 
 and bitterness of faction. Abilities and moral virtue, 
 rather than political opinions, seem to have been the stand- 
 ards for civil appointments. The federalists, though there 
 was decidedly a majority in the house, still they appear- 
 ed to be fearful about their numbers and anxious to pre- 
 serve their popularity and power. 
 
 1798. Governor Tichenor was re-elected this year by 
 a very large majority, and the session of the legislature 
 was holden at Vergennes. The whole community was 
 now agitated with the revolutionary excitements of the 
 French — illuminated rcvison had in that government dis- 
 pelled by its brilliancy all civil rights and moral obliga- 
 tions. The vilest depravity and guilt was concealed un- 
 der the mask of liberty. Violent depredations had been 
 committed upon the American commerce, our ambassa- 
 dors were refused admission to the performance of their 
 appointed services, and under the name of a loan the 
 French government was demanding a tribute. These 
 proceedings and claims of France received the decided 
 disapprobation of the President, and a proper degree of 
 resentment from the American people. The spirit of par- 
 ty appeared to be extinguished. *' Millions for defence, 
 not a cent for tribute," resounded through every part of 
 the Union. Congress declared that the treaty of alliance 
 with France was broken and no longer in force. Letters 
 o( marque ^nd reprisal were granted for capturing the 
 12* 
 
im HISTOKY OF \ EKMUi\T. 
 
 anued vessels of France. Provisions were made for raiV 
 ing a small force of regulars, and in case of necessity, tor 
 increasing tUe number. Additional duties and a direct 
 tax were laid upon the domestic trade and permanent 
 property of the people. 
 
 At the meeting of the legislature the conduct and de- 
 mands of tb.e French nation Mere elaborately described 
 in the speech of the governor, while the strongest confi- 
 dence and adherence was expressed towards the federal 
 government. Such views taken upon the subject were 
 very congenial to the feelings of the house, who in their 
 answer to the governor, declared they could not close it, 
 without expressing their entire approbatfon of his admin- 
 istration for the first year, and their sincere wishes that hi» 
 usefulness might be continued to the country. 
 
 An address to the President of the United States was pre- 
 pared, by a committee appointed for that purpose, and passed 
 in the house by a vote of 129 to 23. Thcmap.agenient of 
 the French was treated upon with extreme severiiy, and if 
 necessity required, their readiness to engage in a war^ 
 with that nation, was announced in tiie most decisive 
 terms. Mr.Adams' administration was highly commended 
 in t'ne following sentiment : — " Permit us to add assuran- 
 ces of our personal respect — while we honor you as our 
 Chief Magistrate, we respect you as a man, and it is to 
 your glorywe can say,we regard John Adams because wo 
 lv3ve our country." 
 
 While an overwhelming mnjority of the Assembly were 
 opposed to the partisans of democracy, and no fears en- 
 tertained that the etate would soon favor such doctrines, a 
 kind of proscription was introduced in making out their 
 civil appointments. Judges and other officers of the gov- 
 ernment were displaced for no other reason than the sin 
 of admiring the principles of the French revolution. And 
 they also meant to carry their proceedings so far,as to in- 
 timidate others t>om appearing in opposition to the state 
 and federal governments. 
 
 After the llame of party teelings had subsided, the an- 
 nual business of the state was taken up. An application 
 from certain Indian Chiefs, living in Canada, come be-^ 
 fore the legislature, demanding a compensation for a large 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 130 
 
 tract of land, claimed by them, and lying in the present 
 limits ot" Vermont. Their petition on the subject was ad- 
 dressed to the Governor of the State, in the followini^ 
 style : — 
 
 Great Brother — "V/e the Chiefs and counsellors of the 
 Seven Nations of Lower Canada, send our res[5ect to yoa 
 and your family, by five of our agents, whom we have sent 
 to you to treat about our hunting lands that lie in your 
 State. Ueginninor on the east side of Ticonderoga, from 
 thence to Great P'alls on Otter Creek, and continue on 
 tlie same course to the height of land that divides the 
 Btreams between lake Champlain, and the river Connect- 
 icut, from thence along the height of land that divides 
 Missisque bay, and down that bay. This is the land be- 
 longing to the seven nations which we have sent to settle 
 for, with you, as we have settled with New-York." — 
 Twenty Chiefs of different nations signed this applicatiou 
 OP. the 29th of September, 179S. 
 
 The committee appointed by the legislature to investi- 
 gate the facts relative to the Indian claims, reported that 
 they had a claim to the above described tract o.'land br 
 an agreement entered into by other aboriginal nations of 
 this country, and whether tliat claim had been extinguish- 
 ed by purchase, conquest, dereliction of occupancy, or in 
 any other way, they cannot ascertain. And further, that 
 whatever validity there may be to the claim, tlie authori- 
 ty to which they applied for an adjustment, have not the 
 power to enter upon a necrntiation of the kind, but it be- 
 longs exclusively to the IJnited States. Tiie committee 
 advised the governor to obtain from New- York all the 
 iuformation-he could, respecting a similar claim in that 
 jjtAte, and that he would cause a present not exceeding one 
 hundred dollars to be given them as a token of friendship 
 from tiieir brethren of Vermont. 
 
 The Indian Chiefs receiving one hundred dollars in such 
 presents as were pleasing, and their maintenance, wliilo 
 they remained paid for by the state, departed well pleased 
 with their reception, hoping that the game would prove 
 &till better another season. 
 
 A proposal for amending the federal constitution came 
 forward from the state of Massachusetts, at this session 
 
140 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 of the legislature. The purport of which was that no per- 
 son should be eligible for President or Vice President of 
 the United States, except a natural born citizen, or one 
 who had been a resident in the United States at the dec- 
 laration of Independence and should have continued to 
 reside in the same, or to be employed in its service from 
 that period to the time of his election. This was so agree- 
 able to the sentiment of the assembly, that the amendment 
 was adopted by 152 against five. On examining the pro- 
 ceedings of the legislature, it is unpleasant to observe 
 how soon the influence of irritated feelings prompt men to 
 lay aside moral principles, and thus become misguided in 
 their public and private conduct. Whenever a particular 
 administration is taken as a standard for the necessary 
 qualifications to civil office, the way is opened for intol- 
 erance, controversy, and dismission from office. If the 
 party in power hesitated not to avow and justify prescrip- 
 tive measures of policy, the same kind of proceeding is as 
 right and proper whenever the administration falls into 
 the hands of their opponents. *' And thus a system of po- 
 litical oppression and persecution would commence, de- 
 pending altogether upon a majority and the power of the 
 prevailing faction, which is wholly at variance with mor- 
 al principle or character, with justice and equity, the ne- 
 cessary qualification or the faithful discharge of the duties 
 of office.'' 
 
 In reply to the address of the Vermont legislatnre,which 
 was the first attempt of the kind ever made by the state, 
 Mr. Adams remarked : — "Knowing as I do your origin, 
 your progress, and the brave, hardy, industrious and tem- 
 perate character of the people, the approbation of their 
 representatives, their attachment to the constitutions, and 
 determination to support the Administration, are the mgre 
 to be esteemed." 
 
 1799. The government of the state was convened at 
 Windsor in October, 1799. The feelings of the people 
 were still highly incensed against the proceedings of the 
 French. A check had been given to the rapacity of their 
 privateers, by the energetic measures of M r. Adams. The 
 message of Governor Tichenor contained sentiments of 
 the highest respect and attachment towards the chief exec- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. Ml 
 
 ulive of the Union, for the patriotic energy ofthe national 
 administration. The measures and sentinients of tiie gov- 
 ernor were higlily applaiulod by the assembly. They de- 
 clared tlieir confidence in him increased as the wealth and 
 prosperity ot* the state advanced. The people were now 
 improvingr in their moral virtues, the sci-ence of govern- 
 ment, habits of industry, and conciliation of feelings. In 
 the appointment of civil officers, which is the most apt of 
 any thing to agitate a popular assembly, those displaced 
 in the preceding year were not re-elected, but more cau- 
 tion was used in selecting the sacrifices. 
 
 The at^air concerning the death of one John Gregg* 
 who had been arrested within the bounds of Canada, by 
 individuals from Vermont, and was drowned in lake 
 Champlain, while in their keeping, gave rise to a very se- 
 rious difllculty. Indictments were tbund against them at 
 the court of criminal jurisdiction in Montreal, and a de- 
 mand was made by the executive of Canada upon the gov- 
 ernment, for the surrender of those indicted for the sup- 
 posed murder. But happily for the credit of both coun- 
 tries, the matter was satisfactorily adjusted; and so high 
 a sense was entertained of governor Tichenor's services 
 on the occasion, that a resolution was passed, approving 
 of his conduct, and requesting him to inform the govern- 
 or of Canada that they entejtained "a very high sense 
 of the liberal, candid and delicate manner in which that 
 unhappy affair had from its commencement to its termina- 
 tion been treated by his predecessor and himself. Their 
 conduct, when our sense thereof is known to our tcilow 
 citizens, must tend to increase the j<eneral desire for the 
 continuation of a mutual, a free and amicable intercourse 
 with the country over which he presides." 
 
 The governor at this session communicated to the as- 
 sembly the result of his enquiries relative to the Indian 
 claims to lands in Vermont, which were as follows : The 
 Indians now presenting their claim to lands in Vermont, 
 anciently belonged to the confederacy of the Five Nations, 
 which confederacy, or some tribe of them, might onco 
 have been the proprietors to the lands now claimed. On 
 the breaking out of some former war between the French 
 and English, while this country was under the govern- 
 
142 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 ment of Great-Britain, it appears that these Indians, cal- 
 led the Cog-nah-wag-has, separated from the confederacy, 
 removed into Canada, placed themselves under the pro- 
 tection of the French, and united their fortunes with tho 
 king of France, in his war with the English. The subju-- 
 gallon of the French and their allies in this country, and 
 in Canada, by the arms of tlie English, passed this terri- 
 tory into the hands of the latter, by right of conquest. — 
 That when this country was invaded by the king of Eng- 
 land, in 1775, these Indians were his allies, and thereby 
 rendered themselves and their interest liable to its conse- 
 quences. All the lands south of Canada line being ceded 
 by treaty to the American government, the Indian claims 
 were of course extinguished by this act. The comniitteo 
 raised by the legislature on this subject, coincided in opin- 
 ion with the governor, that their claim, if it ever did ex- 
 ist, had long since been done away and become extinct, 
 in consequence of the treaty of peace, in 1763, between 
 the English and French sovereigns, and the treaty be- 
 tween Grp.at-13ritain and the United States, of which Ver- 
 mont was a part, in 1733. 
 
 The passions of the assembly were most of all engaged 
 and agitated about certain resolutions which had been 
 passed by the legislatures of Virginia and Kentucky. — 
 The government of the Unitpd States was highly alarm- 
 ed at the jE^reat influx of emigrants, from France and other 
 parts of Europe, uniting with the exertions of those citi- 
 zens of the union whose political sentiincnts very much 
 favored the principles and measures of the French, that 
 they would involve the country in serious difficulties, and 
 become dangerous and troublesome to the union. To 
 guard against suchevlls,the President of the United States 
 gave his signature to two acts, which were considered by 
 those who were then called democrats, as dangerous to, 
 if not subversive of the constitutional liberty of America. 
 One of these, termed the alien law, empowered the Presi- 
 dent lo direct aliens, whom he should judge dangerous to 
 the peace and liberty of the country, to withdraw from the 
 United States, on the pain of imprisonment. The other, 
 the sedition law, defined the crime and punishment of re- 
 viling the Chief Magistrate, or other officers of the fed- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 143 
 
 eral government, and imposed a heavy fine and imprison- 
 ment for years on those who should conjbine or conspire 
 together, to oppose any measure of the government, and 
 should write, print either or publiwh any false, scandalous 
 and miilicious writing, against any otficfir of the general 
 government. Great use was made of these acts by those 
 in the southern States, who were unfriendly to Mr.Adama' 
 adiviinistration, and were wishing to prevent his re-elec- 
 tion to the presidency. Nothing less can be said of their 
 deserting a man so distinguished as Mr. Adams for his 
 political experience, his talents, and the important service? 
 he had rendered to his country, in the revolutionary con- 
 test, than this, that the people discovered how jealous they 
 were of the liberty they had obtained, and how resolutely 
 determined they were to dt^fend it from every possible dan- 
 ger. But, whatever .might have been their object, the 
 States of Virginia and Kentucky passed a number of un- 
 common resolutions, disapproving the proceedings of 
 Congress, in the passage of the alien and sedition bills, 
 and proceeding so far in opposition as to make the State 
 authoritjl^s judges of the legality of the acts of Congress, 
 and of the obligation any state was under, to obey them. 
 On the reception of these resolutions, a majority of the 
 members of the legislature considered them higldy dan- 
 gerous to the principles on which the general government 
 of the States was first formed, and in their tendency, de- 
 signed to lessen the powers of the federal, and increase 
 those of the State governments. Such feelings and ap- 
 prehensions invited discussion and opposition to the reso- 
 lutions. Some of the most pointed parts in their answers 
 were, that *' the general assembly of Vermont do highly 
 disapprove of the resolutions of the legislature of Virginia, 
 ns unconstitutional in their nature, and dangerous in their 
 tendency, and that the power of deciding upon the con- 
 stitutionality of the laws belonged exclusively to the 
 United States courts, not to the State legislatures." — 
 In answer to one of the resolutions from Kentucky, where 
 it is asserted, "that confidence is every where the parent 
 of despotism, free government is founded in jealousy and 
 not in confidence" : this, they declare, is a sentiment pal- 
 pably erroneous, and hostile to the social nature of man. 
 
lU HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 The experience of nges evinces the reverse is true, and 
 that jealousy is the meanest passion of narrow minds, and 
 tends to despotism ; and that honesty always begets con- 
 fidence, while those who are dishonest themselves are 
 most apt to suspect others. 
 
 A majority of one third of the members in the legisla- 
 ture of V^ermont viewed these resolutions as highly arro- 
 gant in chiitn and prejudicial in their tendency to the fed- 
 eral government. The minority, however, were not con- 
 tented or silent. They entered their protest upon the 
 journals of the house, calculating by this to exhibit senti- 
 ments of stronger attachment to tiie principles of republi- 
 canism and the powers of the individual states, than the 
 resolutions of the house hiad expressed. 
 
 An amendment to tlie federal constitution was propos-. 
 ed to the legislature, that the electors should in future dis- 
 tinguish in their votes which candidate was voted for as 
 president, and which as vice president. This nlieration 
 of the constitution was considered at that time rather as a 
 matter ofoxpediency than of political. principles, whirh ai\ 
 terwards became a subject of serious debr.te. A resolution 
 was enacted, requesting the members of the senate and 
 house of representatives in Congress to use their best en- 
 deavors that Congress should propose to the legislatures 
 of the several states so to amend the Coi-*tit'jtion of the 
 United States tiiat the electors of president and vice 
 •president shall respectively distinguish the person de- 
 signed for president from the one for vice president, hy 
 annexing tlie appellation of office to the name voted for. 
 91 federalists voted in the athrmative, and those of the oth- 
 er 42 voted in the negative. The number of republican 
 votes raised in opposition to these political measures, 
 showed very considerable increase since their last ses- 
 bion at Vergennes. 
 
 On the Mth of December, 1799, General Washington, 
 the illustrious FATHER and benefactor of this country, 
 expired, after an illness of one day only. Intelligence of 
 this event produced deep, unatiected and spontaneous grief, 
 every thought was absorbed in sorrow, and every feeling 
 Btung with anguish at this melancholy event. 
 
 In the year 1800, political irritation and resentment 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 145 
 
 eccined to have somewhat subsided, when the Icgisjaturo 
 convened at Middlehury. The ussial topics of State affairs 
 were urged upon the attention of the a^isombly, in tho 
 apeech of the Governor, and the administration of the for- 
 mer presidents was a})proved as containing the measures 
 of policy wliich ought to be pursued. An answer from 
 the house was returned, expressive of the difficulties of 
 legislation, the temptations of passion and interest, and 
 the importance of honest and enlightened principles were 
 rendered more important by the errors which had attended 
 the violation of them in Europe. 1'he sentiments expres- 
 sed on this subject discover a devotion of the legislature to 
 the doctrines of federalism. "Tliankfnl to Heaven for th.e 
 blessings we have enjoyed under the a<!minisiration of a 
 Wasliington and Adams, we devoutly implore the same 
 wisdoui, goodness and power to direct our elections and 
 our governments, and to banish from us forever calumny 
 and detraction. '^ The violence of party spirit h.ad dc" 
 ecended from the practice of dictatiou to tlie mitigating 
 work of re-appointing those to civil ofi:ices who were dis- 
 placed at Vergennes, in 1798. 
 
 As the election of the President and Vice-President was 
 Boon to take place, the republicans obtained leave to bring 
 in a bill for having the State divided into districts, and the 
 choice of the electors given to the people — presuming 
 that this metliod of electoral appointments, would prove 
 more favorable to the interest of Mr. Jefferson, than an 
 election by the general assembly. This question fully 
 tested the strength and feelings of the parties, which was, 
 after lengthy discussion^;, rejected by a majority of 22. — 
 The proceedings of the federal government, irj passing the 
 etamp act, the land tax, the alien and sedition laws, and 
 the expenditure of money for building a navy, and for oth- 
 er purposes, alledged to be impolitic or useless, had di- 
 minished the popularity of Mr. Adams' administration in 
 the minds of many, and proved unfavorable to the advance- 
 ment of federalism. I'he Indians were informed at this 
 session, that the legislature had decided againnt the jus- 
 tice or equity of their claims, and that no more meney 
 would be given them for their right to any lands in Ver- 
 mont, or to defray their expenses in attending any future 
 
146 HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 legislature. Early attention was given by the assembly to 
 the encouragement of education. A university was foun- 
 ded at Burlington, in 1791, but had not, according to ex- 
 pectation, gone into operation; and after much debate and 
 reasoning upon the subject, a college was granted this year 
 at Middlebury. A school, under very prosperous circum- 
 stances, had been established at Middlebury, which, by 
 act of incorporation, was made the foundation of the col- 
 legiate institution. The opinion then advanced appears 
 to have proved true, that the best way to encourage the 
 cultivation of literature and the sciences in this State, was 
 to favor those who would be at the expense and trouble 
 of supporting such associations. The charter of incor- 
 poration for establishing Middlebury college, was sustain-: 
 ed by a majority of sixty-six votes. The powers and priv^ 
 ileges, excepting in one or more instances, are such as are 
 usually incident to universities and colleges. The power 
 of administering oaths not at variance with the constitur 
 tioa and laws of this State or of the United States, was 
 granted to this institution. This was an unusual privilege 
 for a corporation of this kind. No provision was inserted 
 in the charter of Middlebury college, that it should not 
 be under the direction of aey one particular religious sect 
 or denomination, nor was there a clause to prevent the 
 president and fellows from establishing any doctrine, opin- 
 ions or denomination they should think proper. They have 
 a right to appropriate the learning and honors of the college 
 exclusively in favor of any denomination whom they choose, 
 A bill was afterwards introduced to prohibit the leasing of 
 any more land by the corporation of the university of Ver- 
 mont, which was dismissed by a majority of fifty- four votes. 
 1801. At this period, the election ot a president again 
 recurred. The republican party had been gradually inr 
 creasing ever since the adoption *of the constitution. A 
 contest of unparalleled vigor had been maintained by the 
 parties, now nearly equal. The federalists supported Mr. 
 Adams and General Pinckney — the republicans supported 
 Mr. Jefferson and Colonel Burr. A small majority of the 
 electoral votes was received by the two latter; and as 
 they received an equal number, the selection of one of 
 ^em to be the president, devolved upon the house of re? 
 
iilSTORY OF VERMONT. 147 
 
 pfesenUitives. After thirty-five balloting^, Mr. Jeflersoa 
 was chosen. Colonel Burr, receiving the voles of the 
 federalists, lost the confidence of his former friends ; but 
 by the provisions of the constitution, became vice-presi- 
 dent of course. In taking upon himself the powers of gov- 
 ernment, Mr. Jefferson's message, delivered to the senate 
 and house of representatives, presented a very conciliato- 
 ry aspect. Disclaiming principles of political intolerance, 
 and urging those of candor and magnanimityj he declar- 
 ed that a difference of political opinions was not a difier- 
 ence of principles; and although there was so great a dif- 
 ference of sentiment, with regard to the federal constitu- 
 tion and government, *' We are (says he) all federalists — 
 we are all republicans." As the federalists had been very 
 boisterous in their declarations concerning the support and 
 assistance which ought to be rendered to the federal gov- 
 ernment, they could not consistently do otherwise than 
 support Mr. Jefferson, who was constitutionally placed at 
 the head of the nation. The other party, so anxious for 
 his election, could not fail of supporting him, the favor- 
 ite of their wishes and choice. In this state of things, both 
 parties were anxiously waiting for the measures of the 
 new president, who soon removed their doubts, by dis- 
 placing the marshal and attorney of the district of Ver- 
 mont, and filling their places with those who had advoca- 
 ted difierent political sentiments. Changes of a similar 
 kind were numerous in the other States, and with no oth- 
 er reason for such proceedings than an opposition or at- 
 tachment to the former or present president. It was now 
 thought that the political sentiments of the chief mag- 
 istrate and his party would be considered the necessary 
 qualifications to office. 
 
 In this state of public excitement, the legislature met 
 at Newbury, in October, 1801. The manner in which the 
 governor delivered his opinion upon the subject of appoint- 
 ments to civil oflices, would lead to the conclusion that 
 he had some doubts what measures to pursue, and what he 
 had to expect from the tempers and feelings of the party 
 which might prevail in the assembly. *' It cannot (says 
 he) be necessary nor expedient to make that which the 
 constitution contemplates as a very serious and important 
 
118 HISTORY OP VERMONT. 
 
 duty, become a matter of party contondon or private in- 
 terest. Individuals the best qualified Irom their experi- 
 ence, honesty and information, should in all cases be pre- 
 fered for offices of public trust." The majority of the as- 
 sembly this year fell on the rep'iblican side. A committee 
 of one federalist and two republicans was chosen to re- 
 port a respectful address to his excellency. The compo- 
 sition of this article was unfortunately committed to a 
 draughtsman but poorly qualified to write an address, in 
 style, it was rough and incorrect ; in compliments, awk- 
 ward and disgusting; and in principle, it discovered an 
 ostentatious atlectation for republicanism. A motion was 
 made to have some of the most exceptionable expressions 
 erased ; but the motion was lost, it being viewed as an at- 
 tempt of the federalists to regain their influence and num- 
 bers. Nothing more could be expected bv the federal- 
 ists, from the violence of the measures pursued by them 
 in 17C3, than that the republicans would avail themselves 
 of their majority to displace them t>om office. The ap- 
 pointments were made out according to the nomination of 
 tiie particular counties, and the business of the State was 
 attended to with diligence and tranquillity — without the 
 appearance of partiality, discord, or the intrigues of fac- 
 tion. The custom introduced by the federalists of ad- 
 dressing the president, was considered nothing more than 
 due respect to Mr. JelTerson, and much more on his intro- 
 duction into office. An address therefore was prepared, 
 containing professions of strong attachment to tlie consti- 
 tution and administration of Mr. . Jefferson, and expressive 
 of a desire that " no one description of citizens might ev- 
 er be favored at the expense of the other.'' Amendments 
 were proposed to certain portions of the address, by the 
 federalists, which put in motion all the diiferent feelings 
 and sentiments of the parties. Debates about improving 
 upon certain words and phrases were protracted for tho 
 epace of three days, and the votes were ten tin.es taken 
 by yeas and nays. Their feelings becanie so exasperated 
 that no opportunity was left for discernment or considerate 
 thoughts. A large party would hear no reasons for amend- 
 ments, but immediately decided every proposition by votes, 
 and their zeal and heat became so great by repealed vo- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 119 
 
 tings, that when a federal member moved to strike out the 
 word unanimous, 78 voted that they were unanimous, and 
 60 voted that they were not perfectly unanimous. At 
 length the republicans, perceiving the folly which would 
 attend their voting that they were unanimous, when their 
 votes discovered the most violent contention and strife, 
 moved the house to reconsider their decision on that ques- 
 tion. After a reconsideration of the vote, the address 
 was adopted, with some small corrections, by a majority 
 of 27. **The proceedings of the house on this address, 
 are a remarkable instance of the workings of resentment. 
 How easily small objects may agitate the passions of a 
 popular assembly, and when influenced by jealousy and 
 intrigue, how incapable they are of commanding their 
 reason, and amongst all other feelings to feel the passion 
 of shame." 
 
 In the ambulatory method of holding the sessions of 
 the legislature, Burlington was selected as the place of 
 location for 1802. As no subject ol high political dispute 
 on matters of great interest were now before the public, a 
 quiet session for this year, was anticipated. Mr. Tich- 
 enor still carried the election by a very considerable ma- 
 jority. The effects and change of party zeal, were men- 
 tioned by him, in his annual communication to the legis- 
 lative body. 
 
 "One of the greatest misfortunes that attends a repub- 
 lican government is the progress and violence of party 
 spirit. Our beloved Washington, with all his moderation, 
 wisdom and virtues, was not able to repress this destruc- 
 tive spirit. We know that an independent love for his 
 country, and a life devoted to its service, with the most 
 upright intentions, did not shield him and his measures 
 from its malignant effects. It existed in his day, and has 
 progressed with time, and increased with violence until 
 now." 
 
 An answer,designed as a description of the feelings and 
 views of a majority of the legislature, towards the govern- 
 or, and of their opinions and sentiments, respecting the 
 characters of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, was re- 
 ported and put to the house for a passage. The increas- 
 ing violence of party spirit was deplored, their wish to 
 13* 
 
160 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 augment the strengtii and dignity oftheUnited Slates^anrl 
 their hopes that all their public acts would conduce to the 
 advantage of the state, were expressed. A change of 
 eentiment appeared to have prevailed, when tlie answer 
 was presented to the house. On taking the votes for ex- 
 punging some parts of the composition of this article, 
 eight only were opposed to its amendment. Several mem- 
 bers, considering the production dishonorable and dis- 
 graceful to the house, resolved not to be accountable for 
 its passage. Whereupon fifty-nine of them entered their 
 protest upon tlie journals of the legislature. 
 
 The contention and recrimination attending (lie busi- 
 ness of making addresses, had become so great, that one 
 of the members gravely introduced a motion, recommend- 
 ing in future, that the governor should not n)ake a formal 
 speech, and assigiied for a reason, that an address and an- 
 swer usually occupied a long time in useless debates, 
 which delayed the more important business of legislation. 
 J3ut the honors of office, and the importance to be deriv- 
 ed by this privilege, gave the vote of the majorit) against 
 this motion. 
 
 Fortunately for the state, no otlier question was present- 
 ed tliis session, calculated to enrage or disunite the feel- 
 ings of the members. The elections to civil ofiices vera 
 mostly from the republican party. However, a general 
 plan of intolerance and dismission from oifice, on account 
 of political opinions, did not seem to be intended or pursu- 
 ed by the assembly. The customary business of the 
 state was pursued with diligence, propriety, moderation, 
 and wisdom, by the more judicious and useful members, 
 who for several years past had chiefly obtained for the 
 btate, the substantial benefits of society and civil govern- 
 ment. 
 
 In the succeeding year, 1S03, the assembly met at 
 Westminster. The whole country was now greatly agita- 
 ed by the controversies of the two great political parties. 
 An increasing m:>jority was e\idently in favor of Mr. Jef- 
 ferson's administration. 
 
 The federalists, though lca^t in numbers, were power- 
 ful in wealth and abilities, and had at their control most 
 of tne money and commerce of the country. Every op- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 151 
 
 portunity was sought by each party to strengthen and fa- 
 vor tlicir own cause; but their calculations were not 
 confined to the progress of events in America. Tlie vari- 
 ations of European politics was expected to produce a 
 change, wliich would soon place the balance of |)ower 
 and popularity at the disposal of one of the contending 
 parties. 
 
 The election of President and Vice President was a 
 matter of more immediate consequence, and one which 
 would occur within the course of a year; and tiiough it 
 was certain that Mr. Jelferson was in the favor of a major- 
 ity of the people, yet the certainty of his election could by 
 no means be calculated on. The votes being given with- 
 out any designation, the highest number was taken for 
 tlioseofthe Pfcsident, which mightin the event defeat the 
 re-election of Mr. Jeflerson to the Presidential chair. It 
 was feared that the federal and republican electors would 
 vote tor Mr. Burr, the Vice President, and thus, obtain a 
 majority of votes for President, contrary to the design of 
 the republican electors. Two methods were suggested 
 for preventiug the occurrence of such an eflbct. The one 
 •was to destroy the popularity of Mr. I5urr with the people, 
 and thus prevent his election to either otFice, and the oth- 
 er was to have the constitution so altered that the name 
 of the person voted for cither as President or Vice Pres- 
 ident, should be expressed on the vote, which would pre- 
 vent all manner of doubt or mistake. The principal re- 
 publican members thought it best to avail lliemselves of 
 both methods. 
 
 Congress was convened by Mr. Jefferson at an earlier 
 period than usual, to determine on the purchase of Loui8- 
 iana,and also to attend on the business, as was understood, 
 of altering the federal constitution, before the President- 
 tial election took place. The legislature of Vermont as- 
 sembled, and the business of the session was entered upon 
 with a speech from the governor of a very conciliatory 
 character. An answer, which occasioned no debate, was 
 returned. In this they affirm that the business of the pres- 
 ent session is viewed with anxious solicitude, and they 
 wished to discharge the several duties assigned to them 
 with candor, ability and promptness, and that their suifra- 
 
152 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 ges might elevate to ofBce some of the wisest and best cit- 
 izens of the state, and that their deliberations might re- 
 sult in such measures as will promote the cause of pielj 
 and virtue among them, and secure the great objects of 
 justice. Before the appointment of civil offices was ta- 
 ken up, party feelings and designs were not discoverable ; 
 but when these came on for selection and choice, it was 
 evident that the republicans meant to employ their major- 
 ity to weaken and discourage their opposers. One Judge 
 of the supreme court, one sheriff, and several judges of 
 the county courts, were displaced to make room for re- 
 publicans. In the character and extent of the destruction 
 and in the discovery and consequences of party zeal, this 
 assembly manifestly exceeded the federal zeal and folly at 
 Yergenties, in 1798. The object of the republicans was 
 to intimidate and eilence their opposers, and increase the 
 number of their friends and supporters. 
 
 The suggested alteration ofthe constitution was brought 
 forward. To test the strength ofthe parties, a resolution 
 to that effect was made on the subject, which passed 
 without any difficulty, and was adopted in the council. — 
 With much impatience an order from Congress for alter- 
 ing the constitution was called for. To lengthen out 
 their session to a longer period than usual, would dimin- 
 ish their popularity among their constituents ; but to ad- 
 journ the assembly before tiie proposed alteration was a- 
 dopted, would probably deprive them ofthe chance of ac- 
 complishing the business early enough to obtain the con- 
 currence of the state of Vermont. Perplexed with delays, 
 and out of business, a copy ofthe President's message 
 was made the order ofthe day, and read during the fore- 
 noon. In the after part ofthe day a resolution was intro- 
 duced for the purpose of congratulating the President on 
 the present happy situation of tlie Union, as it respects 
 foreign nations, and their own domestic felicity. IVJany 
 members considered this attempt altogether improper lor 
 the legislature, and that it would be received in no other 
 light than an answer by the legislative body to the Presi- 
 dent's message, of which no communication had been 
 made to them by him. They, therefore, wished that so lu- 
 dicrous a motion might be no farther urged. An address 
 
HISTORY OP VERMONT. 153 
 
 was afterwards prepared and adopted, by a mnjoritj of 
 36 votes. 
 
 This was the first session, that the subject of establish- 
 ing banks in Vermont, had corfte before the legislature. — 
 All the adjacent States had established institutions of the 
 kind, and most of the n)onies in circulation, were of this 
 description. Petitions were sent from Burlington and 
 Windsor, to obtain charters for establishing banks in these 
 towns, upon the same regulations of those banks in the 
 other States. Banking business was so little understood 
 by the members of the house, and less by the council, that 
 they were afraid of venturing upon the subject. After re- 
 })eated proposals and resolutions, the subject was refered 
 la the next session of the legislature. The customary pe- 
 riod for adjourning the assembly had arrived, and no mes- 
 sage from Congress had been received, announcing the 
 proposed alteration of the federal constitution. In this 
 critical situation, a motion for an adjourned session of the 
 legislature, was made and determined in the aflirmative, 
 by a vote of 23, to be held at Windsor, on the last 'J'hurs- 
 day of January. 
 
 The time for the adjourned session at Windsor, arrived 
 in January 1804. The answer of the President to their 
 address of the preceding November, was presented by the 
 speaker, and registered upon tlie journals of the house. — 
 It contained expressions of friendship towards the inhab- 
 itants of the State, and remarks upon the general meas- 
 ures of the government, and the prosperous state of the 
 country. 
 
 The much desired message from Congress, had now 
 come, together with a copy of the proposed amendment of 
 the constitution of the United States, concerning the elec- 
 tion of the President and Vice-President. The substance 
 of this amendment was, that the electors should name on 
 their ballots, the person whom they voted for as President, 
 ©r as Vice-President. The Congress of the United States 
 had adopted this alteration, and if it should be ratified by 
 three-fourths of the several State legislatures, it would 
 become a part of the federal constitution. Some debates 
 were had upon the mode of proceeding, after which it v*a* 
 
154 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 adopted, and became a law of the State, by 93 votes in 
 the affirmative, and 64 in the negative. 
 
 No political measure had ever occasioned more strife, 
 or been pursued with a mare fixed resolution than this. — 
 Those who favored its passage considered such a meas- 
 ure was necessary to be taken, as the constitution of the 
 United States, admitted of the possibility of a person's 
 being seated in the executive chair contrary to the inten- 
 tion of its iVamers, and to the choice of the people. One 
 instance had alreaily occurred, which very much endan- 
 gered the tederal constitution, and probably it might again, 
 and finally most of the States had expressed a wish for 
 the alteration, and some, particularly Vermont, in the 
 year 1799, had adopted the proposed alteration, and re- 
 commended it to the acceptance of the whole confederacy. 
 Those who were opposed to the amendment, considered 
 it done tor the purpose of securing a doubtful election, that 
 no other method could be devised for securing the re-elec- 
 tion of Mr. Jefferson, than by altering the constitution. — 
 If any alterations could be considered necessary, the favor 
 and promotion of an individual ought not to be its object. 
 Thus, opinions were as varient as the different topics of 
 reasoning suggested on the subject. Which of the par- 
 lies manifested the most consistency, is impossible to be 
 determined, as both of them changed their votes in the 
 course of four years. In 1799, the federalists were in 
 favor, and the republicans against such an alteration in 
 the constitution. In 1803, the order was entirely reversed 
 — the republicans urged the measure, and the federalists 
 opposed it. 
 
 The annual session of the legisture, in 1801, was holden 
 at Rutland. Political proceedings had now taken a regu- 
 lar course, and it was known that the offices and emolu- 
 ments of government, would not be bestowed upon the 
 fiijderalists. Among other things, which were presented 
 lor the attention of the legislature, was a proposition i'lom 
 the State of Massachusetts, for altering the constitution of 
 the United States, so as to have the representatives ap- 
 portioned among the States, according to the number of 
 free white inhabitants, in exclusion of those elected, by 
 the suffrages of slaves. Had this resolution taken effecl, 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 155 
 
 {.he influence of the slave-holding States, would have been 
 very much dinninished, and their nunnber of representatives 
 lessened. This attempt at abolishing and stripping slave- 
 ry of all political consequence, was worthy of the rep- 
 resentatives of a free people, who were accustomed to 
 speak, in the highest terms, of freedom and the rights of 
 man. The proposition, after being debated as usual, was 
 decided by 106 for rejecting the proposal, and 76 for 
 adopting it. The federal compact would undoubtedly 
 have been endangered, had three fourths of the State leg- 
 islatures adopted th.e Massachusetts amendment. 
 
 Complaints had been made for some time against tho 
 judges of the Supreme Court, for taking illegal fees, 
 whicli were made the subject of enquiry in the latter part 
 of the session. The matter was referred to a committee 
 of three, to report the facts; and afterwards, a change 
 was made in the committee, with the addition of such a 
 delegation from the council. As the council were the 
 proper board for trying cases of impeachment, which 
 would be the case if the respondents were found guilty 
 before aboard of enquiry, they refused to join. Several 
 reports were made; the last of which, stated that the fees 
 were taken agreeable to the fee bill. This report was 
 read and accepted, so far as related to the facts stated 
 therein ; but not as to the opinion given of the legality of 
 the proceedings. The house adjourned the same day, 
 and left the matter in a state of indecision, to conjecture, 
 doubt or belief, as best agreed with their own desires or 
 Bystem of politics. To leave busines of such consequence 
 in this dubious situation, was not proceeding very res- 
 pectfully towards the judges, prudently with regard to the 
 people, and honorably in respect to themselves. 
 
 Danville was selected for the seat of government in 
 1395. The usual business which would engage the at- 
 tention of the assembly, related to the internal affairs, 
 the appointment of state and county officers, necessary 
 improvements of the laws, and whatever business by le- 
 gislative enactments, could enhance the general interest 
 of agriculture, manufactures, and the public peace, were 
 noticed in the Governor's communication to the legisla- 
 4ive body. The custom of the preceeding legislatures, 
 
156 HISTORY OF VERMONT, 
 
 respecting an answer to the Governor's speech, was pur- 
 sued at this session of the at^sembly. A concise and res- 
 pectful communication was addressed to the chair, written 
 without ostentation or a design of securing party emolu- 
 ments and favor. The judges could not properly be elec- 
 ted until the complaints of their alledged corruption in 
 taking illegal fees were removed. A resolution was 
 therefore introduced, referring the matter to the commit- 
 tee of unfinished business, and empowering them to send 
 for persons, papers and records, and to use proper means 
 to enable thorn to report all the facts, that the house may 
 form a correct decision on a sul ject so important to the 
 honor and dignity of the state, and the persons implicated 
 tlierein. The committee reportefl, that it had been the 
 practice of the judges, to take the fees complained of, and 
 numerous cases and actions that were mentioned. At^ter 
 reflecting upon the subject, the committee of the whole 
 agreed to recommend to the house, to adopt the following 
 resolution :— that the judges had conducted honestly, and, 
 therefore, by law made the judges, of what is a reasonable 
 and fair construction of the fee bill, and therefore, no fur- 
 ther order ought to be taken relative to the said judges ta- 
 king of fees, as aforesaid. The report was accepted by 
 the house, with 100 in the affirmative and 82 in the nega- 
 tive. 
 
 The controversy thus terminated in favor of the hones? 
 ty and propriety of the practice which the judges had pur- 
 sued in taking fees, *" Candor,lherefore should not com- 
 plain that the committee were inclined to believe that 
 they were taken with upright views. But the reason 
 which they assigned for the justification, that they were 
 by law made the judges of what is a reasonable and fair 
 construction of the bill, had more of the appearance of the 
 subtle and evasive distinctions of the schools and Jesuits, 
 than that of the language or decision of statesmen or 
 men of business." 
 
 Proposals from Kentucky and North Carolina, for a- 
 mpnding the constitution of the United States, were laid 
 before the legislature. That from North Carolina was 
 designed to prohibit the importation of slaves into the Uni- 
 ted States. The proppsal was agreed to by Massachu- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 157 
 
 setts, and unanimously adopted by the assembly of Ver- 
 mont. The amendment proposed by Kentucky was de- 
 signed to confine the judiciary power of tlie United States' 
 tourttj! to cases of law and equity arising under the consti- 
 tution and lawii of the Union and treaties which are or 
 shall be made under their authorify, and all matters afl'ecling 
 ambassadors or other public <ngcnts, cases of maritime 
 jurisdiction, and controversies in which one or more 
 states or tlie United States are a party. Pennsylvania 
 had concurred in the resolution. Vermont, however, with 
 much wisdon), thought it not proper to venture so materi- 
 al a change in the original compact. The subject was 
 dcfered for consideration to the next session of the legisla- 
 ture. The northern boundary of the state becan:e a sub- 
 ject for enquiry at this session of the legislature. V>y one 
 of the acts of this body, the governor was empowered 
 and requested to have the latitude of the north line of the 
 state ascertained by proper observations on the bank of 
 Connecticut river and lake Memphremagog. The future 
 sesit of the legislature, after the year 1808, was also fxed, 
 by a law, at JNIontpelier. Tbe proceedings of the legisla- 
 ture at this session discovered more moderation and wis- 
 dom than had appeared for several years before ; and 
 whether it arose from the absence of some former vio- 
 lent members, or to more sagacity and prudence than u- 
 sual, or to the termination of disputable subjects, cannot 
 be determined. 
 
 The legislature met this year (180G) at Middlebnry. — 
 IMr. I'ichenor was again re-elected, by a considerable ma- 
 jority, although uncommon exertions had been employed 
 to remove him tVom his office, and his opposers seem to 
 have been confident of success. The disappointment of 
 his opposers, constituting a majority of the legislature, 
 appeared to cause much vexation, wben they found that 
 the votes of the people were still in his favor. They de- 
 clared these seutiments, in their answer to the governor's 
 speech. " We shall endeavor to avail ourselves of the 
 advantages, by your excellency pointed out, to promote 
 harmony in our councils, as far as is consistent with that 
 spirit of enquiry which constitutes the basis of a republi- 
 can government, iiulwe cannot trv to avoid those changes 
 
 14 
 
158 HISTORY OF VERxMONT. 
 
 which arc conformable to our conslitvition." The atten- 
 tion of the legislature was directed to the subject of tho 
 lands which belonged to Vermont, as ascertained by a re- 
 cent observation of the latitude on the north line of tho 
 state, but which lay within the reputed bounds of Canada, 
 It vexed them exceedingly that the result of the enqui- 
 ry sliould favor the exertions and judgment of t!ie govern- 
 or, and tend to increase his influence and reputation. In 
 order therefore to counteract every prospect of this kind, 
 their zeal and folly proceeded so far as to give a political 
 direction to a mathematical line. The remonstrants sta- 
 ted, as a formidable objection to the establishment of the 
 northern boundary line of this state,made under the direc- 
 tion of the legislature of Vermont, that it can be legally 
 accomplished only through the medium of the national 
 government, and that it might so affect the interests of 
 the state of New- York as to require her co-operation. — 
 ^'Whether we would urge the enlargement of this state, at 
 the risk of lessening the state of New-York, and perha|)3 
 of the United States, by transfering several settlements on 
 the river St. Lawrence, is a question of the highest impor- 
 tance.'' No question could be made in theory or in fact, 
 but only in the imagination of some intriguing politician, 
 that could possibly concern the rights or privileges of 
 New-York. Amidst such a spirit of intolerance, it was 
 considered unreasonable for the federalists to complain, 
 and an evidence of weakness in them to expect any civil 
 appointments, Tiie utmost that the assembly professed 
 was to let those remain unmolested who were in their pow- 
 (>r and to protect those who exercise an honest diversity of 
 opinion on speculative subjects. 
 
 The Kentucky resolutions, which were refered from the 
 last session of the legislature, were now taken up with no 
 tearfulness of apprehension, but with an increased desire 
 that the federal constitution might be weakened in the 
 name of liberty, and their own powers augmented under 
 the appearance of joining a sister state in th« cause of free- 
 dom. In a committee of the whole, the house adopted the 
 Kentucky resolutions, by a vote of 148 in an affirmative, 
 ?ind 34 in the negative. 
 
 A motion was made and agreed to without opposition, to 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 159 
 
 muke an address to the President oftlje United States. — 
 This address was designed not merely for a complimenta- 
 ry article, but as a matter of interest and policy. In the 
 opinion of many, Mr. Jeflerson was, from his intimations, 
 nbout to decline a re-election and retire to private life. — 
 A large majority of the assembly desired to assure him 
 that they highly approved of his public services, and 
 should afford him their cordial support. These assuran- 
 ces and sentiments were expressed in their communicated 
 uddress. " We venture to hope that the insinuation is un- 
 authorized, and to express a wish that, in tlie full posses- 
 sion of faculty and talent, you will not refuse the citizens 
 the benefits arising from long experience, and deprive 
 them of a full opportunity of exercising their choice and 
 judgment in selecting their President from the whole num- 
 ber of the people*'' 
 
 Tiie subject of banks, which had for several years been 
 discussed in the legislature, was now urged upon their at- 
 tention witli zeal and warmth, by petitions of tliatkind from 
 many of tlie most respectable towns in the state. Insti- 
 tutions of this kind were probably desired by a majority of 
 the members, but their views were so local and io 
 much in favor of those particular places, where they ex- 
 pected to be benefitted, that it was found impossible to en- 
 ter upon an agreement at what towns they should be es- 
 tablished. A state bank, with the profits accruing to the 
 fetate, was the only institution of the kind on which their 
 minds would meet. Having made several trials, the le- 
 Ijislature fixed on two respectable towns, Middlebury and 
 Woodstock. In the former of these, a branch, and in the lat- 
 ter, the parent bank was founded. These banking institu- 
 tions, with two branches at Burlington and Westminster, 
 have run down with great loss to the state, which shows 
 conclusively that legislative authority and influence in 
 the direction of such establishments are not consistent 
 with confidence, property and safety of individuals or the 
 public. 
 
 In 1807 the general assembly of the state convened at 
 Woodstock. The republican party had succeeded in el- 
 evating Israel Smith, the competitor of Governor Tichen- 
 OTf to the gubernatorial chair. He was a great admirer 
 
160 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 of the principles and proceedings of the French revolu- 
 tion, and therefore expectationi? were very high that ho 
 would be very strongly devoted to the republican party. 
 In his address to the legislature, reflections of party ex- 
 citement were not expressed ; hut a degree of manly sen- 
 timent and useful suggestions were exhibited in the pro- 
 duction. The attention of the legislature was particular- 
 ly directed to a variation in the mode of punishment by 
 the criminal code of Vermont; suggesting at the same 
 time, that a substitution of confinement to hard labor, in- 
 stead of corporeal punishment, was very desirable, as it re- 
 spected the influence of the example and the conforma- 
 tion of the culprit to habits of useful industry. '' By sub- 
 stituting the punishment proposed, the government may 
 Dot only prevent the expense to which other modes. of 
 correction mu=st be subject, but may make it a source of 
 revenue to the state.'' The committee appointed for that 
 purpose, reported an answer to the governor's speech, 
 which was accepted by the house. This communication 
 carried in its style evidence of transported feelings. Ex- 
 ertions wliich i\ad long been displayed by the republicans, 
 to remove the former governor from office, were now tri- 
 umphant; and their congratulations upon the occasion as- 
 sumed the tone of flattery. 
 
