Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-03-03

the military operations of the northern department
From Boston proceeded to Worcester, where
spent two days in examining files of newspapers,
books and pamphlets, belonging 10 the American
Historical and Antiquarian Society. | here found
proceedings of several early conventions, held by
the people in this State published in the papers
also several communications and one pamphlet, Li-
rected to be published by the Governor and Coun.
Gil of this State A. ID. 1870 and AID leo.
At Hartford, Conn, spent few days examining
the bound manuscript papers in the State depart
ment here procured u late publication. entitled
"a historical collection from official records and
files, OF the part sustained by Connecticut during
the war OF the Revolution, with an appendix con-
tanning important letters and depostons written
during the war;" compiled by Royal Iinmun, Sec
rotary OF State. also examined files of papers in
the office of the Connecticut Historical Society," and
noted many important historical facts.
From Hartford proceeded to Washington, and
on the 9th of June made application to the Chief
Clerk IN the State department, the Secretary of
State being absent. was here permitted to make
such examination of the manuscript documents as
considered necessary. ] here found ono hundred
and seventeen volumes of letters addressed 10 Cen
erJl Washington; also many volumes Of Washing
toms letters IN answer | commenced April, A. d.
l775, and turned over each leaf Of each volume
from that date up to and including A. d. 1882, not
ed such communications in any manner related
to the New Hampshire Grants, the date, by whom
written, and contents. | examined letters of Gov
Thomas Chttenden, Ethan Allen, Levi Allen, Mos
es Robinson, Roger Enos, Ira Alien, Stephen r.
Bradley, Joseph Marsh, Peter Ocott, Timothy
Beedle, President Ware, John Wheelock, Cen
Philip Schuyler, Gov. George Clinton, Gen. James
Clinton, Gen. Garnsworth, Gen. Benjamin Lincoln
Gen. John Stark, Gen. Gates, Gen. Heath, Gen.
Benedict Arnold, Gen. Montgomery, Gen. Sullivan,
Col. Seth Warner, General Wooster as well as
many others, written to Gen. Washington and TO
Congress; also his answers in relation to the mill
tary operations aud civil affairs in the northern de-
plrtnent, including the New Hampshire Grants. |
here found two volumes of printed and manuscript
papers, marked " New Hampshire Grants, reports
of committees and papers relative to- from A. ID.
l77G TO 1854" In these two volumes | find GER
tilted copies of the Proceedings of all conventions
of the people inhabitng the Grants previous to the
meeting Of our first General Assembly, March, A.
ID. l71S, besides the proceedings of the Provincial
Congress of New York and New Hampshire in re-
lation to the Grants. | copied several important
letters, written by the aforesaid general officers and
gentlemen. Several of the letters, at the time they
were written were secret, confidential letters to
and from Gen. Washington, with enclosures test-
flying as to the correspondence between the lead
ing men in the Grants and the British commander
in Canada the condition of the Continental troops
in the northern department. want Of clothing pro-
VISIONS and ammunltion Withdrawing the pick
axes, bars, shovels and spades from the Grants in
British. or joining with the Grants; destruction of
Fort Ann, Fort George and Skeenesborough; TAX
ing of prisoners seal ping, burning of buildings and
crops; arrangements completed by the Cabinet of
Vermont with the British commander; conventions
east of Hudson River; union with the Grants num-
Der of British troops at Ticonderoga, Crown Point
and Canada; eating up their provisions their re-
turn to st Johns; proceedings Of the Legislature
Of New York, prohibiting the Commssary buying
provisions for troops; would raise eight hundred
militia, provided Congress would pay and vctual
them threatening to withhold supplies, &C. From
these official letters important facts to be gath
cred from the commencement TO the close of the
Revolutionary War | have succeeded in discov-
erng all the pamphlets and handbs published by
direction of the General Assembly, Governor and
Council, during the war, in relation to the New
Hampshire Grants being free and independent
State, and the controversy with New York. New
Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay, These | have
in my possession, with few exceptions But very
few of these letters which have referred to, have
ever been published.
On my return. spent few days at the State
department. in Albany. The State of New York
las recently published the proceedings Of their Pro-
'incal Congress, with letters addressed to slid
Congress, in two large volumes. These have
procured At Bennington / made a thorough
search for important documents, but few could be
ound also at SALISBURY, Arlington, Sunderland,
Tinmouth, Wiston, and Jericho, in hopes of find.
ing original letters addressed to Coy. Chttenden
during the war
was absent from my residence in making what
considered to be necessary inquiries connected
with this subject ninety days. 1t may be thought
hat have far exceeded my powers, or the design
IF the Legislature, in endeavoring to ascertain the
mount of the expenditures on the part of this
State, occasoned by the Revolutionary War; as
veil as the documentary history connected there
with. Every intelligent Vermonter already knows
l..a1a IL.
n relation to the Revolutionary military operations
in Vermont or northern department Therefore,
% investigate the facts at this late day, and ascer
tain whether this State has a Just claim upon the
Government of the United States for expenses in
cured during the Revolutionary War; the whole
field must be examined. Whatever documents we
are deficient of in our State department. Immediate
y connected with said facts, it becomes necessary
10 procure and arrange. | have endeavored to do
this in as prudent and perfect manner my per-
sonal means and time assigned would permit. In
doing this was under the necessity of examining
the many hundred bound volumes of manuscripts
in the different State departments. | am nearly
able to note the volume, page, date and substance
of the documents needed, and in some instances
have copied, and procured copied, important docu-
ments.
At the commencement of the Revolutionary War,
each of the then thirteen States or Colonies were
in manner bounded by their several grants or
charters from the English crown; but in forming
the confederacy, the New Hampshire Grants could
not be considered as belonging to said Union
The State of New Hampshire previous To this date
had relinqushcd her claim. New York, by i'm
proper means, procured decree from the crown
extending her bounds to the west bank of Connect
icut River. Yet, on petition of the Green Mountain
Boys, the crown was graciously pleased virtually
to rescind the aforesaid decree as carly as a. u.
1867.
The neonle IF this State for the nurnoso oc as
government, met in convention from time
to time and at length, the 18th of January, A. d.
l777, in convention at Westminster, declared this
State free and independent State. From that
period until this State admitted into the Union,
we were in most Instances treated as distinct COM
munty, both by friends and foes.
ITO be concluded nert icoek.
Chociars. The Chocktaw Almanac gives The |