Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-07-14
HslSCElIIAN !.
tFrom the L. :. Weekly Journal. |
The snnr Of the Nrrmnmtcrs-I11o

The Song of the Nrrmomtcrs-I719,
' TnE political history of Vermont" says
Williams in his history Of that state, ''is full
Of interest. In l763, New York. by reason of
an extraordinary grant Of Charles II. to the
Duke Of York, claimed jurisdiction over
about sixty townships of which grant, had
been given by the Governor of New lamp-
shire declaring those grants Illegal. An at
tempt was made to disposscss the settlers,
but it was promptly resisted. In l7774. New
York passed most dcsputic law against the
resisting Ncrmontcrs, and the Governor offer
ed large reward for the apprehension of the
celebrated Ethan Allen and seven of his as
socatcs. The prescribed persons III turn
threatened to kW and doNroy any person
or persons whomsocvcr that should be Access
sary, aiding or assisting in taking any of
them. $50 AHoA'S Tudicoiion. p. h
Blood was shed at Westminster Court House.
in l17j - lWe Il. JoHc>'S Ndrfdtjrs In
~, Vermont declared its Independence
New York still urged her claims and attrmI-
ted to enforce them with her militia. In l779.
New Hampshire also laid claim to the whole
state of Vermont. Massachusetts speedily
followed by putting in h,r claim tuahout two
thirds of it. Congress. powcrl"s, under the
old Confederation, endcayorcd to keep ON good
terms with all the parties. but ardcntly ia
peal to the candid and impartial world'--dr-
nounccd Congress, and asserted its own ah-
solutc independence. Notwithstanding the
threats offered ON all sides, the contest ter
minated without much hlopdshcd, and Nrr-
mont WAS admitted into the II nion in l19l.
ott'r ''iT'ng as an 'nd'pnd'h Sor'r0gHty
:. for marty tit'H gcGrS.
We know not the author of the following
old ballad, which presents SO fine picture Of
the spirit Of 20 Its fire. vigur. and musical
rythm would have done no discrcdit to Tho
mas Campbell or Walter Scott
IIo-all to the border. Vcrmonters come down,
With your brceches of and jacket of brown
With your red wooden cap- and your mocasins come
To the gathering summons of trumpet and drum
Come down with your rifles let grey wolf and fox
Howl on in the shade Of their primitive rocks
Let the bear feed securely from pig-pon and stall,
Here's two-lcgged game for your powder aud ball,
On our south the Dutchmen onveloped in gre
| aud urming for battle while canting of peace
On our east crafty Meshech' ha gathered his band
| To hang up our leaders and eat out our land.
! Ho-al to the rescue for Satan shall work
! o gain for the legions Of Hampshire and York
! They claim our possessons-the pitiful knaves--
! The tribute pay shall be prisons and graves
Lot Clinton and Ten Broekt with brides in their hand.
1 Stlll seek to divide us ana parcel our Ihnus,
| We've coats for our traitors, whoever they are
| The warp Is of feathers, the filling of tar I
Docs the sold bay state' threaten Does Congres.
complain
Swarms Hampshire to arms on our borders again
| Bark the war-lugs of Britain aloud ON the lake
ITEM come--what they they are welcome to take
What seek they among u.s. The pride of our wealth
Is comfort, contentment, and labor and health,
. And lands, which as freemen, we only have trod,
Independent OF all, save the mercios of God.
Vet we owe no llegiance We bow to no throne
Our ruler l. law, and the law il our own
4 Our leaders themselves are our own fellow men,
Who handle the sword, the scythc, or the pen
our wives are all true and our daughters iuir,
With their buccy Of SMILES and thcr light ho"in
hair
All brisk at their wheels till tho dark even-fall
Then blithc at the slc sh ride, the husking and ball
We've -Loep on the hill sides yc cows on the plain
imd gay tassclcd corn fields, and rank growing grain
There are deer ON the mountains and wood pigeon, Il
From the crack of muskct, like clouds the sl,!
And there, fish in our ,trcanlct, and river, whic
take
Their course from our hill to our broad LAX
Through rock arch'd iuuoski the salmon leaps fire.
And the porily shad follows all fresh from the
Like sunbeam the pickcrel glide, through hi, poo
And the spotted leaps where the waters coo
Or darts from his shelter of rock and of root
Nthe beavers quick plunge or the anglers pursul
'e And our, are the mountains which awiully rise
t TIL thcyrc-t their green heads unhe blue OF the se
And ours are the forests, uuwastCd unshurn,
save where the wild path of the tempest Is torn.
And though savage and wild be this climate of oul
And hrici be- our season of fruit, and OF flowers,
Firdearcr the blast round our mountain which rave
Than the sweet summer mphyr which hrcathcs "'
K slaves.