 Tlie long services of Mr. Smith In the cause of hits 
 country, and the confidence which existed between the 
 preseut executive of the state and thatof the United States 
 were enumerated among those qualifications which ren- 
 dered him highly acceptable to the people of Vermont.— 
 Topics of law suggested by the governor, as necessary to 
 be adopted or improved, they declared worthy of receiv- 
 ing that careful attention which the nature,importance and 
 respect due to the governor's recoinmendatioa demanded, 
 and in the language of the answer, "We most cordially 
 reciprocate the sentiments of your excolleiicy, that ihero 
 are at the present day such degrees of ligiit and informa- 
 tion diffused among the people, in relation to the science 
 of government, asvvill defeat if not totally prevent all fu- 
 ture attempts upon their supposed ignorance and credulity*' 
 
 In June, 1807, the attack of the British ship Leopard 
 upon the frigate Chesapeake, while coasting upon tho 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 161 
 
 scores of the United States, and unsuspicious of danger, 
 concentrated upon the British nation the whole weight of 
 popular indignation. The American vessel being unpre- 
 j)ared for action, struck her colors, and was then boarded 
 by a detachment from the Leopard, when three of her men 
 were killed, eighteen wounded, and four carried away un- 
 der pretence that they were British deserters. The fire of 
 the assailants was opened upon the Americans at a time 
 when there was not the least suspicion of danger, and was 
 continued for thirty minutes. Commodore Barron obser- 
 ved that he considered the Chesapeake a prize to the 
 Leopard. The reply of the officer was, that he had obey- 
 ed his directions in seizing the men, and wanted nothing 
 more of the vessel. On an investigation of the subject, 
 it was ascertained that three of them were citizens of tlie 
 United States, who had b^en impressed into the British 
 service and afterwards made an escape. 
 
 This insolent attack upon a national ship — this wanton 
 exercise of power, derogatory to national honor, aroused 
 the spirit of the republic. The rancor of party spirit, 
 which had so long embittered all the intercourse of social 
 life, was extinguished in the desire for avenging the inju- 
 ry. All concurred in declaring their determination to sup- 
 port the government of their country in its efforts, wheth- 
 er by treaty or war, to obtain satisfaction fur this insulting 
 outrage. The president issued a proclamation prohibiting 
 all British ships of war from continuing or entering with- 
 in the harbors or w^aters of the United States. Instruc- 
 tions were sent to Mr. Monroe, the American minister at 
 London, to demand reparation for the injury, and securi- 
 ty against any future aggression. A special session of 
 Congress was summoned to determine what further mear- 
 ures should be taken. The act of the otlicer was peremp- 
 torily disavowed by the British government; but, delay- 
 ing to adjust the difiiculty, and refusing to adopt adequate 
 measures to prevent the continuance of aggression, the 
 feelings of hostility, which had somewhat abated, wc»r« 
 now aroused and inflamed. 
 
 The assembly of Averment, co-o{)erating in their views 
 with the general sentiment of the American people, adop- 
 ted a resolution, with but one dissenting vote, stating that 
 14* 
 
16^ HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 they viewed with indignation and abhorrence the unjusL- 
 fiable conduct of the British cruisere?, in the impre^smei.'i 
 and murder of American citizens, and tUe phjnder of their 
 property upon the high seas and even in tlie very entrance 
 of tlie harbors, and more especially in the late iio:^tile at-- 
 tack made upon the American frigate Chesapeake by tlie 
 British ship Leopard. They resolved, that "at this aw- 
 ful crisis, when our national honor and independence are 
 insulted by a nation with whom we, forgetful of forn)crir.- 
 jurics, have not only endeavored to cultivate hartnony^ 
 by preserving a strict and perfect neutrality, but to concil- 
 iate their friendship by every act of benevolence, Immani- 
 ty and assistance compatible with the justice due to our- 
 selves and others ; it is a duty of every American to ral- 
 ly around tlie constituted authorities of his country and to 
 support tlvem with his life and fortune, in resisting any en- 
 rroachmei>ts on our national and individual rights by any 
 foreign power wlKit-sver ; and in procuring redress tor the 
 many injuries we have sustained, and which ouv patient 
 and friendly forbearance has sutfered too long, injiirics 
 committed in a manner unusually barbarous, and calcu- 
 lated to fix an indelible stigma/' And further, that tho 
 measures adopted by the president of the United States o;j 
 this trying occasion merited their highest approbation, 
 and that tl>e most implicit confidence was placed in his 
 wisdom, integrity and ability in directing the energies oi 
 the government so as to preserve the honor of the nation 
 free from reproach and individual liberties secure from vi- 
 olation; and they further declared, that, feailess of the 
 dangers to which they were exposed as a frontier state, 
 iliey should ever be ready to obey the calls of the country, 
 whene\er it shall be necessary, either for tlie purposes of 
 redress or vengeance. A copy of these resolutions wa» 
 transmitted to the president of the United States. 
 
 A law, establishing a stale penitentiary, was passed, and 
 a tux of one cent per acre was granted for carrying the 
 aforesaid act into elfect. No enactment of the legislature, 
 on the subject of punishment tor crimes, ever had so salu- 
 tary and useful a tendency as imprisonment and hard labor 
 for certain periods of time. Punishment by whipping, 
 cropping and branding, a relic of feudal barbarism, bus 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 103 
 
 been abolished since the establishment of the state's pris- 
 on. The usual business of appointing civil officers and 
 passing several acts of a public and private nature, waa 
 accomplished with an unusual degree of harmony and qui- 
 efness. A very unpleasant circumstance to the public, 
 and unfortunate for the individual, occurred. It was tho 
 rase of Mr. Spencer, a member of the legislature, from 
 Rutland. He was a gentleman of high standing as a law- 
 yer and former speaker of the house of representatives ; 
 but was by a committee appointed-for the purpose of in- 
 vestigating certain charges of a highly dishonorable char^ 
 ac.ter, prefered against him, found guilty of feloniously ta- 
 king ninety-three dollars in bank bills, the property of 
 Messrs. Oliver Gallup, William B. Mar«h, and James 
 ilerrington, all members of the present session. A reso- 
 lution, together with the minutes of the evidence, was tak- 
 en before the house, wlien tiie questioij was tried by the 
 votes, and he was unanimously expelled from his scat ia 
 the legislature. 
 
 CHAPTER Vlf. 
 
 A review of the legislative proceedings from the year ISO^ 
 to 1S15. — Embar^'j laid by Congress upon the vcsseU 
 of the United States. — Disturbances under that law in 
 1S08. — Flood in My, 1811. — John Henry- s mission. — 
 United States declaration of war against Great-Brit- 
 cin, June IBM, 1812. — Riutous proceedings at Georgia. 
 — Correspondence between Governor Chittenden, James 
 Monroe, Generals Strong, Newell and Macomb. — Hart' 
 ford Convention. 
 
 When Bonaparte announced his design of enforrin^ 
 with rigor the Berlin decree, and the British government 
 solemnly asserted the right of search and impressment, the 
 President of the United States recommended to Congress 
 tlie detention of tlie American seamen, ships and merchan- 
 dise in port, to preserve them from the danger of cruisers, 
 which was effected by the restrictions of an indefnile em- 
 
164 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 bargo. This was designed to coerce the belligerant pow- 
 ers to return to the obfe-ervance of the laws of nations, bjr 
 withholding from them the advantages of the American 
 trade. Within a few days, information was received that 
 neutrals, comprising almost every maritime nation of Eu- 
 rope, were compelled to pay tribute if they traded with 
 France or her allies. This was immediately succeeded 
 by the Milan decree, declaring that every neutral vessel 
 vhich submitted to the British restrictions, should^be con- 
 fiscated ifthey were afterwards found in their ports, or ta- 
 ken by the French cruisers. Thus, orders and decrees 
 were in existence at the time of the embargo, subjecting 
 to capture almost every vessel sailing on the ocean. — 
 The highly prosperous commerce of New-England was 
 by these regulations almost annihilated. The federalists, 
 ' bearing a greater proportion here to the whole population 
 than in other parts of the Union, pronounced the regula- 
 tion burthensome and unwise. These representations and 
 the sufferings which the people endured, changed public 
 Bcntimeut so rapidly that a majority were soon opposed 
 to the measures of the government. 
 
 In March, 1S09, the non-intercourse act, prohibiting all 
 intercourse with France or Great-Britain during one year, 
 was substituted by Congress tor the embargo. For the 
 purpose of retaliation, the Rambouillet decree of Bona- 
 parte, authorising the seizure afid cr.iiiscation ot American 
 vessels,, excepting those charged with despatches to the 
 government, was issued. The non-intercourse law expir- 
 ed in May, 1810, and government made proposals to both 
 belligerant powers, that if either would revoke its hostila 
 edicts, this law should only be revived and enforced against 
 the other nation. It had ever been the American policy 
 to observe a perfect impartiality tov.-ards each bellignrant, 
 in concluding and managing the alfairs of national inter- 
 course. The authorities of France informed the Ameri- 
 can officer, Mr. Armstrong, that the Berlin and .Milan de- 
 crees were revoked in August, and this revocation would 
 take effect on the first day of November ensuing. Trust- 
 ing to this assurance, a proclamation was issued Novem- 
 ber 2d prohibiting all intercourse with Great-Britain, and 
 allowins: an unrestrained commerco with France. Great- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 165 
 
 Britain was called upon by the American envoy to fulfil 
 her promise in revoking her orders, as the government of 
 France had repealed their decrees. She objected to the 
 validity of the transaction, as a letter from the minister of 
 State was not a document of sutticient authority, for that 
 purpose. This objection was refuted by proof derived 
 from the French admiralty courts, that they considered 
 them repealed, and that the American vessels having en- 
 tered the ports of France, had not been subject to these 
 prohibitions. Notwithstanding these proceedings, Grer.t- 
 Britain still persisted to enforce her orders. She estab- 
 lished a kind of a blockading system, throughout the prin- 
 cipal harbors of the United States. A^esseFs departing or 
 returning, were boarded and searched, and some of them 
 sent to British ports, as legal prizes. The Americans 
 suffered greatly from these incursions. Their seamen 
 were impressed, their vessels captured, and their property 
 confiscated. No assurances were given by the govern- 
 ment, that a satisfactory arrangement, on- the subject of 
 iujpressment, or the repeal of the orders in council, would 
 be made. But these orders, on the contrary, continued 
 to be enforced with rigor, and on tlie restoration of frea 
 commerce with France, a great nundjer of American 
 vessels, with valuable cargoes, destined to her ports, fell 
 into the hands of the English cruisers. The situfjtion of 
 business was such, that the United States suffered the evils, 
 while Great-Britain reaped the benefits of the war. Nine 
 hundred American vessels had been taken by the English, 
 since 1803. 
 
 After enduring such evils to the last extremity of pa- 
 tience and forbearance, Congress was called together, on 
 the first of November, 181 J. The situation of fXireign af- 
 fairs was laid before them, and it was recommended by 
 the President that the republic should be placed in the at- 
 titude of defence. And the people expressed, bv their 
 representatives, their general wishes, in accordance with 
 the views of the President. 
 
 1808. This year the legislature convened at Montpc- 
 lier, the new capital of the state, which had two years 
 previously been established, by an act of the legislature, 
 as t!ie permanent seat of government. Mr. Tirbenor wg* 
 
166 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 electee in opposition to the incumbent for the last year. -^ 
 His communication to the legislative body delineated upon 
 matters of public interest as candidly as could be expected 
 in such violent party times. Still, his views of the policy 
 adopted by the general government evinced a direct oppo- 
 sition to tlie leading measures of the administration. — 
 *• While (says he) we regret the stain upon the character 
 of a respectable class of our citizens, who have violated 
 the law of the general government, suspending our con> 
 merce by an embargo without limitation, we sincerely re- 
 gret that the law was not accompanied with that evidence 
 of national necessity or utility which at once would have 
 commanded obedience and respect.-' There was not at 
 this crisis of our national affairs, according to the govern- 
 or's observations, a fitness in the restrictive system. Ac- 
 cording to the answer of the house, as given in the reply, 
 a, majority were in favor of the measures of the ad- 
 ministration and strongly incensed against the alledged 
 cruelties and Oppressions of the British nation. The sub- 
 jects of the Ainorican government, though desirous of re- 
 maining neutral, were exposed to inconveniences and af- 
 flictive losses during the contest between Great-Britain 
 and France, l^njoying an extensive conr.nerce, a» tho 
 carriers of the produce of France and other countries, they 
 felt the ill eltects of the clashing decrees of the belliger- 
 ent powers. '• We cannot (they observe) but consider 
 (he law alluded to as necessary ; yet we feel a dignified 
 pleasure that this, the only practicable measure which 
 could have averted the danger and horrors of war with one 
 or more of the contending nations of Europe, has been pa- 
 tiently submitted to by every well informed and well dis- 
 posed citizen of the nation." The committee to' whom 
 the foreign affairs were referred, entered into all the feel- 
 ings of the president. Having commented upon the right 
 of the United States to the use of the ocean " for the pur- 
 pose of transporting in their own vessels the produce of 
 their own soil and acquisitions of their industry to a mar- 
 ket in the ports of friendly nations, it was then alledged 
 that the people could not remain passive under the accu- 
 mulated injuries inflicted by Great-Britain. As an im- 
 proper seizure of their ships and seamen was mude, it was 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 167 
 
 proper that the States should be put in the attitude of dcr, 
 fence demanded by the crisis, and agreeing with the na- 
 tional spirit and expectations, measures for increasing the 
 national force, though opposed by some, were sanctioned 
 by the majority. 
 
 A transaction of a very fearful and alarming character 
 ensued upon Onion river, between the party cruising up- 
 on the lake and river, under the employ of the federal 
 government, for the purpose of suppressing the violations 
 of trade and intercourse between the Anjcrican and Brit- 
 ish governments, and a smuggling vessel, called the 
 }31ack Snake. During the contest, two men were killed 
 by the smugglers, whereupon these aggressors were ar- 
 rested, and a special session of the court was holden at 
 Burlington, for their trial. Day, one of tlie party, was 
 discharged by the States' Attorney; another, by the name 
 of Dean, was executed, and the remainder were sentenced 
 to the state's prison. The perturbation and excitement 
 raised among the people, by this transaction, checked 
 for a time the illicit trade between this state and the British 
 provinces. 
 
 1809. Mr. Galusha, one of the former judges of the 
 Supreme Court of Vermont, was chosen governor of the 
 state. His election was supported by the republican par- 
 ty, which had managed so adroitly as to secure a majority 
 over the old governor, who for years had served the state 
 with fidelity and applause. The passions incident to the 
 feelings of the parties discovered themselves in the public 
 transactions and private intercourse of the people — crimr 
 inations were thrown upon one another — French and Brit- 
 ish influence were the imputed errors of partizan zeal. 
 
 The Governor's message to the assembly evinced sen- 
 timents of decision upon the subject of our foreign rela- 
 tions with two of the most powerful nations of Europe, 
 who, regardless of neutral rights and the laws of nations, 
 have interdicted the commerce of the United States by 
 embarrassing it with exactions hitherto unheard of, which 
 if submitted to by the general government, would lead to 
 the surrender of our nautical rights, and virtually the in- 
 dependence of the country. Although measures had been 
 pursued to remove the embarrassnjents, without resorthig 
 
18S HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 to arms, says the communication, yet they proved unavail- 
 ing. "With tiiese views, the adoption of such measures 
 as will liave the most direct tendency to conciliate the 
 a-ffections of'the people, and unite them in their great na- 
 tional interest, cannot be too strongly reconunended. But 
 while it is recommended to you cheerfully to submit, and 
 as a member of the Union, to carry into elfect such meas- 
 ures as have been or may be adopted by the United States 
 for the preservation of our national riglits, at the same 
 time it becomes }ou, as the guardians of those rights and 
 powers that are not delegated by the constitution of the 
 United States, but are reserved to the respective states, 
 or the people, to observe and defend their proper use and 
 continuance." The attention of the legislature was also 
 directed to make such further regulations and provisions 
 as were necessary for arming and disciplining the mili- 
 tia in case of their services being wanted in times of dan- 
 «;er. The sentiments of a majority of the legislature were, 
 from the style of their answer, exactly similar to those 
 presented in the speech of the Governor. The foMowing 
 paragraph will exhibit the strife of feeling which was cul- 
 tivated by the party. "We have seen with just alarm 
 that Sj)irit of discord which has prevailed, weakening the 
 bonds of the general government, and rendering abortive 
 salutary measures by them adopted, to. maintain our com- 
 mercial riglits, and our national honor and independence; 
 but this alarm is greatly diminished by the marks of re- 
 turning patriotism and a renewed attachment to the inter- 
 est and happiness of our country and to the administration 
 of our general government; and we hope ere long to re- 
 alize that union of sentiment among the citizens of this 
 State and the United States, with regard to our political 
 interest, which will awe the powers of Europe into a prac- 
 tical sense of national justice, and prove the surest palla- 
 dium of our liberties and independence." As a literary 
 production it is very inelegant and absurd, and the senti- 
 ments egotistic and inflated. 
 
 Those in power congratulated themselves and the citi- 
 zens of the state upon a happy and prosperous situation of 
 nftairs, so long as they continued in office, und reproba- 
 ted the practices o[ those previously in power. This an- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. i€9 
 
 swer were a general response to arguments advanced in 
 the speech. 
 
 A committee, appointed for the purpose of addressin^r 
 Mr. Madison, furnished a communication replete with 
 matters of complaint, against the proceedinirs and com- 
 mercial aggression oftiie European powers. "^The vivily- 
 ing touch of republican resentment, arrayed in all the hor- 
 rors i,f inhuman vongcance, was detailed in the relation 
 they gave of the European blockades, and unlawful viola- 
 tions and restrictions of the American commerce. As 
 the spirit of the times can best be learned from the acts 
 and declarations of legi-^lative bodies, iio declaration could 
 better answer for a description of their feelings, than the 
 following: "The people of Vermont, thouiri, mostly 
 devoted to agricultural pursuits, have, during the late and 
 present embarrassments, felt an uncommon interest with 
 ijer sister States, and have long and anxiously waited in 
 hopes that a strict and impartial neutrality maintained by 
 the general government towards all nations, the just and 
 reasonable oiiers of accommodation it has repeatedly 
 made, would have before this brought the offending na- 
 tions to a sense of justice, and created a disposition io 
 rei^tore to us the peaceable enjoyment of our national 
 rignt^; but in this they have been disappointed, and with 
 extreme concern behold the most friendly, just and pacific 
 overtures treated with silent contempt by one nation, and 
 by another met with what is still worse, fruitless and de- 
 lusive propositions and arrangements, calculated solely to 
 weaken the bonds of government, and to defeat those wise 
 precautionary means adopted to obtain a redress of our 
 wrongs." In consequence of the Americiin embargo, laid 
 in pursuance of the restrictive system of France and Eng- 
 land, adopted in lS0{2;,7nnd8, the coiTiiwrce of Vermont 
 had diminished very mudi. The Canada trade, formerly 
 very lucrative, was at this time kept up only by tlie illici't 
 transactions of smugglers. The embargo withholding the 
 merchant from a career in which he imagined that he 
 might still be favored of fortune, occasioned discontent 
 and clamor. In the New-England States, except Ver- 
 mont, a majority became federalists, and opposed all the 
 measures of the government. 
 
 15 
 
170 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 A proposition from the legislature of Virginia, for a- 
 mending the constitution of the United States, was brought 
 forward for the consideration of the legislature. The de- 
 sign of the resolution was to have the law so altered that 
 Senators in Congress might be removed from office by a 
 majority of the whole members of the respective stale 
 legislatures,by which they have been or may be appointed. 
 But the suggested amendment was regarded by a majority 
 of the house as an unwise encroachment upon the consti- 
 tution, which ought to be preserved inviolate, without 
 some more palpable reason than the present was urged in 
 favor of an alteration. 
 
 The election of the chief magistrate for the State termi^ 
 nated in ISlOin favor of the governor for the past year, 
 and all the officers chosen by the general ticket were of 
 the republican party. The critical attitude which the fed- 
 eral government bore in relation the the powers of Europe, 
 appeared at this time to furnish the principal grounds of 
 difference between the two political parties of the govern- 
 ment. After noticing the unjust restrictions of some of 
 the European sovereigns, governor Galusha observed "that 
 these rival powers had determined on the destruction of 
 e&ch other, and each, unable to encounter his opponent 
 with success, have employed a mode of warfare substan- 
 tially affecting all neutral rights, and every commercial 
 state hcvs experienced the cruel effect of this unrighteous 
 policy, All the nations of Europe have, by flattery or the 
 sword, been obliged to take part with one or the other of 
 these powers in their warfare." The utmost stretch of 
 power was also alleged to have been exerted by France 
 and England to draw the United States from their neutral 
 position ; yet the v/isdom of Congress had resisted their 
 temptations and eluded their strength. And farther, that 
 if every American was sufficiently barred against foreign 
 influence and attached to his own government, the strength 
 of Europe might be set at defiance. But notwithstanding 
 the aggressions from abroad, and dissensions at home, 
 the civil and religious liberties of this country, bestowed 
 by heaven and guaranteed by a republican government,re-- 
 main unimpaired. The subject of education, which had 
 often received the attention and patronage of the legisla- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMOxNT. 171 
 
 ture, was finally declared to be the great suppressor of 
 vice aad hand-maid of virtue, and the grand pillar of our 
 Independence. 
 
 The answer to the governor's speech was composed in a 
 style rather conciliatory for the zeal of the times. " After 
 buffeting the storms of faction and discontent, we have ar- 
 rived at a period distinguished by such evident traces of 
 patriotism, as almost precludes the idea that we are or can 
 be a divided peojile.'^ It had been the business of the le- 
 gislature, ever since the first organization of the govern- 
 ment, to sustain petitions for new trisils, for the liberation 
 of poor debtors from imprisonment, and re-judging cases 
 which had received a final trial belbre the highest judi- 
 cial tribunal in the state. Such an exercise of power over 
 the judgments and opinions of the supreme court, was, in 
 the minds of the more intelligent part of the legislative 
 body, considered unconstitutional, and a direct violation of 
 its- privileges ; a union of two distinct powers in one 
 branch of government, which v/ere in the most expressive 
 language of that instrument, declared to be separate and 
 distinct. 
 
 Proceedings of this character destroyed the confidence 
 of the people in the courts, which, together with their an- 
 nual appointments, rendered them, so far as human nature 
 is swayed by motives which tend to their own preservation 
 and power, subservient to the will and management of the 
 legislative body. Numerous suspensions for poor debt- 
 ors, treeing their bodies from arrest and imprisonment 
 for a certain number of years, were annually granted by 
 the general assembly. This stretch of power favored so 
 strongly the wild misrule of despotism that the practico 
 was but slightly followed for a number of years anterior 
 to its final disuse. The Su{)reme Court have decided, 
 in several cases, that the bonds were valid and collcctiblo 
 of the bail, where the principal had been authorised, by au 
 act of suspension from the legislature, to leave the liber- 
 tiesof the jail. The acts granting such suspensions were 
 declared unconstitutional and all proceedings had under 
 them void. 
 
 The bills of the Vermont state bank were, by an act of 
 the state, made a lawful tender in payment of all land tax- 
 
172 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 es granted at that session of tli« legislature. Keiituckj 
 siil):5eqiiently undertook to validate their state bills and 
 make them a tender in discharge of any contract entered 
 into by the citizens of that state. But measures of this 
 kind directly contradicted that part of the federal consti- 
 tution which declares that no state shall " make any thing 
 htit gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts. — 
 Whatever pecuniary embarrassments were intended to be 
 removed by such legislative enactments, ruin has ensu- 
 ed wherever the experiment has been attempted. Bank 
 bills, as a representiitive of wealth, are of no more value 
 than bo much weight in paper rags, if no funds arc depos- 
 ited for their redemption. 
 
 Mr. Israel Smith, the fourth governor of Vermont, died 
 lit Rutland the present year. He settled in Vermont at an 
 early period, in the piactice of law, and soon rose to dis- 
 tinction in his profession and usefulness in the public af- 
 fairs of the state. 
 
 In 1797 he was elected Chief Justice of .tl^e Supremo 
 Court of Vermont, and afterwards was successively cho- 
 pen a member of the liouse of representatives and the sen- 
 ate in the Congress of the United States; and finally ele- 
 vated to t'ne highest office in the gift of the people. Con- 
 cerning his character it may justly be said, that he vvss a 
 man of the purest morals, stern integrity, undeviating jus- 
 tice, and discharged the duty of his public appoint- 
 ments with honor to himself and advantage to the public. 
 ISll. This year was distinguished for a very remark- 
 able fall of rain on tlie 22d of July. So large a quantity 
 had never been known to descend at one time since the 
 settlement of the state, as there did at this period. From 
 twelve to fifteen inches was the estimated quantify that 
 foil upon a level. The wind blew in a direction from the 
 south-west to the north east, bringing with it a darkened 
 envelope of clouds. Commencing at lake (leorge and ex- 
 tending to Connecticut river, every rivulet and stream wau 
 swollen to full banks, with foaming cataracts of woter : 
 mills, bridges, fences, and in many instances houses and 
 barns, were swept in tlie vortex and embosomed in tbe 
 wide waste of water. Scarcely a mill or machine propel- 
 led by water remained within the limits of thisdevastatirjg 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. ITS 
 
 «torm. The internal lantls bordering upon tlic rivers ond 
 streams were in many places cut up and the soil carried 
 away to the depth of several feti, and in other places flood- 
 wood, trees, rocks and sand buried the surface of the soil 
 many feet below. So complete a work of destruction can 
 be but imperfectly described. Some lives were lost, :ind 
 others had but a hair's breadth escape from a w alcry grave. 
 Twenty-two towns, embracing thewlioie width of the state, 
 from Fair-llaven, Castleton and Poullney to liartland, 
 Hartford and Windsor,experienced the exterminating rav- 
 ages of the flood ; but its violence was the most &evcre 
 on the west side of the mountain. Appearances of its des- 
 olating force are visible to this day. Where the smooth 
 lawn skirted along the meandering ri\er a barren surface 
 of pebbles only remains, ^i liC legislature assembled in 
 the fall of this year, and the executive power was again 
 placed in the hands of Mr. Galusha, who, after addressing 
 them upon those subjects which demanded their attention, 
 received the customary answer from the house. 
 
 A resolution, passed by the Congress of the United 
 Stales, proposing an amendment to the federal constitu- 
 tion, was brought before the house. The spirit of the 
 resolution accorded well with the feelings, habits, and 
 views of the hardy yeomanry of the green mountains. — 
 Unacquainted with the titles, honors and equipage of im- 
 perial courts, the republican occupant ofthe hard hills and 
 frosty mountains of Vermont spurned those distinctions of 
 rank unknown to his own republican institutions, 'i'ho 
 amendment enacted by Congress and concurred in by tjie 
 legislature of Vermont, was, that any citizen of the Uni- 
 ted States, who shall accept, claim, receive or retain any 
 title of nobility or honor, or shall, without the consent of 
 Congress, accept or retain any present pension ofljce or 
 eraolument from any sovereign or foreign power, such 
 person shall cease to be a citizen of the United States, 
 »ind shall be incapable of holding any office of profit or trust 
 under them or either of them. 
 
 The people of Vermont were this season very much af- 
 fiicted and alarmed on account of the prevalence ofthe 
 spotted fever, which had spread its ravages the two pre- 
 ceding years. The attacks and progress ofthe disease 
 15* 
 
174 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 were generally sudden. Chiklren would nwnUe in llW 
 niornii)g in a comatose and distressed stale, with a very 
 quick puisne, and in a tew hours die. Cases have frequent- 
 ly occurred of people possessing every ap[)earance of tha 
 most firm and athletic habits being pro-^trated by it in a fe%7 
 (lays, and soaietitnes in a few hours, without apparent syuip- 
 toms of dissolution. From weakness or abb( ration of intel- 
 lect, they were incapable of describing tiieir feelings and 
 comiBonly died in a state of stupidity. This disease has 
 noAT^ entirely disappeared. 
 
 ISI'2, Thisyt^ar was an eventful period in the history 
 of the American v:}late9. Faction and its concomitant cvil» 
 had diijordered ths union of society — war and its devasta- 
 ting consequences destroyed the subjects and resources of 
 the government — commerce was driven from the ocean, 
 and peace from the hallowed sanctuary of freedom. Rul- 
 ers were distrusted by the people, and the people in return 
 were charged with infidelity to the government. — S^ilence 
 was construed into disaliection and loyalty into oppression. 
 The very name of parties was enough to produce the ap- 
 pellation of an enemy. 
 
 Early in the year, John Henry, a former resident in Can- 
 ada, had passed through Vermont to Boston, as early as 
 1S09. lie stopped at Burlington and Windsor, to confer 
 with those citizens who were disatlected with the ijovern- 
 inent, upon tiu* subject of making a separation of the ?«^cw- 
 FiUgland Stales from the restot the Union, and llieir form- 
 ing a political connection with Great-Britain. lie exhib- 
 ited documents in support of his disclosures, which he wa* 
 led to make, by the neglect of his employers to reward 
 him for his services. It did not, however, appear that be 
 had succeeded in corru})ting the fidelity of any individual, 
 but the undertaking, in a titr.e of peace, and in the niidst of 
 the most devoted frie!)dship, not only continued in t\d\ 
 force, but extended the previous irritation. This failure 
 Henry atiributed entirely to the willingness Mr. Madison 
 liad manifested to accept tJie conciliating propositions of 
 Mr. Erskine, which deprived him of the opportunity of 
 'raising an opposition to the administration, on the repre- 
 sentation to them that he was engaged in the interest of 
 France. After the British government refused him a re- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 175 
 
 munerati-on for liis services, the authority of the United 
 States rewarded him for disclosing the ohject and pro- 
 ceedings of his miesion with the sunri of fifty t)lOUf^ar.(] 
 dollars, and sent him out in an American ship of war to 
 France. 
 
 In April 3u Congress laid an embargo for ninety days oa 
 nil the vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States. 
 Although the government continued to be engaged in ma- 
 king preparations tor war, a hope was still indulged that 
 some change of policy in Europe would render the com- 
 mencement of hostilities unnecessary. Despatches were 
 received from London at the same time, by the ship Hor- 
 net, containing llie information that no prospect existed of 
 a favorable change. The message of the president con- 
 tained these as the principal reasons for declaring war — 
 " the impressment ofAmerican seamen by the British — the 
 blockade of her enemiet-' ports, in consequence of which 
 the American commerce had been plundered in every sea, 
 and the British orders in council,*' which were subcnitted 
 to Congress, whether they would endure them any longer 
 or resort to arms. On the 1&A\ of June an act was passed 
 in the hou.-e of representatives, by a vote of 79 in the af- 
 firmative and -19 in the negative, and in the senate by a 
 majority of i9 to 13, declaring war againstCJreat-Britain. 
 A consideruLle portion of the citizens of the United States 
 were decidedly opposed to this measure. Exercisino^ the 
 undoubted rights of freemen, they exaniined with the se- 
 verest scrutiny the njeasures and motives of the govern- 
 ment. The war they asiserted to be unnecessary, partial 
 and unwise; that it was unnecessary, because in their oiin- 
 ion a s^itisfactory adjustment of all disputes might have 
 been elFected by farther negotiation ; that it was partial, be- 
 cause France had given g.-ater provocation, in propor- 
 tion to her means of annoyance, than (ireat-I3ritain ; that 
 it was unwise, because the nation was not prepared for 
 war ; and further, by declaring it against ahr.o^t the only 
 remaining enemy of France, the United States indirectly 
 but powerfully aided the Emperor ofFranre in his attrmpts 
 at the subjugation of the world ; and finally, the advanta- 
 ges sought to be obtained vould be more than counter- 
 balanced by the expense and sulieringfj of the nation.— 
 
176 . HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 Tlie bounds of temperate and candid discussion were ex- 
 ceeded by a virulence of invective which no government 
 should be the subject of that is not manifestly corrupt. 
 
 Soon after the declaration of war rendezvous for enlis- 
 ting soldiers were opened in Vermont, and a cantonmer.t 
 for the northern army was fixed at Burlington. The quota 
 of militia demanded by the president of the United States 
 were called upon to march by orders from the governor j 
 subject howe\ er to service only within the United States. 
 Nothing of importance transpired this year in the nrmj 
 within the territorial bounds of this state. 
 
 In Octol^er, 1S12, the legislature assembled at Mont- 
 pclier, and Mr. Galusha was again elected to preside over 
 the state. His zeal for supporting the administration of 
 tlie general government was very forcibly expressed in his 
 speech to the legislature. After representing the injuries 
 nnd injustice done to the federal government by the Brit- 
 ish nation, end their submission to the cruel edicts and 
 arbitrary power of that kingdom, he remarks : Although 
 fiome doubt the propriety of the measures adopted, yet war 
 being declared by the constituted authorities of our coun- 
 try, it ought no longer to remain a question of policy, but 
 it has become a duty of the state governments, and of 
 every individual, with promptitude to espouse the sacred 
 cause of cur injured country' — to second the nieasures of 
 our general government — provide for the defence and safe^ 
 ty of our citizens, and witli zeal pursue such measures as 
 will tend to procure an acknowledgment of our national 
 rights — a release of our impressed seamen — remo\e Iho 
 encroachments on the grand liighway of nations — put a 
 final period to (he calamities of war, and estaMish a per- 
 mQneal aud honorable peace. " Is it possible to conceive 
 tiiat any citizen, living under such a mild government, 
 can bo so destitute of a principle of patriotism, and so lost 
 to their own interest, as, through a fond passion for a for- 
 eign power, the violence of party zeal or a sordid spirit of 
 avarice, to betray tiie just cause of their suflering coun- 
 try, prolong the horrors of war, invoke the vengeance of 
 Heaven, and be guilty of the blood of thousands by devo- 
 ting their talents and yielding their support to a nation 
 whose pledged faith has been so often violated, and whoso 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 177 
 
 tencler mercies have by experience proved (o consist in 
 cruelty." Party resentment was wrouglit up to the high- 
 est pitch of irritation. They dcriounced eacli other as en- 
 emies to their common country, and under tl;e influence 
 and domination of foreign powers. 
 
 The answer to the governor's speech was kindled to d 
 blaze of resentment against the federal party, as the trans- 
 cribed sentiments plainly indicate. "Vv'e hope, when the 
 blir.ding influence of the present black eiectiGi.cerin^ 
 wl}irlwind shall have j;assed away, the returning good 
 sense and candor of a large portion of cur disappointed 
 citizens will lead them to see clearly, consider carefully 
 nnd pursue vigorously the great cause you have recom- 
 mended to oi;r attention." Ihe party in pcv/er entered so 
 engiigedly upon the measures of the general government 
 as to exceed the bounds of prudence in seme of their pro- 
 ceedings. 
 
 A niajority of the general assembly of Vermont, think- 
 ing that the difiiculties of the tim.es required their senti- 
 ments to be kI.o>^n among the otl.er states, adopted a res- 
 olution that the constituted authorities of our country hav- 
 ing declared war between the United States and Great- 
 Britain and her dependencies, it is our duly as citizens to 
 support the measure; otherwise we sl.ould identify our- 
 Belves with the enemy, with no other diflererce tl an that 
 of locality. " We therefore pledge ourselves to each 
 other and to our government, tliat with cur individual ex- 
 ertions, our exaniple and influence, we will support our 
 government and country in the present contest, and relj 
 on the great Arbiter ot events for a fa\orahIe result. — 
 This resolution was adopted by 128 in the .' fni mative and 
 79 in the negati\ e. Those mem.bers ^\ ho voted in the neg- 
 fitive drew up a protest and entered itu'pori the journals of 
 the house, with the following reasons lor their dissent: — 
 " Although we feel ourselves ur.der the most sacred obli- 
 gation to yield a prompt and faithful ol)cdience to every kw 
 of tlie general government and to support with our lives 
 all that is dear to freemen, tlie independence of our coun- 
 try, yet it is no less our duty as men and as gujirdians of 
 the public good, to express our decided disapprobation of 
 any law or measure of the government, vhich,cn a candid 
 
ITS HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 examincition an J due consideration, we are compelled to 
 believe impolitic and injurious to the public ; and by all 
 lawful means, we will endeavor to remove the evil by ef- 
 fecting a change in the measures of the administration or 
 by changing the administration itself. We verily believe 
 tiiat the resol'jhon is calculated to confirm, and establish a 
 doctrine incompatible with and subversive of the true 
 principle of a republican government, inasmuch as it as- 
 sumes the princijile that because "war is declared, we 
 are bound as citizens not only to yield prompt obedience 
 to all the requisitions of government, but alyo to use our 
 individ'Jal intluonce in support of its measures ; other- 
 wise we should identify ourselves with the enemy;'' — con- 
 ceiving it utterly impossible that in the fair, open and hon- 
 e:Lvt exercise of our duties as citizens-, we can consist- 
 ently use our infiuence in favor of a measure of which wo 
 ourselves disapprove.*' These dissenting members une- 
 quivocally expressed their disapprobation of the declara- 
 tion of war, by pronouncing it premature, inexpedient and 
 likefy to be extremely injurious to the people. Such were 
 the extreme points to which almost every act of the 
 legislature was pressed, that scarcely any quarter of the 
 Union discovered more zeal and preparation for carrying 
 forward the measures of the general government. By one 
 act all the intercourse between the citizens of this state 
 and the province of Lower Canada was prohibited, with- 
 out a permit from the governor, under a penalty of one 
 thousand dollars and imprisonment to hard labor in the 
 state's penitentiary for the term of seven years. All trade 
 between the subjects of the same governiiients was also 
 forbidden. Stales attornies and grand jurors were em- 
 powered to enter a complaint before any magistrate in the 
 state. Justices of the peace were privileged with the pow- 
 er of inspecting trunks or the papers and letters- of any 
 person travelling to or from tlie province of Canada with- 
 out a warrant, and could call to their assistance the citi- 
 zens of the state, to carry into etiect the provisions of the 
 law. 13y another act, the body or property of any officer 
 or soldier belonging to this state, while in actual service, 
 on whom a writ of summons or attchment may have been 
 served, should not be holden nor should a judgement be 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 179 
 
 rendered thereon or any writ of execution be issued after 
 tlie passage of this art against sucli officer or soldier on 
 on}' judgment then already obtained. 
 
 Several other laws were passed during this session of 
 the legislature, worthy of a passing notice. A tax of one 
 cent on each acre of land was granted, in addition to the 
 usual assessment on the grand list, for the support of gov^ 
 crnment, and another law regulating the method of de- 
 taching the militia and increasing tlie pay of the officers 
 and soldiers drafted in compliance with the directions 
 of the President of the United States, to the sum of three 
 dollars and Si cents per month, received the snnction of 
 the legislative councils of the state. The expenditures of 
 the government of Vermont for the present year exceeded 
 those of any former one by a very large amount. Tho 
 occasion of this was the defensive operations of the gov- 
 ernment in arming and supporting the militia to defend 
 the frontiers. The effect of these legislative regulations 
 aroused the indignation and resentment of the people to 
 such a degree that there began to be a re-action of feel- 
 ing. Numbers took part with those opposed to the meas- 
 ures of administration, and so great was the depression of 
 business, arising from the restrictions upon conjmerce, 
 that the measures of the general government berome of- 
 fensive to many of its former supporters. ?\^othing was 
 left undone, whether true or false, to render the proceed' 
 ings of the state or federal government odious to the peo- 
 ple ; the war was declared unjust and destitute of all ad- 
 vantage to any excepting Bonaparte and the French gov- 
 ernment ; the restraints on commerce, calculated to in- 
 crease crimes rather than starve the enemy, and the diili- 
 culties between the United States and the sovereigns of 
 Europe, were removed in fact by their amicable propositions 
 and willingness to make every reparation that justice 
 could demand. These and the representations -of the op- 
 position, operated so powerfully as to give a majority on 
 the part -of the federalists and place the government of the 
 state in their power. 
 
 1S13. Political controversies this year exceeded in 
 violence any thing of the kind that had ever occurred 
 eince the first settlement of the State. Electioneering 
 
180 HISTORY OF VERMOxNT. 
 
 plans were pursued by the most unfair and reproachful 
 measures. Misrepresentation and abuse were the prom- 
 inent instruments employed in their proceedings. Secret 
 societies were organized for the avowed purpose of doing 
 acts of benevolence and cultivating a taste for literary 
 pursuits, but in fact for the object of political ascendency. 
 The party opposed to the war strengthened th.eir cause 
 nnd increased their numbers by the general concert effect- 
 ed through the agency of these societies. So odious had 
 tiie ret^trictive system become to the people accustomed to 
 free trade, and so direful was the turmoil of war, when 
 compared to a situation of independence and peace, that 
 the federalists increased in numbers very rapidly. 
 
 No choice of a governor being made by the people, the 
 election of course devolved upon the house. The parties 
 arrayed themselves in the strength of their nimibers, which. 
 upon trial, were found to be equally divided, Eflbrt at 
 persuasion were perfectly unavailing; conciliation could 
 not be expected between parties so exasperated in their 
 feelings. Great feats at maneuvering were attempted, 
 and plans devised to obtain a conqueyt, but their numbers 
 continued equal. The election of Mr. Chittenden, tho 
 federal candidate, was at last carried, by a very small ma- 
 jority, and anotlier gentleman of his political tenets for 
 lieutena'..t governor. Much was said and done about the 
 improper means employed by certain members nnd other 
 gentlemen, in trying to influence the vote of one Carpus 
 Clark, a member from Worcester, or hire him to leave 
 the State before an opportunity for giving his vote for the 
 governor, occurred. Mr. Clark, wlio was tampered wi(h 
 to vote for the tbderal candidate, was a republican, and 
 gave his suffrages for the administration party. In the 
 progress of their management, attempts were made to hire 
 him at an extravagant price, to convey a load from Ver- 
 mont to Boston : the property to be transported consisted 
 of such articles as were necessary to be there by a certain 
 time, let the expenises or difhculties be what the/ would. 
 They next concerted the plan of buying his real estate, 
 which was situated in Worcester, and place him under a 
 contract to remove imm.ediately from this to the western 
 .country. Several oflers v.ere made by the agents of difr 
 
HISTORY OF VERJMONT. 181 
 
 ferent parties in this disgraceful proceeding to sway his 
 feeble oral least his tempted uiiderstandiDgfrom thecuurse 
 of duty and iiis oath. One did it with a view of heing ben- 
 efited by his vote, and tlie other, the federalists, for hav- 
 ing less strength against them by his absence. On ac- 
 count of his guilt, arising from an improper course of con- 
 duct in suffering himself to be trifled with, and setting up 
 his elective franchises for sale to the highest bidder, a 
 committee was appointed to enquire into conduct so dis- 
 creditable and derogatory to the dignity of the house. — 
 This delegation reported a resolution that Carpus Clark, 
 for dishonorable conduct, onglit to be expelled from the 
 legislative body. Afterwards, by an actof the legislature, 
 he was ejected from the privileges of a representative. — 
 These proceedings were protested against by 31 of the 
 members, who voted in the minority on the explusion of 
 Mr. Clark, and the proceedings were entered upon ihe 
 journals. 
 
 A remonstrance against t'le election of Mr. Chittenden 
 to the office of governor of this state, was laid before the 
 council and representatives in joint comn.ittce, which pro- 
 vided that 151 case the facts set lorth in said memorial should 
 be supported, tiiat they proceed by joint ballot of both hou- 
 ses to elect a gov. of the state for the year ensuing. After 
 a lengthy debate, the governor elect appeared in ihe house, 
 accompanied by tlie lieutenant governor and council, and 
 after the necessary qualifications, he, among other mat- 
 ters of business, expressed his views upon the subject of 
 tiie militia in this manner: — " I have always consider- 
 ed this force peculiarly adapted and exclusively assigned 
 for the service and protection of the respective states, ex- 
 cepting in the cases provided for by the national constitu- 
 tion, to wit, to exectite the laws of the Union, suppress 
 insurrection, and repel invasion. It never could have been 
 contemplated by the wise framers of our excellent consti- 
 tution, who, it appears, in the mobt cautious manner, guar- 
 tled the sovereignty of the states, or was guarded by tho 
 states which adopted it, that the whole body of the militia 
 could not, by any kind of magic, at once be transformed 
 into a regular army for the purpose of foreign conquest; 
 Rnd it is to be regretted that a construction should ever 
 
 16 
 
im HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 have been given to the constitution so peculiarly burden- 
 some and oppressive to that important class of our fellovr 
 citizens.'' 
 
 At this season of war and the call for large detachments 
 of militia, no subject presented for lofrislative consideration 
 could have aroused the exertions and sensibilities of the 
 people more than this. It called forth public indignation 
 to be obliged to contribute men and money in support of a 
 war which they considered unprovoked, unnecessary and 
 unwise. Various constructions were given to this clause 
 of the constitution, which declares the president empower- 
 ed in certain cases to call tiie militia into actual service. — 
 Those who opposed the measures of the government dis- 
 puted the power of the federal executive to call the militia 
 at any event into a war of invasion or out of the limits of 
 the state, for any other causes than thote above mention- 
 ed. The sentiments of the federal party upon this subject 
 are fully expressed in this paragraph of their answer to tho 
 message: — "When we candidly view our political and 
 commercial reUitions, our diplomatic intercourse with 
 France and Great-Britain, and tlie injuries received from 
 both, we are compelled to doubt the necessity, expedien- 
 cy and justice of tho present war. Its continuence is still 
 more unnecessary, as the orders in council, the principal 
 ^Hedged causes, were removed before tb.e declaration of 
 war was known in Greai-Britain, and within a reasonable 
 time after the promulgation of the repeal of the Berlin and 
 Milan decrees ; inexpedient,as Great-Biitain never claim.- 
 ed a right to impress American sen men, and their practice 
 of impressment was never considered a sutncient or justi- 
 fiable cause of war by the former administrations, but a 
 subject of amicable negotiation. We regret that the trea- 
 ty made by Messrs. Munroe and Pinckney, in 1806, and 
 the provisions for a final adjustment ofall ditferences which 
 were considered by them to be perfectly safe and honora- 
 ble to our country, had never been laid before the Senate 
 of the United States, and adopted, which would have pre- 
 vented all the restrictive measures of the general govern- 
 ment and tlie calamitice and demoralizing efiects of an 
 expensive war. The conquest of the Canadas will be an 
 /nadequate compensation for the blood and treasure which 
 
iilSTORY OF VERMONT. 18^ 
 
 tfiust bo lost. And we have yet to learn that an offcnsivo 
 War upon t'uc Canviclas will defend and secure the rigiits 
 of oar seamen upon the ocean." Sevonty-nine nieniberBv 
 who voted in the negative on the reported answer to hia 
 excellency's speech, entered upon the journals some of 
 their reasons for so doing. They believed that an improp- 
 er attempt was made to excite the sympathies of the people 
 in favor of a corrupt government of tlieold world, and 
 that the militia in the present case had not been called into 
 actual service or for any other purpose than that contem- 
 plated in the constitution.- And further, that no safe and 
 honorable terms had been offered by the bcHigerant nations 
 of Europe to the American republic ? that their commerce 
 liad been dispoiled, their ports blockaded and their citizens 
 impressed on board of the English navy, and that all the 
 offers of our government at a reconciliation had been an- 
 swered with insults. An appeal to arms they considered 
 the only way to vindicate the suffering honor of their coun- 
 try; and, since thisalterni^tive was resorted to, they con- 
 sidered themselves in duty bound to sustain and encourage 
 it with their honor,pobsessions and lives. Feelings so spir- 
 ited could not easily bo checked; They declared that 
 they could not recommend an arquiescence in tiie assumed 
 right of Great-Britain to revive her orders in council at 
 pleasure nor sanction the monstrous principle of Britisii 
 impressment. 
 
 After the choice of the civil officers for the year ensu- 
 ing was made out, several acts were pnssed in direct op- 
 position to some of the last session. The militia called 
 into actual service were by the present law rendered a- 
 menable in person and proj)erty to a civil process. The 
 etatute prohibiting all intercourse between the British gov- 
 ernment and Vermont, was repealed; and a provision 
 for the militia drafted out into the service of this state, was 
 derived from a tax of one cent upon the dollar on the grand 
 list. Three new judges of the supreme court were elected 
 from tliose who were opposed to the war and general 
 measures of the administration, and other changes were 
 effected among the lower grades of appointments. 80 
 great was tlie zeal between the parties, that they denomi- 
 oated each other tories, traitors and enemies to the coua- 
 
184 HISTORY OF VERMONT, 
 
 try and tiio general intere'^ts of the land. 
 
