Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-03-14

sportive mood, broke up, and separated
for the night.
At sunrise, the next morning, as had
been proposed, the council punctually as
sembled to receive the promised report
of their committee. Most of them, from
having lodged in the same house, were
aware that Allen had spent the whole Of
the intervening time on the business
which had been committed to his charge
for, hour after hour, during that import
ant night, they had heard the sounds of
his footsteps, as he continued to walk his
solitary chamber, intensely revolving in
his teeming mind the vexed question,
upon the decision of which he felt the last
chance of making successful etend a
gainst the invaders Of the state would
probably depend. And this and the ex-
pectation, which had somehow been gen
orally raised, that he would present some
feasible plan for carrying out his propo-
sails, the character of which no one could
conjecture, caused his appearance to be
awaited with no little curiosity and solic-
itude. They were not left long in
suspense; for scarcely had the president
called the council to order, before Allen
came in, holding in his hand an open
sheet of paper, to which, as the yet un-
dried ink showed, he had just committed
the result his nights labor.
"Is the committee, appointed at ad-
journment last evening, prepared to make
his report p asked the president.
Fully, your honor, . promptly respon-
ded Allen, who according then rose and
said
My report, Mr.. President, consists OF
two parts. The first comprises the NOM
ination of list of officers, from colonel to
subaltern, for a regiment, to be styled The
Rangers. The second part involves
the subject more particularly committed
to me, and proposes the means Of raising
and supporting them. As the first will
be useless unless the second is adopted,
will submit it without present reading,
and proceed at once with the second and
more important proposition, which, after
a long and patient consideration Of every
argument for and against the measure, l
have concluded to recommend to the
council, as the best and most efectual
means Of securing the desired end. And
that proposition, for the sake of conven-
fence, as regards the action of the council
on the principle involed, 1 have thrown
into the form of the following resolu-
ton -
Resolved, That by specific decree of
this council and under reguIetfons here
after to be made, the eetiites, both real
and personal, of all snose who have been,
or hereafter msy be, Unidentified as tories,
aiders and abettors of the enemy, within
this stste, be confscated for the military
defence therof; and that so much of said
estates may be needed for the payment of
the bounties and wages of the regiment
now proposed to be raised, be forthwith
seized, and within ten days sold at the
post, for that purpose, by the officers ap-
pointed by this council to execute its or
ders and DEGREES in that behalf"
The speaker without offering any fur
ther remark in explanation or defence Of
the measure he had reported, resumed
his seat, and calmly awaited the expires
sion of the council. But they were ia
ken by such complete surprise by propo.
sition so entirely new in the colonies, SC
bold and so startling in its character, that
for many minutes, not word or whis
per was heard through the hushed assem-
bly,, whose bowed heads and workin.
countenances showed how deeply thei
minds were engaged in trying to grappl
with the momentous subject, upon whicl
their action was thus unexpectedly re
/ quired. AT length, however, low mur
murs Of doubt or disproval began to b
heard; and soon the expressions, Sun
precedentsd step p "doubyuI policyP an
"injary to the cause" became distinguish
able among the over-prudent in differ
ent parts of the room; when Matthev
) Lyon sprang to his feet, and, bringing hi
broad palms together with loud slal
exultingly exclaimed
"The child is born, Mr.. President
Ny head has been in continual fo,
every hour since we convened, till th
present moment; and I could see no wa
by which we could even begin to do a
that the exigency required, without rul
h ming against law, or distressing the pc
q pie. But now, thank God, l can see n
! ! way out. l can now see, at a glance, no
Is all can be speedily and righteously a
a complished. l can already see a reg
n ment OF our brave mountaineers in arr
N before me, as the certain fruits of N