 The liberties taken hy the deputies of the custoni house 
 departments, ;ind the authority given to justices of peace 
 to stop and searcli the premises of any person they chose," 
 without a warrant from the civil authority, caused great 
 personal conflicts and a constant irruption of the peace of 
 society. In charging the grand jury, the supreme court 
 directed them to make inquiry and present all cases where 
 p.eople were searched tor property without a warrant, and 
 on trials |)arties were not justified in molesting people and 
 taking their property by virtue of a commission only. — 
 The frontier towns upon Canada line were subject to great 
 disturb.ances and strife by reason of the smuggling trans- 
 actions. Resistance had in no instance proceeded to more 
 tearful extremities than in the north-east part of the state. 
 'Sometime about tho coTnmencement of the year 181;^ 
 Mr. Samuel Beanh, c^i Canaan, received a permit from 
 the governor to go into Canada for the purpose of repair- 
 ing a saw mill. Having sent forv/ard bis workmen and 
 teams, he, proceeded on at^erwards, when his team was 
 taken by John Dennet and others, and drove back to 
 Canaan ; but Beach, in attempting to regain his team, 
 wavS fjred upon by Dennet and killed. Dennet and his as- 
 sociates were taken and committed to jail, trorn which tho 
 former escaped in January tollowing into the adjoining 
 wilderness, where he continued until August, when he was 
 re-taken, but not until he wnt^ mortally wounded by his 
 pursuers. Dennet resisted, and it appears v.hile he was 
 attempting to kill one JMorgnn, he was shot by 8j)erry, one 
 of the pursuers, in 1814. The business ofsmuggling, thus 
 ftttended with blood-shed, violence and rapine, was kept 
 up, although the perpetrators of such oflences were indict- 
 ed in the courts of llie $taie as well as the United St-i-tes. 
 On t!)e 23d of July, of the present year, a party of 
 smugglers proceeded from Missisque bay to St. Albans. — 
 On their way they increased their numbers to about eightv 
 and were all armed v.'ith pistols and other weapons. Mr. 
 Hathaway, of Svvanton, who was riding by unconscious of 
 danger, was rushed U[)on by them and forced from liis 
 liorse into a house, and there beaten in a most shocking 
 manner. A grand juror from St. Albans made one of tliia 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 1S5 
 
 riotous company. Tliis mob declared their dctermiuatioii 
 to give Georgia a scouring and root out tlie liigh-waj 
 robbers, as they called the custom house ofiicers. After 
 appointing one of their company to the command, they 
 took a Mr. Anthony along with them as a prisoner. Halt- 
 ing on the way at Mr. BJodgct's?, of Georgia, they awoke 
 him from sleep and gave him information that the smug- 
 glers had come, and they wanted his assistance in captur- 
 ing them. Mr. Blodgct and his sons had no sooner arriv- 
 ed at the place of their collection, than he was levclleri to 
 the ground by their clubs. One of his arms was broken, 
 his head and body were wotmded in various places. The 
 windows of his house were broken in and a Mr. Congf^r 
 was taken a prisoner. Trocceding on their way to tho 
 south part of (Teorgia,they called on a Mrs.Hubbell,in the 
 absence of her husband, to leave her house, declaring that 
 on their return they should destroy it. An ofiicer of the cus- 
 tom house department, supposing they had smuggled goods, 
 requested them to stop, when suddenly they surrounded 
 Messrs. Dee, Barker and Robinson, took them and ti- 
 ed their arms behind with cords, and rode off three 
 miles w^ith their prisoners to Mrs. Hyde's, in Georgia. — 
 Here a large number of citizens soon after collected to 
 oppose them with arms. Wlien, discovering their dan- 
 ger, they immediately dispersed. 
 
 Governor Moses Robinson, one of the principal men 
 in the early settlement and organization of a government 
 in Vermont, died this year, lie was possessed of a vig- 
 orous and discriminating mind, cool and deliberate judg* 
 ment, and of free and independent principles. The public 
 were long and faithfully served by him, in the various ca* 
 pacities of judge, senator in Congress, and [governor of 
 the State. 
 
 The general assembly convened in October oftbe present 
 year, ISll; but there was no choice made of a governor 
 bj the people. Pains or trouble had not been spared in 
 electioneering for the respective candidates for governor, 
 but all their exertion, trouble and industry proved ineffect- 
 ual and unavailing, as the votes returned stood ncarly.equak 
 The election w^as again taken before the house, and Mr. 
 Chittenden was chosen to preside over the state: the 
 
 IG* 
 
196 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, and theexeco'* 
 tire council, were re electer), all of whom professed prin- 
 ciples of federalism ; the latter were appointed by tha 
 Bulfrages of the people. 
 
 Concerning the achievements within or near the juris- 
 dictional boandaries of Vermont, it was well observed by 
 governor- Chittenden, in his speech to the legislatnre, that 
 these glorious deeds are not surpassed in the records of 
 naval or military wat fare. New lustre is added to the na- 
 tional character. Having commented upon the brilliant 
 achievements, the brave and patriotic conduct of the offi- 
 cers and soldiers at the battle of Plattsburgh, he has these 
 observations on the subject of the war it] wliich our coun- 
 try was unfortunately engaged : — "1 feel disposed at this 
 critical period to say as little as may be consistent with my 
 duty," about the causes and origin of the war. *'i]ut I 
 consider it due to myself, and more especially to my con- 
 ©tituents, explicitly to state tliat the events of the war havo 
 in no instance altered my opinion of its origin or pro- 
 gress, Ihave conscientiously and uniformly disapproved 
 of it, as unnecessary, unwise and hopeless in all itsoOen-- 
 sive operations. .4nd notwithstanding the few brilliant 
 successes we have met with in cur operations of defence, I 
 can see very little in its general co-mplexion which affords 
 the least consolation. iMany very considerable places on 
 our sea-board are now in the possession of the enemy. — • 
 The capital of our country, that proud monument of bet- 
 ter times, has been possessed and destroyed by the ene- 
 my — a humiliating reflection to- every real American." — ■ 
 An answer was returned by the house, which contained 
 sentiments honorable to the enlightened body from which 
 jt eminated. For manner of cx[ircssion and favorable sen- 
 timents entertained concerning those brave and skilful de- 
 fenders of the northern frontiers, the production is a dis- 
 tinguished elfort at conciliation between the parties. 
 
 The minority r.gr.inst the passage of the vote for an- 
 ■wering governor Chittenden's speech, entered their pro- 
 tefit upon the journals of the house, in these words: that 
 they could not join in the declaration that good order and 
 peace had prevailed throughout the state during the paet 
 ^«ar more generally than in former yeare ; but. on iba 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 137 
 
 contrary, for the whole year past the laws of the United 
 Slates have been entirely disregarded and boldly set at de- 
 fiance, in the prosecution of a continued and almost unin- 
 terrupted illicit intercourse between this state and tho 
 British provinces of Lower Canada, is a truth wliich it 
 la in vain for this house to endeavor to suppress or contra- 
 dict In addition, every other kind of unlawful com- 
 merce, contrary to the most fundamental principles of la\y 
 end justice, has constantly been and still is continually 
 carried on among us, furnishing provisions and other neces- 
 saries of war,for the support of those very armies and fleeta 
 Rgair.st which we are contending, and which are destined 
 for our destruction. And it is with the deepest regret we are- 
 compelled to slate that from the sanction and encourage- 
 ment which have been aiTorded to these treasonable prac- 
 tices by a portion of our citizens, it has been utterly im- 
 possible to prevent or to put an end to their commission. 
 The correspondence between governor Chittenden, 
 James Monroe, then secretary of the United States, 
 generals Strong, Newell and Macomb, was called up by 
 a resolution in the house of representatives. The commu- 
 nications commence with a request trom general Macomb 
 to governor Chittenden for a detachment of Vermont mil- 
 itia to assist hiriT at Plattsburgh, as the enemy were fast 
 advancing towards that place. Fearful apprehensions 
 were entertained for the safety of the town, and aid was ac* 
 tually wanted, as the garrison was small and tlic enemy 
 in considerable force. The answer of the executive to thia 
 request was replete with assurances that the nK)st effect- 
 tjal measures should be taken to furnish such a number of 
 volunteers as may be induced to turn out for the assistance 
 of the general. A letter was transmitted by his excellen- 
 cy to general Newell, recommending him to take the n-ost 
 cflectual measures to procure as many volunteers as could 
 be collected from the immediate vicinity, for the assist- 
 ance of general Macomb. General Newell, in reply, sta- 
 ted that whenever he was called upon to order out hi» 
 brigade, he should hold himself in readiness to obey ; but 
 from what was stated in his excellency's letter, he could 
 do no more than to request the voluntary services of the 
 niililia over whom he had the command, which might ba 
 
183 HISTOllY OF VERMONT. 
 
 followed or not, just as they chose to act with regard to 
 the suhject. In a further call and explanation of Mn 
 Ciiittenden, he said he had no constitutional power to or- 
 der the Vermont militia out of the state. He therefore 
 earnestly requested that forces should volunteer, and re- 
 presented it as' ills opinion that such measures would have 
 more effect tlian an attempt to assume an unauthorized 
 })ower, on all such as were willing to turn out for the de- 
 fence of their country. A request was then made by col- 
 onel Fassett, on the governor, for a quantity of ammuni- 
 tion, which was subject to his order at Vergennes. Per* 
 mission was given to the colonel to take the same, if there 
 was any, at the place above mentioned. About this time, 
 the governor's military aid, A. W. Barnum, Esq. and 
 Samuel tSwift, Esq. secretary to the governor and coun- 
 cil, were sent to confer with general Macomb, at Platts- 
 burgh, and obtain his opinion upon their undertakings to 
 furnish assistance. A large number of volunteers from 
 Franklin, Chittenden, Addison, Rutland, and Grand-Isle 
 counties had crossed over the lake and placed themselves 
 under the command of major-general Samuel Strong, with 
 a determination to defend the honor and independence of 
 their country, at the risk of all that was valuiible to them, 
 their lives and possessions. 
 
 From the encampment at Plattsburgh, General Strong 
 •addressed letters to his friends in Vermont, dated the 10th 
 nndlith of September, staling that the British had arrived 
 with an army of 8 or 9009 men, and the volunteers, who 
 liad then joined them at the encampment, from Vermont, 
 amounted to 1SI2, and 700 of the same grade of forces 
 had assembled from the adjoining parts of New-York, and 
 that general JNIooers was inmiediately expected with two 
 thousand of militia more : these, together with 2000 reg- 
 ulars,constituted the whole force to meet and contest the 
 field witli the veteran forces of Europe. It was also etated 
 tliat 2500 volunteers from Vermont, had encamped on 
 the south bank of the Saranac, opposite to the enemy's 
 right wing, commanded by general Brisbrane. Gover- 
 nor Chittenden was informed in a letter from general 
 8trong,dated the 11th of September, from the same place, 
 that they had the satisfaction of seeing the British fleet 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 189 
 
 strike to the brave commodore McDonough. Attempts 
 were m;n]e at several places, to cross over the river, but 
 Vvere foiled, except at Pike's encampment. Skirniishings 
 had been kept up during the day, when twenty or thirty of 
 tiiG enemy were taken prisoners, but the nuniber killed 
 was unknown. In his last correspondence with Mr. Chit- 
 tenden, written at Vergennes, on the 10th of the same 
 month, he mentioned their success in repelling the enemy, 
 and his mortiiication on learning that th.e citizens of a 
 government like ours, where all otliccrs are limited in 
 their official powers, urging the propriety of that power, 
 being exceeded in an unconstitutional and arbitrary man" 
 ner. . 
 
 Dispatches were also addressed to the governor of Ver- 
 mont, by James Monroe, Secretary of the United States, 
 requesting a force of 2000 militia to assist general Ma- 
 comb in defending Plattsburgh and" the northern frontiers. 
 
 To meritorious deeds nothing is more pleasiiig than tns' 
 tiraonials of gratitude. It recompenses the sufferings of 
 war and the privations of distress. The government of 
 the United States have very carefully attributed those hon- 
 ors to the heroic achievmiCnts of their citizens, which their 
 conduct and bravery deserve. The thanks of the general 
 government w^ere given to the brave and patriotic citizens 
 of Vermont, for their prompt succor and gallant conduct 
 in the late critical state of the northern frontier. The le- 
 gislature of this state also resolved that their thanks bo 
 presented to general Macomb and his compatriots in 
 arms — to general Strong and the patriotic volunteers of 
 Vermont, and likewise to commodore McDonough, lieu- 
 tenants Cassin, Smith and Budd, and the subordinate of- 
 ficers and crew of his squadron, in testimony of the high 
 i^ense entertained by the legislature ot their distinguished 
 bravery and good conduct on the memorable 11th of Sep- 
 tember, 1S14, which ended in the repulse of the land for- 
 ces and capture of the British squadron on lake Cham- 
 plain. The legislature passed an act directing and em- 
 powering the treasurer of the state to make out, or cause 
 to be made out a good and sufficient deed to captain Mc- 
 Donough, of a "certain tract of land belonging to this 
 etatQ, lying near Cumberland Head, in the state of New- 
 
190 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 York, in full view ofthe splendid naval engagement fought 
 under his command, on the ever memorable 11th of Bep- 
 tember, 1S14, to be presented by the governor to captain 
 McDonough, in testimony of the high veneration enter- 
 tained by this legislature for his distinguished services."'^ 
 During this session ofthe legislature a communication 
 tvas received from the president ofthe senate and speaker 
 ofthe house of representatives ofthe state of Massachu- 
 setts, accompanied with a resolution from that body invi- 
 ting ihe legislature of Vermont to appoint delegates, if 
 they sliould deem it expedient, fb meet and confer with 
 such delegates as may be appointed by the other New- 
 England stijtes. Massaclmsetts!, Rhode-Island and Con- 
 necticut elected delegates, but New-Hampshire neglect- 
 ed to send ; and Vermont, by a vote of the legislature, 
 unanimously refused to appoint aoy. On the 15th of De- 
 cember, the«e delegates, together with two appointed by 
 counties in Now-Ham.pshire, and one similarly elected in 
 Vermont, convened at the city of Hartford, in Connecti- 
 cut. They held a secret session of near three weeks, and 
 proceeded to suggest several alterations in the federal 
 constitution, witii a view to their adoption by the several 
 states in the Ui.ion. Upon their adjournment, they pub- 
 lished an address to the people, in which, with bold and 
 forcible language, they enumerated the measures ofthe 
 national govenimcnt supposed to be particularly destruct- 
 ive to the intere!?ts of New-England and tiiose engaged i;i 
 commerce, and proposed such amendments to the cont^ti- 
 tution as would hereafter prevent tiie adoption of similar 
 measures. Seven articles of amendment were suggested: 
 first, that representatives and direct taxes shall be apor- 
 tioncd to the nunjber of free persons : secondly, that no 
 new state shall be admitted into the Union witlsout the 
 concurrence of two thirds of both houses : thirdly, that 
 Congress shall not have power to lay an embargo for 
 more than sixty days : fourthly, that Congress shall not 
 interdict commercial ititercourse, without tlie concurrence 
 of both houses : fifthly, that war shall not be declared 
 without the concurrence of a similar mnjority : sixthly, 
 that no person unnaturalized shall be eligible as a member 
 of the senate and house of representatives, or hold an/ 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 191 
 
 jcivil office under the authority of the United States : and 
 seventhly, that no person shall be elecfed twice to the 
 presidency, nor I he president be elected from the same 
 state two terms in succession. 
 
 In defence of the convention, it was urged that the sit- 
 Qation of tlie country was such as occasioned serious 
 grounds of alarm, to reflecting men. The operations of 
 the war had been singularly disastrous ; the recruiting 
 service languished ; tlie national treasury w;:s ahnost pen- 
 nyless ; the national credit was siiaken, and loans wero 
 effected at a ruinous discount. The New-Englard sea- 
 board was left exposed to the enemy, and instead of se- 
 curing the confidence of the people in the eastern States, 
 by filling the civil and military posts-, under the general 
 government, with known talents and character, the ad- 
 ministration conunittcd the interests of the nation, at a 
 critical period, to men contemned by a vast mr.jority of the 
 people in the ^States. They further considered the calling 
 of a convention, which, Yrom the earliest history of New- 
 England, had been customary to be done in times of dan- 
 ger, as a very judicious and proper measure. The oppo- 
 sition of the federal party to the measures of the general 
 government, sunk very rapidly, both in numbers and pop- 
 ularity. A war of defence had now united the feelings of 
 the people, and the glorious achievements obtained by tho 
 northern army, rendered their construction about consti- 
 tutional powers and puivileges, quite unpopular with a 
 majority of the public. They began to consider it would 
 be riglit for the governor to comply with the requisitiona 
 of tho president, or at least, it would be a piece of good 
 policy had the militia been ordered to the assistence of 
 their brethren in arms, at tlie invasion of Plattsburgh. 
 
 To every action in bodies, there is a corresponding re- 
 action, and so it is with respect to the evolutions of thought 
 in political aiT.iirs and the government of a country. The 
 federalists of this State perceived their numbers receding 
 to a minority among the whole body of the people. Their 
 ambition was directed to measures for sustaining their sit- 
 uation, rather than for opposing the views and inclinations 
 of the other party. Conciliations were attempted in their 
 deliberations and by their votes, but it was all to no pur- 
 
192 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 pose : federalism had found its grave in the returning 
 peace of the country. Numerous bills of a local and pri- 
 vate nature were passed this session. Amongst which, 
 were several incorporating manufacturing companies. — 
 This branch of industry had received considerable atten- 
 tion, since the irruptions which- the war had occasioned to 
 the country, 
 
 CHAPTER YIII, 
 
 Condition of the United States at the commencement of 
 hostilities with Great-Britain in 1812. — General Dear- 
 born appointed coniniander-in-chief — Northern cam' 
 paignfor 1812. — Expedition againf^t Canada^ under 
 the commnnd of general Hull. — Surrender of his Ar^ 
 my, — Attack uponQueensfown hy general Van Rensseh 
 aer.— Disorderly conduct of the militia. — Capture of 
 the American forces. — Exploits of Captain Wool. — 
 Proceedings of general Smythe. — Abandonment of his 
 enterprise against the British provinces. — Military op- 
 erations at Champlain. — Overtures for peace by the 
 American government. — Termination of the campaign 
 for 1312. 
 
 We shall nov/ revert to the commencement of hostilities 
 between the United States and Great-Britain, as a detail 
 pf civil and military events concurring at the same period 
 of time could not be given without a great interrup- 
 tion of each particular subject. The order of time was 
 considered, tiierefore, of much less importance than a dis- 
 tinct view on subjects of separate interest. It will now be 
 necessary to leave the political history of the ytate, at tho 
 termination of the year 1S14, and take up one of more im- 
 posing and momentous concern, beginning with the sum- 
 mer of 
 
 1312. The people of the United States proudly recol- 
 lected the patriotism and bravery displayed by their forces 
 in the revolutionary war, and a majority of them calcula- 
 ted that the operations of the present war would be such 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 193 
 
 as to secure to them a speedy victory over the enemy. — 
 Tliey did not reflect that peace liacl enervtitcd the mihlorv 
 energies of the republic, while their enemies, l)y contin- 
 ual exercise in arms, had accumulated not only additional 
 strength, but greater skill to use and apply it. A selec- 
 tion was made from those veteran officers Vv'ho had acqui- 
 red honor for their bravery in the former conflict, to till 
 the principal posts in the new army. Henry Dearborn, 
 one of the survivors of t!ie revolutionary war, was appoint- 
 ed major-general and commander-in-chief of the army 
 in the Uiiitcd States. He was present at the memorabie 
 battle of Bunker-Hill, and served as a captain under Ar- 
 nold, in t'ne expedition against Cluebec. After a series of 
 distinguished cransactions, he was before tlie close of tlie 
 war promoted to the rank of colonel, and afterwards dis- 
 charged the duties of secretary of war with exemplary in- 
 dustry and skill. Thomas Pinckney, of South-Curolina, 
 ^vas also appointed to an equal grade of commission. — 
 And Wilkinson, Hull, Hampton and Bloomfield, receivie<j 
 commissions of brigadier generals. 
 
 The head quarters of the cemmander-in~chief were fixed 
 at G rcenbush, opposite to Albany, and the forces acting 
 under his direction, composed principally of the ?>I"ew-York 
 militia, were stationed at PJattsburgh and the Niagara 
 frontiers. Those at the latter place acted under the com- 
 mand of generals Porter and Hal), and ihe forces at De- 
 troit were directed by brigadier-general Hull 
 
 It may be proper, by way of digression, to observe that 
 in giving an account of the late v.'ar, with reference to the 
 history of the state, a brief survey of the whole proceed- 
 ings upon the northern frontier v.ill be t.iken, some of 
 which may not come within the immediate scope of our 
 narrative of the state. 
 
 The military establishment of the United States, upon 
 (he declaration of war, was in a very defective condition. 
 Congress had voted to enlist twenty-five thousand volun- 
 teers, and to call out one huadred thousand militia, for t!;© 
 purpose of defending tlie frontiers and (he sea-coast. Bet 
 the want of good and experienced ofllicers was severely 
 felt. Government now contemplated, 'and gave orders to 
 Ituve Canada invaded from the differeat posto upon t)t« 
 
 17 
 
194 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 lines, as soon as sufficient forces for this purpose could be 
 obtained. About one month after the declaration, 2000 
 regulars and volunteers, under the command of general 
 Hull, invaded the British provinces. At the same time, 
 he issued a pompous proclamation to the Canadian settlers, 
 offering them the great blessing of civil and religious lib- 
 erty, and declaring in a tone of dictation *' that his force 
 was sufficient to break down all opposition," and that a 
 much greater one was soon to arrive. His calculations 
 Avere probably to capture Maiden, and then proceed tf> 
 Montreal. Useless delays and ill-timed resolutions des- 
 troyed all the confidence of the Canadians, and the zeal 
 and ambition of the troops. The reinforcement at Mai- 
 den and the surrender of Dptroit to the British and In- 
 dians, who were marching down the river in numbers far 
 i»urpassing the American forces, so affrighted general 
 Hull that he immediately commenced a retreat back to 
 Detroit. He was pursued with a large foree^of militia and 
 Indians, under the command cf general Brock. "The A- 
 merican fortifications were effectually cannonaded on the 
 I5th of August, from the batteries erected by the British, 
 opposite to Detroit On the next day, the enemy passed 
 the river and encamped about three miles above the city. 
 General Brock resaWed to march precipitately and at- 
 tack the fort, as the American forces were then absent, 
 and from his past experience concluded that be should 
 meet with no obstacle or resistance on the way. On re- 
 ceiving intelligence- of the eeemy^'s approach, the troopa 
 under the command of general Hulj, anticipating an easy 
 conquest, manifested a brave and deliberate course of 
 'conduct. But to their surprise, Hull directed them-ti? 
 proceed immediately to the fort. 
 
 The troops became insubordinate and crowded into tbe 
 fort without any order tVora the general, depositing their 
 arms upon the ground. The army becoming so tumultu- 
 ous and the belief that myriads of Indians were without 
 ready to fall upon the inhabitants, operated so powerfully 
 upon the mind ofthe commander that he hung out a whito 
 flag from the fort, demanding protection from the British. 
 A capitulation was concluded without provision for hi« 
 army or the safety of hi« Canadian allies. Public proper- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 195 
 
 t-y was given up — the regular troops surrendered as pris- 
 oners of war; and the militia returned home, not to serve 
 again during the war, unless exchanged. The belief gen- 
 erally prevailed that Hull was either a coward or a traitor. 
 80 disgraceful a transaction originating at a place where 
 success was confidently anticipated, caused in every part 
 of the republic feelings of shame and astonishment. Dis- 
 appointed at the failure of this expedition, general Hull's 
 conduct was universally censured. Probably his great- 
 est fault was a want of that decision and energy which 
 were the characteristics of his youthfifl strength, talents 
 and anabition.. 
 
 ' The number of effective men at the surrender of De- 
 troit did not probably exceed 800, while those of general 
 Broeys amounted to more than 1,300. 
 
 Thi^ occurrence &o alarmed the people in some of the 
 western states, that nearly ten thousand tendered their 
 services, and a partof thetn, placed und^ the command of 
 general Harrison, marched for the te^nrory of Michigan, 
 But the insubordination of the volunteers to the restrainta 
 of necessary dicipline and the approach of winter, placed 
 many obstacles in the way of accomplishing much in the 
 important enterprise. Incursions were frequently nvido 
 into the country of the Indians, who, instigated by the 
 British agents and the celebrated Indian prophet,and com- 
 manded by the valiant Tecumseh, had become very hos- 
 tile and dangerous to tl;e inhabitants of the western states. 
 
 In one of these expeditions several hundred Indian war- 
 riors attacked fort Harrison, garrisoned with only fifteen" 
 effective men, and they were repelled with great intrepid- 
 ity by guards, having many of their numbers killed or 
 wounded. In return for the defeat, the Indians surprised 
 and massacred a settlement containing twenty-one per- 
 sons^ at the month of White river. Similar excursions 
 wereconducted by general Hopkins?, colonels Russell and 
 Campbell, against the prophet's town and Kickapoo vil- 
 lage, and the Indian towns Pimertams and Mississenema, 
 which were destroyed and the inhabitants either killed or 
 taken prisoners. 
 
 With the design of invading Canada in another quar- 
 ter, an armyof regulars ajid niiJitiawere collected on lh« 
 
196 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 northern boundaries ofNew-York. This force was, how- 
 ever, Car less nnineroiis than the government anticipated. 
 
 The poorest class of American citizens was in so comi- 
 fortable a condition that few could be induced to enlist as 
 yoldiers. rslassachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode-Island 
 maintained the plausihie doctrine that the officers of the 
 general government have not power over the militia, un- 
 til called out into the service and consigned to their au- 
 thoiity by the state executive, and that even then the/ 
 cannot be compelled to march beyond the boundary of 
 the republic ; and their governors refused to furnish de- 
 tachments ofncially called for by the President, which di- 
 minished a species offeree that was very much relied on 
 by the government. 
 
 The operations* upon the New-York frontier were, es 
 has been before stated, under the direction of general 
 Dearborn, whose head-quarters were still continued at 
 Greenbush. The fort at Plattsburgh was commanded by 
 brigadier-gene!#l Bloomtield, and that at Bufialo by gen- 
 eral Smythe. Tift militia from tlie state of New-York, 
 tiien in the service of the United States, which was called 
 the army of the center, were under the command of gen- 
 eral Van Rensselaer. These, amounting to about 5000 
 men, were principally stationed on the Niagara frontier. — 
 Bodies of regulars and militia were also encamped at Black 
 Rock, wSacketl's Harbor and Ogdensburgh. General Van 
 Rensselaer had his head-quarters a*t Lewiston, on the Ni- 
 agara river, and on the opposite side was Queenstown, a 
 fortified British post. The milit'a were much engaged 
 to be led against the enemy, and the general determined 
 to gratify their desire by crossing over to Queenstown. — 
 On the 11th of October, the tempestuous state of the 
 weather detered them from passing the river. The for-ce 
 in the American garrison was reinforced on the 12th with 
 3(X) regulars, under the command of colonel Christie. — 
 On the morning of t!ie 13th a party, led by colonel Solo- 
 mon Van Rensselaer, effected a landing about 4 o^clock, 
 although opposed by a British force stationed on the bank 
 of the river. Soon after embarkirjg, the troops were ar- 
 ranged under the command of colonel Van Rensselaer^ 
 with a design of storming the heights at Queenstown. — 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 107 
 
 The Americans were attacked by the enemy, before thej 
 received orders for ascending the heights. A spirited op- 
 position, however, obliged the assaihints to retire, but 
 tiieir continual fire enfiladed the ranks of the Americans, 
 of whom a considerable number were killed and wounded. 
 The colonel was severely wounded, but the troops under 
 captains Wool and Oglevie advanced to storm the fort. — 
 Wool, the chief in command, on being wounded, proceed- 
 ed to Van Rensselaer, and represented to him the critical 
 situation of the troops. The colonel directed, as the only 
 effectual measure, the one first proposed, which was to 
 Btorm the British battery upon the lieights. The execu- 
 tion of this adventure being undertaken by the voluntary 
 services of captain Wool, who silently and circuitously 
 conductisd his forces by the battery and ascended an emi- 
 nence which commanded it. x\t the approach of the A- 
 mericans, the British retreated down the heights to 
 Q,ueenstown. At the moment of their success, general 
 Brock arrived from fort George with a reinforcement of 
 six hundred men. A white flag^ the customary signal of 
 surrender, was raised by an officer, but indignantly pulled 
 down by Wool. To keep the enemy back until he could 
 arrange his troops, a detachment of sixty men were des- 
 patched, who advanced and returned without firing a gun. 
 They pursued on and drove the Americans to the brink of 
 tlie precipice. Wool, being ably seconded by his offi- 
 cers, rallied and led on his fotces to the attack. The 
 British, in their turn, gave way and retreated down the 
 hill. Upon this, the conflict was renewed, when general 
 Brock, and his' aid, captain McDonald, fell almost at the 
 same moment. After a severe engagement, the British 
 fled in confusion. 
 
 General Van Rensselaer, colonel Christie, and lieuten- 
 ant Totten, an able engineer, now crossed over for the 
 purpose of fortifying the heights preparatory to another 
 attack, should the enemy be reinforced. They joined their 
 forces to those under the command of the gallant captain 
 Wool, who, faint with the loes of blood, was, with the 
 prisoners, conveyed over the river. However, the for- 
 tune of the day was not yet decided. A body of about 
 oae thousand British and Indians, under general SheafiP'j' 
 
 17* 
 
im HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 from fort George, arrived at 3 o'clock in tiie afternoon; 
 niid joir.od the garrison. Tiie enemy again attacked the 
 Americans, and were a third time repulsed. General 
 Van Rensselaer, perceiving the army on tlie opposite 
 shore embark very slowly, quickly recrossed the river to 
 hasten their advance. But those who had expressed so 
 much anxiety in tlie morning to share the consequences 
 of a bottle, having witnessed the distress and sufferings of 
 their wounded companions who had been brought over, 
 now became entirely regardless of the general's com- 
 mands, and refused to go to the relief of their country- 
 men. More $han twehe hundred of the militia positively 
 refused to embark. The sight of the engagement had 
 cooled that ardor which, before the attack, the comman- 
 der-in-chief could hardly restrain. While the contest f-or 
 victory was pressed on by their countrymen, they could 
 quietly remain spectators of the scene. '3'he entreaties 
 and cominands of their brave and intrepid commander 
 availed nothing. They now concluded it would be un- 
 constitutional and wrong for the^n to pass t'le national 
 boundary for carrying on an offensive war. The Ameri- 
 cans continued for a while to struggle ?:gainst the force of 
 the British, but were finally overpowered by their supe- 
 rior numbers, and surrendered themselves prisoners of 
 war. About sixty of the Americans were killed and one 
 hundred wounded. Those that surrendered themselves, 
 including the wounded, were about seven hundred. Of 
 the one thousand men who crossed into Canada, but f«w 
 made their escape. 
 
 On the retirement of general Van Renftselaer from the 
 service, general Alexander Smythe, of Virginia, succeed- 
 ed to the command. In an inflated address to the *' men 
 of New- York," he declared that in u few days the Amer- 
 ican standard should be planted in Canada, and invited 
 them to "come on" and share in the dangers and glor/ 
 of the enterprise. A considerable numbor volunteered, 
 more probably from their confidence in general Porter, 
 who was to be associated with him and have the exclu- 
 sive command of the volunteers than from the effect of 
 the general's turgid appeal. His force was now augmen- 
 ted to 4,500 men. General Smythe sent out two detach- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 109 
 
 ti->eijt9, one commanded by colonel Bcerstler and the oth- 
 er by captain King, wlio was attended by lieutenant An- 
 gus of tiie navy, with a small party ofmarines,to make prep- 
 arations for crossing the river. Bcerstler with his force 
 proceeded down the river several miles, dispersed the 
 enemy captured several ofthem and returned. King was 
 directed to attack the batteries opposite Black Kock,whici» 
 he effected in the most gallant manner. His party sus- 
 tained a loss of nine naval officers and nearly one half of 
 the seamen, who were either killed or wounded. By th«ir 
 exertions the enemy were dispersed, their artillery dig- 
 mantled, and suitable preparations were made for safely 
 landing the army at the time appointed, which, however, 
 from unforeseen delays, did not embark until noon. But 
 afterwards, disembarking fur necessary rel'reshments, 
 general Smythe ascertained that the boats prepared could 
 not carry over three thousand men at once, which was 
 the orders of the secretary of war. He therefore conclu- 
 ded to delay the contemplated, invasion to a future period. 
 Most of those who crossed with captain King succeeded 
 in returning. The morning of the SOth of November was 
 again assigned as the time for crossing; and that for the 
 purpose of fulfilling the declaration of p'lanting the Amer- 
 ican standard on the Canadian shores. But their first 
 disappointment visably checked their resolution. They 
 did not embark as early as was expected, and, when ready, 
 but 1500 men were found willing to go over. A council 
 of war unanimously decided against the expediency of 
 proceeding, and the troops were again ordered to embark. 
 The enterprise which he so exultingly promised to fulfil 
 was shamefully abandoned without an effort. The failure 
 of the undertaking was attributed by the soldiers to their 
 commander, and so higlily were they exasperated that for 
 several days his life was in danger from their fury. 
 
 The northern army entered upon no furtlier operation* 
 of importance during the whole of this campL;ign. )a 
 September, a party of the enemy moving down the St. 
 Lawrence, were defeated by a detachment of militia from 
 Ogdensburgh. These being reinforced, compelled the 
 militia to retire. On account of this proceeding, the des- 
 truction of Ogdensburgh was attempted !>y the enemy on 
 
^00 niSTORY OF VERMONf. 
 
 the 2d ofOctober, but they w.ere vanquished by the brave 
 commvinder, general Brown. 
 
 The army stationed at Plattsburgh, on the 11th of No- 
 vember, marched to Champlain, under the command of 
 general Dearborn. When, inmiediately after, colonel 
 Pike, at the head of his regiment, made an incursion into 
 the territory of the enemy, surprised a party of British and 
 Indians, and destroyed a considerable quantity of public 
 stores. 
 
 The causes of military movements among nations enga- 
 ged in the turmoil and ravages of warfare, may be traced 
 to their civil and political transactions. Immediately af- 
 ter the United States had declared war against Great- 
 Britain, Mr. Russell, the American minister at London, 
 was instructed by the American government to notify the 
 British nation tliat whenever the wrongs which America 
 justly complained of were redressed, she was ready to 
 make peace. Authority was given to Mr. Russell to nego- 
 tiate an armistice by land and sea as soon as the British 
 government would repeal their orders in council, discon- 
 tinue tiieir practice of impressment, and restore those A- 
 mericans who were already in their service. A rejection 
 of these propositions was communicated by Lord Castle- 
 reigh to Mr. Russell, who at the same time informed him 
 that measures had been taken to autl^orize Sir John B. 
 Warren, a British admiral on the American station, to 
 propose a cessation cf hostilities, and in that event to as- 
 sure them that full effect should be given to the provisions 
 lor repealing the orders in council. The British govern- 
 ment were now ready, he said, to receive any propositioa 
 which would have a tendency to check the abuse of the 
 practice, but they could not consent to suspend the exer-- 
 cise of a right on which the naval strength of the empire 
 essentially depended, until they wera convinced other 
 means would be devised for securing the object without 
 resorting to impressment. On the 30th September, Sir J. 
 B. Warren, then at the Halifax station, informed Mr. 
 Monroe of the revocation of the orders in council, pro- 
 posing a cessation of hostilities, and threatening, in case 
 of a refusal, that the orders should be revived. Mr. Mon- 
 roe, on being informed of the failure of Mr. Russell's ne- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 201 
 
 potiation, stated among other things in his answer to Sir 
 J. 15. Warren, that the practice of impressment by tha 
 British was to take their suhjects from whatever vessels 
 they cliose, which frequently terminated in the seizure of 
 American citizens. ' But fnrtlier, that he was wiilinjy 
 Great-Britain should be secured against the evils of which 
 she complains; but he should demand on the other hand 
 " that the citizens of the United States should be protec- 
 ted against a practice which, while it degrades the nation, 
 deprives them of their rights as freemen, takes them by 
 force from their families and country into a foreign ser- 
 vice to fight the battles of a foreign povver, perhaps a- 
 gainst their own country and kindred." The negotiation 
 was concluded witliout ejecting any adjustm-ent of the 
 difficulties alleged or producing any degree of conciliato- 
 ry feelings between the belligcrant powers. The rejec- 
 tion of these propositions was approved of by Congress, 
 who, instead of relinquishing the undertaking, pursued 
 more efiectual measures for carrying on the war. The 
 Eoldiers' bounty and wages were increased. A law was 
 passed authorizing the president to raise twenty addition- 
 al regiments, to issue treasury notes, and toboirow mon- 
 ey. The building of four ships of the line, six frigates, 
 and as many other vessels as the exigencies of the times 
 require, was also provided for. 
 
 In the campaign of 1S12, some instances of unusual 
 gallantry had been displayed, yet nothing decisive was 
 effected, and the losses sustained were numerous and 
 great. Those who were in favor of the declaration of 
 war, felt disappointed, chagrined and cast down. The 
 calamitous progress of the controversy was attributed by 
 them to the conduct of the federalists, whom they accus- 
 ed of endeavoring to prevent enlistments into the army 
 and of dissuading the militia from entering upon the ser- 
 Tice of the country. The federalists, on the contrary, 
 declared these failures attributable to the imbecility of 
 lh« administration and to the injudicious selection of mil- 
 itary oilicers. But the transactions upon the ocean some- 
 what redeemed the misfortunes on the land, 1 l;e honor 
 of the American flag was well supported by the determia- 
 td bravery of the republican oflictrs and seamen. 
 
202 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Northern Campaign for 1813, — Battle and Massacre at 
 Frenchtoinn. — ^eige at fort Meigs. — Surrender of 
 York. — Death of general Fike. — Fort George taken. — 
 Capture of generals Chandler and Winder. — Proceed- 
 ings at Sacketts Harbor. — Repulse of the British at 
 Fort Stephenson. — Pcrnfs Victory on lake Erie. — 
 Battle at the Thames. — Defeat of the British Army. 
 — Commodore Chauncey captures the British Squad- 
 ron on lake Ontario. — IVillkison takes the command of 
 the center Army. — Engagement at Williamsburg. — Af- 
 fair at Chateau gay. — Americans defeated at Black 
 Rock. 
 
 The scene ofmvlitary operations for 1813, embraced tho 
 Whole northern frontier of the United States. At tho 
 commencement of the campaign, the western army, under 
 general Harrison, was stationed near the head of lake 
 Erie,and the army of the center, under general Dearborn, 
 while general Hampton was destined to the command of 
 the army in the nortii, and stationed upon tiie shores of 
 lake Cliamplain. The American troops still contemplated 
 invading Canada, which was comparatively destitute of 
 regular troops. 
 
 The army at the northwest, under the command of gen- 
 eral Winchester, encamped at Frenchtown, was surprised 
 by a combined force of British and Indians, commanded 
 by colonel Proctor, and the Indian chiefs. Roundhead and 
 Splitlog. A portion of the American force that was sta- 
 tioned in the open field, were immediately thrown into 
 disorder. Many of them, unable to escape, were killed 
 by the Indians, while general Winchester and colonel 
 Lewis were taken prisoners. The contest was sustained 
 with vigor by the American troops, until orders were giv- 
 en'by general Winchester for their surrender. Colonel 
 Proctor had assured him that if the Americans would sur- 
 render, they should be protected ; otherwise, he would 
 not be r(*sponsible for tl\e conduct of tiie Indians. The 
 l^ith which had been plighted by tho enemy was violatodi 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 203 
 
 bj a cruel and barbarous scalping and murdering of the 
 prisoners, and a conflagration of the town. The American 
 loss in killed and wounded amounted to 500, and an equal 
 number were taken prisoners. These were, for the most 
 part volunteers from «ome of the most respectable families 
 of Kentucky. 
 
 General Harrison had now mnrched his forces to fort 
 Meigs, on the Miami. On the 15th of May, the garrison 
 vras besieged by General Proctor, with a force of 1000 
 regulars and militia, and 1200 Indians. The commanding 
 position of the American fort enabled them to resist effect- 
 ually the attacks of the besieging army. Their anxiety 
 about the dangers of their situation, were now relieved by 
 Ihe arrival of general Clay with a force of 1200 Kentuck- 
 ians: separating his men into several divisions, and mak- 
 ing an impetuous attack, he drove the besiegers from their 
 works, and took a niimber of prisoners. His troops,think-^ 
 ing the victory complete, and disregarding the orders of 
 their commander, were drawn into an ambush prepared 
 for them by the Indian warrior, Tecumseh. All but 150 
 of the party were cut off. Colonel Dudley, who com- 
 manded a detachment of 800 men, strove in vain to rescue 
 his troops. About the same time. Colonel Miller entered 
 upon an engagement with the enemy, and entirely defeated 
 them. In these encounters, two or three hundred of the 
 Americans escaped into the fort, something like three 
 hundred were killed or made prisoners, end the rest fled 
 to the nearest settlenient. The defence of the fort was 
 still continued, but the Indians,iinacquainted with sieves, 
 became weary and discontented. Notwithstanding tho 
 entreaties of their chief, Tecumseh, they deserted their 
 allies on the 8th of May. Thus situated, Proctor rai-sed 
 the siege on the day following, and retreated to Maiden. 
 General Dearborn having assembled a large body of 
 troops at Sackets Harbor, where great exertions had been 
 made by commodore Chauncey to prepare a flotilla for 
 aiding in' thft operations -of the er>sukig year, embarked 
 on the. 25th day of April, with 1700 men, to the attack of 
 York, the capital of Upper Canada. The force of the 
 enemy at this place consisted of 700 regulars and militia, 
 and 100 Icdiaus, under the ccinmaud of general SbeuSe. 
 
204 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 General Pike pressed on his forces and landed, although 
 opposed at the water's edge hy a supe<'ior force. After a 
 eevere contest of half an iiour, the enemy were driven to 
 their fortifications. The remainder of the troops having 
 landed, they advanced forward, destroyed the first battery, 
 and were moving tovvards the main works, when a tre- 
 mendous explosion of the enemy's magazine at 690 feel 
 distance, hurled upon the advancing columns vast quan- 
 tities of stones and fragments of wood, which caused great 
 havoc among tliem. Many were killed and wounded, and 
 among the latter was the gallant Pike. The British com- 
 mandant finding resistance unavailing, retreated with the 
 regulars towards Kingston, leaving the commanding ofii- 
 cer of the militia to make tlie most favorable negotiation 
 in his power. Tjie terms of the capitulation were agreed 
 on, and the Americans rook possession of the town. — 
 The brave and lamented Pike survived his v.ounds but a 
 few hours ; but before his death the flag which waved over 
 the fortress his valor had conquered was at his request 
 placed under his head, when, with asmile of triumph, he 
 calmly expired amidst the shouts of victory. The loss on 
 tlie part of the Americans was three hundred and twenty 
 in killed and wounded, and mostly by the explosion of 
 the magazine. One hundred of the British vr'ere killed, 
 about three hundred wounded, and as many made prison- 
 ers. The capital 1)f Upper Canada v/as evacuated by 
 the American commander, who crossed the lake to leave 
 the wounded at Sacketfe Harbor, and again sailed and 
 huided his troops at Niagara. The reintbrcements of 
 the enemy induced general Dearborn to change the place 
 of attack. Accordingly he re-embarked at fort George 
 on the 27th of May. 
 
 After a warm engagement the enemy abandoned and 
 the Americans entered the fort. The fugitives retreated 
 to the heights at the head of Burlington bay. Three him- 
 dred of tlie British were killed in the defence of the fort 
 and seventeen only, of the Americans were killed and 
 forty-five wounded. Fort Erie immediately followed the 
 eanie fate : lieutenant-colonel Preston took possession of 
 It on the 23th, it having been previously abandoned. The 
 British on their retreat being joined by a detachment from 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 205 
 
 fort Eiie and C'lippcvvay, were pursued by two brigades 
 under generals Chandler and Winder. Colonel St. Vin- 
 cent having ascertained their position settled his plan of 
 attack. He came in the security of darkness upon the 
 American station, and with the roar of his cannon and yell 
 of the savages, spread a most dreadful scene of confusion 
 and carnage around. The darkness was such that a dis- 
 tinction could not be made between friends and enemies. — 
 General Chandler designing to place him.-^elf at the head 
 of his artillery, rushed into tiie midst of a British, party, 
 and, in a few minutes after, the fortune of general Winder, 
 by a like mistake, was the same. Satisfied with the ca})- 
 lure of these oliicers and some other prisoners, they made 
 a precipitate retreat. The Americans, after a loss of two 
 or three hundred in killed and wounded, made a retreat 
 under colonel Burns from Stonoy Creek, the place of ac- 
 tion, to Forty mile Creek, the former position of this 
 force. This misibrtune was soon foUov.ed by tlie unfortu- 
 nate transaction at Beaver Dams. Lieutenant-coloael 
 BcErstler had been ordered tomarcii from fort George and 
 disperse a body of the enemy collected at that place. — 
 An attack was made oli the Americans within a short dis- 
 tance of the Beaver Dams, and after contesting the bat-^ 
 tie ground, colonel Bii^rstler'sammunition failing, he was 
 obliged to surrender his whole detachment, which consist- 
 ed of 570 men. Commodore Chauncey, in conjunction 
 with colonel Scott, learning that the British had a quan- 
 tity of stores at Burlington bay, proceeded with 200 men 
 to destroy them. On arriving at the place, they found a 
 force double of their own, strojigiy intrenciied and d«fen- 
 ded by eight pieces of cannon; whereupon the enterprise 
 was abandoned. Five pieces of cannon, eleven boats, 
 and a tew prisoners uere taken away. ' 
 
 The British sought the opportunity, while the Ameri- 
 cana were employed in tlie j)rovinces, to make an att'ick 
 upon the important post of Sacketts Harbor. The squad- 
 ron hove in sight of tlie town on the 27th of May, when 
 the inhabitants of the adjacentcountry immediately assem- 
 bled. General Brown, of the j\ew-York militia, had the 
 command of 1000 men, for the purpose of defending the 
 town. A temporary breast work was quickly thrown up 
 
 IB 
 
im HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 j?{ tlie only-place where t]ie enemy conld effect a landing, 
 stnd this was employed for shelterinfj; llie jriilitia and regu- 
 lars stationed here under colonel Bac'ais. On tlie mor- 
 ring of the 23d, the British landed one thousand troop.^ 
 from their vessels and advanced toward the fortifications. 
 The militia aiiVightened fled in the utmost confusion, and 
 colop.el Mill-^, in attempting to rally them, was mortally 
 v/ounded. The regulars, unable to sustain the force and 
 superiority of the enemy, gave way and retreated (ov/ard 
 ihe town^ taking shelter in the houses upon the road. — 
 From these coverts they poured so destructive a fire upon 
 the advanced party of the British, that it halted and re- 
 turned back. This slight check was, by the contrivance 
 of general Brown, turned into a hasty retreat. Having 
 collected the panic struck militia, he marched them along 
 the road whi^-h, while it conducted from the village, ap- 
 poircd to the commander of the British to lead to the place 
 of landing. Seeing them marching with precipitation, he 
 concluded tiioir design was to cut oil' his retreat, and re- 
 cmbarked so hastily as to leave most of tiie wounded be- 
 hind. The adroitness displayed by this management of 
 general Brown, and the importance of his services, gairi- 
 pd for him the appointment of brigadier-general in the 
 regular army. 
 
 On the 20th of July, Proctor having again collected 
 about 500 of his Indian allies, with nearly as many regu- 
 lars, marched to the attack of fort Stephenson, on the 
 vSandusky river. He soon alter invested it and demanded 
 its surrender. But by the gallantry and resolution oi^ 
 rnajor-Croghan and 160 men, the full complement of the 
 garrison, they determined on defending the fort to the last 
 ostremity, notwithstanding the threat which in former 
 instances had been tijund so powerful, the Indians could 
 nol; be restrained after the commencement of the con- 
 test. 
 
 An account of the naval transactions performed by the 
 American forces upon the ocean, has, from our presc ri- 
 fted limits and the local descriptions suitable tor a histo- 
 ry of the State of Vermont, been necessarily omitted ; but 
 the lakes, upon which those scenes of naval valor, now 
 rising to the grandeur of victory, have no longer to ro- 
 
History of Vermont. 207 
 
 inaiti ill obscurity and unimportance. . Nolliiujr ot gen- 
 eral magnitude had [jreviously to September, ltil3., trans- 
 pired upon tl'.e lakes. The most that had been done was 
 in fitting out lieets and conveying the land forces from their 
 dilibrent places of rendezvous. Captain Elliot, in Octo- 
 ber, 1812, with 100 men, etiibarked on board of twoboatt^ 
 crossed the Niagara fioni i>lack- Rock, and took tM'o of 
 the enemy's brigs from under the guns of fort Eric, on 
 whom the garrison poured a tremendous and incessant fjr(\ 
 i)no of them was burned and the other was connected with 
 the naval force of the United States. During the summer 
 of 1S13, commodore Perry was engaged in preparing an 
 American squadron for service on lake Eric. It consist- 
 ed of nine vessels, the largest of which carried twenty 
 guns, and the whole mounting fifty-four. The enemy's 
 tieet was built and equipcd under the superintendance of 
 commodore Barclay, an experienced otiicer from tlw 
 British navy. It consisted of six vessels, mounting sixty- 
 three guns in the whole. The American squadron, under 
 the command of commodore Perry, sailed out and oil'er- 
 ed battle to their adversary. Ou the lOl'i of September, 
 the British commodore having a favorable wind, left tlie 
 harbor of Maiden to accept the offer. The firing commen- 
 ced on both sides a fesv minutes before tv/elve o'clock. — 
 'i'he British, at the commencenieat of the action, bcro 
 so heavy upon the Americans, that the commodore's ves- 
 sel, the St. Lawrence, became entirely unmanageable, 
 having her guns rendered useless, and t!ie greater part of 
 the crev/ either killed or wounded. No iiopes of success 
 remained but in tlic execution of the attempt now underta- 
 ken by the American commodore. He quitted the St. 
 Lawrence in an open boat, and when passing along lio 
 less than three broadsides were fir-ed at him from the Brit- 
 ish vessels when he escaped. The wind now shifted quar- 
 ters, giving the Americans the advantage; but the Law- 
 rence was so disabled, having only eight men fit for duly, 
 that she lowered her colors. Possession, howt^ver, not 
 being taken of her by the British, they again hoisted her 
 Oag. At forty-five minutes past two, a signal was given 
 for close action. As the Niagara was but very little injur- 
 4?d, commodore Perry resolved to pass through the cue- 
 
238 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 my^s lines with her, which he did with great skill and bra- 
 very. Captain Elliot had the direction of the smaller ves- 
 eels, which, with the Niagara, were now brought into 
 close combat. In a short time, one of tiie Britis^h vessels 
 surrendered, and soon after another; and the remainder 
 of the American Meet now joining in the action, the victo- 
 ry 'was rendered decisive and complete. The American 
 loss was 27 killed and 96 wounded — the whole loss of the 
 British in killed and wounded was estiniated at 16.0. — 
 The number of prisoners amounted to six hundred, which 
 was more than all the Americans engaged in the action. — 
 In three hours from the commencement of the action, the 
 commodore of the victorious force was enabled to an- 
 nounce to general Harrison the capture of the whole Brit- 
 ish squadron, in the following expressive style: — ''We 
 have mot the enemy and they are ours*" The news of this 
 victory difilised universal joy throughout the Union, be- 
 cause it was achieved against a superior force, and was 
 the first they had ever gained over a whole squadron. — 
 Those circumstances threw every other victory into the 
 ^■hade, and cast the brigliteat lustre upon the characters 
 of the heroes who had gained it. This victory opened a 
 })assage to the region wliich had been surrendered by gen- 
 eral Hull, and general Harrison was immediately con- 
 veyed in transports, with a huge body of Kentucky mili- 
 tia, to IMalden. 
 
 This movement being understood by the British com- 
 mander, he abandoned that place, afid on the 2Sth of Sep- 
 tember it was occupied without opposition by the Ameri- 
 can army. General Harrison pursued the retreating par- 
 ty through Detroit, up the river Thames, to the Moravian 
 village, on the 5th October. Proctor's force consisted of 
 2000 men, of whommore than half were Indians. The 
 British army were strongly posted ; their left, resting on 
 the Thames, v/as defended by their artillery ; the rig!./ 
 reached to a swamp that run parallel to the river, and was 
 supported by Tecumseh and his warriors, who were sta- 
 tioned in a tliick wood which skirled the morass. Colonel 
 Johnson's regiment being much relied on by the general, 
 was ordered to charge the enemy's center, with the de- 
 sign of breaking their linos aad getting in the rear. 'i'h& 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 20^ 
 
 KentLickians advanced boldly to the charge and succeed- 
 ed so far as to throw the enemy into confusion, but failed 
 in penetrating their lines. The army now moved and at- 
 tacked the right and left Hanks of the enemy with great ef- 
 fect. The celebrated Tecuniseh led on his Indian warri- 
 ors against colonel Johnson and his battalion. These jio- 
 roes now met each otlicr in a contest which, from the char- 
 acter of both, must terminate the life of one. The Indian 
 commander raising his (oincihawk to despatch colonel 
 Johnson, received a pistol shot from his intended victim, 
 and fell dead at his feet. The defeat of this savage war- 
 rior was tlie overthrow of the army. Since tlie defeat of 
 llarmcr, Tecumseh had been in almost every engagement 
 which the whites had had with his race, within or on the 
 boundaries of the United States. He visited the various 
 tribes at the commnncement of the war, and his eloquence 
 and influence engaged hia countrymen to bear arras against 
 the United States. About two hundred of the British, 
 with the commander Proctor, escaped, and the remainder 
 surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Nineteen recr- 
 ulars were killer^, fifty wounded, and six hundred taken 
 prisoners. The loss of the Indians was one hundred and 
 twenty. Fifty of the Americans were killed and v/ounded. 
 The fiill of Detroit brought the Indian v/ar to a close, and 
 gave security to the frontiers. It also put them in pos- 
 session of what was lost by the surrender of general Hull. 
 Various skirmishes having succeeded on lake Ontario, 
 since hostilities commenced between America and Great- 
 Britain, yet nothing of a decisive character occurred until 
 the 5th of October, when commodore Chauncey, after re- 
 peatedly chasing the British fleet, and failing to bring 
 them into action, encountered a squadron of seven sail, 
 which was bound for Kingston with troops and provisions. 
 lie captured five of these, one was burned, and the other 
 effected an escape. The number of prisoners taken a- 
 mounted to two hundred and sixty-four. General Wilkin- 
 •on was appointed to the command of the army of the 
 center, in consequence of the removal of general Dear- 
 born. The first object of his instructions was to make an 
 attack upon Kingston, and after that, close his campai^^Q 
 by the reduction of Montreal. The force designed for 
 18* 
 
210 mSTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 this service was an army of 5000 at fort George, 200(1 
 under general Lewis at Sackett's Harbar, and the armj 
 of general Harrison, whom general Wilkinson expected 
 would join with his army and proceed with him down the 
 St. Lawrence. The command of the northern army, 
 which was to proceed to Canada by the way of Cham- 
 plain, and form a junction upon the St. Lawrence, was- 
 given to general Hampton. 
 
 The secretary of war proceeded from Washington to 
 Sacketts Harbor for the purpose of assisting in the enter- 
 prise. His orders were awaited by the commanding offi- 
 cer, which were to proceed direct to Montreal, rather 
 than m pursuance of his former orders to make an attack 
 upon Kingston. The forces were ordered to descend the 
 St. Lawrence, but such were the difticulties in collecting 
 them and such tlio want of vigilance in the commander, 
 Ihat they did not sail until the 5th of November. On their 
 way down the river, they were impeded by constant at- 
 tacks from the enemy posted at convenient distances along 
 the Canadian shore. These annoyances were so trouble- 
 some that general Brown ordered his troops to disembark 
 and proceed in advance of the boats. The movements of 
 the invading army were closely watched by a corps of ob- 
 eervation from the governor of Canada, to follow in their 
 rear and annoy them at every opportunity. General Boyd 
 disembarked his troops on arriving at the rapids, and 
 marched down the river as general Brown was doing at 
 some distance in advance of them. On the Hth of No- 
 vember a battle was fought at Chrystler's fields, near 
 Williamsburgh, between the combined force of general 
 Boyd's, Brown's and Swartwout's brigfides, and a party 
 of the British, under the command of lieutenant-colonel 
 Morrison. The action was supported more than two 
 hours with unyielding resolution, when a body of the 
 Americans, wiio had been left to cover their retreat, were 
 routed by the British, which gave them the possession of 
 the field. Both parties, however, claimed the victory ; 
 the British retreating to their encampment, and the Amer- 
 icans ta tlieir boats. Three hundred and thirty-nine in 
 killed and wounded v/as the ascertained loss on the sid© 
 of the Americans ; but that of the British is unkno wn.— 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 211 
 
 Among (hose wounded, of the Americans, was general 
 Covington, who died soon after. The army arrived a^ 
 St. Regis the next day, where general Hampton, wlio had 
 the command of Plattsburgh, had been ordered to meet 
 them. But here general Wilkinson, to his great amaze- 
 ment and confusion, was informed by general Hampton 
 that his situation was such that he could not join him 
 there, but intimated that he might do so lower down the 
 river. By the determination of a council of war, that was 
 called on the occasion, the attack upon Mo'ntreal was a- 
 bandoned, and the army under general Wilkinson took up 
 winter quarters at the French Mills. Orders were sect 
 to general Hampton to invade Canada by the way of 
 Champlain, at which place he rendezvoused on the 25th 
 of September, but was afterwards directed to march to 
 Chateaugay, and proceed to Montreal by the direction 
 of Chateaagay river. On the 21st of October, he left his 
 encampment at Chateaugay four corners, crossed into 
 Canada, and moved as far down the river as Onnstown. 
 Having ascertained that the British had a f^rce of six 
 hundred men a few miles below on the way to Montreal, 
 he despatched colonel Purdy with 2000 of his troops on 
 the night of the 25th, for the purpose of destroying it. — 
 The next morning the two divisions of the army under 
 colonel Purdy and general Hampton, came within one 
 mile of the enemy, on opposite sides of the river. Gen- 
 eral^Izard took the command of the army, with orders 
 from Hampton to attack the enemy immediately, which 
 he did, but so unsuccessfully as to be obliged to retire 
 from the field. The detachment under colonel Purdy be- 
 ing disabled by the fatigues of their march, did not join 
 general Izard's troops. The enemy observing them, and 
 supposing their number inconsiderable, passed unpercei- 
 ved within a short distance of their rear, and began an 
 attack, when the Americans made a disorderly flight to 
 the river. The army then returned to the encampment at 
 Chateaugay, and the expedition to Montreal being aban- 
 doned, they marched to Plattsburgh for winter quarters. — 
 On the 24th of October general Harrison arrived at Buf- 
 falo and proceeded directly to Sacketts Harbor, by which 
 raeans the Niagara frontier was left unguarded, except by 
 
212 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 a few militia at fort George. The British, in their tarn, 
 thought to invade the United States. Accordingly they 
 sent an a force to Niagara, when general McClure, in- 
 tinnidated at their approach and misunderstanding the or- 
 ders he received from government, reduced the village of 
 Newark to ashes. Colonel Murray crossed at Niagara, 
 captured the sentries, and immediately took the fort. — 
 On the surrender of the fortress, consisting of three hun- 
 dred men, the greater part of them were cruelly and 
 wantonly put to death. 
 
 The forces of the enemy being increased, they marched 
 toLevvistown, where they were opposed by Major Young, 
 who was soon compelled to retreat. The villages of Lew- 
 islown, Manchester and Tuscarora were destroyed by the 
 enemy. Black Rock was the next place of their attack, 
 (reneral Hall commanding a force there, repelled them 
 for some time, yet they with considerable difficulty effect- 
 ed a landing and drove the Americans from their batter- 
 ies to Buflaio. All hopes of withstanding them here wero 
 entirely vain, as only six hundred out of two thousand mi- 
 litia were willing to risk an engagement. Buffalo and 
 Black Rock were consigned to the incendiaries' torch» 
 as was the country for several miles along the river. — 
 The last scenes of this year's campaign were more like 
 the exterminating ravages of the barbarous Indians than 
 the contests} of civilized nations -or the more improved 
 rriethod of modern warfare. Plundering, burning and in- 
 diiscriminate slaughter were practised by the invaders up- 
 on the innocent and defenceless inhabitants. 
 
 A body of the Vermont militia, which had been draAed 
 into the service of the United States and marched to 
 Plattsburgh, in New- York, were, by a proclamation trom. 
 governor Chittenden, discharged from public service, up- 
 on the ground that it was unconstitutional for them to bo 
 taken beyond the limits of the state, and that in a war of 
 invasion the President of the federal government had not 
 the authority by the constitution to call upon the militia 
 without permission from the state executive. This was a 
 principle established by the supreme court of Massachu- 
 setts, and adhered to by most of the states in Nevv-Eng- 
 kind. Those officers who were zealous for the war objso- 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 213 
 
 ted to thia order from governor Chittenden, and drev/ up 
 u protest signed by twenty-two commissioned officers, sta- 
 ting their views upon the controverted subject and their 
 unwiilinoness to concede to the requifeitions of his excel- 
 lency. However, the militia returned before their term of 
 service had expired, and the subject was no further agita- 
 ted before the public. 
 
 In the progress of our narative, an event which happen- 
 ed upon Idke Champlain has been omitted, in the order 
 of time, but may as properly be described after the clos- 
 ing scenes of the campaign have been 'recited as at the pe- 
 riod when it occurred. The Growler and tiie Eagle, com- 
 manded by lieutenant Smith, sailed from Plattsburgli on 
 t!ie 2d of June, in pursuit of some British gun-boats, then 
 in the waters of the states. On tiie morning of the third 
 day they discovered three gun-boats, to which they itr.me- 
 diately gave chase. The channel .being narrow and the 
 wind blowing briskly from the south, ran them so far into 
 it that there was no possibility of a return. One of. the 
 vessels became unmanageable, and sunk in shoal water; 
 the other fought for more than four hours, until obliged to 
 yield to superior force. The enemy had the advantyge in 
 another respect : tlie narrowness of tlie lake afforded an 
 opportunity for the soldiers upon its banks to do consid- 
 erable execution. Another squadron sailed up tliC lake 
 on the first of August, consisting of two large sloops, three 
 gun-boats and about forty batteaux, fUled with troops. — 
 They landed at Plattsburgh, destroyed all the government 
 property, and then retreated. A short time aftervr:ards 
 comrao.dore Macdonough sailed out of Burlington bay 
 and offered battle to the British, which they refused and 
 retired to St. Johns. 
 
 The result of the campaign for this year was not ro fa- 
 vorable to the country as the administration party had an- 
 ticipated : yet it had been filled with incidents highly hon- 
 orable to the American arms. If the war had increased the 
 interruptions of commerce, it had cherished and multi- 
 plied manufactures : if it had given an opportunity for 
 spoliations on the ocean and for predatory excursions on 
 land, it had developed the best means of retarding the 
 former and providing protection against the latter, and 
 
21 i HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 (ho result promised greater respect on the part of fort'iga 
 nations for the riglits of the repablic, and a longer dura- 
 tion of future peace, than could be expected without tho 
 cignal proofs which have been exhibited of the nutionai 
 spirit and reso'jrces. 
 
 CIIAPTEil X. 
 
 Proffered rnediat'ion of Rufisia declined hy the Irritidh 
 gooernment. — (-pinions of Crcat-'JJritain on the jrrosc' 
 iution of the War. — Untnicccsyful attempt at La Col- 
 U.— ()su:cgo attacked by the British. — Battle of Chip- 
 pen^a. — Kngdgtment at Bridgcv:atcr. — TMe British re- 
 puLssd in their attack vpon fart Erie. — hSucce.srful 
 sortie of general Vurter against the British garrison 
 near fort Erie. — Capitulation of the eastern part of 
 Maine to the t7ie:ny. — !Sir George Prevost marehcs his 
 ar.ny into the tSiatts. — Invasion of P'attshurgh.—Mc- 
 Donoiigh-ii Victory over the British squadron^ Septem- 
 ber I ithy 1814. — Retreat of the English army. — ISecjucl 
 to the history of the war with Great-Britain. — ^l gtn- 
 accd treaty of peace concluded at Ghent. 
 
 An offer was made by tho Emperor of Russiii, with a 
 view of arresting* the desolating ravages of war, to assist 
 the governments of Great-Britain and the United State« 
 in settling by negociation the unhappy controversy in 
 which the respective governments were involved. Tho 
 olfer was promptly accepted by the United States, when 
 John Cluincy Adams, Jinnes A. Hayard and Albert Galla- 
 tin were appointed commissioners to negotiate a treaty of 
 peace at St. Petersburg; for which, the British on their 
 part appointed Lord Gambler, lienry Golbourn and Wil- 
 liam Adams ; but they declined to treat under the media- 
 tion of Russia, but proposed a negotiation at London or 
 Goltenhiirgh. The American go'.ernment accepted this 
 projiosition, and cho^e (iottenburgh, for which Ghent 
 was afterwards substituted. Henry Clay and Jonathan 
 Kas:»el were united with the commissioners already iu 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 215 
 
 Europe. After the troubles in Europe liad terminatocl, 
 the English nation contemplated dictating peace to Amer- 
 ica from the capital of the rcpuhiic, or at least tlie splen- 
 dor of their triumphs and the burthens of Arncricin em- 
 barrassments would induce the New-England States to 
 form a distinct government. Two distinct modes of car- 
 rying on t\\e war were decided on by the British ministrv; 
 first. to invade the coa?t of the United vStates, and in the 
 next, alVr the protection of Can^^da h.a-.l been secured, to 
 conquer so niuclj of the territory of the United Slates r.s 
 would guard them against any future danger. To etlect 
 tlicse purposes, fourteen tl.ousand troops that fought un- 
 der Wellington, were embarked frou) France to Canada, 
 and a navaf armament, with an adequate number of sea- 
 men, for invading the ditTerent ports of the American coast 
 r.t the same time. The .changes recently occurring in 
 Ihirope restored peace between England and France, and 
 the reason why America had continued her restrictions! 
 was, by acting in concert with France, the commerce of 
 England might be very much deranged. Tijis cause be^ 
 ing now removed, it was judged expedient to repeal the 
 embargo and nonimportation act, v»hich was accorditigly 
 done in the month of April. 
 
 Soon after Congress assembled, th.e situation of the 
 nrmy received their attention. A bounty of one hundred 
 and twenty-four dollars was provided for any one who 
 phould enlist for f.ve years, and eight dollars for any per- 
 pon who should procure such recruits. Additional appro- 
 priations were also made for increasing the f)rce of the 
 country. The army under general Wilkinson continued 
 at the Frenrh Mills, until be received orders from the 
 Secretary of AVar, when he sent a force of 2000 troops, 
 under general Brown, to the Niagara frontier, and Ijav- 
 ing destroyed the public buildings, he marched to Plattsr 
 burgh. On the 2ist of February, the enemy proceeded 
 ns far into the states as iM alone, and destroyed the public 
 })roperty kept there, which had been removed from tho 
 encampment at the French Mills. By these movements 
 the British concluded that t'jc Americans v/cre about to 
 invade Canada: therefore, 2000 men fcH'tified themselves 
 at La Colle Mill, near the river Sorel. For the purpose 
 
216 HISTORY OF YERiMONT. 
 
 of dislodging them general Wilkinson advanced with but 
 slight opposition from skirmishing parties to La Coile, 
 and there disposed his forces in such onler as to cutoff 
 the retreat of the enemy. An attempt was made by the 
 occupants of the Mill to retire, but they were repulsed. 
 The invading army undertook to batter down the Mill 
 with their cannon, but the stone of which it was built was' 
 so thick as to resist all attempts of the kind ; whereupon 
 a retreat was ordered, having lost one hundred in killed 
 and wounded. The forces in Canada were marched from 
 the St. Lawrence and stationed at St. Johns, for the pur- 
 pose of securing the entrance of their fleet into lake 
 Champlain. Great 'exertions had been made by commo- 
 dore M'Donough to prepare a fleet that would compete 
 with the enemy upon lake Champlain. It was necessary 
 for the British to destroy the shipping at Yergennes, before 
 it should make its appearance upon the lake. Their de- 
 signs being understood by the commodore, a battery was 
 erected at the mouth of Otter Creek. On the tenth of 
 May, 1S14, the enemy's flotilla, consisting of a brig, three 
 armed sloops and thirteen gallies, proceeded up the lake 
 and scoured the shores v/ith their light boats as they pass- 
 ed along. Having gone as far south as the mouth of Ot- 
 ter Creek, they couimenced firing upon the battery, who, 
 after exchanging one hi ndred shots and being unsuccess- 
 ful in gaining the rear of the battery, on account of a de- 
 tachment of Yermont militia, v.hich galled them so severe- 
 ly that they were obliged to retreat down the lake, eflecting 
 nothing by their adventure but a discovery of the military 
 prowess of the Green Mountain Boys, in their able de- 
 fence of fort Cassin. 
 
 The new brig that was afterwards commanded by M'- 
 Donough,at the battle of riattshurgh,was launched about 
 this time. The events of peace in Europe,by the dethrone- 
 ment and exile of Bonaparte and the restoration of Louis 
 XYIIl. gave Great Britain, now at peace with the whole 
 world, except the United States, an opportunity to em- 
 ploy all that immense force wi»ich she had used in crush- 
 ing her rival, against the American republic. 
 
 These prospects were duly estimated by the American 
 people :— a severer conflict, attended with greater sacri- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 217 
 
 fices niid sufTerings, was calculated upon by those in favor 
 of the aduiinistration ; but its opposers made great ef- 
 fortis to wrest the power from those they thought had 
 shown themselves incompetent, which in no small degree 
 lessened the strength of t!ie government. Preparations 
 were making by the British and Americans to gain the 
 supremacy upon lake Ontario; but as yet the British had 
 the control, wliich they employed in destroying unfin- 
 ished vessels and stores along t!ie United States shore. — 
 (iieneral Drummond, with 1500 troops on board of sev- 
 eral transports, attempted to eifect a landing at Oswego — 
 a deposit of naval stores then garrisoned by 500 men un- 
 der t!ie conjmand of colonel iMitchell, in a fort which had 
 only five guns. On the enemy's second attempt to effect 
 a landing, the iVmerican commander, finding himself un- 
 able to sustain liis position, retired and moved tlie public 
 stores about twelve miles to Oswego fails. The enemy 
 being interrupted in their progress by the destruction of a 
 bridge, evacuated tiie town and returned to Kingston. — 
 The military stores at Oswego were shortly after ordered 
 to be removed to Sacketts Harbor, and on their passage, 
 near Sand Creek, were attacked by the enemy'a boats, 
 as they entered I he stream. Having formed an ambus- 
 cade, they completely surprised their pursuers, who yield- 
 ed after a short encounter. The British had encamped 
 300 or more men upon the river Thames, v/horn captain 
 Holme?:, with 180 troops, was sent out to dislodge. He 
 retreated to a favorable position, and then sent forv/ard a 
 body of rangers to ascertain their strength, who were pur- 
 sued by t!ie enemy. They attempted by a feigned attack 
 and retreat to draw captain Holmes from his position, and 
 by this manceuver succeeded. Various other proceedings 
 were entered upon by the enemy to bring on an engage- 
 ment, which at last occurred. The Americans fought 
 gallantly for more than an hour, who were nearly surroun- 
 ded at the time the enemy retreated. The loss of the Ai 
 mericans was only six killed and wounded, hut their op- 
 ponents sustained a destruction of sixty-nine oi'their num- 
 bers. In the feeginning of July, general Brown marched 
 liis army to Buffalo, whtre the addition of Towsoj.^s ar- 
 tillery and a body of volunteers, under general Porter, 
 
 19 
 
tl8 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 augmented the number of his forces to something more 
 than 3,000 men : with these he crossed the Niagara, and 
 took possession without opposition of Fort Erie. The 
 British, amounting to three thousand, under the command 
 of general Riall, occupied a strong position at the mouth 
 of the Chippewa. Small parties of the enemy continual- 
 ly annoyed the American camp, on account of which 
 general Porter with about nine hundred volunteers, Indiana 
 and regulars, was sent out by general Brown along the 
 creek, where he attacked a body of Indians about two 
 miles from the American camp. The noise of the firing 
 brought on a large reinforcement of Indians, which, after 
 a warm engagement, obliged general Porter to retire. 
 
 Both armies were now under motion, advancing to- 
 wards the destined field of battle. General Scott's brigade 
 was in the advance, hastening to receive the charge, from 
 those who had fought upon the ensanguined fields of Eu- 
 rope, and subdued the conqueror whose ambition had 
 strove for and almost attained universal dominion, and 
 whose energies raised him from obscurity to the highest 
 destination of wealth, of grandeur and of power. The 
 British outnumbered the Americans by more than one 
 third, and arrayed in all the panoply of experience and 
 power, boldly advanced to open combat. The heroism 
 of general Scott equalled the best and pr.rest exertions of 
 human nature. The British gave way in the bloody con- 
 test, and Scott persued and defeated them on all sides, un- 
 til their retreat became perfectly disordered, and they 
 Bought shelter from their intrenchments. The enemy were 
 totally repulsed by the decisive movements of general 
 Scott, before general Ripley's brigade arrived. General 
 Brown marched back his forces to the camp, without at- 
 tempting anything upon the fortifications of^the enemy. — 
 The British sustained a loss in killed, wounded and pris- 
 oners of 514 ; but the destruction on the part of the Amer- 
 icans did not equal this number by 186 men. This deci- 
 siTe victory, gained after so many reverses, was regarded 
 as an omen of future success. Immediately afterwards, 
 general Riall, leaving his works, marched to Burling- 
 ton heights. Lieutenant-general Drummond, collecting 
 all Lis forces at Burlington and York, took them under 
 
lilS'TORY OF VERMONt, 219 
 
 his command and marched back with his army towards 
 the American camp, to fort George. The force of the 
 British, collected for the purpose of opposing general 
 Brown, including fifteen hundred Indians and militia, a- 
 niounted to five thousand; but these constantly diminish- 
 ed by the desertion of the Indians. 
 
 On the morning of the 25th, intelligence was commu> 
 nicated to the American commander, by general Swift, 
 that a detachment of the enemy from Clueenstown threat- 
 ened his stores at Scholsser. A movement under the di- 
 rection of general Scott, upon the Q,ueenstown road, was 
 commenced late in tlie afternoon. The design of this was 
 to mnke an attack upon the enemy, and divert their atten- 
 tion from his public stores. Proceeding but a short dis- 
 tance from the falls, inlbrmAtion was communicated that 
 a force of the British lay encamped behind the woods, 
 and that they intended to attack the Americans the follow- 
 ing day. This intelligence was hastily transmitted to the 
 commander, and the forces under Scott proceeded rapid- 
 ly through the wood, where he perceived the British 
 strongly posted on an eminence defended by nine pieces 
 of artillery. Near Lundy's lane, in front of the British 
 position, he arranged his men in the order of battle. The 
 thunder of the artillery gave the signal lor attack. The 
 Americans commenced and maintained the contest with 
 a force not more than one seventh as large as that of the 
 enemy. Had the British commander been apprised of 
 their real situation, he might have captured the Americans 
 with scarce the loss of a man. 
 
 It was night when the engagement commenced and dark- 
 ness began to veil the earth in obscurity. The battle still 
 continued and no reinforcement appeared. More than 
 one fourth were now killed or wounded, which was a ful- 
 filment of the rule for retreating. But at this difficult pe- 
 riod, when many of their best officers and soldiers were 
 killed or wounded, general Ripley led on his brigade to 
 their assistance. The advancing general placing his 
 brigade to the right of general Scott, found his position 
 unfavorable for annoying the enemy, and assumed the re- 
 sponsibility of proceeding nearer to them before he tbr- 
 lucd. Sutfaring severely from this movement, Ripley 
 
220 histohy of veemont. 
 
 then seitled in his mind the bold ad^'entrire of storming 
 the fort. " Will you attempt the reduction of that for* 
 tress,'- said general Ripley to colonel Miller. "I'll try," 
 was his heroic answer. At the word of command, his 
 men steadily ascending the hill, advanced to the months 
 of their cannon, bayoneted the men while firing, drove the 
 remainder before them, and took away their cannon. Tho 
 arrangement of the American lines was now as tollows: 
 General Ripley's brigade was formed on the left — general 
 Porter, with his volunteers, on the right, and the artillery 
 of Towson in the center. The enemy rallied with all their 
 vigor to regain their artillery, but their approach could not 
 be distinctly ascertained. The moon now risen shone oc- 
 casionally throngh the Hitting clouds which enveloped the 
 heavens. The roar of the cahirac of Niagara was at times 
 silenced by the thunder of the cannon and the din of arms, 
 but was distinctly heard during the pauses of the fight. — 
 In this situation the American troops were ordered to wait 
 till the enemy's bayonet touched their own, and to take 
 aim by the light from the discharge of their muskets. — 
 The deadly fire of the Americans proved destructive to the 
 British. The enemy recovering from their confusion, 
 pressed on with their bayonets, and the assault was met 
 by the Americans with firmness. The contest continued 
 for more than twenty minutes, when the enemy retreated 
 in disorder. Three times in the course of the night the 
 same scene was repeated. The valor of America four 
 limes met and repulsed the enemy. After this the firing 
 ceased, and the British were withdrawn, and the Ameri- 
 cans left in the undisturbed possession of the field. Al- 
 though the burden of the battle happened on the heights, 
 yet efforts were made in other parts. General Scott'a 
 brigade forming anew, charged through an opening in 
 Ripley's line, which in the confusion and d^^irkness of 
 the scene, proceeded between the fires of the combatantfcj, 
 and afterwards engaged in tlie battle by taking his position 
 on the lel^t of general Ripley. In another part colonel Jcs- 
 sup, with two hundred men, advanced against the enemy, 
 brouglit them to action, drove them from the ground, and 
 captured general Riall, with other oflicers and soldiers 
 to an amount equal to his own. In this important contest 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 221 
 
 the British lost eight hundred and eighty in killed, wound- 
 ed and prisoners. Among the wounded were generals 
 Drummond and Riall. Tiie American number was re- 
 duced to eight hundred and sixty. Generals Scott and 
 Brown, towards the close of the battle, were wounded, 
 whilst major M'Farland and captain Ritchie were killed, 
 with many other excellent officers. 
 
 1'he command now devolving upon general Ripley, he 
 found his force so much reduced that he considered it ex- 
 pedient to abandon the captured artillery and return to 
 fort Erie. The American army, now reduced to 1600, 
 proceeded to erect fortifications atthis place. They were 
 besieged on the 4th of August by a British force consist- 
 ing of 5000 men. The day following, general Gaines, 
 from Sacketts Harbor, arrived and took the command of 
 the Americans. Preparations were now hastily made in 
 expectation of an attack. 
 
 The center column, tinder Drummond, succeeded in 
 scaling the walls, and took possession of the bastion, whilo 
 those of cols. Fischer and Scott made repeated attempts, 
 but were repulsed. Almost as soon as the enemy gained 
 possession of the works, a quantity of powder exploded 
 and blew up with a terrible crash the whole party into 
 the air. Those of the enemy who survived fled in confu- 
 sion. The fortune of the day was peculiarly destructive 
 to the British, 57 of their number being killed, 319 wound- 
 ed, and 539 missing. To the Americans the battle had 
 been less destructive : their total loss was 84. An army of 
 5000 men was nov/ ordered on from Plattsburgh, for the 
 relief of the bold defenders of the Niagara frontier. Con- 
 stant reinforcements were received upon the British works, 
 which general Brown determined to cut off, and thus de- 
 stroy their batteries. 
 
 On September the 17th general Porter was ordered to 
 march his detachment through the woods and attack the 
 enemy. At the same time general Miiler was directed to 
 advance a short distance and secrete his men in a ravine 
 between the fort and the British camp, until an attack 
 f-hould be commenced by general Porter. A reserve corpa 
 was commanded by general Ripley. The dangerous way 
 proscribed for general Porter and his men was traversed 
 
 19* 
 
1K2 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 aad the enemy were completely surprised. Half an hoar 
 completed the capture of the garrison. The magr.zine, 
 block house and part of the fort, t\nd alsolhe death of 
 colonels Gibson and Wood, all succeeded. General Mil- 
 ler Nvas warned by the firing that Porter had met the ene- 
 my and arrived at tlie time of the explosion. His division 
 and general Ripley's corps of reserve approached in time 
 to siiare the dangers and glory of tliis well conducted en- 
 terprise. By this successful adventure the British lost 
 their works, a large quantity of ammunition, artillery, f.nd 
 one thousand men in killed, wounded and prisoners. The 
 forces were conducted back to the fort by general Miller, 
 in perfect order. The nuniber of killed, wounded and 
 rnisaing amounted to about six hundred. 
 
 On the 21st of September, forty-nine days after the seigo 
 jcommenccd, general Drummond withdrew his forces, re- 
 lieving the garrison from their toils, which had been in- 
 cessant, and from their danger, which had been encoun- 
 tered without fear. Troops have rarely deserved higher 
 praise of their country. "The arrival of general Izard 
 with a rci[)forcement from Plattsburgh, happened on the 
 9th of October. , Being the seignor officer, he took the 
 command, and marched with his whole force on the 18th 
 of October, in pursuit of the e!>emy, whom he found at 
 Chippewa, securely stationed in a fortified camp. Sever- 
 al attempts proving ui^availing to draw the enemy ov.t in- 
 to the field, therefore he evacuated Canada, and station- 
 ed his troops in winter quarters at {3uffalo, Black Rock 
 and Batavia. 
 
 y\n expedition was fitted out on lake Huron, under tho 
 command of commodore Sinclair, by water, and major 
 Croghan, by land. Tiieir design was to take Macki- 
 i:aw, which was entirely frustrated by the ibrces of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Eigh.t ships and 2000 men, under the camn-and of com- 
 modore Hardy, made a descent upon the coast of Maine, 
 on the 11th of July, and captured Eastport and the coun- 
 try on the west of Passamaquoddy bay. An incursion 
 was soon after made into the eastern part of Maine, by 
 the governor of New-Brunswick, aided by admiral Grif- 
 fith. They proceeded up the river Penobscot^ as far at 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 223 
 
 Hampden, where the frigate John Adams was IcO forpre- 
 Fcrvation. Tiie guard placed here for its defence Hed on 
 their approach, after they had blown up the vessel. Pos- 
 session was taken of the country east of the Penobscot 
 river, in the name of the king of (ireat-Britain, and a pro- 
 rlamation issued by the council of New-Bn:ns\vick, con- 
 firming the validity of .the proceeding, and for opening a 
 communication with Canada and'this capitulated territory. 
 
 Several thousand troops sailed from England early in 
 the spring of IvSll^ and landed in Canada. With these, 
 governor Prevost resolved to carry war into the United 
 States, by the way of lake Champlain. His project, for 
 enthusiasm and sanguine expectations of success, appear- 
 ed like the imaginary calculations of general Durgoyne. 
 Presuming.on a defection among tlie inhabitants, he brought 
 with him arms and clothing for those he expected would 
 rally round his standard ; and these ideas were confirmed 
 by the American smugglers, who were wishing to secure 
 the favor of the British. This plan further resembled that 
 of Biirgoyne's, as he contemplated marching his army by 
 way of the lake and Hudson river to New-York. Tho 
 departure of the troops from Plattshurgh, under general 
 Izard, having left that post almost defenceless, the ene- 
 my employed the opportunity to make the contemplated 
 invasion. Oit the 3d of September the governor-general 
 of Canada, with an army of 14C0 men, many of whom had 
 been familiar with the European wars, proceeded into the 
 territory of the United States. He issued a proclamation 
 at Champlain, giving the citizens o/' the States the strong- 
 est assurance that his military cfTorts should be made only 
 against the government and those who supported it, whi'e 
 the peaceful and unoffending should receive no injury. 
 
 Tliis invasion of the American republic aroused tho 
 feelings of patriotism and called into action the brave sons 
 of the green mountains. A large number of volunteers 
 from Vermont hastened toward the scene of action. Dis- 
 (inctiona of party were laid aside in the great cause of de- 
 fending the possession and liberties of the country. Gen- 
 eral Strong, from Vermont, on his arrival at Plattshurgh, 
 was elected to the command of the volunteers who, by 
 bis brave and skilful conduct, did honor to hiniself and the 
 
221 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 ptate. A difference of opinion, as was stated in the legis- 
 lative proceedings for 13.14, existed in the minds of the 
 people of Vermont us to the right which the constitution 
 conferred upon the president, or through him to any of 
 the officers in the regular army, to call the militia into the 
 feervice of the United States, and also the power which a 
 governor of a state has under the constitution of the fed- 
 eral government to sencl his forces out of the state upon 
 the emergency of repelling an invader. The governor and 
 council were decided federalists and opposed from the be- 
 ginning to tiie measures pursued by the prevailing power 
 of the country, and to the rejection of the propositions 
 made for an amicable settlement by the offending nations 
 und to the declaration and management of the war. They 
 could not from principle countenance tlie proceedings of 
 the government and its agents so long as they had protes- 
 ted against the policy tliat brougl)t about such a situation 
 of affairs. Tv.'o thousand of Mr.Chittenden's constituents, 
 who voted for him when elected to that Congress which 
 declared war, petitioned against the enactment of such a 
 law. Their feelings v/ere embittered by the collisions of 
 party resentment; but so far as the documents called up 
 by a resolution of the legislature of Vermont, they show 
 that governor Chittenden expressed himself favorably to 
 the cause and encouraged volunteers to pass over th« 
 lake to the assistance of general Macomb. However, he 
 did not order the militia out, for reasons that constitution- 
 al power was not given him, as he thought, to send the 
 militia out of the jurisdictional boundaries of the slate. 
 
 Fourteen thousand troops, under the command of gov- 
 ernor Prevost, marched in two columns to Plattsburgh. — 
 Their baggage and artillery v/ere conveyed by a column 
 upon the lake road, whilst another marched under the 
 command of general Brisbane, by the way of Beekman- 
 town. Colonel Appling, with his rifle corps, being sta- 
 tioned on the lake road, retired as far as Dead Creek, 
 blocking up the road in such a manner as to impede tho 
 advance of the enemy as much as possible. On the Gth, 
 the British, under general Pov/ers, attacked a force of 
 Beven hundred militia under the command cf general 
 Mooers and major Wool, about seven miles from Platts- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 225 
 
 burgh. The miiilia, at the first fire, became intiinidated 
 and iied in every direction. Some, however, maintained 
 tiieir ground, and with tiie troops uinler nir.jor Wool, 
 fought bravely against the, superior numbers of the enemy, 
 until tiiey arrived within a mile of the town, where, being 
 reinforced by capi^inLeonard with some artillery, they stop- 
 ped for a while the progress of the enemy. On being com- 
 pelled to retire, they contested every inch of ground, un- 
 til they arrived at Suranac. Here, in attempting to ford 
 the river, the enemy were repulsed. The loss of the Brit- 
 ish in this skirmish was about one hundred and six in kil- 
 led and wounded, while that of the Americans did not ex- 
 ceed twenty-five. 
 
 The British took possession of the village north of the 
 Saranac about eleven o'clock ; but they were compelled 
 to retire before night beyond the reach of the American 
 Hrtillery. Towards the close of the day their heavy artil- 
 lery and baggage on the lake road crossed the beach, where 
 a considerable loss was sustained from the tire of the A- 
 merican row gallies. 
 
 In this conflict lieutenant Duncan was severely wounded 
 by a rocket, and four men were killed by the British ar- 
 tillery. There was a continual skirmishing from the sixth 
 to the eleventh between the enemy's pickets and th.e mili- 
 tia, and both armies during the period were constantly em- 
 ployed — the Americans in strengtliening their forts, and 
 the British in erecting batteries, transporting heavy ord- 
 nance, and making other preparations for attaf king their 
 opposers. Captiiin Noadie, on the morning of the cev- 
 enth, with a party, attempted to cross tlie upper bridge, 
 seven miles from Platts!)urgh, where they were met by 
 captain Vaughan with twenty-five men, and compelled IQ 
 retire with two killed and seven wounded. 
 
 Difficult indeed was the situation of general Macomb, 
 whose force did not exceed 2000 men, and liis fortifica- 
 tions a mere show of defence. If the British had persu- 
 cd major Wool across the Saranac on the morning of the 
 sixth, the American fortifications might have been secur- 
 ed without any difficulty. This delay proved very injuri- 
 ous to the British commander, by giving his opponents 
 time to increase their fjrces. Ke erected several batte- 
 
228 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 ries, and contented himself to wait until the supremacy of 
 the lake was decided. 
 
 Genera] Prevost arranged liis forces in two columns pre- 
 paratory to the commencement of the action. One of the 
 columns was stationed over the Saranac, an<fi the other in 
 the village, ready to move whenever circumstances should 
 demand. After this manner were things disposed of by 
 the British at the time their fleet sailed into Plattsburgh 
 bay. This naval armament was commanded by commo- 
 dore Downie, and consisted of four vessels and thirteen 
 gun-boats, mounting in the whole 95 guns, and manned 
 by 1050 officers and seamen. The frigate Confiance 
 carried thirty-nine guns, brig Linnet sixteen — the two 
 sloops, Growler and Eagle, seven each, and 13 boats with 
 one each. The squadron under the American command- 
 er was anchored in the bay. It mounted eighty-six guns, 
 having eight hundred and twenty men, and consisted of 
 the Sarotoga, carrying twenty-six guns, the Eagle of twen- 
 ty, the Ticonderoga seventeen, Preble seven, and tengua 
 boa!s conveyirig sixteen. 
 
 At nine o'clock the enemy anchored in a line ahead, 
 about three hundred yards distance from the American 
 line, having llie ciioice of position. In the arrangement 
 of the squadrons the Confiance combatted the Saratoga, 
 the Linnet the Eagle, the galleys, the shooner, sloops, 
 and a division of the American galleys. The remaining 
 American galleys fought against the Saratoga and Eagle. 
 The wind had lulled away and the surface of the lake lay 
 smooth and unraflied — reflecting on its clear waters the 
 grandeur of the surrounding scenery. For a short time 
 all was silent — not a motion or voice proceeded from the 
 vast multitude that encamped near the battle-ground. — 
 The Saratoga and the Confiance commenced tlie action 
 by pouring in upon each other a most destructive fire, and 
 the smaller vessels immediately followed their example, 
 commodore M'Donough's situation became very danger- 
 ous on being exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy's 
 brig, when the Eagle cut iier cable and passed between 
 the Saratoga and the Confiance. By a skilful manoeuvre 
 in winding up his ship (which the British Commodore 
 was unsuccessful in doing) M'Donough brought a fresh 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 227 
 
 broad-side to bear upon the Corifiance, when she immedi- 
 ately surrendered. The brig Linnet receiving a fresh 
 broadside, surrendered after a contest of fifteen minute.s. 
 A previous surrender was made by the sloop opposed to 
 the Eagle and the galleys. Three of the galleys sunk and 
 the rest escaped in a very shattered condition. The vic- 
 tors took one frigate, one brig and two sloops. The en- 
 gagement terminated after two hours and twenty minutes. 
 A loss of eighty-four killed, among whom was commodore 
 Downie, and one hundred and ten wounded, was sustained 
 by the British. Fifty-two Americans were killed and 
 fifty-eight wounded. 
 
 The British opened their batteries by land as soon as 
 the engagement between the fleets comtnenced. Several 
 hundred shells and rockets were discharged, which oc- 
 casioned but very little injury. The main body of the 
 British lines attempted to cross the river in rear of the 
 fort near Pike's cantonment, which after a brave resistance 
 from three hundred and fifty of the New-York and Ver- 
 mont volunteers, was effected, but on the arrival of lieu- 
 tenant Sumpter's artillery, they commenced a precipitate 
 retreat. The rear of the retreating party were attacked 
 by the Vermont volunteers, who succeeded in capturing 
 three officers and several privates of the enemy. Their 
 hasty retreat was the only means of saving the detach- 
 ment. Five of the Americans were killed and eight woun- 
 ded. When the shouts of victory at half past eleven re- 
 eounded through the American lines of the result of the 
 battle on the lake, the efforts of the enemy became weak- 
 «r. In the afternoon their intrenchments were deserted, 
 and in the night succeeding, the whole enemy commenced 
 a retreat to Canada. They were pursued some distance 
 by the Americans, and several were taken prisoners; but 
 the heavy and iacessant rain compelled the pursuers to 
 return. 
 
 The British lost of their land forces more than two 
 thousand men in killed, wounded, prisoners and deserters, 
 and a large quantity of ammunition and military stores ; 
 while the aggregate loss of the Americans did not exceed 
 on© hundred and fifty men. 
 
 Nothing further of importance occurred on the northern 
 
. 223 HISTORY OF VERMOxNT. 
 
 frontier clming the continuance of the war. The conflict 
 in this quarter had been severe — trooj3s never contested 
 more bravely for the iionorsofconquesl; but tlie exertions 
 ot'the Americans were generally during this campaign 
 crowned with success and the lionors of victory. In most 
 pnrt^ of the United w^tates, upon tlio frontiers and tiie sea- 
 board, the distresses of war and the jjorrors of battle had 
 been experienced ; yet no farther description has been 
 given of the progress of hostilities between this country 
 and Great-Britain than what related to the northern cam- 
 paign. A recapitulation of the most celebrated and gen- 
 eral engagements may serve as an illustration of many 
 subjects embraced in the description of this state. Those 
 instances of bravery and heroi^^m displayed on the ocean 
 find frontiers of the United States, can never fade from 
 the recollection of those who are friendly to the cause of 
 American liberty. 
 
 The campaign of 1812 was distinguished for naval en- 
 gagements, in which the commnnders of the United States 
 frigates Constitution, Wasp, United States, and Consti- 
 tution, commanded by commodores llu!], Jones, Decatur, 
 nnd Bainbridge, captured the Britisli ships of war Guer- 
 rier, Frolick, iMacedonian, and Java, commanded by cap- 
 tains Dacres, Whinyates, Carden and Lamloert. In Jan- 
 uary, 1313, the British, under general Procter, gained a 
 cruel and blood-stained victory over general Winchester 
 of the United States army. 
 
 Upon the ocean, captain Broke, of the frigate Sliannon, 
 conquered the American vessel Cliesnpenke, under the 
 command of captain Lawrence. The British vessel Ar- 
 gus, sailed by captain iMaples, took an American vessel 
 pommanded by lieutenant Allen. The Enternrize, liouten- 
 tenant Burrows commander, took the British brig Boxer, 
 sailed by captain Blythe. During the progress oftlie cam- 
 paign for 1814, the American Irrigate Essex, commanded 
 by commodore Porter, surrendered to a British fleet, un- 
 der commodore lliilyar. The-Frolic, commanded by com 
 fnodore Bainbridijs, war taken by the British vessel Or- 
 pheus. An English squadron captured commodore Deca- 
 tur, with tlie frigate President. The British \'cssels Cay- 
 eoe and Levant were captured by commodore Stewart, of 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 2^ 
 
 the American ship Constitution. Tiie American vessels 
 Peacock, Wasp, and Hornet successfully attacked and 
 made prizes of the British vessels Epervicr, Reindeer, 
 and Penguin, commajided by captains Wales, Manners, 
 and Nelson. The English forces at Baltimore, under gen- 
 eralRoss, were signally repulsed by the Americaps, com- 
 manded by general Strieker. Generals Packcnham and 
 Gibb?", with their European myrinidons at New-Orleans, 
 were repelled with great loss by general Jackson. 
 
 The battles upon the northern frontier having been des- 
 cribed in the work, it appeared proper to separate from 
 them those before mentioned. In 1812, the British pre- 
 vailed at the battle of Queenstown, owing to the defection 
 of the New-York militia under the command of general 
 Van Rensselaer. In the campaign of the following year, 
 generals Dearborn and Pike conquered the British army 
 at York, and took the capitol of Upper Canada. General 
 Harrison of the American army gained a signal victory 
 over the British and the celebrated Indian, Tecumseh, at 
 Detroit. Generals Brown, Scott, Gaines and Ripley glo- 
 riously defeated the British veterans, under the comtnand 
 of generals Drummond and Riall, at the deadly battles of 
 Chippewa, Bridgewater and fort Erie. Upon lake Erie 
 commodore Perry, with the American squadron, captured 
 the English fleet under commodore Barclay. In the 
 campaign of 1814, the squadron under commodore Mc- 
 Donough, on lake Ghamplain, captured the British fleet 
 commanded by commodore Downie. Sir George Prevost, 
 governor-general of Canada, was repulsed by general Ma- 
 comb, at the siege of Plattshurgh. 
 
 On the 17th of February, while the victory at New- 
 Orleans was animating'the feelings of the Americans, the 
 welcome tidings of a treaty of peace, executed at Ghent 
 on the 24th of December, 1814, was brotjj^ht to America 
 and ratified at the same time by the president and senate. 
 The treaty now entered upon was silent on the subject 
 for which the war had been professedly declared. It con- 
 tained no express stipulation against those maratime out- 
 rages committed by Great-Britain, which had. been the 
 principal causes of the dithculties. Provisions were only 
 made in it for the su«pension of hostilitigs — the change of 
 
 20 
 
233 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 prisoners — the restoration of territories and possessions 
 ncqaired by the contending powers during hostilities — the 
 determination of unsettled boundaries, and for a united ef- 
 fort to abolish the trafic in slaves. The orders in council 
 being repealed, and the termination of the war in Europe 
 removing all the motives for impressment, the causes for 
 which the war was declared did in fact no longer exist, al- 
 though America had failed, as the combined neutrality of 
 Europe formerly did, in compelling England to make a 
 formal relinquishment of the principles on which her ex- 
 horbitant claims were founded, 
 
 The tumults of war had now subsided, and peace again 
 rerivified the drooping energies of the country. All clas- 
 ces of community rejoiced in the returning prosperity of 
 tap public ftnd individuai concerns of the Union. 
 
 ClIAPTEF*. XI. 
 
 A Narrative of the Legislative Proceedings from the 
 year 1814 to 1S21. — Unusual cold Sumnier in 1816. — 
 President Monroe's Tour through the State. — Govern' 
 or Galu8ha\s resignation in 1319. — Mr. Ski?iner elect- 
 ed governor in 1829. — Resohitiojis upon the question of 
 admitting Missouri into the Union. — Election of judge 
 Van Ness governor of Vermont in 1S23. — General La 
 Fayette's visit to Vermont. — Hia reception among the 
 people, 
 
 1815. Mr. Galusha, the former governor of the state, 
 was placed at the head of the government, after two years 
 magistracy of Mr. Chittenden, The asperity of party 
 feelings was mitigated by the pleasures of social inter- 
 course, and systematic opposition discovered itself only 
 ill the occasional paralysis of subsiding passions. The 
 people discovered that their trve interest consisted in the 
 cultivation of friendly sentiments and the pursuit of peace- 
 fejl occupations. Those portions of the state, which the 
 improvements and changing condition of the people made 
 i»9Hsa alteration or addition necessary, were noticed in tho 
 
HISTORY OF VERMOx^T. 231 
 
 governor's communication to the legislative body. 
 
 Certain resolutions, proposing amendments to tho fed- 
 eral constitution, from tiie legislature of Massachusetts, 
 wore submitted at this session for the consideration of 
 the legislature of Vermont. Under these propor^itions of 
 amendment, a convention had been called by three of the 
 New-England states, at Hartford, tlie year preceding, at 
 whicii time and place tJie people of this state were roques- 
 ted to send delegates ; but their representatives, then at 
 the annual session of the legislature, refused to join them 
 or sanction their proceedings. The legislature now re- 
 solved that it was inexpedient to concur with Massachu- 
 setts in tho amendments proposed. A copy of the reso- 
 hition was ordered to bo transmitted to each member of 
 Congress from the state and to the governors of each 
 state in the Union. Among the acts passed at this ses- 
 sion of the assembly, one granting the exclusive privilege 
 of navigating lake Ghamplain by steam, for the term cf 
 twenty-three years, to a certain company, was enacted. — 
 Every other person under penalty of five hundred dollar?, 
 was forbid making or encroaching upon this privilege. — 
 Such h monopolizing privilege, so clearly opposed to tho 
 constitution of this t-tate and the United States, raised 
 considerable opposition in the house. However, tiie com- 
 pany were secured in the exercise of these partial immu- 
 nities until the judicial authority of the federal government 
 decided such grants void, in the case of the steamboat 
 company upon North river. 
 
 The case of Godfrey, who was sentenced to be execu- 
 ted at Woodstock, was brought before the legislature for 
 commutation of punishment, or a reprieve. A delay for 
 a few months was granted, but he was afterwards execu- 
 ted, which was the second punishment of the kind that 
 ever took place under the government of the state. 
 
 The wanton and inhuman murder of sixty-three Ameri- 
 can prisoners, who were confined at Dartmoor prison, by 
 captain Shutland and the garrison, occasioned a great ex- 
 citement through the country. The matter wasjiowever, 
 so explained as to free the government from all implica- 
 tions in the transaction. 
 
 1S16, In consequence of the embarrassmente to which 
 
232 fllSTORY OF VERxMONT. 
 
 the American commerce liad been subjact for severrJ 
 years previous and during the late war, large capitals 
 were vested in manufactories of various kinds of goods. — 
 But on the return of peace, the English, by the facilities 
 and improvements in mechanism, were enabled to under- 
 sell the American manufacturers. This gave a severe 
 shock, and many extensive establishments entirely failed. 
 Petitions for protecting establishments of this kind, were 
 laid before the general government, and additional duties 
 strongly recommended by a committee on manufactures, 
 appointed by Congress. A new tariff law was enacted, 
 itnposing small additional duties upon the importation of 
 certain articles of foreign growth or fabrication. The com- 
 rnsrcial interest and planters of cotton in the southern 
 states opposed this measure so strenuously that nothing 
 effectual was accomplisliud towards the encouragement 
 of this useful branch of industry. 
 
 IMr. Galusha was again elected governor of the state, 
 and after the organization of the house, he requested their 
 attention very particularly to the encouragement of man- 
 utactures; the importance of which to the commercial 
 prosperity has been very ably advocated and urged by the 
 principal heads of the government. They represented 
 tlie manufacture of such raw n>aterials as are the product 
 or growtli of the soil of Vermont,the only means by which 
 commercial exchange can be supported. The raw mate- 
 rials must be manufactured into various fabrics and wares, 
 by the inhabitants of the state, in order to compete with 
 importations from foreign countries. The extensive vari- 
 ety and amount of merchandise which the taste and im- 
 provements of the age have put in requisition, find an in- 
 adequate resource for payment in the produce from the 
 soil. Manufactures must be relied on to make up the de- 
 ficiency. 
 
 In the spring and summer of this year, the weather was 
 remarkably cold. Snow fell in almost every part of the 
 stale, and in many places to the depth of a foot and a half 
 Dry, cold weather succeeded in the fall. The clouds re- 
 turned without moisture, and the air was filled with dust 
 upon the slightest agitation of the wind. Such were the 
 apprehensions of a general famine from the uncommon 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 23:3 
 
 failure of crops, that the governor, in his speech to the 
 legislature, recommended a prudent expenditure of tlie 
 most scanty provisions, to avoid the evils and calamities 
 of want. The annual complimentary answer was return- 
 ed, after a long and spirited debate in the house, to the 
 governor's speech. The sentiments contained in it exhib- 
 ited certain degrees of party irritability, and in one in- 
 stance the harshness of personal resentment was expres- 
 sed against the federal party, when they "declared the 
 withdrawal of confidence from those delegates in Congress 
 of the United States, who have unnecessarily increased the 
 public expenditures in a time of embarrassment, aflbrds 
 a pleasing proof that the citizens of the state look well to 
 the men whom they place in authority, and that they are 
 determined to detect and repel even the slightest encroacii- 
 ment upon their rights.'' The salary of the representa- 
 tives of Congress had been increased the last session, con- 
 trary to the wishes of the freemen of Vermont, vvh.o by. 
 their suffrages this year changed every member of the del- 
 egation. This was the termination of a practice v/hich 
 had occasioned the most violent contentions and consum- 
 ed much time and money, during the whole period from 
 the first election of governor Tichenor, in 1797. No sin- 
 gle topic introduced amongst the business of legislation 
 had given rise to such impassioned feelings and useless 
 altercation. To be freed from such a needless custom 
 was very favorable to the accomplishment of public busi- 
 ness in the general assembly. 
 
 1817. The internal afiairs of the state assumed a more 
 prosperous condition — a bountiful harvest supplied the 
 wants of the people — returning peace brought tranquillity 
 to its borders, and business became generally more fixecF 
 and certain. 
 
 The emancipation of the South American colonists was 
 very particularly noticed by the governor, and strongly 
 desired by the public in general. " Should the emanci- 
 pation of the southern continent take place, we may ra- 
 tionally hope ere long to see arts and sciences, agricul- 
 ture, commerce and manufactures flourishing throughout 
 that vast, populous and fertile region, and every rank of 
 its inhabitants, in the full fruition of all the blessings of 
 
 20^ 
 
2:34 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 civil and religious libert}', unshackled by supcrstiticn 
 and unincumbered by the edicts of kings\" But no one 
 could foresee or predict such important revolutions in the 
 moral and political condition of tlie people, as their recent 
 transactions have ettected. Several states have arisen to 
 the blessings office constitutions, and the subjects th'ere- 
 ©f emancipated from the bonds of slavery. Whether the 
 people of these new governments are sufriciently acquaint- 
 ed wit!) such useful and necessary information as to be 
 capable of seli-governTiient, remains to be determined by 
 their future proceedini^fs." 
 
 Private acts were passed remunerating certain individ- 
 oals for losses sustained in consequence of their proceed- 
 ings in cases provided by the acts of the legislature,in lSi2, 
 By one, colonel Fifield,' detaclied from tiie militia of Ver- 
 mont, was. granted the sum of 1112 dollars, to remuner- 
 ate him for losses sustained in consequence of an order 
 and subsequent attempt to carry into effect the Vermont 
 rron-intercourse act, in the year above mentioned. Thrs 
 law, by a decision of the supreme court of the state, was 
 declared unconstitutional and all proceedings under it void. 
 Claims of a similar character have frequently been brought 
 forward for legislative remuneration, but their presentation 
 has been quite unsuccessful. Tliese originating from pro- 
 ceedings had under the established laws oftlie state, and 
 declared illegal by the judiciary of the state,ought injustice 
 and equity to be remunerated by the power wiiich created 
 Ihem. In the course of this year an arrangement was 
 concluded with the British government for the reduction 
 of the naval force of Great-Britain and the United States 
 upon the lakes, by providing that neither should keep in 
 service on the lakes Ontario or Champlain more than one 
 armed vessel and that to have only one gun. 
 
 During tliisyear, Mr. Monroe,' president of the United 
 States, visited the eastern and middle slates, for the pur- 
 pose of examining the situation of public works, such as 
 navy yards, arsenals and forts, and for viev.ing the gen- 
 eral circumstances of the citizens through this portion of 
 the Republic. He was received yvith demonstrations of 
 gratitude and affection wherever he appeared. On enter- 
 ing Vermont, arrangements were made at the villages upon 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 235 
 
 his route from Connecticut river on the cast to lake Cham- 
 plain on the west, for tendering the hospitalities and ex- 
 pressing the joy of the people, on their being favored 
 with au interview from the venerable president of the 
 Union. 
 
 1818. This year no changes were made in the heads 
 of the government, and nothing of political excitement 
 appeared betbre the councils of tlie state. The governor's 
 speech, upon the subject of agriculture, contains obser- 
 vations of a practical and useful nature, and such as aro 
 and will continue (if practiced upon) to be the great sour- 
 ces of national subsistence and freedon). . *'Many useful 
 improvements (snys he) have been made in the state, 
 while no considerrible attempts have been commenced to 
 improve the condition of agriculture.'' Althonnh as much 
 reliance as possible is placed upon home manufactures for 
 the consumption of tlio slate, yet it must be confessed that 
 the main source of wealth and subsistence of every class 
 of citizens must depend on the cultivation of the soil. — 
 *' When our farms were new and unimpaired by tillnge, it 
 was profitable to extend our labors and cast our seed over 
 a large portion of the soil ; but as our lands become less 
 productive by the frequency of croj)S, it is necessary tliat 
 new modes of husbandry should be resorted to, in order 
 to keep them in a fertile state, and that the dirlcrent qual- 
 ities of the soil be improve<l to the best advantage for til- 
 lage or grazing, which in all probability will require more 
 labor and expense in cultivating an equbl quantity of land, 
 and of course prevent the too frequent emigration of the 
 laboring class of our citizens." It was furtlier suggested, 
 that something useful might be accomplished by authori- 
 zing enterprizing individuals to form societies invested 
 with corporate powers, for the useful purposes of advan- 
 cing the agricultural interest, encouraging manufactures, 
 and improving breeds of domestic animals throughout the 
 several counties of the state. 
 
 The business of legislation was transacted harmoni- 
 ously, and many important public acts were enacted du- 
 ring the session. But in times of the greatest tranquilli- 
 ty, like the present, there is much need of care and per- 
 •everance, which are iodispensible to the preservation of 
 
236 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 the rights and privileges of a iVee people. Republics hare 
 in all ages of the world been overthrown by the decay of 
 virtue and intelligence among the people, rather than 
 from a combination of potentates or armies. 
 
 The Congress of the United States repealed the law 
 imposing internal duties upon imports into this country. — 
 They also passed an act granting to every indigent officer 
 and soldier of the revolutionary army, whoso property did 
 not exceed one hundred dollars, a pension of twenty dol- 
 lars a montli to each officer and eight dollars a month to 
 every private who had served the term of nine months in 
 the army. 
 
 A medical academy was instituted at Castleton by an 
 act of the legislature of this session, for the purpose of 
 instructing in the science of physic, surgery, chymistry, 
 and all tho various branches connected with the healing 
 art. This institution has been connected with Middlebu- 
 ry college, and is in a very .flourishing condition. 
 
 1819. The legislature assembled this fall for the last 
 time under tlie administration of governor Galusha; who 
 informed the members of the assembly and the public of 
 his determination to spend the residue of his life in do- 
 mestic retirement; and recommended to the freemen of 
 the state to unite on some other person to perlbrm the du- 
 ties of chief-magistrate after his term of public service 
 had expired : Adding that his zeal for the public good 
 would never cease but with his reason or his life. Mr. 
 Galusha had served in various public capacities almost 
 from his first settlement in the state, in 1775. At the bat- 
 tle of Bennington, he fought at the head of a company 
 belonging to Shaftsbury, over whom he had previously 
 been appointed a captain. Two years, ending with the 
 political year 1S08, he was elected one of the three judg- 
 es constituting the supreme court of the state, and after- 
 wards received nine elections for governor of the state. — - 
 If it was a great and glorious act for Oamillus or Wash- 
 ington, after having freed their country, to retire to a cot- 
 tage, rather than to reign in a capitol, surely a resigna- 
 tion of the highest honors of office in Vermont discovers 
 no less the humility of the individual and the patriotism of 
 the statesman. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 237 
 
 An address was adopted by the house and communica- 
 ted to tlic governor, on his retirement from oflice, from 
 uhich t!ie following is an extract: — "On u review of the 
 events of the memorable struggle of our fathers for inde- 
 pendence, we find you in early life on the banks of the 
 Walloomsac-k, witli your patriotic band, teaching them 
 boldly to defend their country. In discharging the duties 
 of councillor, judge, and governor, you have ever merited 
 and received the approbation of your fellow citizens." 
 
 The attention of the legislative assembly was requested 
 upon the subject of freeing the body of debtors from arrest 
 and imprisonment on debts of small amount. The follow- 
 ing paragraph exh.ibits the views that v»'ore then entertain- 
 ed upon this much agitated subject. *' I am of opinion 
 that more property is spent in collecting small debts bv 
 law, especially where the body is taken in execution, than 
 the amount of the debts saved by such collection. I also 
 believe that it would discourage credit vv'here it ought not 
 be given, and produce punctuality in those who obtain it. 
 Yet the only safe remedy against embarrassment or pover- 
 ty is a retrenchment of family expenses and lessening the 
 consumption of articles of foreign growth and manufac- 
 ture.'' 
 
 The usual business of the legislature was accomplished 
 with much unanimity of feelings. Among their procee- 
 dings, a resolution was adopted approving in the highest 
 terms the laudable and humane exertions of many individ- 
 uals indifferent sections of the country, in forming a so- 
 ciety for the purpose of establishing a colony of free peo- 
 ple of color on the western coast of Africa, and resolving 
 that the senators and representatives in Cc>i;gress from 
 this state, be requested to exert their influence for the adop- 
 tion of such measures as will most etfeciually promote the 
 great and benevolent views and objects of the society — 
 that the unfortunate Africans might enjoy the privileges 
 asserted in our constitution, " that all men are born equal- 
 ly free and independent, and have certain and unalienable 
 rights, among which are the enjoying and defending of 
 life and liberty, possessing and protecting property, and 
 obtaining ha|)piness and safety." This subject has re- 
 ceived considerable attention JVom some of the most infiu- 
 
233 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 ential men in the country. 
 
 1820. Mr. Skinner, the former chief justice of iho 
 Btate, was elected governor. His speech, delivered be- 
 fore the council and house of representatives, contained 
 plain and con^prehensive views of the laws and regulations 
 of the state, and among fne various topics to which the 
 attention of the legislature were directed, that of making 
 frcijucnt alterations in the public statutes, was mentioned 
 as a great evil. Tiie best evidence which the represen- 
 tative^3 of the people can give of tlieir taithfulness and in- 
 telligence, is a reluctant and careful approach at innova- 
 tion. 
 
 The delays and expense which arc incident to the ad- 
 ministration of justice, arc represientcd to exceed all that 
 i:s required to sustain every department of the govcrnmeni; 
 and Wiien this practice is opposed to the bill of rights, 
 which declares that, every person ought to obtain right and 
 justice freely, witliout being obliged to purchase it, com- 
 pletely and without denial, promptly and without delay. — ■ 
 T!)is was referred to in the message of the governor, a* a 
 Kubject of the dec[)est interest. Trials in some cases of 
 l>nt a tew dollars consequence have caused the expendi- 
 tt;re of thousands and a great waste of time, and all that 
 without establishing any important precedents for guard- 
 ing the rights and privileges of the public. The present 
 organization of the Vermont judiciary, has had a tenden- 
 cy to the despatch of business, and to prevent a nuiltipli- 
 rity of law suits. What the law is has been clearly and 
 Bubstantially expressed in the cases reported. The char- 
 acter of the state vitally depends upon tiie judiciary, and 
 ** the degree of confidence reposed in a government is 
 measured by the rank it sustains.*^ A resolution was in- 
 troduced and passed by t!ic legislature, renionstrating 
 against the admission of Missouri into the union, with a 
 constitution legalizing slavery and the cruel and unnatural 
 tradic in human blood, ^i'he subject of their resolution 
 was, that congress has a right to prohibit any further ex- 
 tention of slavery, as one of the conditions from which any 
 new slate may be admitted into the union. They there- 
 tore viewed wltli alarm t!ie attempts of the inhabitants of 
 Missouri to obtain admission into the union, as onu of th© 
 
HISTORY OF VERxMONT. 239 
 
 United States, under a constitution which legalizes and 
 secures the introduction and continuance of slavery, and 
 also prevents freemen from emigrating and seliling in 
 said state, on account of their origin, color and features. 
 The legislature considered the principles, powers and 
 restrictions contained in the re|)uted constitution of Mis- 
 f-0!?ri as anti-repuhlican and repugnant to the constitution 
 ofthe United States ; and further, ihcy resolved to instruct 
 their senators and representatives in Congress to exert 
 their influence and use all legal njeasures to prevent tho 
 admission of Missouri into the union of the states, with 
 such anti-republican powers in Ijer constitution. 
 
 The subject was agitated in Congress with great warmth, 
 and at no time had tlje parties in that body been so marked 
 by a geographical division or so much actuated by feel- 
 ings so dangerous to the union of the states, as at this 
 time. This controversy was not confined to the seat of 
 the general government, or the state of Vermont, but it 
 attracted the attention of the people in all parts of the 
 Union. Meetings were called in the northern states, and 
 spirited resolutions were passed, expressing their fears 
 of a perpetuation of slavery, and their approbation ofthe 
 rectricticn. The restriction was opposed by the southern 
 party, on the ground of self-defence. They alleged that 
 the admission of Missouri without any restriction, would 
 in no degree tend to perpetuate slavery. The number of 
 slaves would not be accumulated by tliis measure, but 
 ihey would be diminished by removing from one state to 
 another. They declared that it would be a dangerous 
 and tyrannical act in the federal government, and one 
 that would infringe upon the sovereignties of the states^ 
 eliould the restriction be persisted in and adopted,. 
 
 After discussing the question through the great part of 
 the session, a bill passed for the admission of Missouri 
 into the Union ofthe States, without any restriction, but 
 with the inhibition of slavery throughout the territories of 
 the United States north of 36 degrees andSOminules north 
 latitude. 
 
 1821. The legislature again aesembled with governor 
 Skinner at the head ofthe government. Certain resolu- 
 tiotis aud reports from committees in the legislatures of 
 
240 HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 Maryland and New-Hampshire, on the subject of appro- 
 priating the public lands for tlie purposes of educalion, 
 were submitted for the co-operation of the legislature of 
 Vermont. The people of Vermont, in rhe language of 
 the governor's speech, "can feel no delicacy in making a 
 claim of this kind, for no one of the United States, in pro- 
 portion to their ability, contributed more to the acquisition 
 of those rights which were purchased by the toil, distres- 
 ses and sacrifices of the revolutionary war. Situated up- 
 on the frontier,tiiey constituted a barrier between the ene- 
 my and the confederated states. Not having then been 
 acknowledged as a member of the confederation, no part 
 of the expense they incurred in the war has been assumed 
 by the general government, while they have participated 
 in the burthens of the public debt." 
 
 A resolution was passed declaring that each of the Uni- 
 ted States had an equal right to participate in the benefits 
 of the public lands, as tiie common property of the Union, 
 and that the states in whose fiivor Congress have not made 
 appropriations of land for the purpose of education, will 
 be entitled to su ^h appropriations as shall have been made 
 in favor of the other states. However just such a distri- 
 bution of the public domain might be in principle, yet in 
 practice it has been considered inexpedient. Another 
 subject ot quite a popular character amongst a majority 
 of the people, was, the attempts at revising and ultimate- 
 ly at reducing the fee bill. The itemsof expenses attend- 
 ing the business of litigation and the salaries of certain of- 
 ficers of the government, were considered extravagant 
 and oppressive upon the people; and in the end would oc- 
 casion an overthrow of the government of the country. — 
 A reduction of certain items in the taxation of costs and a 
 limitation of the salaries of certain ofhcers of the govern- 
 ment, was, after a long and animated debate, enacted in- 
 to a law of the state. Those employed in the laborious 
 occupations of life, and likewise many others, anticipated 
 much relief from the adoption of this measure. Probably 
 it has operated as a salutary check upon the frequent ex- 
 cesses that had been practiced. 
 
 Acts of suspension have frequently been granted by the 
 legislature upon debts due to individuals as well as to the 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 211 
 
 the state, which are in direct opposition to the constitution, 
 declaring that no law sliali be enacted impairing the obli- 
 gation of contracts. Tlie custom of granting relief to in- 
 dividuals in delaying the fulfilment oftheir contracts, wad 
 entered upon by the legislature and was considered a tran- 
 scendency of the legitimate powers of the legislative body. 
 The revision of the proceedings of the supreme court aiid 
 granting new trials after cases have been solemnly adjudi- 
 cated, upon a full presentation of the evidence, uas now 
 regarded as an improper subject of legislation, and but 
 two or three new trials have since been granted. 
 
 1S2"»2. The meeting of the general assembly was held 
 in October, after a year's recurrence distinguished by no 
 particular prosperity or adversity to the inhabitants of the 
 state. One of the principal topics of public interest and 
 attention was the subject of manufactures. 
 
 Vermont, said the committee on the subject of manufac- 
 tures, "can raise as fine wool as any quarter of ihe globe 
 — her mountains furnish pasturage of the best kind, and 
 roll down their thousand streams to aid us in its manutac- 
 t-are It also abounds with ores and forests for coal, amply 
 sufficient for the manufacture of iron in all its varieties and 
 equal to the consumption of the state, and for abundant im- 
 poVtation. Many materials are found within the state, on 
 which the industry and ingenuity of our citizens might op- 
 erate to great advantage, and ultimately be sources of 
 revenue, if a capital could be allured to the object by tho 
 affinity and patronage of our laws.'^ 
 
 An act to prevent usury was, in compliance to the rec- 
 ommendation of governor Skinner, passed. The rate of 
 interest was limited to six per cent, and all contracts where- 
 by a higher rate of interest should be taken or secured, were 
 declared void. The payment of unlawful interest was made 
 recoverable within one year next after such transaction. — 
 Those interested as the receivers of usury could be com- 
 pelled to disclose the same in a court of chancery. After 
 the amount disclosed should be refunded, the delinquent 
 becomes dischargcvl from any further liability. In some 
 governments, money, like other property, is left to regu- 
 late itself in market, and this practice had many advocates 
 in Vermont. 
 
 21 
 
212 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 In a government founded upon the avowed principle 
 of securing equal privileges and furnishing equal protec- 
 tion to all, "justice demands of those to whom its admin- 
 istration is entrusted, so to provide as that the unsuspect^ 
 ing and unfortunate maybe secured against the unjust ex- 
 actions of the more artful and fortunate. The acquisition 
 of wealth by laudable industry, economy and prudence 
 merits approbation and encouragement ; but laws, provi- 
 ding facilities for a few calculating, greedy citizens, to 
 monopolize that property, the produce of the toil and in- 
 dustry of the more useful and deserving, can never be 
 sanctioned by the faithful and intelligent representatives of 
 the people." 
 
 Mr. Skinner requested of the freemen of the state not to 
 honor him again with their suffrages, as he deemed it a 
 duty to desire that he might not be considered a candi- 
 date for the office. 
 
 i8'23. Judge Van Ness was returned governor elect at 
 the meeting of the assembly this year. A customary speech 
 was delivered by him to the legislative bodies fraught with 
 sentiments of interest and concern for the welfare of the 
 state. " In calling your attention to the immediate con- 
 cerns of this state, I am not sensible that any material al- 
 terations in the laws relating to any department of the 
 government could be beneficially made at this time. The 
 stability of the laws is next in importance to their wisdom ; 
 yet so great is the desire of mankind for change and so pre- 
 dominant their ambition for the character of reform, that 
 they are seldom at a loss for subjects to act upon, and af- 
 ter starting upon slight and apparently judicious amend- 
 ments, their zeal will frequently urge them to overleap the 
 bounds prescribed for themselves in the outset, and in their 
 progress destroy the fairest and most valuable systems." 
 A desire of change and the honors connected with legisla- 
 tive efforts at management and debate, occasion a great 
 expense to the state and controversy among the people. — 
 And further, it produces much uncertainty in the law, and 
 thereby occasions perplexing and expensive law suits, 
 highly detrimental to the prosperity of the state. Few al- 
 terations were made in the laws at this session. That spe- 
 cies of gambling denominated horse raceing, where a pre- 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 243 
 
 niium in money or any valuable property was bet or haz- 
 arded, was prohibited, upon the forfeiture of the horse so 
 kept for running ami the loss of the money staked. The 
 influence of gambling has been very deleterious upon na- 
 tional affairs, no nir as the citizens of the United States 
 have progressed in practices of-this character. The ster- 
 ling virtues of the Romans were dissipated at their nation- 
 al games, and luxury destroyed the patriotism and energy 
 of the state. 
 
 1S21. This year the tariff upon cotton goods, which 
 had engaged the attention of the people throughout the 
 United States ever since 1816, was laid upon foreign im- 
 portations. It had been proved from experience that man- 
 ufactures needed protection, and that such policy had been 
 pursued by those governments where they flourished. — 
 The English had grown rich by their protecting system ; 
 hence other nations could participate in similar privile- 
 ges. 
 
 On the reaccession of Mr. Van Ness to the chair of 
 state, he directed the attention of the legislature to the al- 
 teration of the law for choosing the electors of tho presi- 
 dent and vice-president of the United States. In compli- 
 ance with this recommendation, an act was passed giving 
 the choice of the electors to the people, by a general tick- 
 et, instead of the former method, by a legislative appoint- 
 ment. 
 
 vSince the close of the late war with Great-Britain, par- 
 ty spirit continued to subside, until the contest for the pres- 
 idential election excited aspirited opposition, which, how- 
 ever, did not become so general or inveterate as in their 
 former contests. On canvassing the character and quali- 
 fications of the respective candidates, at the first election 
 of Mr. Adams, in Vermont, the opposition raised against 
 his claims was very trifling. The pride of New-England, 
 in having one of her sons honored with the highest office 
 in the government, and one who was in every respect com- 
 petent to discharge the various and important duties an- 
 nexed to his office by the provisions of the national con- 
 stitution, actuated the ingenuous and ei. lightened senti- 
 ments of the freemen of Vermont to take a general and 
 decisive stand in favor of the successful candidate. Sec- 
 
2ii HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 tional feelings operated somewhat in his favor ; but his 
 lon^ and fai hl'ul services in the government, his profound 
 knosvlriflga and political integrity, and above all the rest, 
 as an oflicer invested with the civil power and authority of 
 t!ie country, liis truly legal and philosophic method of de- 
 riding on ditficult and important subjects of commercial 
 and political interest between this and other nations, by 
 a kind of intellectual calculation founded upon the strictest 
 rules of legal evidence, rather than by the presentiments 
 of habit or the momentary bursts of feeling, gave him a 
 decided preference over any other individual. His quali- 
 fications were considered as worthy of succeeding the 
 venerated Washington, and in his administration of tiie 
 government the expectations of the people have been fully 
 realized. 
 
 The arrival of general La Fayette, the early and dis- 
 tinguished benefactor of the American Republic, was 
 liailed with acclamations of joy and festivity throughout 
 the country. On the 17th of August he and his son enter- 
 ed the city of New-York, where they were met by the 
 city authorities and a military escort, and welcomed to 
 the shores of a country whose freedom and happiness he 
 had contributed so much towards establishing. A com- 
 mittee of the general assembly reported, that Vermont, in 
 common with her sister slates, would rejoice in the oppor- 
 tunity of i-anifestiiig her gratitude by a solemn and public 
 act. The feelings and duty of the state, say the commit- 
 tee, are united in demanding an expression of gratitude 
 which is owed to this w^orthy patriot of the revolution. — 
 Accordingly tljo legislative councils of the state voted that 
 tiie governor should, in behalf of the people of Vermont, 
 invite general La Fayette to extend liis tour into tlje state, 
 and honor its citizens with his presence. In July 4th, 
 1S25, the general crossed the Connecticut and entered the 
 state of Vermont for the hrsttime, at Windsor. Here he 
 met with a friendly and interesting reception from the gov- 
 ernor and a numerous body of citizens assembled to par- 
 ticipate in the joy and gratitude of the occasion. After 
 the ceremony of an addrc>s, and a reply from the Nation's, 
 guest were concluded, ho proceeded with the governor 
 and a large escort of citizens over the lofty mountains of 
 
HISTORY OP VERMONT. 2^15 
 
 V^ermont, by the way of Montpelier, to Burlington, where 
 • much gratification was experienced in making arrange- 
 ments and beholding the early and celebrated friend of 
 our country. His reception was the offering of unaffected 
 friendship. Indifferent as the state was for the attendant 
 curiosities of wealthy and populous cities, yet her exhibi- 
 tions were of a castas wortiiy of the character of an en- 
 lightened Republic as the more brilliant examples of ex- 
 pensive munificence. With Vermont, the highest com- 
 mendations of character were an undeviating affection 
 and zeal for the rights and liberties of the country; and 
 such has been her bravery in war and the difiiculties of 
 revolutions, that patriotism is not humbled by declaring 
 her a brave and energetic people. During the gloomy 
 period of 1781, says the address, the citizens of this state 
 were violently assailed by two powerful neighboring states, 
 w hile her bold and inflexible patriots were nobly struggling 
 for self existence and state independence. The waters of 
 yonder beautiful lake were covered with an hostile fleet 
 and powerful army, and all her strong holds in the undis- 
 turbed possession of the enemy; but Washington was 
 our mediator and friend. A self created board of war, 
 consisting of eight persons, wielded the destinies of the 
 New-Hampshire grants, then containing thirty thousand 
 inhabitants. I hare, says the general in his reply, *' the 
 gratification in the sons of the green mountains to find 
 many who have been my intimate companions, and while 
 in the throngs of both sexes and of every age, who so 
 kindly welcome me, I often recognise the features and 
 shall ever recognise the feelings of my American cotem- 
 poraries." La Fayette was accompanied through the lake 
 to Whitehall by the governor and other gentlemen from 
 V^ermont, where he then proceeded directly to New-York. 
 An act,before mentioned, was passed giving to the people 
 the power of choosing the electors of the president and 
 vice-president, which had formerly been exercised by the 
 legislature. The progress of the bill was delayed by a 
 motion of amendment, which proposed giving the choice 
 of electors to the people at the approaching election. The 
 present crisis of public affairs was urged in favor of giv- 
 ing the law an immediate effect. This power, the birth- 
 
 21* 
 
216 HISTORY OF VEKMOrCT. 
 
 right of tlie people^ they asserted had been Nvithheld so 
 long that it shouhi not now be delayed even by the custom- 
 ary rules of legislation. One argument of a leading mem- 
 ber was^ that such professions of love for the people, with- 
 out corresponding actions, did noty like IJonaparte's sys- 
 tem, amount to much. Thf motion tor amendment was 
 therefore dismissed by 183 in the affirmative and 23 in the 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Proceedings of lite General A^semhhi from the year lS2i 
 to the termination of the year 1330.— ril/r. Bu'ler elect- 
 ed governor in 1S26. — Great demand for bavMn g priv- 
 ileges. — Legal provisions for tlie bethr regulation of 
 common schools. — Mr. Crafts* election for governor of 
 the state in 1823. — Excittnent on (lie sidject of the 
 frtsi'lential election. — Controversy concerning mason- 
 ry. — Popular vieics on the subject. — Flood in 1S30. — 
 Election of Mr. Crafts by the house of representatives. 
 "—State of parties. 
 
 1825. The lejrislatnra convened tliis fall v/ith Mr. Van 
 Kess again at the head of the government. The attention 
 of the legislature was particularly directed to the subject 
 of internal improvements — the navigation of Connecticut 
 river, and the junction of its waters with those of lake 
 Champlain and Memphremagog, v>'ere the routes vv'hich 
 received the notice of the pubfic. The period may not 
 be far distant when the attention of the state may properly 
 be fixed upon enterprises of this kind ; but to v, hat extent, 
 time and the advancing resources of the state only can de-r 
 tcrmine. 
 
 Canal commissioners were appointed and nn P.ppropri- 
 ation of five hundred dollars made for their expenses, 
 whose duty it was to assist any commissioner of the Uni- 
 ted Slates who should be sent on to ascertain the most 
 practicable route tor the erection of canals within this 
 Btutc ; and a further sum of seventv-five dollars was also 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 21T 
 
 approprinted to aid the subscriptions for proceeding with 
 a survey of the contemplated routes from JMontpelier to 
 lake Champlain. 
 
 The expediency and benefit of attempting public works 
 of this kind in Vermont, was debated with considerable 
 earnestness and zeal in the house. Calculations were 
 made by the members who favored the contemplated im- 
 provements, that the intercourse and trade of the state 
 would be sufficiently facilitated to meet the expense and 
 furnish a revenue equal to the interest and an additional 
 profit upon the capital expended ; that the other slates en- 
 gaged in constructing such public works have already 
 witnessed the prosperity which they have tended to pro- 
 duce. The evils of refusing to direct the energies of the 
 country to the subject of internal improvementf^ was por- 
 trayed in lively colors. An alienation of amicable feel- 
 ing — a severance of natural friendship, say ihey, will pur- 
 sue the destiny of that country^ advancing in one section 
 by its improvements, and in another depressed by an in- 
 attention to its interest. The bonds of national union aro 
 strengthened by a friendly intercourse and an equal parti- 
 cipation of confederate wealth and prosperity. An equal- 
 ization in improvements only can sustain the health, pros- 
 perity and t>eedom of the political compact of the United 
 i^^tales. Should the enterprise and talents of some of tlie 
 states monopolize the profits which an advancing country 
 might put in requisition, want and dependence will be ex- 
 perienced by the others. The people will emigrate for 
 subsistence, and manufactures will becon;e a source of 
 unimproved wealth. Tliose who opposed the project were 
 willing that companies should be formed and invested with 
 corporate power for enjoying all the immunities and prof- 
 its arising from improvements in transportation, either by 
 canals or railways ; but they would not consent to have 
 the state become accountable or undertake in the scheme. 
 
 The revenue of the state arises from public taxep asses- 
 sed upon the grand list, except the profits of a certain per 
 cent, upon the banks, and some other state immunities. — 
 The method of making up the grand list of the slate hav- 
 ing been iVequently modified, was repealed at this session, 
 and a new one, upon diflerent principles, substituted. — 
 
24S HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 According to the provisions of this act, each male person 
 residing in the state, between the ages of 21 and 60 years, 
 shall, on the tirst day of April, be set in the list in the town 
 where he resides at ten dollars, excepting students of col- 
 leges, and such persons as sickness, bodily or mental in- 
 firmity ought, in the opinion of the listers, to be exempt 
 from the payment of taxes, and also the polls ot the mili- 
 tia equipped shall be exempt, excepting from highway und 
 school taxes. For minors equipped ten dollars is to be 
 deducted fromthelist of the parent or guardian, and three 
 dollars to be deducted for every horse kept for training, 
 which shall further be free from all taxes, except for 
 highways and schools. Public lands, and those seques- 
 tered for public use, shall not be set in the list; but build- 
 ings on the above lands and building lots of two acres, 
 shall be assessed and set in the list at 4 per cent, on their 
 real value. Real estate is to be appraised every five 
 years, between the Ist day of May and the 10th day of 
 June. Those towns where the list does not exceed 2000 
 dollars, which have no representative in the legislature, 
 are not liable to be doomed ; but if they neglect to make 
 such returns to the legislature, such town or towns may be 
 doomed. Towns may make an appraisal of real estate, for 
 the purpose of raising highway and school taxes. « 
 
 1828. Mr. Buller, for.merly a member of Congress, 
 and one of the executive council of tho state, was elected 
 governor for the ensuing year. In his speech to the assem- 
 bly, he observed that the legislature of the state had for 
 more than twenty years past unilbrmly manifested its dis- 
 approbation of raising money by lotteries for any purpose 
 whatever. At the last session large sums were offered 
 for the privilege of selling tickets and drawing lotteries 
 in this state, but every proposition of the kind was reject- 
 ed, and it is believed the great body of our citizens are in 
 sentiment opposed to raising money by that way. Indeed 
 the principles of morality in Vermont must suffer a sad 
 decline before this species of gambling will be sanctioned 
 by the government or approved by the people. The nu- 
 merous sales of lottery tickets made within the last ye?r 
 had not been a little surprising to many and especially to 
 those who had personal knowledge of all that took place at 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 219 
 
 Ibc last session. If tlie construction lately given to those 
 grants anciently made by tiie state, to raise money tVom 
 lotteries, were correct, it would be difficult to say wiien 
 the business will stop. 
 
 An examintttion was had upon the subject of granting 
 lotteries and vending lottery tickets at the present session. 
 From the investigation of the subject, it appeared that 
 twenty-four lotteries had been granted in the state, from 
 I7S3 to ISOI, eight of which were limited as to the time 
 of their operation, and sixteen unlimited. In considera- 
 tion of the subject, an act prohibiting the vending of lot- 
 tery tickets, without a license obtained from the county 
 court, was passed after considerable debate, under tlie 
 penalty of a heavy fine. Applications had been made at 
 the session previous, for liberty to sell lottery tickets in 
 the state. A large sum was oflerod for this permission, to 
 he appropriated for the benefit of schools; but objections 
 v;ere urged against profits arising from lotteries, that they 
 are acquired by a species of gambling and ought not to 
 be encouraged, however laudably the avails may be ap- 
 propriated, as the acquisitions made are demoralizing to 
 community, and give constant encouragement to idleness 
 and dissipation. But these objections v^ere answered by 
 asserting tliat the admission of evils is necessary in the 
 economy of nature. Lotteries are granted in other states 
 and large sums of money pass from this to their benefit, 
 which would be a saving were corporations of this kind 
 chartered in Vermont. The evils in this case would be 
 mitigated, and the benefits exclusively enjoyed. In addi- 
 tion to this, individual happiness is enhanced by the ad- 
 mission of such institutions. The human mind is so con- 
 stitute;! that the anticpation of events afford as much 
 pleasure as the actual possession, or at least the feelings 
 are buoyed up under circumstances of wretchedness, want 
 and pain, from tlie belief and hope that better fortune \\\\\ 
 ensue. The person ^^■ho ventures his chance in the lotte- 
 ry lives in a kind of hopeful indulgence, for his prospects 
 of realizing a fortune are equally as certain as others. — 
 A vote v/as taken on the sulvject, and the admission of the 
 privilege was decided against. This eflTectually checked 
 the operation of the state lotteries, and the sale of foreign 
 
250 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 tickets in Vermont. 
 
 The interest of the sciences received the attention of the 
 government. A college of natural history was incorpora- 
 ted in the University of Vermont, and the Vermont agri- 
 cultural society was also established. This institution 
 has eminently proved, so far as it went into operation, the 
 utility of eocial communion and the advantage arising 
 from comparing' opinions and making the results of indi- 
 vidual experience a common stock. 
 
 Petitions had for several years been brought before thcr 
 legislature for the establishment of banks in various places 
 in the state. Seven banking charters had already been 
 granted, which had gone into operation, and others were 
 demanded, with an increased confidence of success in the 
 petitions. The natural effect produced by the fortunate 
 result which attended the petitions for banking institu- 
 tions has had a tendency to encoHrage others in the 
 pursuit, and the difficulty of opposing applications sup- 
 ported by arguments that had been urged with much 
 skill and efficiency, was not diminished. The commer- 
 cial affiiirs of the state did not, hou-ever, require extensive 
 banking institutions, and the resources of the farming: in- 
 Jerest was but illy calculated to meet the demands and to 
 comply with their necessary regidations. But the conse- 
 quences which would ensue to the state from the increase 
 of a circulating medium that is not the representative of 
 real wealth, was not discerned. 
 
 The zeal and untiring etforts of the applicants produced 
 an acquiescence among a majority of the members for 
 granting their requests. Management then became ne- 
 cessary in many instances for uniting upon the places of 
 location in some counties where banks were granted. — 
 Arguments of this kind were raised in favor of these in- 
 corporations, that many of the commercial cities in Eu- 
 rope had for a long succession of years been greatly ben- 
 efited by them. And further, that the bank of the United 
 States, granted in 17S1, had contributed much toward the 
 achievement of the American independence. That the 
 state of Rhovie-Island, having more than one bank to ev- 
 ery town in the state, has raised her reputation and en- 
 riched her citizens by this means, and to them is she in a 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 251 
 
 great degree indebted for the unexampled prosperity of her 
 manufactures. 
 
 After lengthy and animated debates, most of the peti- 
 tions for banking charters were sustained by a consider- 
 able mnjority. 
 
 1S27. Under the executive authority of the former gov- 
 ernor, a communication was received from the ordin- 
 ance department of the United States, respecting the arms 
 for the use of Vermont, which was noticed by the govern- 
 or. Also a view of the attempt to alter the constitution, 
 so as to prevent the re-election of any one to the presiden- 
 cy, however just, wise and prosperous his administration 
 may have been ; but this proposal w as commented on as 
 ominous of evil consequences to the government of the 
 Union. 
 
 The subject of a common school education engaged 
 much of the attention of the legislature: For investiga- 
 ting the principles which afford the best method of in- 
 struction and the more easy and adequate way of dis- 
 charging the expenses, the legislature employed consid- 
 erable time and attention. A general plan was finally a- 
 dopted for establishing a uniform method of instruction, 
 which was, *' that each organized tovvn in the state shall 
 keep and support a school or schools, provided with a 
 teacher of good morals, for the instruction of youth in 
 orthography, reading, writing, English grammar, geog- 
 raphy, arithmetic, history of the United States, and good 
 behaviour." It was further provided, that each town 
 should appoint a committee at their annual meeting, for 
 the purpose of superintending all the public schools in 
 the town, which are supported at the expense of the pub- 
 lic. It is the duty of this board to examine the in- 
 structors and visit the corporation — to enquire into the 
 regulations and discipline of the scliools, and the habits 
 and proficiency of the scholars. They are to make a re- 
 port by the third Thursday in October of the number of 
 school districts, the length of time that scoools have been 
 taught therein, and the whole number of pupils between 
 the ages of four and eighteen that have been instructed in 
 the course of the year. Teachers are obliged to be ex- 
 amined by this board, and receive of them a certificate of 
 
252 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 their qualifications for teaching, before fhey are entitled 
 to pay for tlieir aorvices. 
 
 A board consisting of five commissioners was also ap- 
 pointe.-^, whose duty it is to meet annually, and oftener if it 
 should be deemed necessary, to make and prepare a list 
 of school books, from which they shall advise the superin- 
 tending committees to select the books in the common 
 schools, to procure information on the subjects connecled 
 with the education of youth, and examine into the operation 
 find effects produced by the laws of this state for the sup- 
 port of conmion schools, and see if any alterations in the 
 law are necessary to be made, and make an annual re- 
 port to the legislature. This board made their first report 
 at the succeeding session of the legislature, which has 
 been anticipated on account of the connected view which 
 it was desirable to present on the sul)ject. " It cannot be 
 necessary (observe the commissioners) to urge upon the 
 consideration of the legislature of a free and sovereign 
 people, the vital importance of making ample provision 
 for the support of common schools. They are the broad 
 and deep fountains from which must issue the streams of 
 knowledge and virtue, that will ensure strength and dura- 
 bility to our political institutions, and give harmony and 
 beauty to all the relations of social life. Experience 
 attests the truth of the maxim that intelligence and 
 morality are essential to liberty. Our constitution and 
 all our legislative enactments are but recorded expres- 
 sions of the popular will. How necessary is it then 
 that the public mind should be enlightened and the tone 
 of public morals elevated ! Love of country can only exist 
 in its true sense where knowledge is cultivated, where the 
 arts and sciences are cherished. It is a source of proud 
 satisfaction to the citizens of Vermont, that her legislature 
 has, by repeated acts and resolves, treated the education 
 of youth as a matter of high public concern, and recog- 
 nized the expediency and justice of providing for this im- 
 portant object at the public expense." This report con- 
 contains sentiments which ought to be registered in the 
 memory of every individual in the state. 
 
 A resolution proposing an amendment to the constitu- 
 lion of the United States, presented by the state of Geor- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 253 
 
 gin, which provided that the president of the United States 
 ^should be chosen by tiie iVeemen generally, was taken uj> 
 by the legislature, and a resolution passed declaring it in- 
 cx|)edicut to amend the constitution of the general govern- 
 ment in relation to the mode of election of th.e pre^^idenf. 
 
 132S. Mr. Crafts received a majority of votes over 
 tlje opposing candidates for governor, and )iis long ac- 
 quaintance with public business rendered his accession to 
 tlie dignified ofiice pleasant and easy. "I congratulate 
 my fellow citizens upon the prosjjerous condition of our 
 country. At a time of peace with the whole world, tiie 
 great interests of our nation, adds he, are fostered and 
 protected — our population and resources increasing at a 
 ratio unprecedented in the history of man.'' The revenue 
 of the government is collected in a manner the least bur- 
 ihensome to the people, and being so abundant as to de- 
 fray the ordinary expenses of the national government 
 and contribute largely to the permanent defesice and in- 
 ternal irnj3rovement of the country, and rapidly to reduce 
 t!)e public debt. Our government bears so lightly on the 
 people as to be felt only in the consciousness of the securi- 
 ty it gives. " This unexampled prosperity, in connexion 
 with the civil and religious liberty enjoyed under our free 
 institutions, j)laces within the reach of the citizens of the 
 United States greater means for Inippiness tlian ever fell 
 to the lot of any other people.'' Such was then and now 
 is the condition of the American people that they have 
 no occasion to look a!)road for liberty, prosperity and peace. 
 
 The services and sufferings of the revolutionary sol- 
 diera was taken uj) by the legislature, and a resolution re- 
 quiring that the senators and representatives in Congress 
 from this state should be requested to exert tlieir intluenre 
 in procuring a pension for those American citizens who 
 served in the war of the revolution, w hetlier they did or 
 did not ^oed the assistance of their couufry. The former 
 method of distribution had occasioned feelings of displeas- 
 ure. Those who were aflluent in circumstances among 
 the old soldier?* and ofiicers of tiie revolution, considered 
 pensions as a reward of merit, rather than an actual con- 
 tribution for the support of the needy. Therefore the dis- 
 tribution made in the pension list appeared partial and in- 
 
2i^l HISTORY OF VERMOIST. 
 
 vidiotis. Tho object of the aforesaid resolutions was to 
 remove all utifavorable impressions from those whose ser- 
 ricea deserved so v/ell of th<Mr country. 
 
 After Mr. Adams' induction into office, a vigilant oppo- 
 sition to his administration commenced. The waves of 
 disappointed feelings first broke upon the shores of the 
 middle states, which spread by degrees until the violence 
 of the electioneering campaign became general in its ef- 
 fects. In this political ferment, general Jackson was 
 selected as the proper person for the presidency, because 
 he was inflexible and unsophisticated wiih political chi- 
 canery; and, in the language of many, was declared the 
 second saviour of this country — the only person who would 
 dare to correct the abuses of executive patronage, and 
 accomplish, by the weight of his character, more than his 
 predecessor could with all his exertions properly direct- 
 ed. Since the organization of the government there never 
 had been a political controversy of more virulence or of a 
 more formidable character than the one upon the subject 
 of the last presidential election. The states were separ- 
 ated into two grand political parties, one of whom was in 
 favor of the administration and re-election of Mr. Adams, 
 ftnd the otlier strenously engaged in supporting general 
 Jackson's claims to the presidency. Nothing that could 
 be etibcted by argument, misstatement or ridicule, was 
 unimproved in the irritation and heat of party zeal. Not 
 only the public transactions of the candidates, but the oc- 
 currences of their private lives, were severely scrutinized 
 and censured by those who were in favor of one or the oth- 
 er of the candidates, and in like manner prejudiced against 
 the other. The qualifications, talents and character of th« 
 favorite of each party was extolled and represented as the 
 most perfect standard of human excellence. Among such 
 a variety of statements and contradictions as the public 
 journals of that period spread before the people, it was 
 impossible to determine from the evidence contained in 
 them what were the merits or faults, talents or inability, 
 integrity or corruption, of the two gentlemen respectively 
 supported for the presidency of the federal government. — 
 The southern, western, and a part of the middle states, 
 were in favor of the character and claims of general Jack- 
 
History of Vermont. ^'j() 
 
 Bon, and succeeded in securing his election hy a very con- 
 siderable majority. Such a scene of confusion and irrup- 
 tion of friendly sentiments is sincerely to be lamented, 
 and every individual friendly to America must det»ire that 
 it should never transpire again. Temperate exertions, cal- 
 ling forth a suitable degree of emulation, are as necessary 
 in politics as in the laborious or professional pursuits in 
 lite ; for surely the liberty and independence of the Uni- 
 ted States would sink into forgetfulness and ruin were in- 
 activity and ignorance to prevail. But the improper pro- 
 ceedings of a relentless and persecuting opposition, pro- 
 duces anarchy and finally the overthrow of republican lib- 
 erty. 
 
 1829. By the votes of the freemen of Vermont, Mr. 
 Crafts was again elected to preside over the state. A- 
 mong the variety of subjects which came before the house, 
 the report of the sheriff and commissioners of jail de- 
 livery was submitted to a committee appointed for that 
 purpose by the legislature, who stated that the whole 
 number of commitments, except in Franklin county, was 
 4,091, for four years ending with October 1st, 1829. The 
 number discharged during that period was 2,085. 
 
 A communication was laid before the legislature by the 
 governor, comprising certain resolutions passed by the 
 legislature of vSouth-Carolina, denying the constitutional 
 power of Congress to regulate duties on imports for the 
 encouragement of domestic industry, in building roads 
 and canals in the states, or in any way to patronize the A- 
 nierican colonization society ; together with an exposi- 
 tion of the injurious effects of the tarifi'upon the prosperi- 
 ty of the agricultural states. Also, reports fVom Georgia, 
 Virginia and Missouri, adopted by the legislatures of these 
 states, upon the same subjects,supporting the constitution- 
 al construction maintained by the state of South Carolina. 
 These communications, relating to subjects so closely 
 connected with the great interests and prosperity of the 
 country, and being the deliberate acts of four members 
 of the national confederacy, were received as worthy of 
 that attention and consideration which is due to the impor- 
 tance of the subjects and the high sources from which tliey 
 fimauated. 
 
25o HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 A committee to whom the resolutions were referred, re- 
 ported that they were '•'■unable to perceive any constitu- 
 tional obstacle to such laws, or conclusive evidence of their 
 inexpediency or injurious and oppressive efiects upon the 
 soufliern states, or any other particular sectiori olthe coun- 
 try.*' The legislature thereupon resolved, tliat they would 
 not concur with the resolutions denyin<i to Congress the 
 constitutional right to regulate the tarili" and to make ap- 
 propriations for iriiernal improvements. 
 
 Th.e tempest of t{«e presidential controversy had scarce- 
 ly ceased agitating the public, when a beacon of approach- 
 ing danjjer suddenly arose in the western sky, which soon 
 encircled the horizon with the angry elements of conten- 
 tion. The alleged disclosures of freemasonry, liy one 
 William Morgan, of Buflalo, in 182(5; his abduction and 
 confmement in a fortress at Niagara, and liis secret disap- 
 pearance imn^ediately afterwards, aroused and agitateti 
 the feelings of the public in tiie immediate vicinity of the 
 transaction, and soon after throughout tiie United States. 
 In pursuing enquiries respecting the destiny of Morgan, 
 before courts of justice, by committees appointed for that 
 purpose, and in the public journals, no authority or pow- 
 er eirianating tVom the federal or state governments, wa.s 
 discovered or proved to have been employed in takings 
 confining and disposing of the alleged ofiend(;r ; but the 
 sheriff'of Niagara county was convicted, fined and impris- 
 oned for the part he took in ihe transaction. The will and 
 %engeance of individuals, acting under the phrenzy of a 
 mistaken authority, or under the impression of a high 
 crime committed against the fraternity, or otherwise in 
 pursuance of the secret mandates of the association to 
 which he belonged, and whose principles he professedly 
 disclosed, (as has since been legally proved) secured 
 and disposed of him in a way tliat seemed to them best. — 
 A strong and powerful combination seized and secretly 
 conveyed him more than one hundred miles, through a 
 very populous part of tlie country, to the place of trreg- 
 ;cal exit. Soon after the perpetration of tliis act. govern- 
 or Clinton issued a proclamation offering ;i liberal reward 
 TO any individual who would apprehend either or all of 
 tiie actors ia this conspiracy. There was an artful and 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 257 
 
 obstinate resistance in the management of many of the 
 witnesses who were called upon by the government to 
 testify in trials upon this transaction. 
 
 Many important tacts in the affair were concealed from 
 the public, because the witnesses under oath were not at 
 liberty, as they asserted, accordini^ to their masonic ob- 
 ligations, to testify upon certain points of enquiry. The 
 bonds of fellowship between themselves and the lodge, 
 were declared paramount to their allegiance and submis- 
 sion to the government. Some of the witnesses refusing 
 to testify, were fined and imprisoned for disobeying the 
 ordinances of the government, which orders were com- 
 plied with by the delinquents, rather than to permit an 
 exposure of their knowledge to the dishonor of their broth- 
 erhood. From the testimony of others, who disclosed 
 freely whatever they had cognizance of, 'it appeared lluit 
 the offender received the punishment of death. 
 
 In this secret and unlawful manner perished the profes- 
 sed revealer of the secrets of masonry. Those implica- 
 ted in aiding and assisting in the transaction, were mem- 
 bers of the masonic institution. It was therefore alleged 
 that the masonic obligations universally bound its mem- 
 bers to proceed in a similar manner, under a like violation 
 of their rules; and that this act of certain individuals was 
 sanctioned by the masonic oaths and obligations. On the 
 other hand, it has been maintained by members of the 
 institution, that no such regulation ever did exist; that its 
 design and end was for the cultivation of friendship, be- 
 nevolence, and a species of universal language, which 
 would benefit them in any clime or country wherever ma- 
 sonry might prevail; that the Morgan outrage was as 
 strongly condemned by them as by any portion of the com- 
 munity ; that they knew of no regulation in their fraterni- 
 ties for civil preference, punishing with death an ofien- - 
 ding brother, or secreting any that were guilty of murder 
 or other high crimes. These were some of the arguments 
 and assertions used in their appeals and addresses, which 
 have been made in justification of masonry. 
 
 Evidence, of another and very different character, has 
 been further adduced by the opponents of masonry, — 
 This was of a positive and direct character, furnished by 
 
 22* 
 
268 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 the renunciations of seceding masons. The Le Roj cotj^- 
 ventioti of associated masons renounced masonry, eur- 
 rendered their charter?, substantiated the truths of Mor- 
 gan's ilhistrations, and declared that the substance of 
 jTiasonry was literally before the world. Numerous indi- 
 viduals of distinguished rank and elevated character* 
 have also added their testimony in confirmation of what 
 has been said, that [nasonry was revealed, and more than 
 Ihis, that it was a silent conspiracy jigainst the supreme 
 power of the land and the common rights of the American 
 citizens. Partiality of one member towards another in 
 jjublic appointments, and protection given in all cases of 
 .danger or crinics, are enumerated as accumulative evi- 
 tlence of the treasonable character of the order. The ut- 
 terance of such sentiments had a direct tendency to raise 
 up formidable p'aities in several of the states : masonic 
 and anti-masonic were the badges ot party dii-tinction. — 
 Vermont was not the foremost state in the controversy : 
 luir numbers in the outset opposed to masonry were very 
 fev?, in comparison with the votaries of the order. But 
 during its progress, certain influential individuals avowed 
 their opposition and exerted mucii influence upon society 
 against such institutions. Men of experience and celeb- 
 rity in the state have seceded from a membership with the 
 fraternity, and declared it both a useless and dangerous 
 institution, while they gave their testimony to the truth of 
 tl^.e disclosures and revelations made respecting masonry. 
 Ti:e rancor of teelings elicited upon the subject soon pas- 
 £ed from the bickerings of individuals to political cauvafi- 
 singg for civil appointments. 
 
 The first year, however, that it became a political ques- 
 tion in the state, there was no nomination of candidates 
 for state officers made out, but a kind of compromise tick- 
 et from those wlio had never been initiated into the lodge, 
 was got up. A convention was holden in August, 1&2^^ 
 consisting of those opposed Ic the principles of freemason- 
 ry, and resolutions were published expressive of their 
 viewa of the influence and character of masonry, and rec- 
 ommending certain measures as necessary to be persued 
 ia securing its overthrow. Ts^cthing further occurred up- 
 on the fcubject, worthy of notice, until the meeting of th« 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 559 
 
 legislature the ensuing fall ; when an appcnl to the people 
 wa8 issued from the grand lodge in Vermont, signed by 
 11>8 masons. Their language was, if they were to remain 
 silent, they should be guilty of inflicting no less an injurj 
 upon others than upon themselves, ''for were we quietly to 
 submit to the dispensation and dissemination of error, and 
 a political party to be built up on it, destructive of the lib- 
 erty of the people, when we possess the power to expoee 
 the falsity of the representations, we should, to say tbo 
 least, display an unwarrantable and reprehensible disre- 
 gard lor the safety of the free institutions under which we 
 live." They also declared *' themselves guiltless in any 
 manner of entertaining the remotest suspicion that the life 
 of a fellow being was subject to their control." From 
 their remarks, the inference is deducible that it is a scien- 
 tific, useful and charitable institution, suited to the wants 
 and dignified enjoyments of life. 
 
 Sometime in the month of July,a most destructive storm 
 of bail spread over the northern part of Addison county. 
 Commencing in the state of New-York, it passed over 
 lake Champlain, in a direction from the north-west to tho 
 south-east, about half a mile in width ; and so great was 
 it3 violence that it destroyed and beat down the grass and 
 all kinds of cultivated vegetables. Hail stones of several 
 inches in diameter fell and broke most of the glass in the 
 buildings opposite to the storm. 
 
 1830. The valley of lake Champlain and the adjacent 
 highlands was visited by one of the most severe and re- 
 markable calamities of the kind that was ever experien- 
 ced in the memory of the oldest inhabitants. A storm of 
 rain, commencing in the afternoon of the 24th of July, con- 
 tinued with but slight abatements till Tuesday noon, and 
 from that time with less violence to Thursday morning. — 
 For several days previous, the weather had been remark- 
 ably eultryand dry. The wind changed about the earae 
 titne the storm commenced from the south to the nortii- 
 we«t, and light clouds, attended in some parts with shocks 
 of thunder, passed rapidly through the sky. At 6rst, a 
 slight sprinkling of rain descended, which continued io- 
 croasing until tho water fell in torrents, with scarce an 
 kiterraission, till morning; at which time the celiare wer« 
 
360 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 filled with water, and streams and rivers were swelled to 
 the highest extent ©f former t>eshet». It continued rain- 
 ing with tmahating violence through Sunday and Mondav. 
 The people in the vallies hegan now to look with fearful 
 anxiety tor the safety of their lives and possessions, but 
 were not apprehensive of the awful calamity which await- 
 ed them iu the dark and dreary hours of midnight. A vast 
 accumulation of clouds settled upon the mountains, from 
 which proceeded every few minutes dreadful shocks of 
 thunder and streams of livid lightning. The aqueous ele- 
 ment appeared to descend in streams and rushed in cata- 
 racts down the sides of the hills and mountains, beariiig 
 av/ay in the raging current, rocks, woods, houses, fences, 
 bridges and mills, and rolled them along on the majesty 
 of the billows. The whole surrounding country to the 
 ijeight of fifteen feet above the natural current of the 
 streams, presented, in the course of Monday evening, one 
 extended sheet of water. All the grain and growing veg- 
 itables upon the intervals were beat down nnd destroyed, 
 and almost every mill and machine propelled by water on 
 the larger streams, together with the fences, bridges and 
 several buildings, passed away like a leaf in the violence 
 of a whirlwind. Houses and barns and other buildings 
 rose upon the water and were soon dashed in pieces. — 
 The force of the storm was experienced in Vermont upon 
 Onion andNew-Haven rivers and their tributaries, together 
 with the whole extent of country intervening between them, 
 (rreat damages were sustained upon the banks of Onion 
 river, as almost the whole produce of it thereon was swept 
 away in the flood. But the most dreadful and melancholy 
 instance of destruction occasioned by the rain, happened 
 at Beeman's Hollow, in New-Haven. New-Haven river 
 had rose to such an unprecedented height, on Monday, 
 that the owners of mills and some of their neighbors had 
 assembled to consult upon their safety. D^irkness had 
 now veiled the earth in obscurity, and the rain continued 
 to pour down incessantly : Yet no one had the least sus- 
 picion that their lives were endangered, or that the raging 
 element would soon convey them to unexperienced scenes 
 of eternity. It was near the hour of midnight, and none 
 had intelligence that ten or twelve feet of head water was 
 
lIISTOriY OF VERMONT. 261 
 
 rushing furiously towards tli(Mii and soon to ingiilf theni 
 ill its bosom. Tiie river at tho upper part of the settle- 
 ment formed a new channel in the road and completely 
 isolated tlie place where the mills and hous^es were situat- 
 ed. Twenty-otie persons were in and about tliese build- 
 ings, surrounded by water. Two of thorn plunged into the 
 stream of the new formed channel, and hwam safely to the 
 highlands. Some of those remaining attempted to escape 
 ^pon a raft wliich they had consiructed, but did not suc- 
 ceed. The houses and mills in the upper part of the set- 
 tlement benan to give way, wlien, suddenly, the whole,ex- 
 cept one house, which had just been deserted by several 
 persons for a more secure situation, as they supposed, in 
 a barn, were precipitated in the abyss below. A vast ac- 
 cumulation of tiood-wood from the whole length of the riv- 
 er, together with the wreck of buildings and lumber at this 
 place, dashed down the rough and rocky channel of the 
 river, the water in which was more than twenty feet higher 
 than was ever known before. 
 
 Nineteen persons were carried along in this torrent ev- 
 ery moment exposed to be dashed upon the rocks or bruis- 
 ed between the lloating timber. Five of those precipita- 
 ted into the stream escaped the cold embrace of death, 
 which their remaining associate's in this calamity expe- 
 rienced. These providentially preserved their lives — four 
 of them lodging upon rocks and trees about three fourths 
 of a mile from where they were preticipated, and the oth- 
 er, liCinuel 15. FJdridge, Esq. who was <-arried down a- 
 boiit the same distance, but happened to fioat into a corn- 
 licld, then tiooded several feet deep with a. rapid stream of 
 water. lie there got on to a rise of land, sufficient, by 
 standing erect, to kecj) his head but of the water. la 
 ih'is perilous and uncomfortable situation, he continued 
 from about two o'clock until day-light, when, by the as- 
 sistance of the people collected on the banks of the river, 
 he, with those lodged on eminences near, were resciied 
 at the same time from impending destruction. The bo- 
 dies of tliirteen of those who perished were found at vari- 
 ous distances from the scene of this dreadful catastrophe. 
 
 Mr. Crafts not having a majority of the votes given in 
 for a governor of the state, was elected by the house of 
 
262 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 representatives, after along and obstinate contest. The' 
 citizens of the state had been considerably engaged on the 
 subject of election for some time previous to its transpir- 
 ing. In the present political controversy three parties 
 made their appearance, and presented claims for the elec- 
 tion of their candidates, with much earnestness and zeal. 
 On canvassing the votes at the opening of the legislature, 
 the whole number given for the three candidates was 30,- 
 686 ; of these 13,486 were for Craftj^, 10,925 for Palmer^ 
 the antimasonic candidate, and 6,235 for Meech, the ad- 
 ministration candidate. Governor Crafts was supported 
 by the masons, and had a plurality of the votes. Palmer 
 had something more than one third of the wliole. The 
 choice of a governor therefore going before the legisla- 
 tive body, the representatives of the partie«? took an un- 
 compromising stand in supporting a candidate of their 
 particular party. After thirty-two ballotings, governor 
 Crafts was re-elected by a small majority over the other 
 two candidates, and, in like manner, Mr. Richards was 
 ciiosen lieutenant-governor. The governor's speech to 
 the legislature contained sentiments suited to the dignity 
 of his station and the circumstances of the people. 
 
 The law for imprisoning poor debtors, originating in a 
 foreign country and at a remote period, when the civil and 
 political rights of man were imperfectly known and but 
 little regarded, he requested the attention of the legisla- 
 ture to see if some measure could not be taken to relieve 
 this unfortunate class of community. On the subject of 
 education, he observed, that the " mode of instruction 
 adopted in common schools, and in some degree in those 
 of a higher order, is directed more to the improvement of 
 the faculties than to form and fix the character of the youth. 
 To qualify them to perform the high and responsible duties 
 of freemen, they, in addition to the usual course of instruc- 
 tion, should be instructed also in the princij)les of our free 
 institutions — in the social relations and duties — in a love 
 of country, of order, morality and religion, and whatever 
 shall tend to establish correct habits and principles.-' — 
 The message throughout was a very ser sible and appro- 
 priate communication. However, not many of the topics 
 presented were acted upon. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMOx\T. 2G3 
 
 The abolition of imprisonment for debt had for a scries 
 of years been attempted, both by the federal and state legis- 
 latures. Benevolence, patriotism, and all tlie finer feel- 
 ings of the heart have been in favor of a universal eman- 
 cipation of poor debtors, confined in jail upon judgements 
 obtained on civil contracts. The arguments in iavor of 
 such a law, are, that if a person buys a piece of property 
 and engages to pay so much money or other specific arti- 
 cles, he does not, on failure of payment, engage to divest 
 himself of his liberty, or have his body confined in pris- 
 on, because, unfortunately, he is not able to perform the 
 contract: — That property only should be subject to attacli- 
 ment, not the body. It is repugnant to civil liberty, that 
 men should be confined in consequence of their owing a 
 few dollars, which they have not ability to discharge. 'J'ho 
 opposition urged against such mild, or at least alleviating 
 mo<i3ures,was, the ready access to fraudulent practices in 
 changing property into cash or paper security,and also lea- 
 ving the creditor without any redress or method of secu- 
 ring the debt where no clue could be had for discovering 
 property, without the privilege of examining the debtor 
 upon his oath. After considerable debate, an act was 
 passed, that on all judgements obtained upon debts made 
 after the first day of January, 1931, the debtor may, within 
 two hours after the rendition of such judgement before 
 a court of justice, submit himself to an examination on 
 oath by such court or creditor, or his attorney, touching 
 his situation, circumstances or pr(>perty,and may be entitled 
 to th'e benefit of the oath, which shall be administered to 
 such debtor by said court or justice, and a record made 
 tbercot7 and no execution shall be issued thereon. Many 
 were in favor of extending the provisions of the bill so as 
 to exempt the debtor from arrest in all cases of contract; 
 but the majority decided that the provision now made was 
 a sufficient relief in the present state of affairs. 
 
 The petition of Norman Cleveland, now under sentence 
 of death for the murder of Hannah Rose, praying that his 
 punishment might be commuted to a sentence of impris- 
 onment in the state penitentiary, was determined, after 
 an animated debate, in favor of hia imprisonment for five 
 years. This was the first instance of the kind, except 
 
261 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 Bourn's, who was afterwards proved innocent by tlie re- 
 turn of Colvin, the supposed dead man, that the j)Ower of 
 changing the mode of punishment incident to this brancii 
 of the government, was ever exercised. There might be 
 a reason why many people were somewhat surprised that 
 such a crime as was proved ui this case should only re^' 
 ceive the same punishment as his who had passed a 
 one dollar counterfeit bill. 
 
 The usual business of the legislature was accomplished 
 without a continuation of those party exertions which 
 were manifested at the commencement of the session. 
 
 On examining the proceedings of the legislature for a 
 long succession of years, there is much anxiety experien- 
 ced by the writer; fearing lest he should not fully -<'om^ 
 prehend the views or justly represent the conduct of par- 
 ties'. The business of stating facts correct, is not difticuU ; 
 but judging of those matters which are the most .sui.ta- 
 ble for historical narration, is troublesome. On giving 
 an account of the legislative asseirdilies of this coun- 
 try, the minds of men appear to be intluenced by the sanjQ 
 motives and passions in this as in any other quarter of the 
 globe. *•• Where their own individual advantage and 
 emoluments are cut of view, the men who are clothed with 
 authority will be much influenced by considerations of 
 justice and equity, by moral and social principlev<" — 
 When their own advancement is dependent on the princi- 
 ples they embrace, it is always expected that they will be 
 m danger of being sv.ayed by their interest, governed by 
 their passions, and irritated by opposition. Let the form 
 of government be what it may, whenever men seek their 
 own wealth and advancement, it is not surprising'to find 
 them combined in assisting and supporting each other, 
 and in humbling their opposers. *' Their passions rise 
 and rule; their reason loses its infiuence and force; 
 crime, guilt and shame are divided into equal shares, and 
 no man means or ejpects to take a large portion to him- 
 self. In legislative assemblies, the representatives do not 
 wish to ascertain what v>ill be proper and useful to the 
 state, but how much the people can be made to believe 
 and bear. The tacts ought to be otherwise : the person 
 who is chosen for a legislator should be capable of rising 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 25^5 
 
 above such feelings : he should be qualified for something 
 more than legislative traffic of bargain and sale, or of stij>' 
 ulafing by the sale of his vote to carry some measure in 
 favor of himself or his party, without any regard to public 
 expediency. 
 
 The only checks upon the legislative branches of the 
 government, are popular sentiments anr] feelings. So long 
 then as the people are t'vee, intelligent, active and virtu- 
 ous, they will know and understand the princijdes of their 
 own government and call to account the conduct of their 
 rulers. The destruction or continuance of the American 
 government does not therefore depend upon the conduct of 
 their representatives, but upon the state and condition of 
 society.. 
 
 CHAPTEH XIII. 
 
 Condition of Society. — Diffarent employments of the pco-,^ 
 pic. — Agriculture. — Manufactures. — Commerce, — lAl- 
 trature. 
 
 Not a century ago Ihe s^ate of Vermont wa« an entire 
 wilderness, covered with forest trees, shrubbery and vari^ 
 ous species of wild plants. Antiquities of a former civil- 
 ized settlement have never been discovered, nor were there 
 the least traces of human existence remaining, except oc- 
 casional residences of the Indian. The soil had forages 
 been eiiricbed with decaying vegetables, and the streams 
 had been gradually wearing down the highlands. This 
 was the situation of the country when the emigrants began 
 to make this state the abode of civilization. Lands were 
 very cheap and usually cantoned out in farms from fifty to 
 one hundred acres each. The first business of the hus- 
 bandman in this new settlement, was to clear the land of 
 timber, sow crops, erect necessary buildings and open 
 roads, and thus form coramunications between tlie scat- 
 tered settlements. A farm of convenient size was purcha- 
 sed with the surplus produce of two or three years labor, 
 beside furnishing the necessary provisions of living for a 
 
 23 
 
2m HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 family. When industry was applied to the soil, a great 
 profit accrued. The first crop generally paid for the labor 
 of raising and increased the value of the land ten times the 
 original cost. An acre of land was made in one year of 
 such value that it would yield annually ten or fifteen dol- 
 lars worth of produce. The profits of labor in anew set- 
 tlement are in this way the greatest that can be realized in 
 agriculture. Great wages were obtained in the produc- 
 tion of a crop and the addition of a tract of cultivated land 
 to a farm. 
 
 Whether agrriculture is considered as the means of fur- 
 nishing the necessaries or luxuries of life— of providing a 
 security against famine and disease, or of engaging the 
 fiiind in active enterprise or the pursuits of general knowl- 
 edge, it is the most useful and important of all arts which 
 has ever employed the attention of mankind. The food and 
 raiment of every individual are derived from the land or 
 water, but in this state almost entirely from the land. — 
 Therefore agriculture supports and maintains all other em- 
 ployments, and deserves the greatest encouragement. — 
 XVealth obtained by agriculture is permanent and fixed, as 
 it is generally vested in real estate and is free from those 
 uncertainties attendant upon the business of commerce, 
 and independent of the restrictions of other countries. — 
 Besides the utility of agricultural pursuits, there are pleas- 
 ures, for a contemplative mind, of the highest order. The 
 causes for advancement are the same in agriculture as in 
 the mechanical or professional pursuits. In the early ages 
 of the world ignorance v/as an imposing obstruction to an 
 accumulation of agricultural productions, and even oper- 
 ated as a barrier to the progress of population. But ne- 
 cessity and social intercourse awakened the slumbering 
 genius of man and directed his attention to a choice in the 
 management of his flocks and the better cultivation of his 
 fields. Thus men were led to consider the adaptation of 
 labor to the soil a means for obtaining a greater and bet- 
 ter production of crops, and introduced methods of im- 
 provement highly beneficial to the country. 
 
 All other professions, particularly the liberal arts, are 
 of great importance, which man in a civilized state cannot 
 do without. Yet they derive their importance from the 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 2U7 
 
 imperfections of human nature, and add nothing of them- 
 selves to the wealth of nations. The learned professions, 
 the philosopher and the statesman, are engaged in great 
 and important husiness ; yet the learned Dr. Franklin said 
 that he who makes two blades of grass grow where one did 
 before, does more for the benefit of his country than the 
 most distinguished statesman. The one adds nothing to 
 the wealth, but the other furnishes the whole support of 
 human existence. Health may be preserved — property 
 accumulated — morals improved — the understanding invig- 
 orated, and proper direction given to the mind by the other 
 arts; but agriculture furnishes the means and gives sup- 
 port to them all. The glory of nations has been more en- 
 hanced by this art than by all the discoveries and improve- 
 ments in science. Hence the ancient Romans esteemed 
 agriculture so honorable an employment, that their most 
 distinguished senators applied themselves at intervals of 
 leisure to the cultivation of the soil; and such was the 
 amiable simplicity of those times, that their greatest war- 
 riors and legislators were often called from the active la- 
 bors of the field to the highest offices in the state. Regu- 
 lup, the celebrated Roman general, when in Africa, re- 
 quested of the senate to be recalled, lest his farm might 
 suffer from want of proper cultivation in his absence ; and 
 the senate wrote to him for answer that the public would 
 attend to his business. The Emperor of China goes an- 
 annually, on an appointed day, to the field, and there, to 
 fehow his sense of the inestimable value of agriculture, he 
 personally undertakes the task of holding the plough. A 
 high estimation has been given to the subject of agricul- 
 ture in many of the kingdoms of Europe. Societies have 
 been formed, and the business has been introduced as a 
 study in the seminaries of learning. 
 
 The legislature of this state incorporated the Vermont 
 agricultural society in 1806; and after that, the county 
 societies were chartered. The effect of these societies, so 
 far as the counties acted in pursuance of their corporate 
 privileges, have very considerably increased the prosperi- 
 ty of the state. Better crops, and a more valuable stock 
 of cattle and horses, have been raised by the farmers of 
 Vermont than was done at any former period ; and much 
 
266 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 of the soil which was judged incapable of cultivation has 
 been brought to a very fertile and productive state. The 
 importation of merino sheep into this state from Spain, and 
 more recently, of the Saxony breed, has added much to 
 the value of our flocks. Wool now grown is worth twen- 
 ty cents more a pound than it formerly was, and the quan- 
 tity taken from the same number of sheep exceeds very 
 considerably what it used to be. Breeds of every kind of 
 domestic animals have been very much improved within 
 a few years, and great profits have been realized from the 
 same. The soil is such, and the seasons are so uncertain, 
 for the perfection of crops of grain, that grazing is the 
 most sure and profitable branch of agriculture which the 
 farmer of Vermont can attend to with success. And from 
 this source the principal exportations are derived. It is 
 for the pleasure and profitable entertainment of the hus- 
 bandman's mind, that the nature of his occupation obliges 
 }iim to contemplate a great variety of objects and things. 
 The state of tlie soil and climato must be familiar, and 
 what tije different parts of his farm will produce. The 
 growth and production of vegetables, grain and fruits, 
 which can be raised with profit, engages his attention. — 
 The constitution, genius and pursuit of animals from 
 whiclr the most profit can be derived, and which can be 
 raised and governed to the greatest advantage, is under- 
 stood by him. The seasons, winds and weatiier, so far ns 
 ran be anticipated from the various operations of nature, 
 become matters of constant observation. These subjects 
 belong to the various sciences of natural history and phi- 
 losophy, and are familiar to the experience of the bus-' 
 band man. 
 
 The morality of mankind appears to be intimately con- 
 nected with those employments which are the most useful 
 and necessary. Hence the business of agriculture, which 
 furnishes the support of society, appears to be nearer alli- 
 ed to virtue than any of the arts. Instances have never 
 occurred of a body of farmers becoming debauched and 
 corrupt. Their pursuits have a tendency to niake them 
 mdustrious, moral, and honest. Political demagogues 
 rmd aspirants for office are the persons most familiar with 
 the practices of corruption and venality. Vermont, being 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 269 
 
 f^ntlrely an inland state, must acquire the actual, necessa- 
 ry and fashionable articles of life from agriculture or man- 
 utactures. The products for exportation are principally 
 derived from the tbrest, or animal and vegetable cultiva- 
 tion, — the two latter of these enter principally into the 
 consumption of the people, and probably will in a few 
 years furnish but very inconsiderable quantities for expor- 
 tation. Horses, cattle and pheep are the only animals that 
 can be raised to much profit in this state, and these, from 
 the decreasing fertility of a long cultivated soil, and from 
 the long duration of cold weather in this section of the 
 Union, are frequently raised with but very little advance 
 from their actual cost. Wool has, since the operation of 
 the tariff upon importations of foreign commodities, yiel- 
 ded the greatest profit on a given capital of any agricul- 
 tural production; and should the manufacture of wool- 
 lens still continue to increase, the business may hereafter 
 become more profitable. Wheat, rye, corn, and other 
 grain and vegetables were, upon the clearing of the new 
 lands, much safer crops, more easy to be raised, and alto- 
 gether more productive than they now are, and the wants 
 of society were much less then than at present. This 
 gave a great and rapid increase to the wealth of the peo- 
 ple. Property was then easily accumulated; whereas it 
 now takes much severe labor and hazardous enterprize to 
 gain a competence, and much more to rise to easy and in- 
 dependent circumstances. 
 
 Manufactures. — Cotton goods have for some years 
 been extensively manufactured in several towns in this 
 state. The aid of water power and machinery has enabled 
 the manufacturers of this article to compete with the Eu- 
 ropean workshops ; but the fabrication might be exten- 
 ded still further, with increasing profit, was the stamping 
 of calico introduced. 
 
 Woollen cloths, of which there is a considerable amount 
 imported for the consumption of the state, are manufac- 
 tured to a great profit, on quite a limited capital. Large 
 quantities might be made, particularly for supplying tho 
 wants of the southern parts of the United States. Flax suc- 
 ceeds well in our soil ; often, four or five hundred pounds 
 are raised, which before the use of cottons was manufac- 
 
 23* 
 
270 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 tured in almost every family. The culture of hemp has 
 not, until recently, received much attention, and that on 
 a limited scale. In particular destricts of the state at- 
 tempts at raising it upon land not properly enriched anJ 
 prepared, and the method of getting it out by the aid of 
 machinery, have quite checked the cultivation of it. la 
 Europe, where henjp is extensively cultivated, the climate 
 corresponds with the northern parts of the United States, 
 Hence it does not require to be acclimated to a high north- 
 ern latitude, to come to perfection. It might be a very 
 profitable article for exportation, if it was properly atten- 
 ded to. The manufacture of iron has been and will con- 
 tinue to be a profitable business. Iron is found in large 
 quantities in Swanton, Bristol, Monkton, Brandon, Pitts- 
 ford, Tinmouth, Bennington, and other places on the west 
 side of the green mountains. The ore is of a rcdish color, 
 mi.xed with earth and tinctured with yellow ochre, it is 
 very fusible and yields about one fifth part of iron. In 
 some places there is a kind of rock ore, called hematite, 
 very hard, but of a richer quality than the other. The iron 
 obtained from this ore is very soft and excellent for nails. 
 Most of the ore which has been used in the manufactura 
 of bar iron has been taken from the beds on the west side 
 of lake Champlain, at Arnold\s mine, and various other 
 places, as it extensively abounds in this ironbound region. 
 This ore is granular, of a steel color and almost in a state 
 ot pure iron, and when prudently mancged will yield from 
 fifty to sixty per cent. It makes excellent iron for such ar- 
 ticles as are to be drawn length-way?. 
 
 The county of Essex, and many parts adjoining, abound 
 with ore of the purest quality. Manufactories have been 
 established, such as furnaces and forges, for the purpoee 
 of making iron, in many towns on the western side of the 
 mountain. There are blast furnaces at Highgate, Shel- 
 don, Vergennes, Brandon, Tinmouth, Pittsford, Claren- 
 don, Waliingford, Dorset, Manchester, Bennington and 
 Fairfield, and forges in a large number of towns from 
 Canada line to Massachusetts. On account of the facili- 
 ties and raw materials in Vermont, nature no doubt has 
 designed this portion of the Union to be a flourishing'seat 
 of iron m^nuf^xturirg. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 271 
 
 At Stratford and Shrewsbury there are extensre beds 
 of the sulpburet of iron, from which immense quantities of 
 copperas are manufuctiired. A considerable depth of earth 
 covers this Btratunri of ore. Ferruginous petrefactiona, 
 which exhibit forms of buds, leaves and limbs of trees in 
 great perfection, are found below this body, which va- 
 ries very considerable in depth. Under this lies the bed 
 of snlphuret of iron, in a very compact form, and its color 
 varying from that of steel to a bright yellow ore, very 
 brilliant, and in many places diversified by small quanti- 
 ties of green copperat^. Some parts of the ore are detach- 
 ed from the bed by blasting, being then broke in pieces 
 and thrown into heaps of different dimensions. In this sit- 
 uation exposure to tije action and moisture of the atmos- 
 phere occasions spontaneous combustion, and the whole 
 pile is converted from a snlphuret to the sulphate of iron, 
 which process generally requires several weeks. The snl- 
 phuret of iron is a combination of iron and sulpher in their 
 primitive state, and the sulphate of iron is a combination 
 of iron and a sulphuric acid or oil of vitriol. By being 
 exposed to the atmosphere, it takes fire and is converted 
 into sulphuric acid ; and this acid, as it is thus formed, 
 combines with the iron, and converts it into the sulphate 
 of iron, which is copperas. After this process, it is leach- 
 ed in vats, and the ley passed off to boilers. Here it is 
 boiled to a certain consistence, and is from thence trans- 
 ported to chrystalizers, where the copperas continues to 
 chrystalize for some time, and when that ceases, it is re- 
 turned to the boilers again to be evaporated. About three 
 hundred tons are manufactured at each place yearly. Pot 
 and pearl ashes are yet made in considerable quantities, 
 although mostly of ashes collected from cullinary fires. — 
 Since the state has become generally cleared, but fe^y 
 ashes are made from the burning of timber in the woods. 
 The use of stoves has also diminished them to a much 
 smaller amount. 
 
 The manufacture of maple sugar, some years ago, was 
 of very great importance to the state. More than one half 
 of the (amilies in Vermont were engaged in this business, 
 and they manufactured more sugar than was necessary for 
 their consumption. This kind of business is not as much 
 
272 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 attended to now as formerly, except in the towns on the 
 mountain, where large groves of maple trees still remain. 
 In some towns in the southern parts of the state, a second 
 growth of thrifty maples produce large quantities of sac- 
 charine juice,which is of a quality far exceeding that pro- 
 duced by the first growth. Halifax and Guflford, in Ver- 
 mont, and Colerain, in Massachusetts, probably make 
 more sugar, in good seasons, than the people require for 
 their consumption. Their groves are mostly of the sec- 
 ond growth, on lands which have been chopped over or 
 cleared. As soon as the weather is sufficiently warm to 
 thaw the timber in the spring, an incision is made in the 
 treoj either with an auger or axe, into which a spout is in- 
 serted, which conveys the juice to a receiver. From 
 thence it is taken to a place fitted up for boiling, either in 
 tiie lot or at the house. It is there evaporated in a pan of 
 copper or sheet iron, set in an arch, to the consistency of 
 molasses; then filtered and boiled down to sugar. Two 
 or three hundred weight of sugar can be made with a very 
 little trouble or expense from one hundred trees. There 
 is no better sugar than what is made from the maple, and 
 when properly refined has a peculiarly rich, salubrious 
 and pleasant taste. The sap runs plentifully while the 
 trees are frozen at night and thawed through the day. As 
 soon, however, as the buds start the sap ceases to flow. 
 The quantity of maple sugar made in this state has been es- 
 timated at 6,000,000 pounds; but this probably exceeds 
 the real amount. 
 
 Marble of a very superior quality and of various shades 
 and colors is found in the towns along the margin of lake 
 Champlain, and is manufactured in considerabte quantities 
 at Swanton, Middlebury, Pittsford and Vergennes. 
 
 Distilleries for extracting spirituous liquors from grain 
 or oils from various species of vegetables, have been put 
 in operation in almost every town in the state. These did 
 a great amount of business during the late war, in making 
 potatoe whiskey ; but they have very much diminished 
 within a few years. Other manufactures of various com- 
 modities used by the inhabitants of the state, are numer- 
 ous, and some of them profitable. 
 
 Commerce. — The commercial business of Vermont has 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 273 
 
 much increased within a few years past. Large quanti- 
 ties of goods are imported from New-York, J5o«ton, Port- 
 land, and some from Canada, into almost every town and 
 section of the state. Various kinds of articles for neces- 
 sary or fashionable use or dress, and all manner of gro- 
 ceries for accommodation or convenience, and every spe- 
 cies of manufacture, whether fanciful or substantial, are 
 imported for sale among the people. Live cattle, horses, 
 hogs, beef, pork, lumber, pot and pearl ashes, bar and 
 pig iron, grain of various kinds, tanned leather, cotton and 
 woollen goods, are exported. An exact amount of the 
 commerce of an inland state cannot be ascertained, nor 
 is it p'ossible to determine what quantity of goods are an- 
 nually brought into the state, or to what value the remit- 
 tances generally amount. Trade is valuable to a country 
 to the amount of whatever in produce or domestic manu- 
 factures the people have to spare, after reserving a suffi- 
 ciency for their own consumption. But farther than this 
 commercial business has a tendency to destroy the credit, 
 ruin the funds, and impoverish the circumstances of the 
 people. 
 
 New-York is the grand emporium of trade for the valley 
 of lake Champlain, and Boston that of Connecticut river. 
 Before the imposition of duties upon the trade with the 
 Canadas great quantities of produce were annually trans- 
 ported there from the northern part-of the state ; but the 
 restrictions now almost amount to a prohibition. 
 
 The amount of business has increased exceedingly upon 
 lake Champlain, since the opening of the northern canal 
 and the sailing by steam upon its wafers. Navigation is 
 open from the city of New-York, for boats of a small 
 burthen, through the river to lakeChamplain. The amount 
 of shipping employed in every kind of transportation on 
 the lake is almost incredible. In IS26 the nunTber was 
 ascertained to be three hundred and seventy-eight in all 
 that sailed the lake. 
 
 The commerce of the state has been very much promo- 
 ted within the last thirty years by the establishment of 
 turnpike roads. It was a long time before* the legislature 
 would make a grant of the kind, being very much preju- 
 diced against corporations of this kind. But grants hav© 
 
274 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 been made from time to time, so that there are now turn= 
 pike roads, crossing the green mountains, on Onion riv- 
 er; from Middlebury (o Woodstock, from Clarendon 
 to Bellows-Fails, from Chester to Manchester, from Ben- 
 nington to Brattleborough, from Woodstock to Pittsford, 
 and from Montpelier to Norwich ; with various others in 
 ditierent parts of the state. These have increased the fa- 
 cilities of trade and transportation very considerably.— 
 Such is the prevailing spirit of the times for trading in mer- 
 chandize, and such immense quantities are obtained from 
 the commercial marts, that the business has spread out to 
 a very extraordinary extent; so much so as to liazard the 
 interest and credit of community. Comm.ercial business 
 having more inducements than agriculture or manufac- 
 tures : therefore numbers have engaged in it from a choice 
 business, rather than from the public demands. 
 
 From the eastern part of the state lumber is conveyed 
 to market by means of the Connecticut river, which has 
 been rendered navigable for rafts of timber and flat bot- 
 tomed boats as far as the fifteen mile falls, at Barnet. — 
 A srnall steam boat has been sailed up the river, from 
 Hartford, Connecticut, to Windsor, in this state. But its 
 power is not sufficient for the purposes of a general con- 
 veyance. A company for improving the navigation of 
 Connecticut river has been incorporated by an act of the 
 Vermont legislature, and also by acts of the other states 
 upon its borders; the design of which is to remove ob- 
 structions and erect locks around the falls, so that boats 
 of heavy burthen can be propelled along the stream, and 
 in this way forming a water communication for the con- 
 veyance of produce to and from Vermont and the adja- 
 cent country. The privileges of their charter remain to 
 be improved in suchan)anner and to such an extent as 
 thefundf^and enterprize of the association shall be able to 
 accomplish. Internal improvements, such as connecting 
 the waters of lake Memphremagog by a canal with those 
 of Connecticut river and the waters of lake Champlain by 
 a canal or railway along Onion river to its head waters, 
 and then back to the aforesaid river, have received the at- 
 tention of the legislature, and surveys of different routes 
 have been made. Corporate powers and privileges have 
 
HISTORY OF VER^NIONT. 275 
 
 been granted to such as m'ght choose to vest tlreir fundsj 
 in this kind of public improvement. The vesting of pub- 
 lic funds,or the authorizing of state or United States sub- 
 scription, for the purpose of internal improvements, has, 
 by those opposed to such measures, been considered a 
 transgression to constitutional powers, particularly those 
 of the federal constitution. 
 
 The expediency of erecting such works in Vermont de- 
 pends on the emolument winch would accrue to individu- 
 als and the utility which would arise to the public— 
 Should the amount of business done this way atTord a 
 profit equal to the interest of the capital, and the appro- 
 priations for repairs, then such investments will be ad- 
 vantageous. 
 
 Literature. — The general sentiments of the people of 
 Vermont have ever been favorable to the diffusion of com- 
 mon school education. Early provisions were made for 
 the incorporation and maintainance of common schooli^ 
 in every town in the state, and afterwards a section of land 
 in each chartered township was reserved for the further- 
 ance of this object. The fund arising from this source was 
 to be applied to the building of school houses and paying 
 instructors. This amount, with a small'contribution paid 
 by each individual, constituted a sufficient provision for 
 educating the youth of the state in the elementary branch- 
 es of education, which were to learn to read with ease 
 and propriety, to write a plain and legible hand, and be 
 made acquainted with arithmetic, so far as was necessa- 
 ry for the more common and necessary occupations of 
 life. Such a diffusion of information gives a taste for 
 reading periodical publications and newspapers, and at 
 the same time an acquaintance with the laws of the coun- 
 try, the proceedings of the courts of justice, of the gene- 
 ral assembly of the stale and of the Congress of the U. S. 
 This cultivation of the mind, through the accessible chan- 
 nels of common schools, has brought into exercise senti- 
 ments of kindness, civility and patriotism. Reading for 
 amusement, as well as instruction, has, in a considerable 
 measure, superseded the deleterious practice of dissipa- 
 ting diversions. The mind has been conducted to the dig- 
 nified enjoyment of reason and reflection, and from theso 
 
276 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 emanations has obtained pleasures agreeable to the fancy 
 and instructing to the understanding. Education of this 
 kind is of more benefit to mankind than all the knowledge 
 and disputes that metaphysical logic and scholastic theol- 
 ogy have ever produced. For virtue, liberty and public 
 happiness have their foundations in common sense. In 
 whatever light we view education, it presents itself as the 
 most important subject that can engage the attention of 
 mankind. Iftlie ignorance and rudeness of the savage be 
 contrasted with the knowledge and refinements of civili^ 
 zed life, the difference between them is so great that they 
 can scarcely be considered of the species; but compare 
 the infant of the savage with that of the philosopher, and 
 the same high powers of mind txre hidden in both : in 
 each the organs adapted to their intellectual capacities 
 are exactly similar. The only difference which is atler- 
 wards to distinguish them depends upon the difference of 
 their education. The mind of the savage, left neglected, 
 will scarcely raise him above the brute ; while a member of 
 civilized society, whose capacities are unfolded by a proper 
 education, will comprehend in the range of iiis intelligence 
 the universe of iiod. All the beauties of creation areopen 
 before him; the sacred stores of nature are unlocked, 
 her secret laws revealed, and all the attainments of 
 men are made subservient to his advancement and delight. 
 Such is its importance to mental improvement, and con- 
 sequently to the happiness of man ; but it is not his mental 
 advancement alone that increases the sphere of his enjov- 
 ments : it unfolds sources of more exquisite delight in tl;(^ 
 moral and religious tendencies of his nature. Thesava«rc, 
 like the beast, acts under the guidance of instinct or from 
 the impulse of appetite or passion : he acknowledges no 
 law but his own will ; his enjoyments are as gloomy as 
 they are contracted, seeking gratification only from the 
 fiercenes s of his passions ; his devotion is a feeling of terr 
 ror, and the fabric of his superstition is raised by his vices. 
 Education raises man above the debasjing control of sense, 
 and teaches him to follow reason as the guide of hit ac- 
 tions ; it convinces him how much individual hap|)ine^sJ 
 is promoted by submission to government, and cxpanr's 
 his eelfitsUness into patriotism ; and it is this also, which 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 277 
 
 gives constancy to his virtues amidst every trial and ad- 
 versity of life, and security to his mind amidst all its evils. 
 However, these happy effects do not always How from a 
 well conducted education; vices may prevail in the most 
 tenlightened communities. The system of education may 
 be counteracted hy unfavorahle circumstances ; but the 
 failure is not ciiargeable to education. 
 
 Sufficient patronage cannot be afforded among a farm- 
 ing community like V^ermont U> induce writers of ability 
 and high attainments in the arts and sciences, to devote in 
 a very great <Iegrce their time and talents to such pursuitvS 
 here. Talents of a high order seek a more favored clime 
 to unfold the resources of mental energy. Large cities, 
 where wealth, taste and talents are assembled, furnish 
 motives of sulficient inducement to call the learned and 
 distinguished to a residence within their limit^s. xMen of 
 professional business have risen to great eminence and 
 distinction in the service and practice of their callings. — 
 But active employments leave little time to spend in the 
 researches of science, as few vi'ould spend the intervals of 
 leisure or exchange the pleasures of soctal intercourse for 
 the retirement of the student's closet. Several depart- 
 ments of literature and science have,not\vithstanding,been 
 enriched by the explanations and the researches of distin- 
 guished individuals. 
 
 In history, doctor Willihimfi has given a general narrative 
 of the proceedings and character of the first settlers of this 
 state. Many parts, treating upon the natural history, civil 
 institutions and freedom of America, discover considera- 
 tile philosophic acu«ien and labored investigation. The 
 change of climate, on clearing up a new country, he as- 
 <:ribes to the decrease of evaporation, occasioned by the 
 destruction of forest timber, which emitted vast quantities 
 of aqueous fluid that fell in the winter season, in the form 
 of snow, and in the summer descended in rain. The foun- 
 dations of American freedom he ascribes to popular sen- 
 timent. His estimate of the pursuits of a people in the 
 formation of national character, is clearly deducible from 
 the constitution of human nature itself The style of the 
 work is diffuse, and some topics of description are unreas- 
 onably long for the history of a separate state. The col- 
 
!^7S HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 lection of state papers, by William Slade, is a valuable 
 repository of ancient records, exhibited in proper order of 
 time. The first grants and settlement of the state — the 
 commencement of those legislative regulations which then 
 constituted the positive law, embraced in a body of repeal- 
 ed and obsolete acts, have been judiciously commented 
 on by the author. Thompson'sGazetteer is an interesting 
 and useful work, comprising a well arranged and perspic- 
 uous view of the natural and political resources of the 
 state. The style and descriptions, so far as the author 
 laid claims to originality, and in some of the articles fur-f 
 uished by others, are perspicuous and well suited to the 
 subject. Several smaller treatises, embracing only gen^ 
 eral events or placing the accounts in detail sufficiently 
 brief and comprehensive for the understanding and grasp 
 of the juvenile mind, have by different authors been givea 
 to the public. 
 
 On the subject of law, few of those who have acquired 
 a distinguished eminence for their legal attainments and 
 talents, have contributed any addition to the legal publi- 
 cations of the stale, Judge Chipman's reports and forms 
 of government claim a respectful notice, on account of the 
 general correctness of his decisions and the logical me- 
 thod of his reasoning, The influence of party feelings. 
 gaviB no direction to the cool deliberation of his judge- 
 ment, The decision of his mind was formed from the 
 weight of testimony and a rational construction of the 
 law. His opinions, except upon local and temporary mat- 
 ters, are now regarded as law. 
 
 Contracts, payable in specific articles, have been inves- 
 tigated by Daniel Chipman, in a work on that subject— 
 His constructions of the law are supported by numerous 
 authorities strictly analagous to the points. The clearness 
 and knowledge of the writer claim for the performance a 
 weight of authority not inferior to the best American and 
 European productions. His reports of cases decided in 
 tke supreme court of the state, contained in one hundred 
 and thirty-four numbers, afford evidence of much research 
 and discrimination in selection. Other cases adjudged by 
 the supreme court for four years ending with 1819, have 
 beea reported from tlie notes taken by the judges, und&r 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 279 
 
 &n alphabetical arrangement, like some of the ancient re* 
 ports of the British courts, by judge Brayton. 
 
 What the law was, in litigated matters in this state, at 
 the commencement of the nineteenth century, was pro- 
 mulgated by judge Tyler, At this time, trials by jury 
 were had before the supreme court, and many of the de- 
 cisions were rendered upon a verdict. Several of the ca- 
 ses have since been over-ruled. An attempt at rhetorical 
 embellishments and a wearisome diffuseness of style, 
 characterizo this performance. This work was publish- 
 ed in 1309, at a time when any one who ventured upon 
 such an undertaking had to meet the whole expense out 
 of his own funds, v^nd endure the criticism of th-e public. 
 
 Two volumes of law reports were published by judge 
 Aiken, the state reporter, in 1827 and '8 : also a book 
 of forms, containing some very general and useful matter 
 on the subject of conveyancing of real estate in the seve- 
 ral states in the Union. Legal precedents and forms were 
 previously published by Messrs. Simmons and Fessenden, 
 together with the law of patents, by the latter gentleman, 
 which embrace most of the instruments and forms,with somo 
 of tlie most common pleading used in courts of justice in 
 this state. The supreme court, now legally constituted 
 a board for reporting their own decisions, published two 
 volumes of cases for 1829 and '30, in a style not inferior 
 to the best productions of the other states. The opinions 
 of the courts are rendered in clear and perspicuous terms, 
 discovering a variety and extent of legal erudition and a 
 consistency of reasoning easily to be understood and ap- 
 plied to analagous cases. 
 
 Matters of litigation are very ml5ch lessened in this 
 state. No part of the maratime law is adopted in admin- 
 istering justice or in securing the rights to the citizens of 
 this inland district of country. The alleviating provis- 
 ions of a general bankrupt law has never been adopted to 
 facilitate the progress of commercial enterprize. And tbe 
 law relating to real estates has been stripped of those fic- 
 tions connected with this branch of jurisprudence in Eng- 
 land and some of the American states. 
 
 Theology has had some able writers. Doctor Burton's 
 woik upon the evidences of Christianity, is replete with 
 
280 HISTORY OF VERMOxNT. 
 
 sound reasoning and extensive learning. Tiie Christian 
 Instructor, containing a summary explanation and de- 
 fence of the doctrines and duties of the Christian religion, 
 written by reverend Josiah Hopkins, a man of strong 
 mind and considerable learning, is deservedly popular for 
 liberality of sentiment, candor of expression, and force of 
 argument. Other works upon metaphysical divinity, or 
 discussions upon the doctrine of election and fore-ordina- 
 tion, as connected with the freedom of the will, have been 
 advocated in the publications of Osburn, Baylies, Niles 
 and others. The Christian Gazetteer, by reverend W. 
 Chapin, is a work of considerable merit. The discours- 
 es of doctor Swift and Haynes discover much thought 
 and purity of sentiment. Those which have been publish- 
 ed by other gentlemen of the clerical profession, are des- 
 criptive of the duties and high resposibility of the Chris- 
 tian character and the happy prospect of the humble and 
 devout. 
 
 Medical science in Vermont has been well supported in 
 the writings of doctor Gallup. His history of epidemic 
 diseases in the state, from its first settlement to 1815, with 
 the causes of their origin and treatment, is full of interest 
 to the practitioner, and gives a full developemeat of such 
 matters as are useful to the historian, philanthropist and the 
 citizen. That enemy to hum^in health and life, the con- 
 sumption, which in its inroads upon society has proved 
 the most fatal of all diseases, has been examined in a man- 
 ner that may lead to an arrest of its progress. 
 
 Many individuals in the state have distinguished them- 
 selves in the different departments of the liealing art. — 
 Of the various pulTlications that have issued from the 
 press, in the form of newspapers or magazines, many arti- 
 cles in them are written with argument, eloquence and taste, 
 as the most approved classics of the age are. Some of 
 the speeches in courts of justice, in the councils of the 
 state and nation, and on occasions of public rejoicing, 
 are replete with energy, persuasion and eloquence. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 281 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Character of the people. — Poor Laws. — Various Socie- 
 ties for the promotion of the public welfare. — Ameri- 
 can government. — Constitution and Laws of Vermont. 
 — Counties. — Towns. — Courts^ and their jurisdiction- 
 al powers. — Revenue and expenses of the government. 
 
 The first settlers of Vermont were emigrants from New- 
 England, and for the most part of an English origin. At 
 the time of their settlement the territory now embraced in 
 the jurisdiction of Vermont was an unbroken wilderness 
 and exposed to the cruelties of Indian depredations and 
 warfare. Hence none but the spirited and enterprising 
 would place theraseJves in a situation to encounter these 
 evils; and those who did had most of their time occupied 
 in providing a subsistence for their families, which afforded 
 them but little opportunity for the cultivation of their minds 
 or the improvement of their manners. The character of 
 the people, therefore, like the roughness of their native 
 mountains, was bold and unyielding. Acquiring by their 
 own exertions an ascendency over the perplexing difficul- 
 ties that beset them, high notions of liberty and indepen- 
 dence were entertained, and great confidence placed in 
 their abilities. Such traits of character were fully exhibi- 
 ted in the several controversies which for a series of years 
 unhappily involved them, and always marked their pro- 
 ceedings in the council or the field. Many of the first set- 
 tlers were men of superior talents, but like the diamond in 
 its native quarry, were unpolished. Being deprived of 
 the advantages of learning themselves, they made early 
 provision for bestowing the invaluable inheritance of a 
 good education upon their posterity. 
 
 The inhabitants of a new state, trusting entirely to their 
 own industry, and having nothing to expect from specula- 
 tions or from the errors of government, directed their 
 views and employments to the best methods of acquiring 
 a subsistence and estate. Hence enterprize and activity 
 in business became almost universal. They applied their 
 attention, with the exception of a few instances of mana- 
 gers, gamblers and beggars, to honest and laborious pur- 
 
 24* 
 
282 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 suits. To them no hardships seemed too difficult to be 
 overcome. A few years perseverance generally removed 
 tlie obstacles -that first lay in their way. 
 
 Providence has annexed great and immediate blessings 
 to the most essentia! and necessary duties of man. Th« 
 great exertions and hard farewhich people in new coun- 
 tries often experience, gcnnrally tend to better health and 
 greater longevity than the sumptuous living and idle habits 
 of the wealthy. Temperance and labor do more towards 
 preserving health than art or medicine can do. Disorder® 
 which wear away the inhabitants of wealthy cities, are al- 
 most unknown in the woods; but few deaths take place, 
 except those produced by the unavoidable decays of na- 
 ture, and the deaths to the births are generally in no high- 
 er proportion than 1 to about 5. 
 
 Among the first settlers the names of diseases or their 
 remedies were almost unknown; nor did they stand in 
 need of the discoveries and prescriptions of physicians, 
 so long as the author of nature had ordained that health 
 should be found in temperance and industry, which never 
 can in medicine or the healing art. 
 
 An equality in rank and property has generally condu^- 
 ced among the citizens of Vermont to tlie cultivation of 
 friendship and hospitality. Charitable among themselvep, 
 they arc hospitable and courteous to strangers. Their 
 exertions in the fvlendly and social intercourse of life 
 were formerly more the result of spontaneous and uncalcu- 
 lating atiection and kindness, than at present. The situ- 
 ation of the inhabitants in a new country places them near- 
 est to a state of equality than can possibly happen a mon^ 
 mankind. Their situation, feelings and manners will bs 
 nearly similar, for the method of obtaining a living and 
 wealth are alike to all ; but tliis is noticing more liian an 
 equality of rio;hts and a similarity oT business and circum- 
 stances. In the social condition of mankind nothing can 
 produce an equality of capacity, power or advantages. — 
 Thip is effectually prevented by their capacities being cre- 
 ated unequal. There is in the state of human existence 
 points of elevation and depression, above and below which 
 none can ever rise or fall : somewhere between these ex- 
 tremes e\ery grade,rank and species of people Uappen. In 
 
HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 283 
 
 the symmetry oftheir bodies and in their original desires, 
 passions and reason there is a similitude ; but it is only a 
 similarity, not an equality, which nature has produced. — 
 A difference in their capacity for judging, genius for in- 
 vestigating, force of reason and discernment, and also a 
 disparity of strength and health has been wisely implanted 
 in the constitution, which was evidently designed for dit- 
 ferent attainments and pursuits. The condition of man- 
 kind, as nature formed and endowed them, tends to the 
 promotion of society. But great changes are perceivable 
 in the habits and customs of the people, as they advance 
 from a new settlement to numbers, wealth and improve- 
 ments. In the formation of a residence in a new country, 
 the people are at all times exposed to wants and difficul- 
 ties, which lead them to assist one another ; but this 
 could not be expected in an old populous country. As the 
 numbers of society increase, the inability of many to fur- 
 nish themselves with a support, increases also : therefore 
 it becomes necessary either by private or public assistance 
 to supply their wants. The government of the state have, 
 in consequence of this, provided the means of subsistencG 
 for those who are unable to support themselves. By this 
 method the expense is equalized throughout the communi- 
 ty. Whereas if individual munificence and charity was 
 the only source from which the sufferings of the poor were 
 relieved, a few only would share the burthen. 
 
 Poor Laws. — Each incorporated town is compelled by 
 statute to support all the poor who have a legal settlement 
 within their jurisdiction. A lawful settlement is acquired, 
 according to the statute passed in 1817, by the following 
 way. A married woman has always the settlement of her 
 husband. Legitimate children have always the settlement 
 of their parents. Illegitimate children have that of their 
 mothers. Every child, whose parents have not a legal 
 settlement, shall not gain one by birth in the town where 
 they are born. Every pevson whose rateable estate, be- 
 sides his poll, shall be set in the list at |60 or upwards for 
 five years in succession, gains a settlement in such town. 
 Every person who is sworn into the office two years of a 
 town clerk, selectman, overseer of the poor,treasurer of the 
 town, lister, constable or grand juror, or shall be swora 
 
Si84 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 to the faithful discharge of one of these offices one year 
 and another the next, gains a legal settlement thereby. — 
 A settlement may also be obtained by vote of the town le- 
 gally warned for that purpose. Any person of full age, 
 with a residence of one year in a town, which afterwards 
 is organized, shall thereby gain a settlement ; and finally, 
 if any person, having a settlement in any town in the state, 
 shall remove to and reside in any other town for the term 
 of seven years, and shall maintain himself or herself and 
 family, and not be chargeable to either of said towns,shall 
 be adjudged to gain a settlement in the town in which he 
 or she may reside. The way paupers are to be transport- 
 ed and the board before whom they are to be examined, 
 together with other regulations relating to the subject,are 
 determined by the provisions of the law. And further, 
 those persons who are idle, disorderly and squander away 
 their property, the selectmen and civil authority may ap ■ 
 point guardians over to take the management of their prop- 
 erty, and make such contracts as are necessary for the 
 preservation and benefit of the person or estate of their 
 wards, and do all other acts necessary in the case. The 
 poor laws have a tendency to increase the applicants for 
 charity. England expends an enormous revenue upon 
 her many impoverished subjects, who are constantly in- 
 creasing. When a living can be obtained without efforts, 
 no matter if it be in a poor house, increasing numbers will 
 neglect the means of acquiring a living, on account of the 
 certainty of their being supported at the public expense. 
 
 Societies. — Humanity, religion, science and benevo- 
 lence have been encouraged in this state by the associated 
 exertions of individuals. Much has been accomplished 
 by their agency, and the pleasing prospect continues of a 
 more successful and extended operation. The neglected 
 descendants of Ethiopia's sultry clime have received the 
 prospective encouragement, and in some instances the 
 free sona of color have actually participated in the privi- 
 lege of returning to that country where color is no imped- 
 iment to their civil and political rights, where they are the 
 proprietors of the government and the general privileges 
 of mankind. The society for colonizing the free blacks 
 has held ten annual meetings since the date of their incor- 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 235 
 
 poration, at Montpelier, on the second Thursdays of Oc- 
 tober. 
 
 That invaluable treasure, the bible, originating in the 
 merciful counciU of Heaven, has been distributed to the 
 destitute and poor in this and other lands by the aid of 
 the Vermont bible society, which meets yearly, since 
 the date of its charter, in 1812, on tlie second Thursday 
 of October, at Montpclier. The united exertions of this 
 country, Great- Britain and the continent of Europe have 
 lit up the torch of revelation in the shadowed regions of 
 infidelity and barbarism. 
 
 TheVermont Sabbath School union was formed in 1325, 
 and meets in different places in the state, in September. — 
 The object of this is the instruction of youth in litera- 
 ture and upon moral and religious subjects, on the Sab- 
 bath, throughout the different town? in the state. 
 
 The cau.s2 of temperance has received that attention, 
 both from the formation of societies and the examples of 
 abstinence among numerous citizens in the state, whicli 
 its moralizing and useful purposes deserve. The exer- 
 tions made to check intemperance has probably within 
 the Sj)ace of one year lessened the consumption of ardent 
 spirits to one half of the former quantity; and should the 
 disuse of it be continued in the same ratio a few years on- 
 ly would be requisite to confine its use to that of medicine. 
 The state society was organized in 1329, being compris- 
 ed of gentlemen of the first distinction in Vermont 
 
 By an act of the legislature, the Vermont Medical soci- 
 ety was incorporated in 1313, to regulate a uniform mode 
 of examination and admission of students to practice. — 
 Subordinate to this society are those of the same kind for- 
 med in the several counties through the state.. 
 
 Various other societies, of a more local interest, for 
 moral, religious or. social improvement, are formed in 
 most places in the state. Small libraries have been fur- 
 nished in most of the towns. These are among the best 
 means of improvement that can possibly be employed. — 
 A well selected library should be kept up by such a num- 
 ber of individuals as can support the expense. It is by 
 reading books that we avail ourselves of the literary in- 
 dustry of every age and country, — we find an epitome of 
 
ZSQ HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 human knowledge in this repository of intellectual wealth. 
 Here the historian informs, the poet delights, the philoRo- 
 pher instructs, and the orator convinces Us. Here, the 
 worlds with its customs, is displayed in miniature, and 
 we find an abstract of all the opinions that have ever been 
 promulgated. Much depends upon our judgement in tho 
 choice of books; on subjects that are in a state of improve- 
 ment, such as natural philosophy, chemistry, geography, 
 and natural history, the latest writers should be preferred; 
 but in theology the more ancient. 
 
 An act appropriating 3000 dollars a year out of the 
 3t;ite treasury lor the purpose of assisting those deaf and 
 dumb persons in the state who are desirous of obtaining 
 an education at the American asylum, established for that 
 purpose in the city of Hartford, was passed in 1825. A 
 board of three commissioners are annually appointed by 
 the legislature, who have power to designate and appro- 
 bate the subjects of the state's bounty — to draw orders oq 
 the treasury, pursuant to the provision of the act — to su- 
 perintend and direct all the expenditures and concerns 
 relating to this unfortunate class of citizens, in tlieir edu- 
 cation, at the institution aforesaid. • 
 
 American govcrnmevt. — The principle upon which the 
 ^governments of the United States are founded, is repre- 
 sentation. Tiie powers exercised by a representation are 
 granted by the people, and defined by written const'tu- 
 tions. 
 
 Tho difliculties which occurred in the ancient democra- 
 cies, where the whole body of the people assembled to 
 judge and decide upon public affairs, never happens to 
 the representative government of America. However 
 numerous the population, or great the extent of territory, 
 representation is proportioned to it, and thus becomes ex- 
 pressive of public opinion throughout the Union. 
 
 The form of government may vary in different states 
 by entrusting more or less to the governor and council or 
 house of representatives, as the situation of any separate 
 Btate may require. Each of these branches, deriving their 
 power from the people, are accountable to them for the 
 use and exercise they make of it. The security of the 
 people is therefore derived from the accountability and 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 387 
 
 dependence of each part of the government, and not from 
 the application of checks and balances among tlie differ- 
 ent parts of the government, which may be of no disadvan^ 
 tage in the administration of the Hws, 
 
 The method of a representative government was unt- 
 known to the ancients, and was introduced by the Euro-^ 
 pean sovereigns, not with the design, however, of favor- 
 ing the condition of the people, but for the purpose of 
 collecting money from them, whioli was very cautiously 
 done wherever the rights and privileges of the people were 
 examined or understood. However complete the form of 
 a government may be, it cannot arrive at the highest per- 
 fection without embracing in itself the means of its own 
 improvement,' Where a'society is constantly making im? 
 provements in tlie arts and sciences, and almost every 
 business of life, the form of government which suited theoi 
 in one period will not apply to another ; and unless th? 
 government progresses with the gradual improvements of 
 the people, it will be wanting in power and become disre- 
 spectable to the country. But where the people are the 
 property of the sovereign, every attempt at improvement 
 is destructive to legalized tyranny and prevented by every 
 possible means from going into execution. 
 
 The foundation of the United States government rests 
 entirely upon the common understanding of community, 
 and expects its support and continuance in the progressive 
 improvement of the knowledge and liberty of mankind.r— 
 This government is not considered the most perfect stan- 
 dard which can be devised, but the best form that the 
 community of the states have as yet discovered. That 
 the form of our government should not be binding upon 
 posterity, one of its constituent and principal parts is that 
 conventions shall be called at certain periods of time, to 
 change, amend or improve the present constitution of the 
 government, as the situation of^ society shall require. 
 
 Any attempt to check the progress and improvement 
 of government would be as unworthy and impolitic as an 
 attempt to fetter the energies of community in the progress 
 to scientific, literary and other improvements. 
 
 Constitution of Vermont. — The constitution of Ver- 
 mont is of a republican form, and cnibraces the same 
 
288 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 principles as the other governments of the states. This 
 instrument was revised in 1780, and in 1792 vesting the 
 supreme legishitive power in the house of representatives 
 of the freemen. Every organized town has a right to 
 choose one represeutative on tiie first Tuesday of Septem- 
 ber. These are chosen to meet on the second Thursday 
 of October annually, and are called tlie General Assem- 
 bly of the state of Vermont. They have power to elect 
 their own officers ; sSt on their own adjournments ; pre- 
 pare bills and enact them into laws ; judge of the elec- 
 tions and qualifications of their own members, but not for 
 causes known to their constituents antecedent to their 
 election; impeach state criminals; grant charters of 
 incorporation ; constitute towns, burroughs, cities and 
 counties. In conjunction witli the council^ tliey annually 
 ■elect judges of the supreme, county and probate courts, 
 sheriffs and justices of the peace, and also, with the con- 
 currence of the council, they elect major and brigadier 
 generals, and have all the power necesary for the leirisla- 
 ture of a free and sovereign state. But they have no pow- 
 er to add to, alter, abolish or infringe upon any part of 
 the constitution. 
 
 The supreme executive power is vested in a governor, 
 lieutenant-governor, and twelve councillors, chosen by the 
 freemen of the state, at the same time they elect their re- 
 presentatives.* 
 
 The governor or the lieutenant-governor and council 
 are to commiss ion all officers, and prepare such business 
 
 *NoTE. — I intended to have inserted the names, times of elec- 
 tion, and length of service of the governors, lieutenant-govern- 
 ors, treasurers, secretaries of state, judges of the supreme court, 
 and senators and representatives in Congress from this state ; but 
 finding the matter would occupy several pages, and that the 
 same was now before the public, in the annual register of the 
 state, I therefore relinquished the plan of their insertion. Dur- 
 ing fifty-two years since the adoption of the present form of tiie 
 state government, there has been an election of ten different in- 
 dividuals for governor: four of these are dead, and the longest 
 term of service was that of Thomas Chittenden, a period of eight- 
 een years. Twelve individuals have presided as lieutenant-gov. 
 ernors, eight of whom are dead, and the longest term of service 
 of any one was that of Paul Brigham, twenty-two years. The 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 380 
 
 as may appear to them necessary to lay before the General 
 Assembly. They are to sit as judges to hear and deter- 
 njine on impeachments, taking to their assistance for ad- 
 vice only the judges of the supreme court They have 
 power to grant pardons and remit fines, and in all cases, 
 except treason and murder, in wjiich tiiey have power to 
 grant reprieves, but not pardon, until after the end of the 
 nextsession of the legislature; and in cases of impeach- 
 ment, in which there is no mitigation of punishment, but 
 by an act of legislation. They are to take care that the 
 laws are faithfully executed— may lay embargoes or pro- 
 hibit exportation of any commodity, for any time not ex- 
 ceeding thirty days, in the recess of the housconly. The 
 governor is captain general and commander-in-chief of 
 the forces of the state ; but shall no« command in person, 
 except advised thereto by the council, and th«n only so 
 long as they approve. The lieutenant-governor is lieuten- 
 ant-general of ail the forces Ml the state. To ihe end that 
 the laws may be more maturely considered and the incon- 
 venience of hasty decisions as much as possible prevent- 
 ed, all bills which originate in the assembly are laid before 
 the governor and council, for their revision and concur- 
 rence, or proposals of amendment (if any) in writing, 
 and if the same are not agreed to by the assembly, the 
 governor and council have the power of suspending the 
 secretary of stat3''s office has been bestowed on nine individuals, 
 and the longest term of service was that of Roswell Hopkins, 
 thirteen years. In fifty-two elections forty-eight different indi- 
 viduals have been made judges of the supreme court: the longest 
 period of any one presiding was that of Royal Ty^^'"? twelve 
 years: twenty-eight ot these are dead. Twelve persons have 
 I>©en senators to the Congress of the CTnite.l States, and fjuxof 
 them have deceased: Stephen R. Bradley served fifteen years in 
 this capacity, the longest of any member chosen in this state. — 
 Forty-six different persons have represented this state in Con- 
 gress: the longest term of service was that of Martin Chitten- 
 den, ten years, and thirteen or more of them are drceased. — 
 Benjamin Swan has been the greatest length of time in otlice of 
 anyone: his appointment of treasurer oi' the state has been con- 
 tinued for thirty years. The next is Isaac Tichenor, who was 
 seven years senator in Congress, eleven governor, and five one 
 of the judges of the supreme court: in the whole twcnty-thre^ 
 years. 25 
 
290 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 pasaage of such bills until the next legislature ; but no 
 negative is allowed to the governor and council. 
 
 The constitution provides that a council of censors, 
 consisting of thirteen persons, to be chosen by the people 
 ever/ seventh year, on the last Wednesday of March, 
 shall meet on the first Wednesday of June. The business 
 of their delegation is to enquire whether the constitution, 
 has been preserved inviolate ; whether the legislative and 
 executive branches of the government have performed 
 their duty, or assumed to themselves or exercised other 
 or greater powers than they are entitled to by the constitu- 
 tion; whether the public taxes have been justly laid and 
 collected, and whether the laws have been duly executed. 
 They have power to send for persons, papers and records; 
 to pass public censures; to order impeachments, and 
 recommend the repeal of such laws as they may deem 
 contrary to the principles of the constitution. These pow- 
 ers may be exercised for the space of one year from the 
 lime of their election, and they may call a convention to 
 meet within two years after their sitting, should they deem 
 it necessary. 
 
 The constitution of Vermont differs in one respect from 
 that of any other state in the Union, having but one branch 
 of power in the legislature. The whole power of legisl-»u 
 tion is placed in the house of representatives. The mo* 
 thod of transacting public business, on the first establish- 
 ment of civil authority in the statu, was by committees 
 and town meetings. Whatever was therefore ordered by 
 theso bodies became the supreme law of the land, subject 
 Jo the control or revision of no other power. The first 
 assumption of legislation was exercised in their meetings 
 and councils of safety. In the advancing state of socie- 
 ty there is no other way than to have the government and 
 society progressive, that both may admit of improvements 
 which are gradually made in human affairs. The advan- 
 tages anticipated from the council of censors has never 
 beon realized in their proceedings. The plan does not seeiir 
 adequate to the object. Of all the propositions brought 
 forward by the council but one amendment of the consti- 
 tution has been adopted for the four last septeniries, which 
 ifi, that no person who la not already a freemaa of thi* 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 291 
 
 state shall be entitled to exercise the privileges of a free- 
 man of this state, unless he be a natural born citizen of 
 this or some one of the United States, or until he shall be 
 naturalized agreeably to the laws of Congress. 
 
 Laws. — The first code of written laws in this state was 
 very imperfect, and required changing as the rights, 
 wealth, commerce and population of this territory increas- 
 ed. The most judicious laws are not to be expected in 
 the imperfect commencement of political associations, 
 unaccustomed to the certainty of settled regulations. The 
 influence of sudden and momentary rules depending upon 
 public sentiment, the exasperated and insubordinate feel- 
 ings of community, had a very counteracting influence on 
 the passage of the early laws of the state. The irregular 
 ideas were also entertained of applying scripture declara- 
 tions as rules of positive law for determining the bounda- 
 ries of right and wrong in matters of civil subjection, pub- 
 lic and private injuries, and moral obligations. The ten 
 commandments, Connecticut statutes, and the resolutions 
 of the leaders, were the principal laws, until the session 
 of the legislature, in 1778. The compilation of laws, 
 adopted soon after the institution of a stat?^ government, 
 in the period above mentioned, are the commencement 
 of that superstructure of statutory laws now in force in 
 Vermont The history of legislation in this state^ shows 
 that successive enactments have swept almost every early 
 regulation from the statute book. Icnprovements in soci- 
 ety have so increased topics of legislation that the regula- 
 tions of the first settlers are but a point in comparison with 
 the fullness of their present condition. The wants of so- 
 ciety increase as numbers multiply. Hence subjects of 
 legislative concern become numerous, — prohibitions of 
 crimes; chartered incorporations of literary, banking, in- 
 surance, commercial, road and manufacturing companies, 
 and all matters relating to the jurisdiction of ditierent courts 
 of justice, the power and liabilities of ministerial ofiicers 
 and the regulation o^ ecclesiastical bodies; and finally, 
 the whole unlimited diversity of legislative business, suc- 
 ceeded. There is nothing, however, among the peculi- 
 arities of the early laws of Vermont evincive of that fierce, 
 uncultivated spirit, inter-national prohibitions, barbarouf 
 
t3^ HISTORY OF VERMONlT. 
 
 expedients and summary vengeance which the Roman« 
 first adopted as the laws of their empire. Certain offen- 
 ces against public morality were, according to the legal 
 Yersion of tiiat period, peculiarly puni&hed. Those who 
 withdrew from meeting on Sunday, fast or thanksgiving, 
 or went out into the streets on Saturday evening, wero 
 liable to he fined throe pounds and sit in the stocks two 
 hours. Whoever was bereaved or disabled in the use of 
 their reason, and discovered it either in their gestures, 
 speech or behaviour, was fined eight shillings, and for 
 want of goods whereon to make distress, could be 8*31 in 
 the stocks not exceeding three hours. 
 
 Profanity was punished by a fine of six shillings for 
 every offence, and for want of ability would be set in the 
 stocks not more than three hours. By the present law 
 of this state, any one who profanely swears in the pres- 
 ence of a ju<]ge or magistrate, may, by a sumfnary convic- 
 tion, be sentenced to pay a fine. 
 
 Blasphemy was punishable with .death ; likewise an in- 
 cendiary v/ho in any manner endangered the life or lives 
 of others by his depredations. Slander and defamation 
 was punished by a heavy fine, with costs and damages to 
 the injured party. Disorders and damages, done in the 
 night time,vvere chargeable upon those who would give no 
 account of themselves, or were out during the same peri- 
 od, and the delinquent party was liable to a pecuriiary a- 
 mercement. The crime of lying received the reprehen- 
 sions of the public in rather an ignominous way, by a 
 fme and stripes. Ho who was guilty of secretly taking 
 another's property had to restore threefold and endure 
 thirty-nine stripes at the whipping post. 
 
 The people were at that period very fruitful in legal ex- 
 pedients upon various other subjects besides those before 
 mentioned. Relief laws were enacted — paper money v/as 
 made a legal tender in discharge of all contracts, execu- 
 tions, &c. — personal property and real estate was, on ap- 
 prizement by the highest authority of tlie state, ordered to 
 be received in discharge of executions. This provision 
 was afterwards so extended that a payment could be made 
 in such articles as were stipulated in the contract, al- 
 though the time for its discharge had long elapstdo. 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 2S3 
 
 Vermont was in fact an independent government at this 
 time, subject to no authority but her own and allied to no 
 power on earth. She raised ond paid her own quota of 
 troops for the continental service, laid embargoes, regu- 
 lated her commerce and intercourse with other nations, 
 granted letters of marque and reprisal^ and pardoned 
 those who were guilty of treason. 
 
 The legislature considered Ihomselves invested with 
 transcendent powers. The decisions of the courts were 
 frequently overruled by legislative authority, executions 
 were ordered satisfied and new trials granted. Land caus- 
 es were tried before commissioners, with powers only del- 
 egated for that purpose, and finally they were adjudicated 
 hetbre the governor and council, who had exclusive juris- 
 diction in such cases. The standard ot gold and silver 
 coin was also determined by the l:nv of the state. Such 
 were some of the first laws enacted by the legislature of 
 Vermont, which are now superceded by more comprehen- 
 sive and enlightened methods of civil policy and legislation. 
 So much of the common law of England as is applica- 
 ble to the local situation and circumstances, and is not 
 repugnant to the constitution or to any act of the legisla- 
 ture of this state, is adopted as law within the same. The 
 criminal code of Vermont has been mitigated since the 
 erection of the state penitentiary, and five out of nine of 
 the crimes made capital by a former law of the State, havo 
 been repealed. 
 
 Treason, murder, perjury, by means of which some per- 
 con^s life is taken away, and arson, effected in such man- 
 ner that the life of a person is destroyed, are punished with 
 death. Treason consists in levying or conspiring to levy 
 war against the state, or in giving aid to the enemies of 
 the state, by a person owing allegiance to the same. The 
 testimony necessary for conviction is the confessi'^n of the 
 party in open court, on the evidence of two witnesses to 
 some overt act of treason. Murder in the first degree is 
 defined to be the malicious, deliberate and premeditated 
 killing of a human being. The destruction of life by per- 
 jury is declared to be a wilful misrepresentation of facte, 
 for the purpose of destroying lite, which does take elTecl 
 according to such design ; and that by arson, consists in 
 
 25* 
 
S94 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 the deatli of a person by means of burning some buildings 
 that are inhabited. The other high crimes are punishable 
 by imprisonment and fines. The time of imprisonment is 
 proportioned to the enormity of the offence, and fixed at 
 the discretion of tlie court. — Manslaughter and bearing 
 false-witness, not affecting life, are punishable by confiRe- 
 ment in the state's prison during life, or for a term not less- 
 than seven years, and a fine not exceeding ICOO dollars. 
 Misprison of treason, by imprisonment not exceeding sev- 
 en years, and a fine not more than 2000 dollars. Arson » 
 without death; assault, with an intent to rob ; forgery, 
 with a disqualification of being sworn to give evidence on 
 a verdict; rape, and perjury, also, are punishable by im- 
 prisonment not exceeding seven years, and a Mne of 2000 
 dollars. A second convicnon for iiorse stealing is punish- 
 ed by imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen years^ 
 ; and a fine not more than 1000 dollars. Bigamy and rob- 
 bery, the same punishments as for horse stealing ; and ?i 
 second conviction, imprisonment for life, or a term not 
 less than seven years. Theft, receiving stolen goods, and 
 assault with an intent to know a person, imprisonment not 
 exceeding seven years, and a fine not more than 500 dol- 
 lars. Breaking jail, connterfeiting metals, swindling and 
 impeding authority, by imprisonment not exceeding tlirce 
 years, and a fine not more than 300 dollars. Adultery, 
 poligamy, incest, illicit intention under certain circum- 
 stances, and disintering the dead, by imprisonment not 
 more than three years, and a fine not exceeding 1000 dol- 
 lars. Fraudulent practices and t'orging coin, by imprison- 
 rsent not exceeding five years, and a fme not more than 
 500 dollars. Counterfeiting bank notes, by imprisonment 
 not exceeding fourteen years, and a fine not exceeding 
 lOO^J dollnrs. Maiuiing, by imprisonment not less than 
 seven years. Malicious transportation of a citizen of the 
 state, by imprisonment seven years, and a fine not more 
 than 1000 dollars. Rescue of a prisoner, by imprison- 
 ment not exceeding ten years, and a fine not exceeding 
 500 dollars. Guards of the state prison suffering a vol- 
 untary escape, itnprisonment for one year, and a fine of 
 five hundred dollars. 
 
 The term oi' time for imprisonment is in all instaac^e 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 295 
 
 except four, and the fine in all cases, is left to the discre- 
 tion of the court. They can either imprison or fine, or 
 award both at the time of conviction. In all cases except 
 one, imprisonment is accompanied with hard labor, and 
 two only award for life. 
 
 Great credit has been given by many writers and friends 
 of humanity to the reformation in the laws of most of the 
 states by substituting confinement at liard labor in place 
 of the disgusting and demoralizing public punishments to 
 which, by former laws, criminals have been subjected. — 
 Had the guilty been generally reformed by this humane 
 method of punishment, a short period only would be ne- 
 cessary to work an entire reformation among the lower 
 classes of mankind. But the recordsof our states prisons 
 and the presentments of the grand jurors siiow that the 
 fear of hard labor and confinement does not have a saluta- 
 ry influence upon all who have been subjects of them.— 
 The annual number of convicts to the state's prison for 
 several years has been about twenty-four. Since that 
 time the number has considerably increased. The great- 
 er part of these have been sentenced for theft and coun- 
 terfeiting. There has been but three executions in Ver- 
 mont, by a sentence of a court of law, since the assump- 
 tion of the government, in 1777. Dean was the first that 
 was executed, in 1803, at Burlington. Then Godfrey, at 
 Woodstock, in 1818; and Virginia, a man of color, at 
 St. Albans, in 1820. Redding was executed at Benning- 
 ton betore the present form of government was organized, 
 and a number sufti^red in the time of the war by sentence 
 of court martials. 
 
 CountUs, Totvns and Courts. — Vermont is divided into 
 the following counties. Bennington, Rutland, Addison, 
 Chittenden, Franklin and (xrand-Isle, on the west side of 
 the mountain ; Windham, Windsor, Orange, Caledonia, 
 Essex, Orleans and Washington on the east side. These 
 Sire again subdivided into two hundred and forty-six town- 
 ships and fifteen gores. The judiciary powers of tlie 
 8tate are vested in the supreme court and court of chan- 
 cery, consisting of five judges and a county court in each 
 county, having one of the supreme court judges for a chief 
 jastice, and two assistant judges appointed from thecoun- 
 
2D6 HISTORY OF VERMOiNT. 
 
 ty» and a probate court in each district, of which there oro 
 nineteen, and justices of the peace in each town, appoint- 
 ed annually by the legislature. The supreme court and 
 court of chancery hold one session a year in each county. 
 This court have original and conclusive jurisdiction in all 
 8uits in chancery and petitions not triable by a jury ; and 
 have power now given by law to issue and determine all 
 writs of error, habeas corpus, mandamus, scirefacias, and 
 certiorari, and all other writs, agreeable to the usages of 
 law. And either of them, as chancellors, at any county 
 or in vacation, may make interlocutory orders or decrees, 
 issue writs, subpcsnas and other processes necessary to 
 be made, and also make any necessary orders of notice 
 in any suit in chancery or law. Appeals are had from the 
 judgement of the county court to the supreme court only 
 for the hearing of some issue of law, determined by such 
 county court. And all questions of law arising upon jury 
 trials, wjiich are placed upon record by the agreement of 
 parties or the allowance of any two of the judges who 
 phall attend the trial, may pass to the supreme court for 
 decision, and as a court of chancery they have power to 
 issue writs of sequestration and to grant new trials. The 
 county courts hold two sessions in each of the counties 
 annually. They have in their respective counties origin- 
 al jurisdiction of all criminal matters of every name or nc- 
 ture,arising within such counties, except such ne are made 
 cognizable before justices of the peace, and award sen- 
 tence on the same ; and also have original jurisdiction of 
 ell civil matters whatsoever, except such as are by thia 
 «ct made cognizable before the supreme court ; and euch 
 as are made cognizable before justices of the peace can 
 render judgement and award execution thereon, and have 
 appellate jurisdiction in all pauper causes, probate appeals 
 or petitions from the decisions of justices of the peace. — 
 Justices of the peace within their respective jurisdiction 
 have power to try all actions of a criminal nature, if the 
 fmee and torfeitures are within the sum of seven dollars, 
 and to bind over all offenders whose crimes exceed their 
 power to try. They have original and exclusive jurisdic- 
 tion in civil causes, where the matter in demand does not 
 exceed lOQ dollars, except in actions for slanderous words, 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 297 
 
 roplovin above the sum of seven dollars, and trespass up- 
 on the freehold above the sum of 20 dollars. Action on 
 book account may be brought before tliem, where the de- 
 bit of the plaintitt's book does wot exceed 100dollars,and 
 on note, wiiere the sum due does not exceed 100 dollars. 
 No judgement rendered by a justice of the peace can be 
 reversed by a writ of error or certiorari before the pu- 
 premo court. The adjustment of claims in favor or a- 
 gainst the estate of a person deceased, are settled befero 
 commissioners appointed by the judge of probate for that 
 purpose, whoso decision may, however, be appealed from 
 to the supreme court. Five road commissioners are an- 
 nually appointed by tiie legislature, for each county, who 
 have power, upon the application of twenty or more free- 
 holders, and upon a viev/ of the premises, to lay out and 
 establish public roads or to alter and discontinue old 
 ones by whomsoever laid out — to order the building or re- 
 pairing of roads or bridges, and direct such sum as each 
 town shall be liable to pay for such purposes, and to issue 
 execution for costs. An appeal may be had from the de- 
 crees of t!>e commissioners to the county court, whera 
 damages are not satisfactorily assessed, who can upon tri- 
 al of the case order new proceedings to be had on the sub- 
 ject. 
 
 Revnntte. — Public taxes are t!ie principal source of rev- 
 enue in tiiis state. Tliose kinds of property subject to 
 taxation arc designated by law, and the rates at which 
 they shall be assessed, and an inventory, is yearly made 
 out. in June, and called the grand list, which for ISoO 
 amounted to $1,834,980. Three cents upon the dollar, is 
 generally voted for the support of the government. The 
 sum paid into the treasury for taxes last year, after de- 
 ducting the expense of collecting, was $39,912 30, and 
 $9,550 09 was derived from other sources, which make« 
 the whole revenue of the state. 
 
 Expenses of Government. — The sum paid into the treas- 
 ury is mostly expended for the yearly administration of 
 the government of V^ermont. But there are other occas- 
 ional and contingent expenses arising almost every year, 
 such as those paid to commissioners, council of censorj*, 
 and conventions. Taking the census of 1630, the annual 
 
293 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 pum which each individual in the state pays for the protec- 
 tion of his person and property, and the advantages of a 
 free government, is about twenty cents. Among the sala^ 
 ries paid out by the state, the governor has 750 dollars, 
 each of the judge? $1,050, secretary $450, treasurer $400, 
 secretary to the governor and council $250, clerk of the 
 general assembly $375^the lieutenant-governor $4 per 
 day, co\incillors and representatives $1 50 each per day, 
 engrossing clerk $75, besides $2 50 per day for attend- 
 ance. So long as the government continue economical in 
 their expenditure the freedom of the country may be pre- 
 served. Large salaries and prodigal emoluments are pro- 
 ductive of ruinous controversies and political intrigues. — 
 For those in power, who derive their living from the pub- 
 lic, will compute the honor and dignity of the government 
 by the sums of public money which they receive. 
 
 CHAPTER XV* 
 
 Population of the. State, — Banks. — Militia. — Colleges.— 
 Religion. 
 
 Population. — The following dales show when the sever- 
 nl counties were incorporated under the state of New-York , 
 and afterwards oy the government of Vermont: also the 
 time when each township was granted or chartered and se t- 
 t'od ; together with the number of inhabitants in each cou n- 
 ty. for ail the censuses that have been taken in the state, 
 and the l;>st in each town. The territory of Vermont was 
 on the first division, in 1765, formed into four counties: 
 Albany in the soutii-west, Charlotte in the north-west, 
 Cumberland in the south-east, and Gloucesterin the north- 
 ea-5t part; but is now divided into thirteen counties. 
 
 Windham county contains 24 towns and four gores, wan 
 incorporated in 17S1, and had a population of 17,693 in 
 1791, 23,5Sl in iSaO, 28,760 in 1810, 28,457 in 1S20, 
 28, 748 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. Settlement. No.inhab. 
 
 Acton February 23, 1782 1800 _ 17G 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT, 
 
 299 
 
 Athens 
 
 March 11, 
 
 1T80 
 
 1779 
 
 415 
 
 Brattleborough December 2G, 
 
 53 
 
 21 
 
 2741 
 
 Brookline 
 
 October 30, 
 
 94 
 
 77 
 
 376 
 
 Dumraerbton 
 
 December 26, 
 
 53 
 
 34 
 
 1592 
 
 Dover 
 
 December 20, 
 
 1810 
 
 87 
 
 831 
 
 Grafton 
 
 April 6, 
 
 175^1 
 
 68 
 
 1139 
 
 Guilford 
 
 April 4, 
 
 51 
 
 5^1 
 
 1760 
 
 Halifax 
 
 May 11, 
 
 50 
 
 6i 
 
 1562 
 
 Jamaica 
 
 November 7, 
 
 SO 
 
 80 
 
 1523 
 
 Londonderry 
 
 February 30, 
 
 70 
 
 74 
 
 130i^ 
 
 Marlborough 
 
 September 21, 
 
 61 
 
 63 
 
 1218 
 
 New fane 
 
 May 11, 
 
 72 
 
 74 
 
 14^11 
 
 Putney 
 
 December 6, 
 
 5:3 
 
 53 
 
 1510 
 
 Rockingham 
 
 December J^, 
 
 5^ 
 
 &3 
 
 227^ 
 
 Somerset 
 
 
 
 
 245 
 
 tStratton 
 
 
 
 
 312 
 
 Townshend 
 
 Jane 20, 
 
 53 
 
 61 
 
 1386 
 
 Vernon 
 
 September 5, 
 
 53 
 
 53 
 
 691 
 
 Westminster 
 
 November 9, 
 
 52 
 
 42 
 
 1737 
 
 Wardsborough 
 
 I November 7, 
 
 80 
 
 80 
 
 1148 
 
 Whitingbam 
 
 March 23, 
 
 80 
 
 70 
 
 1477 
 
 Wilmington 
 
 June 17, 
 
 63 
 
 70 
 
 1367 
 
 Windham 
 
 February 30, 
 
 70 
 
 74 
 
 &47 
 
 Bennington countif^ coijtairiing 17 towns, was incorpo- 
 rated in 1781, and had a population of 12,554 in 1791, 
 14,617 in 1300, 15,893 in J810, 16,135 m 18% 17,470 
 in 1830, 
 
 Date of 
 
 grant or charter. 
 
 Settlement. 
 
 No.inkab. 
 
 Arlington 
 
 July 
 
 •23, 
 
 nci 
 
 1763 
 
 1207 
 
 Bennington 
 
 January 
 
 3, 
 
 49 
 
 61 
 
 3419 
 
 Dorset 
 
 August 
 
 20, 
 
 61 
 
 68 
 
 1507 
 
 Glastonbury 
 
 August 
 
 20, 
 
 61 
 
 70 
 
 52 
 
 I/andgrove 
 
 November 
 
 8, 
 
 80 
 
 69 
 
 385 
 
 Manchester 
 
 August 
 
 11, 
 
 61 
 
 64 
 
 1625 
 
 Peru 
 
 October 
 
 13, 
 
 61 
 
 73 
 
 455 
 
 Pownal 
 
 January 
 
 8. 
 
 60 
 
 61 
 
 1835 
 
 Rupert 
 
 August 
 
 30, 
 
 61 
 
 70 
 
 1318 
 
 RcadQboro* 
 
 
 
 
 
 662 
 
 feaadgate 
 
 August 
 
 19, 
 
 61 
 
 63 
 
 933 
 
 Searsboro' 
 
 February 
 
 23, 
 
 81 
 
 
 4G 
 
 Skiftsbury 
 
 August 
 
 30. 
 
 61 
 
 G3 
 
 2143 
 

 503 
 
 1765 
 
 463 
 
 61 
 
 571 
 
 96 
 
 395 
 
 1781, 
 
 and con- 
 
 30O HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 Stamford March 6, 1753 
 
 Sunderland July 30, 61 
 
 Winhall September 15, 61 
 
 Woodford March 6, 53 
 
 Rutland county was incorporated in 
 tains 26 towns, with a population of 15,565 in 1791, 
 23,813 in ISOO, 29.487 in 1810, 29,975 in 1S20, 31,293 
 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. Settlement. No.inhah, 
 Benson 
 Brandon 
 Castleton 
 Chittenden 
 Clarendon 
 Danby 
 Fairhaven 
 Hubbardton 
 Ira 
 
 Mendon 
 Mount Holly 
 Mount Tabor 
 Middlctown 
 Orwell 
 Paw let 
 rittsford 
 Pittsfield 
 Poultney 
 Sherburn 
 Shrewsbury 
 Sudbury 
 Tinmouth 
 Wallingford 
 Wells 
 
 West-Haven 
 Rutland 
 
 Windsor county was incorpoAted in 1781, containing 
 ^ towns and one gore, and had a population of 15,748 in 
 1791, 26,944 in 1800, ai,877 in 1810, 38,233 in 1820, 
 40,623 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. Settlement. No.inhdb. 
 Aodover October 16, 1761 1776 975 
 
 May 
 
 5, 
 
 1780 
 
 1783 
 
 1493 
 
 October 
 
 20, 
 
 62 
 
 83' 
 
 1940 
 
 September 20, 
 
 61 
 
 61 
 
 1783 
 
 March 
 
 16, 
 
 80 
 
 a5 
 
 610 
 
 September 
 
 5, 
 
 61 
 
 78 
 
 1535 
 
 August 
 
 27, 
 
 61 
 
 68 
 
 1362 
 
 October 
 
 27, 
 
 79 
 
 83 
 
 675 
 
 June 
 
 15, 
 
 6^1 
 
 74 
 
 865 
 
 May 
 
 31, 
 
 79 
 
 79 
 
 442 
 
 February 
 
 23, 
 
 81 
 
 1806 
 
 432 
 
 Octol)er 
 
 31, 
 
 92 
 
 1781 
 
 1316 
 
 August 
 
 28, 
 
 61 
 
 86 
 
 
 210 
 919 
 
 August 
 
 8, 
 
 63 
 
 83 
 
 1598 
 
 August 
 
 26, 
 
 61 
 
 61 
 
 1965 
 
 October 
 
 ]2, 
 
 61 
 
 68 
 
 2005 
 
 July 
 
 29, 
 
 81 
 
 86 
 
 505 
 
 September 
 
 21, 
 
 61 
 
 7l 
 
 1909 
 
 July 
 
 7, 
 
 61 
 
 65 
 
 452 
 
 September 
 
 4, 
 
 63 
 
 85 
 
 1289 
 
 August 
 
 6, 
 
 61 
 
 
 812 
 
 September 
 
 15, 
 
 61 
 
 75 
 
 1049 
 
 November 
 
 27, 
 
 61 
 
 73. .. 
 
 1740 
 
 September 
 
 15, 
 
 61 
 
 68 
 
 880 
 
 October 
 
 27, 
 
 79 
 
 83 
 
 724 
 
 September 
 
 7, 
 
 61 
 
 70 
 
 2753 
 
HISTORY OF 
 
 VERiMONT. 
 
 
 301 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Baltimore 
 
 . October 
 
 19. 
 
 1793 
 
 1763 
 
 179 
 
 Bethel 
 
 October 
 
 27, 
 
 79 
 
 80 
 
 1667 
 
 Barnard 
 
 July 
 
 17, 
 
 iii 
 
 75 
 
 1881 
 
 Briclgewater 
 
 July 
 
 10, 
 
 61 
 
 79 
 
 1311 
 
 Cavendish 
 
 October 
 
 12, 
 
 61 
 
 71 
 
 ■1498 
 
 Chester 
 
 February 
 
 4, 
 
 66 
 
 64 
 
 2320 
 
 Hartford 
 
 July 
 
 4, 
 
 %i 
 
 61 
 
 2044 
 
 Hartland 
 
 June 
 
 15, 
 
 82 
 
 63 
 
 2505 
 
 Ludlow 
 
 September 
 
 1^, ■ 
 
 61 
 
 84 
 
 1227 
 
 Norwich 
 
 July 
 
 4, 
 
 4( 
 
 63 
 
 2316 
 
 Plymouth 
 
 July 
 
 0, 
 
 U 
 
 76 
 
 1237 
 
 Pom fret 
 
 July 
 
 8, 
 
 (( 
 
 70 
 
 1867 
 
 Reading 
 
 July 
 
 0, 
 
 8i 
 
 72 
 
 1409 
 
 Rochester 
 
 August 
 
 3J, 
 
 81, 
 
 83 
 
 l;392 
 
 Rojaltoa 
 
 August 
 
 3, 
 
 70 
 
 63 
 
 1893 
 
 Sharon 
 
 August 
 
 17, 
 
 61 
 
 82 
 
 1459 
 
 Springfield 
 
 August 
 
 20, 
 
 «« 
 
 82 
 
 2749 
 
 Stock bridge 
 
 July 
 
 2j, 
 
 t( 
 
 84 
 
 i3fJ3 
 
 Weathersfleld 
 
 February 
 
 20, 
 
 a 
 
 77 
 
 2213 
 
 Weston 
 
 xMarch 
 
 3, 
 
 ISOO 
 
 76 
 
 172 
 
 Windsor 
 
 July 
 
 6, 
 
 1761 
 
 61 
 
 3934 
 
 Woodstock 
 
 Juh' 
 
 lO, 
 
 t( 
 
 68 
 
 3044 
 
 Orange county was incorpor 
 
 ated in 17 
 
 '92, an 
 
 d contains 
 
 17 towns, wi 
 
 ♦h a population of 
 
 • 7,331 in 
 
 1791, 
 
 I6,3l8 in 
 
 ISOO, 2j,72l 
 
 in 1311), 21,169 
 
 in 132 J, 
 
 27,23 
 
 5 in JS3a 
 
 Bate of 
 
 grant or charter. 
 
 tStt'.lement, 
 
 NoauIigI, 
 
 Bradford 
 
 January 
 
 22, 
 
 l79i 
 
 1 761 
 
 1 507 
 
 Braintree 
 
 November 
 
 2, 
 
 60 
 
 83 
 
 1209 
 
 Brook field 
 
 November 
 
 6, 
 
 80 
 
 79 
 
 1677 
 
 Chelb-ea 
 
 November 
 
 2, 
 
 80 
 
 83 
 
 1958 
 
 Corinth 
 
 February 
 
 4, 
 
 64 
 
 78 
 
 1 95:3 
 
 Fairlee 
 
 September 
 
 9, 
 
 61 
 
 m 
 
 656 
 
 New bur/ 
 
 May 
 
 18, 
 
 63 
 
 64 
 
 2252 
 
 Orange 
 
 November 
 
 6, 
 
 80 
 
 93 
 
 i0i6 
 
 Randolph 
 
 Novembei 
 
 • 2, 
 
 80 
 
 77 
 
 2743 
 
 Stratford 
 
 August 
 
 12, 
 
 61 
 
 74 
 
 1935 
 
 Thetford 
 
 August 
 
 12, 
 
 it 
 
 64 
 
 2113 
 
 Topsham 
 
 June 
 
 17, 
 
 03 
 
 81 
 
 1384 
 
 Tuubridge 
 
 Septembei 
 
 r 2, 
 
 63 
 
 76 
 
 1920 
 
 Vershire 
 
 November 7, 
 
 80 
 
 80 
 
 1260 
 
 Washington 
 
 November 6, 
 
 80 
 
 92 
 
 1374 
 
 23 
 
SD2 HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 West Fairlee September 9, i76l l76S 84l 
 
 Williamstown November 6, 80 84 1487 
 
 Addison county was incorporated in 1787, containing 
 22 towns and 1 gore, and had a population of 9488 in 
 1791, 13,417 in 1800, 19,993 in 1810, 20,469 in 1820, 
 24,907 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. Settlement. No.inkah. 
 Addison October 14, 1761 1731 130& 
 
 Bridport October 10, * 69 1774 
 
 Bristol June 20, * 84 1247 
 
 Cornwall November 3, * 74 1264 
 
 Ferrisburgh June 24, 62 85 1822 
 
 Goshen February 23, 82 1800 555 
 
 Hancock November 7, 80 1788 472 
 
 Kingston November 7, * 86 403 
 
 Leicester October 20, 63 90 GSS 
 
 Lincoln November 7, 80 90 639 
 
 Middlebury November 2, 61 66 S468 
 
 Monkton June 24, 62 55 1384 
 
 New-Haven November 2, 61 69 1^34 
 
 Fanton November 3, 64 70 605 
 
 Ripton April 13, 81 1808 27S 
 
 Salisbury November 3, 61 1775 907 
 
 Shoreham October 8, 61 66 2137 
 
 Starksborough November 7, 80 80 1342 
 
 Vergennea October 23, 88 66 999 
 
 Waltham 96 73 330 
 
 Weybridge November 5, 61 74 . 850 
 
 Whiting August 6, 63 72 653 
 
 Chittenden county, incorporated in 1787, contains 16 
 towns and 1 gore, and had a population of 3918 in 1791, 
 9563 in 1800, 14,6^ in 1810, 16,055 in 18^, 21,775 in 
 1S30. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. Seithment, No.inhah, 
 
 Bolton 
 
 October 
 
 27. 
 
 1794 
 
 
 453 
 
 Burlington 
 
 June 
 
 7, 
 
 63 
 
 1775 
 
 3526 
 
 Charlotte 
 
 June 
 
 24, 
 
 62 
 
 76 
 
 1702 
 
 Colchester 
 
 June 
 
 7, 
 
 63 
 
 74 
 
 1489 
 
 Essex 
 
 June 
 
 7, 
 
 63 
 
 83 
 
 1664 
 
 Hinesburgh 
 
 June 
 
 21, 
 
 62 
 
 83 
 
 1669 
 
 Huntington 
 
 June 
 
 7, 
 
 63 
 
 m 
 
 929 
 
Jcrico 
 
 June 
 
 Mansfield 
 
 June 
 
 Milton 
 
 June 
 
 Richmond 
 
 October 
 
 Shelburn 
 
 August 
 
 St. George 
 
 August 
 
 Underbill 
 
 June 
 
 Westford 
 
 June 
 
 Williston 
 
 June 
 
 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 303 
 
 8, 
 
 1763 
 
 1774 
 
 1654 
 
 63 
 
 1800 
 
 279 
 
 63 
 
 1783 
 
 2100 
 
 93 
 
 75 
 
 1109 
 
 63 
 
 70 
 
 1117 
 
 63 
 
 ai 
 
 ^135 
 
 63 • 
 
 86 
 
 1052 
 
 63 
 
 64 
 
 1290 
 
 63 
 
 74 
 
 1608 
 
 18, 
 
 8, 
 
 7, 
 
 Washington county was incorporated bj its present 
 name in 1814, embracing 18 towns, and had a population 
 of 711 in 1791, 5703 in 1800, 10,190 in 1810, 14,725 in 
 132(), 21,376 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter, Settlement. No.inhab. 
 I^arre August 12, 1781 1796 2012 
 
 Berlin June 7, 63 66 1664 
 
 €a!His October 21, 80 7 1539 
 
 Duxbury June 7, 63 9 652 
 
 Elmore August 21, 81 90 442 
 
 Faystoh February 25, 2 98 458 
 
 Marshfield June 8, 63 1800 1271 
 
 Middlesex June * 63 1781 IISC. 
 
 Montpelier August 14, -81 6 3065 
 
 Moretown June 7, 63 90 816 
 
 Northfield November 6, 80 88 1412 
 
 Plainfield October 27, 8 94 874 
 
 Roxbury August 6, 1 89 737 
 
 Stow June 8, 63 93 1570 
 
 Waitsfield February 25, 82 89 95S 
 
 Waterbury June 7, 65 4 1650 
 
 Warren October 20, 89 97 766 
 
 Worcester June 8, 63 97 434 
 
 Caledonia county was incorported in 1792, has l9 towns 
 and 3 gores, with a population or2047 in l79l, 7566 in 
 1800, 11,966 in I8l0, l6,669 in 1820, 2,967 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. Settlement. No.inhab. 
 Barnet September 15, 1763 1770 1764 
 
 Burke February 26, 82 90 866 
 
 Cabot August 17, 81 85 1S04 
 
 Danville October 31, 86 84 2631 
 
 Groton October 20, 89 87 886 
 
 ilardivich August 19, 81 90 1216 
 
304 
 
 HISTORY OF VERiMONT. 
 
 Kirby 
 Lvndon 
 
 October 27, 
 
 1790 
 
 1799 
 
 401 
 
 November 20, 
 
 SO 
 
 88 
 
 132-2 
 
 Newark 
 
 August 15, 
 
 81 
 
 1800 
 
 257 
 
 Peacham 
 
 December SI, 
 
 G3 
 
 1775 
 
 1851 
 
 Rve^ate 
 
 September 8, 
 
 63 
 
 74 
 
 1119 
 
 SheHi.Md 
 
 November 7, 
 
 80 
 
 92 
 
 720 
 
 St. Johnsbury 
 
 November 1, 
 
 86 
 
 86 
 
 1592 
 
 Sutton 
 
 February 6, 
 
 8-2 
 
 91 
 
 1008 
 
 VValden 
 
 August " 18, 
 
 SO 
 
 89 
 
 827 
 
 Watsrlord 
 
 November S, 
 
 -SO 
 
 87 
 
 1358 
 
 Wheelock 
 
 June 14, 
 
 85 
 
 90 
 
 834 
 
 Woodbury 
 
 Augnii^'t 1(3, 
 
 SI 
 
 1800 
 
 824 
 
 Brad ley vale 
 
 Jarxuary 27, 
 
 91 
 
 Ci 
 
 21 
 
 Goshen gore 
 
 November 1, 
 
 9S 
 
 01 
 
 200 
 
 Harris' gore 
 
 October SO, 
 
 81. 
 
 21 
 
 19 
 
 Essex coiinft/ was incorporated in 1792, contains 17 
 towns and 3 gores, and had a population of 5S3 in 1791 » 
 UTdin 1300, 3037 in iSlO, SdS^% in 1820, 3917 in 1830. 
 
 Date oj 
 
 ■ grant or charter. 
 
 Sctilement. No.inhab. 
 
 Brunswick 
 
 February 
 
 26, 
 
 17S2 
 
 1790 1!6 
 
 Canaan 
 
 July 
 
 29, 
 
 62 
 
 85 875 
 
 Concord 
 
 September 15, 
 
 81 
 
 88 1031 
 
 Ferdinand 
 
 October 
 
 rs, 
 
 61 
 
 uninhabited 
 
 Gran by 
 
 October 
 
 10, 
 
 61 
 
 1300 97 
 
 Guildhall 
 
 October 
 
 10, 
 
 61 
 
 1764 481 
 
 l.emington 
 
 Jun3 
 
 29, 
 
 62 
 
 1800 -iS^ 
 
 Lunenburgh 
 
 July 
 
 5, 
 
 63 
 
 1770 1054 
 
 liewis 
 
 June 
 
 29, 
 
 62 
 
 iminhabited 
 
 Maidstone 
 
 October 
 
 1-2, 
 
 61 
 
 1770 2S6 
 
 Minebcad 
 
 June 
 
 29, 
 
 62 
 
 1800 15a 
 
 Averiii 
 
 June 
 
 23, 
 
 62 
 
 1 
 
 East Haven 
 
 October 
 
 22 
 
 90 
 
 25 
 
 Norton 
 
 
 
 62 
 
 uninhabited 
 
 iiandom 
 
 'August 
 
 13, 
 
 81 
 
 S3 105 
 
 Wenlock 
 
 October 
 
 13, 
 
 61 
 
 23 24 
 
 Victory 
 
 September 6, 
 
 81 
 
 21 5S 
 
 Orleans cdunt)/ was incoi 
 
 rporated in 
 
 1792, has 23 towns 
 
 nnd 1 gore, 
 
 with a popula 
 
 tionorn9 in 1790, 1381 in 
 
 1800, 5G71 i 
 
 hi 1810, G31S 
 
 1 in 1320, 
 
 13,980 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. 
 Albany June 26, 
 
 Barton October 20, 
 
 Browni'.igton October 2, 
 
 Crallsbury November 12, 
 
 Charleston Novem.ber 8, 
 
 Settlement. Nc.inhab. 
 
 1782 1800 68S 
 
 96 1796 729 
 
 90 " 41 bi 
 
 90 91 yS'i 
 
 80 laos 50'-; 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 305 
 
 Derby 
 
 October 
 
 29, 
 
 1779 
 
 1795 
 
 1469 
 
 Eden 
 
 August 
 
 28, 
 
 • 81 
 
 1802 
 
 461 
 
 Glover 
 
 November 20, 
 
 83 
 
 1797 
 
 902 
 
 Greensboro' 
 
 August 
 
 20, 
 
 81 
 
 83 
 
 784 
 
 Holland 
 
 October 
 
 26, 
 
 89 
 
 1800 
 
 422 
 
 Hydepark 
 
 August 
 
 7, 
 
 81 
 
 1737 
 
 823 
 
 Irasburgh 
 
 February 23, 
 
 e 
 
 99 
 
 860 
 
 Jay 
 
 November 7, 
 
 92 
 
 1812 
 
 196 
 
 Kellyvale 
 
 June 
 
 7, 
 
 91 
 
 06 
 
 814 
 
 Morg'an 
 
 November 6, 
 
 80 
 
 00 
 
 331 
 
 Morristown 
 
 August 
 
 24, 
 
 81 
 
 1790 
 
 1315 
 
 Newport 
 
 October 
 
 80, 
 
 1802 
 
 cc 
 
 284 
 
 Salem 
 
 August 
 
 IS, 
 
 1781 
 
 98 
 
 • 230 
 
 Troy 
 
 October 
 
 13, 
 
 92 
 
 1800 
 
 608 
 
 Westfield 
 
 May 
 
 15, 
 
 80 
 
 cc 
 
 353 
 
 VVoolcot 
 
 August 
 
 22, 
 
 81 
 
 cc 
 
 492 
 
 Westmoro 
 
 August 
 
 17, 
 
 81 
 
 02 
 
 32 
 
 Coventry 
 
 October 
 
 23, 
 
 85 
 
 00 
 
 728 
 
 Coventry gore 
 
 granted same time 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Franklin county was incorporated in 
 
 1792, an( 
 
 3 contains 
 
 19 towns and 2 gores, ha* 
 
 ] a population of 1939 in 1791. 
 
 7582 in 1800, 
 
 16,427 in 1810, 
 
 17,192 
 
 in 1820, 
 
 21,525 in 
 
 1830. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Date of grant or charter. 
 
 Settlement. No.inhah. 
 
 Bakersfield 
 
 June 
 
 25, 
 
 1791 
 
 1789 
 
 1087 
 
 Belvidere 
 
 November 4, 
 
 91 
 
 91 
 
 185 
 
 Berkshire 
 
 June 
 
 
 81 
 
 92 
 
 1308 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 August 
 
 13, 
 
 i 
 
 83 
 
 1613 
 
 Enosburgh 
 
 May 
 
 15, 
 
 i 
 
 97 
 
 1560 
 
 Fairfax 
 
 August 
 
 18, 
 
 63 
 
 S3 
 
 1729 
 
 Fairfield 
 
 August 
 
 i 
 
 63 
 
 8 
 
 2270 
 
 Fletcher 
 
 August 
 
 20, 
 
 81 
 
 
 793 
 
 Franklin 
 
 March 
 
 19,, 
 
 89- 
 
 9 
 
 1129 
 
 Georgia 
 
 August 
 
 17, 
 
 63 
 
 4 
 
 1897 
 
 Highgate 
 
 August 
 
 17, 
 
 63 
 
 4 
 
 2038 
 
 Johnson 
 
 January 
 
 2, 
 
 92 
 
 4 
 
 1079 
 
 Montgomery 
 
 October 
 
 8, . 
 
 , 89 
 
 93 
 
 460 
 
 Richford 
 
 August 
 
 21, 
 
 80 
 
 90 
 
 704 
 
 Sheldon 
 
 August 
 
 18, 
 
 63 
 
 90 
 
 1427 
 
 Sterling 
 
 February 
 
 25, 
 
 82 
 
 99 
 
 183 
 
 St. Albans 
 
 Augfust 
 
 7, 
 
 63 
 
 85 
 
 2395 
 
 SwantDn 
 
 October 
 
 17, 
 
 63 
 
 7 
 
 2158 
 
 WaterviUe 
 
 October 
 
 26, 
 
 88— called Coil's 
 
 gore 483 
 
 Avery's Gore 
 
 June 
 
 23, 
 
 96 
 
 1817 
 
 22 
 
 Grand Isle 
 
 coimlT/ was incorporated 
 
 in 1802, 
 
 contains 
 
 
 
 26* 
 
 
 
 
306 
 
 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 5towns, \vithapopiilationofll55ml79i, 2498itil800, 
 SM^in ISIO, 3527 in 1^20; 3696 in 1830. 
 
 Date of grant or charter. Settlement. No.inhah. 
 
 Alburgh February 23, 1781 1782 lf2S» 
 
 Grand Isle October S7, 79 S 459 
 
 North Hero October ' 79 5 C88 
 
 South Hero October * 79 , 4 7l7 
 
 Vineyard October • 79 ' 5 tAZ 
 The aggregate amount of each desf:ription of persona, 
 "by classes, in the state of Vermont, are: — 
 
 FREE WHITE PERSONS t 
 
 Males under five years of age . - - 5IC80 
 
 five, and under ten - - - 1941j0 
 
 ten and under fiileen . .^ _ 17596 
 
 tilteen and under twenty .- - - 15805 
 
 twenty and under tb.irty -- - - 24200 
 
 thirty, and under forty - - . 157611 
 
 firty and under fifty _ _ > 1044S 
 
 •fitly and undersixty . .- » 7052 
 
 sixty and under seventy - - - 619^ 
 
 seventy and under eighty - — - 2204 
 
 ftighty and under ninety - - - COS 
 
 ninety and under one hundred - - 4& 
 
 one hundred and upw-ards - - S 
 
 
 
 140,00S 
 
 i^Vmales under five years of age 
 
 •1526 
 
 
 five and under ten 
 
 18633 
 
 
 ten and under til\een - 
 
 16877 
 
 
 fifteen and under twenty 
 
 15776 
 
 
 twenty and under thirty 
 
 25167 
 
 
 thirty''and under torty 
 
 16'i57 
 
 
 Ibrty and under fifty 
 
 11 085 
 
 
 fidy and under sixty 
 
 7157 
 
 
 sixty and under seventy 
 
 4728 
 
 
 seventy and under eighty 
 
 2089 
 
 
 eighty and under ninety 
 
 66a 
 
 
 ninety and under one hundred 
 
 87 
 
 
 one. hundred and upwards 
 
 h 
 
 ]S9,78$ 
 
 279,794 
 
 FREE COLORED PKRSO!*S : 
 
 Males wnder ten years - - - 126 
 
 ,-ten.and under twenty - -- 114 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 307 
 
 ^ale« twenty-four and under thirty-six 
 thirtynsix and under fifty-five 
 filly-five and under one hundred - 
 one hundre<i and upwards - 
 
 Females under ten years 
 
 ten and under twenty-four 
 
 twenty-tour and under thirty-six 
 
 thirty-six and under fitly 
 
 fitly and under one hundred 
 
 one hundred and upwards 
 
 230,679 
 Of white persons included in the above, who are deaf and 
 dumb, under particular ages, there are:— Under fourteen yeara 
 of age, 37 — fourteen and under twenty-five, 98 — twenty-five and 
 upwards, 54. Blind persons, 49. Colored persons, of all ages, 
 deal and dumb, 2. 
 
 There are in the state; aliens and foreigners not naturalized, 
 . 5420. 
 
 78 
 
 
 bS 
 
 
 4S 
 
 
 2 
 
 4S0 
 
 121 
 
 
 126 
 
 
 78 
 
 
 70 
 
 
 56 
 
 
 4 
 
 4bi 
 
 
 
 In 1820. 
 
 In 1830. 
 
 Windham county 
 
 S 
 
 6 
 
 .Bennington 
 
 (( 
 
 6 
 
 58 
 
 Rutland 
 
 (( 
 
 45 
 
 16S . 
 
 Windsor 
 
 iC 
 
 29 
 
 75 
 
 Orange 
 
 IC 
 
 .13 
 
 23 
 
 Addison 
 
 (C 
 
 151 
 
 400 
 
 Chittenden 
 
 f( 
 
 217 
 
 822 
 
 Washington 
 
 tc 
 
 # 6 
 
 49 
 
 Caledonia 
 
 K 
 
 272 
 
 55 
 
 Essex 
 
 (( 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 Orleans 
 
 *f 
 
 5 
 
 145 
 
 Franklin 
 
 (( 
 
 145 
 
 1107 
 
 Grand Isl« 
 
 . t( 
 
 S9 
 
 516 
 
 935 3420 
 
 Tfee §o!ored population has decreased from 903 to 885. 
 According to the census of the towns in 1820, compair- 
 ©d with that of 1830, fifty-one towns have decreased in 
 numbers within the last ten years, Burlington has the 
 most inhabitants of any town in the €tate; Middlebury is 
 the next in size. Five towns hftve over three thousand in- 
 habitants ; twenty-two towns over two thousand, and "6ne 
 .hundred and five over one thousand; fifty-three town« 
 -over five hundred. Fourteen towns have only four hun- 
 . drjed and forty-nine inhabitants : that is,under one hundred 
 
308 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 in each. One hundred and thirty-eight towns were char- 
 tered by the government of New-Hampshire, and the re- 
 mainder one hundred and eight under the authority of Ver- 
 mont. Ninety-five towns were settled before and during 
 the war of the American Independence. Four towns and 
 two gores have been settled within the lai-t ten years. — 
 The least number of people in any town is one. Three 
 towns and nine gores are yet uninhabited. The number 
 of post offices in Vermont,before her admission into IheU- 
 nion, which were established and controlled by the authori- 
 ty of (he state, were five, located at Bennington, Rutland, 
 Brattleborough, Windsor and Newbury. The present 
 .number is about one hundred and eighty-five. 
 
 Among the numerons villages in Vermont, three have 
 a population exceeding one thousand, and seven exceed- 
 ing five hundred. Between seventeen hundred and two 
 thousand mills and machines are propelled by water in the 
 state. 
 
 Banks. — The first banking incorporation chartered in 
 the state was in the year 1896. Two branches were es- 
 tablished, one at Woodstock, and the other at Middlebury. 
 The next year two additional branches were granted, at 
 Burlington and Westminster. The management of this 
 institution was under the direction of thirteen directors, 
 and the state v/ere the exclusive proprietors of all the 
 property and profits of the bank. The concerns of the in- 
 stitution became bankrupt, and the bills were consequent- 
 ly withdrawn from circulation. 
 
 Ten banks have been incorporated in Vermont, from 
 1817 to 1829. Windsor bank was incorporated with a 
 capital of $100,000, in 1817; and Burlington, with a cap- 
 ital of $159,000, in 1818. The next bank vvas established 
 •at Brattleboro', Nov. 5, 1821, with a capital of 100,000 
 dollars. Rutland bank was chartered in 1824; Caledonia, 
 Montpelier and St. Albans banks, in 1825; Vergennes 
 bank in 1826, and Orange and Bennington banks in 1827, 
 all with a capital of 100,000 dollars. Their charters are 
 limited to the term of fifteen years, and Ihe number of di- 
 rectors having the management of these institutions to five, 
 except Burlington and Rutland, which have seven. These 
 banks pay into the state's treasury, six per cent, of all the 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 809 
 
 profits, and the proceedings of the directors of each bank 
 are inspected annually by a committee appointed by the 
 legislature. The banking system has in many and fre- 
 quent instances produced very heavy losses to the public. 
 This originates in the want of other security than the cor- 
 porate funds. If the stockholders were obliged to secure 
 the amount of stock they take up, by mortgaging real es- 
 tate, no losses could be sustained. The stockholders, as 
 the case now is, either from i.'nexpected misfortunes or 
 by mismanagement or dishonesty, may render every dol- 
 hir of paper currency now in circulation worth no more 
 than a dividend of capital and the profits gained by the 
 operation of the bank, which with many of them would 
 occasion an overwhelming loss. A branch of the United 
 States bank has lately been located and gone into op- 
 eration at Burlington. 
 
 Three fire insurance companies have been incorporated, 
 two of them with capitals of 200,000 dollars each, one 
 fixed at Middlebury, in 1821:, and tiie other at Windsor, 
 in 1825. The mutual fire insurance company was incor- 
 porated at Montpelier in 1827 : this is founded upon very 
 different principles from the others. Every person who 
 insures becomes a member of the company. 
 
 Militia. — The military force of this state consists of 
 all the able-bodied males, with the exception of those who 
 are exempted by law, between the ages of 18 and 45 yearn. 
 Each military subject is required to provide himself with 
 such arms and equipments as are necessary for actual 
 service, which exempts his poll from taxation. They are 
 divided into four divisions, and these again into brigades, 
 regiments and companies. Tlie companies elect tiie cap- 
 tains and subalterns. The field officers ore chosen by tho 
 captains and subalterns. Brigadier and major generals 
 are appointed by the legislature. The governor is captain 
 general andcomniander-in chief,and with the advice of the 
 council is to arrange the whole militia into divisions and 
 brigades, and may from time to time, make such alterations 
 as shall seem proper. By a law passed in 1829, regimen- 
 tal and company's reviews, except one in June by the re- 
 spective companies of militia, are abolished. Each divis- 
 ion is commanded by a major general, with a division in* 
 
SIO HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 •pector, a quartermaster and two aids : each brigade bj a' 
 general, inspector, quartermaster, and one aid: each reg- 
 iment by one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, one major 
 and the usual staff, and each company by a captain, lieu- 
 tenant and ensign, with the usual number of noh-c6mmis« 
 eioned officers. Several companies of artillery and caval- 
 ry are connected to the several regiments in the state.— 
 The militia of Vermont have frequently distinguished 
 themselves for their perseverance and bravery in times 
 tvhen tlve soil of freedom was haughtily invaded by a ty- 
 rant^s forces. 
 
 Colleges. — Colteges are established at Burlington and 
 Middlebury; the first in 1791, and the other in 1800; 
 both of them are well endowed and under the direction of 
 faculties distinguished for their talents, virtues and learn- 
 ing. Instruction was commenced at Middlebury college, 
 under Rev. I. Atwater, who was succeeded by Henry Da- 
 vis, D. D. in 1809. He continued until l8l8, when the 
 charge of the institution was committed to Rev. Joshua 
 Bates, D* D. the present incumbent. This institution is 
 in a very flourishing condition. The present number of 
 students is nearly one hundred. The old building erected 
 before the college was incorporated, contains the public 
 rooms. In 1314 a new edifice was built of granular iime- 
 Btone, 106 feet long and 40 wide, four stories high, and 
 contains forty-eight rooms for students. The library be- 
 longing to this institution exceeds 1500 volumes. The 
 University of Vermont, at Burlington, has suffered very 
 much since instruction was commenced in it under Rev. 
 Daniel C. Saunders, in ls03, by the calamities of war and 
 fire. Splendid edifices have been erected on the site 
 where the former building was consumed. Rev. James 
 Marsh is the president of the institution, and its prospects 
 are brightening and bids fair to become a flourishing seat 
 of learning. Medical institutions connected with these 
 seminaries have been incorporated and gone into success- 
 ful operation. 
 
 Religion. — The constitution declares that no person 
 •hall be compelled to erect any place of worship, or main- 
 tain any minister, contrary to the dictates of his own con- 
 science. All denominations, by the same instrument, nr© 
 
HISTORY OF VERMONT. 311 
 
 enjoined to observe the Sabbath and keep up some kind 
 of religious worship, which to them shall seem most agree- 
 able to the revealed will of God. The various denomina- 
 tions of Christians in this state, are Congregationalists, 
 Methodists, Baptists, Free-will Baptists, Presbyterians, 
 Episcopalians, Christians, Universalists, Unitarians, and 
 Quakers. The number of clergymen employed by the 
 Congregational and Methodist churches are about equallj 
 numerous, being something more than one hundred in 
 each connection. The number of clergymen in every de- 
 nomination was 350 in 1827. No new sect has sprung 
 up and prevailed generally through the state ; but one, of 
 a very limited number, under the name and style ofDor- 
 rilites, appeared in 1798, in the town of Guilford. The 
 founder of this sect was Dorril, a refugee of Burgoyne's 
 army. He assumed to possess supernatural powers, by 
 which he was shielded from the evils and injuries of hu- 
 man life. The consumption of clothing or food obtained 
 at the expense of life, was forbidden to those who embra- 
 ced his creed, and assurance was given to those who were 
 steadfast and faithful to him, that they should never die. 
 The leathern garniture of the feet was exchanged for shoes 
 of wood and cloth. Bellows of cloth were used, by a 
 blacksmith, and all of them subsisted upon milk and ve- 
 getables. The authority of all revelation, except Dorril's, 
 was discarded, and their conduct, as they asserted, was 
 governed wholly by the light of nature. The worship at 
 their weekly meetings consisted in eating, drinking, sing- 
 ing, fiddling, and dancing, and in attending DorriFs lec- 
 tures, who was well qualified for the business. By a cov- 
 enant entered -upon among themselves, a large portion of 
 their property was placed in common stock, and the biack- 
 emith became their treasurer. Proselytes were easily 
 gained, and Dorril soon found himself surrounded by num- 
 bers of disciples, of both sexes, from some very respecta- 
 ble families in Vermont and Massachusetts. People from 
 the adjoining towns went to see the marvelous proceed- 
 ings of Dorril and his associates. Atone of their meet- 
 ings, when Dorril was delivering a lecture, and having 
 come to that portion of the doctrine, treating of his rni- 
 racilous powers, a gentlemaa by the name of Ezekiel Por- 
 
313 HISTORY OF VERMONT. 
 
 ter no sooner heard him say that no arm could hurt his 
 flesh, than he rose, indignant at his blasphemy,and knock 
 ed him down with his fist — repeating his blows until 
 Dorril cried for mercy, and renounced his doctrine in the 
 hearing of his astonished followers. With this ti-ansac- 
 tion terminated the impious fanaticism of tliis bold impos- 
 tor and his deluded followerp. The settlement and sup- 
 port of the ministers of religion was encouraged by gov- 
 ernor Wentworth, in the earliest grants of townships, 
 with a reservation of certain rights of land for religious 
 purposes. Three rights were reserved in each town :■— 
 erne to the society for propagating the gospel in foreign 
 lands, another for a glebe designed for- the use of the Epis- 
 cppal clergy, and a third, for the benefit of the first settled 
 minister. In those townships granted by the government 
 of Vermont, two rights have been reserved for the bene- 
 fit of the ministry : one held as an unalienable parsonage 
 in the right of the town, and the other became the prop- 
 erty of tiie first settled minister, v/hatever might be his 
 persuasion. The propagation rights have by an act of 
 the legislature been granted for the purpose of schools in 
 the several towns where they are located. The glebe 
 rights were disposed of in the same manner, until the 
 Episcopal church, for whose use they were designed, re- 
 covered the lands by an action at law, tried before the su- 
 preme court of the United States, and decided in their fa- 
 vor. A law was passed in 1787, making contracts valid 
 which the people may voluntarily enter upon for the pur- 
 pose of settling and suporting a minister. Since the re- 
 visal of the constitution, in 1793, no religious test is re- 
 quired of any member of the legislature. The govern- 
 ment of Vermont has secured to the people those rights 
 and privileges which render them free, enlightened and 
 happy. Though their way has often been beset with dif- 
 ficulties, yet liberty, like a polar star, has attracted their 
 attention and received their noblest eftbrts for her pres- 
 ervation. Probably republican honor and virtue will 
 never rise to greater splendor than was the case in the 
 long and ditficult struggle for American ludependence. 
 
CHAPTERS 
 
 Situation. Extent Mountains. Riveri?, Lakes. Bays. 
 
 Climate. Forest tree??. Esculent and Medicinal plants! 
 
 Quadrupeds. Birde, Fishes, Insects, Mineralogy and 
 
 Geology. - « 7 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 The discovery of Vermont. Situation of ladian Tribes. 
 Surrender of Canada to Ureat-Britaio. • 23 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 View of the Civil Policy from 1760 to 1775. First Settle- 
 ment in Vermont Grants from New-Hampshire. Geth 
 eral Montgomery invades Canada. Americans retreat 
 
 from Canada. Their defeat upon lake Champlain. 
 
 Burgoyne's invasion. Surrender of the British - 43 
 
 CHAPTER n^ 
 
 £ndian depredations upon the early *^ettlersf. X^estrucuon 
 ofRoyalton. Political Affairs*" 111 Vermont, from the 
 commencement of the revolution in > <75, until its ter- 
 mination in 1783. Meeting of Conventions. JDccI^ 
 ration of the Independence of Vermont Transactioaa 
 of New-York. Acts of Congress. Controversy and 
 claims of New-Hampshire, New- York, and Massachu- 
 setts. Commissioners open a negotiation with Vermont 
 Proceedings of Vermont Measures pursued by Con- 
 gress. Management of the British Agents. Resolu- 
 tions of Congress. Transactions between Vermont- 
 New-York and New-Hampshire. Washington's com- 
 munication. Congress defer the admission of Vermont 
 into the Uniou. - - - - - • 7^ 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A survey of the political affairs of Vermont from the year 
 1783, to her admission into the Union of the States,— 
 Proceedings at Guilford, Commotion in the southera 
 part of the Stat^ Measures pursued by the N(;w-York 
 Legislature. Resolutions of Congress. Protest of the 
 government of Vermont against them. Cessation of 
 hostilities with Groat-Britain. Vermeat averao t« an 
 
344 jXDEi. 
 
 union with tliG Federal Government. New Confetltai 
 tion of the iJnited States. New-York proposes an' 
 - adjusiwient of the coatroversy. Settlement of the same. 
 Boundaries of the felate efetabiished. Verrnont admit- 
 ted into the Union. Consequences ©f the controver4 
 sy, - - - - - - - - ll-Jf 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A Sketch of Politics from the- year 1791 to the American 
 Eiftbargo in the year 180S. Prosperity of Vermont on 
 her union with the States. Annual proceedings of the 
 Legislature of the State. Effect of the Revolution in 
 France upon the policy of this country. Resignatioa 
 and death of governor Cliittenden, Mr. Tichenor elec- 
 ted governor. Hie proceedings. Civil afiaira of the 
 State, and measures pursued by the General Assembly 
 at Vergennes, Windsor, Middlebury, Newbury,Burling- 
 ton, Westmin&ter, Windsor, Rutiand,Danville, Middle- 
 bury, and Woodstock, embracing a period of eleven 
 years from 1798 to 1808. Outrage committed by th« 
 British ship Leopard upon the United States frigate 
 Chesapeake. - - - - - - 131 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 
 A review of tlte legislative proceedings from' the year 1808 
 to 1815. Embargo laid by Congress upon the ve««elg 
 of the United States. Disturbances under that law in 
 .1803. Flood iu July, 1811. John Henry's mission.— 
 "United States declaration of war against Great-Britain, 
 June 18th, Ifel^. Riotous proceedings at Georgia. — 
 Correspondence between governor Chittenden, James 
 Monroe, generals Strong, New%>ll and Macomb. Hart- 
 ford Convention. 163 
 
 CHAPTER Vni. 
 
 Condition of the United States at the commencement of 
 hostilitiea with Great-Britain in 1813. General Dear- 
 horn appointed commnnder-in-chief. Northern cam- 
 pnign for 1S12. Exp«^dition against Canada, under the 
 command of jrenernl Hull. Surrender of his Army. — 
 Attack u(>oa Uacc^:«'Own by general Van Rensselaer* 
 
INDEX. 315 
 
 i)ii90V(lerly conductor the mHltia. Capture of the A- 
 inerican forces. Exploits of Captain Wool. Procee- 
 dings of general Smythe. Abaadonment of his enter- 
 prise against the British provinces. Military opera- 
 tions at Champiain. Overtures for peace by the Amer- 
 ican government. Termination of the campaign for 
 1812. - - 192 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Northern Campaign for 1S13. Battle and Massacre at 
 Frenchtown. Siege at fort Meigs. Surrender of York. 
 Death of general Pike. Fort George taken. Capture 
 of generals Chandler and Winder. Proceedings at 
 Sacketts Harbor. Repulse of the British at Fort Ste- 
 phenson. Perry's Victory on lake Erie. Battle at the 
 Thames. Defeat of the British Army. Commodorp 
 Chauncey captures the British Squadron on lake Onta- 
 rio. Wilkinson takes the command of the center Ar 
 rny. Engagement at Williamsburg. Affair at Chateau 
 gay. Americans defeated at Black Rock. - 20a 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Proffered mediation of Russia declined by the British gov- 
 ernment Opinions of Great-Britain on the prosecu. 
 tion of the War. Unsuccessful attempt at La Colie.— ♦ 
 Oswego attacked by the British. Battle of Chippewa. 
 Engagomtnt at Bridgewater. The British repulsed in 
 their attack upon fort Erie* Successful sortie of gener- 
 al Porter against the British garrison near fort Erie. — 
 Capitulation of the eastern part of Maine to the enemy. 
 Sir George Prevost marches his army into the States. — 
 Invasion of Piattsburgh. McDonough's Victory over 
 the British squadron, September 11th, 1314, Retreat 
 of the English army. Sequel to the history of the war 
 with Great-Britaia» A general treaty of peace conclu- 
 ded at Ghent* 214 
 
 CHAPTER XK 
 
 A Narrative ©f the Legislative Proceedings from the year 
 1S14 to 1821. Unusual cold sammer in lSi6. Presi- 
 deat Monroe's Tour throiiditho State. Govcrnoi Ga^ 
 
316 
 
 Ittsha's resignation in 1819. Mr. Skinner elected gOY- 
 ernor in 1820. Resolutions upon the question of ad- 
 mitting Missouri into the Union. Election of Judge 
 Van Ness governor of Vermont in 1823. General La 
 Fayette's visit to Vermont His reception among the 
 people. 230 
 
 CHAPTER Xn. 
 
 Proceedings of the General Assembly from the year 1824 
 to the termination of the year 1830. Mr.Butler elected 
 governor in 1826. Great demand for banking privi- 
 leges. Legal provisions for the better regulation of 
 common schools. Mr. Crafts' election for governor of 
 the state in 1823. Excitement on the subject of the pres^ 
 idential election. Controversy concerning masonry. — 
 Popular views on the subject Flood^ in 1830. Elec- 
 tion of Mr.Crafts by the house of reprei^bntatives. State 
 of parties. ------- ^46 
 
 CHAPTER XIIL 
 Condition of Society. Different employments of the peo» 
 pie. Agriculture. Manufactures. Commerce. Lit- 
 erature. - , - - . - - 355 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Character of the people. Poor laws. Various Societies 
 for the promotion of the public welfare. American gov- 
 ernment Constitution and Laws of Vermont Coun- 
 ties. Towns. Courts, and their jurisdictional powers. 
 Revenue and expenses of the government - 381 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Population of the State. Banks. Militia. Colleges. 
 Religion - - - 298 
 
 Errata.— Pa^e 11, ninth line from bottom, for Missisque read 
 Lamoille. Same page, 10th line from bottom, for Lamoille read 
 Missisque. Page 1% 2d line from top, read Shelburn lor Sel- 
 burn. Page 97, 3d line, lor cecession read cessatioa. Page 271, 
 1st line, for Stratford read Strafford. Page 274, 16th line, for 
 choice businest read choice in business. Page S07j37tli line,read 
 Windsor iias tho largest populatioui instead of Burlingtou. 
 
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