The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-16

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settlements were commenced in several
townships in Rutland county, and this
year was taken the first census of the in
habitants on the grants on the east side
of the mountains. By this enumeration
it appears that Cumberland county con-
tanned, in 1771, 3,947 inhabitants, and
Gloucester county 722, and it was esti-
mated that these two counties contained
at that time two-thirds of the people in
the whole district. The whole number
of inhabitants must therefore have been
about 1000.
No complete census was taken till the
year 1891, and hence it is impossible to
determine the precise population of Yer
mont at the time of the commencement
of the American Revolution. But as the
settlements were rapidly extending dur
ing the FIVE years succeeding the year
1771, we may safely conclude, that the
whole population of Vermont, at the
commencement of the war was at least
10000. About the close of the war we
find the population incidentally estima-
ted by Doct Williams at $4,000 souls.
The settlers on the New Hampshire
grants were brave, hardy, but unculti-
waited race of men. They knew little of
the etiquette of refined society, were
blessed with few of the advantages of
education, and were destitute of the ele-
gancies, and in most cases of the COM
mon conyeniences of life. They were
sensible that they must rely upon the
labor of their own hands for their daily
subsistence, and for the accumulation of
property. They possessed minds which
were naturally strong and active, and
they were aroused to the exercise of their
highest energies by the difficulties which
they were compelled to encounter. The
controversy in which they were engaged
involved their dearest rights. On its
issue depended not only their titles to
their possessions, but, in many cases,
theirpersonal liberty and safety. Though
unskilled in the rules of logic, their rea-
soning was strong and conclusive, and
they possessed the courage and persever-
ance necessary for carrying their plans
and decisions into execution.
We have already observed that, at the
head of the opposition to the proceedings
of New York, stood Ethan Allen, a man
obviously fitted by nature for the circuH-
stances and exigencies of the times
Bold, ardent and unyielding, he possess
ed an unusual degree of vigor both Of
body and mind, and an unlimited conf
dence in his own abilities. With these
qualifications, the then existing state of
the settlement rendered him peculiarly
fitted to become a prominent and sue
cessful leader. During the progress OF
the controversy, Allen wrote and dis
persed several pamphlets, in which he
exhibited, in manner peculiar to him
self, and well suited to the state of public
feeling, the injustice and cruelty Of the
claims and proceedings of New York
And although these pamphlets are un-
worthy of notice as literary productions.
yet, they were at the time extensively
circulated, and contributed much to in
form the minds, arouse the zeal, and
unite the efforts of the settlers.
The bold and unpublished roughness of
Aliens writings were well suited to give
just description of the views and pro-
ceedings of band of specializing and
unprincipled land -jobbers. His method
of writing was likewise well adapted to
the condition and feelings of the settlers,
and probably exerted a greater influence
over their opinions and conduct, than the
same sentiments would have done clothed
in the chastc style of classic elegance
Nor did it differ greatly in style, or liter
ary merit, from the pamphlets which
came from New York. But although
Allen wrote with asperity and freedom,
there was something generous and noble
in his conduct. He refrained from every
thing which had the appearance of mean
ness, injustice, cruelty or abuse towards
those who fell into his power, and pro-
tested against the same in others.
Next to Allen, Seth Warner seems to
have acted the most conspicuous part
among the settlers. He, like Allen, was
firm and resolute, fully determined that
the decisions of New York against the set
tiers should never be carried into execu-
ton. But while Allen was daring and
sometimes rash and imprudent, Warner
was always cool, calm and comparatively
cautious. After Warner was prescribed
as rioter, as related in preceding chap
ter, an officer from New York attempted
to apprehend him. He, considering it
an affair of open hostility, defended him
self against the officer, and In turn at
tackled, wounded and disarmed him /: but,
with the spirit and generosity of sold
ier, he spared his life.
After Ethan Allen and Seth Warner,
DO person on the New Hampshire grants,
up to the close of this period, acted 3
more distinguished part, or was more
serviceable TO the settlers. than Remem-
Der Baker. He was the pioneer in many
an enterprize and was always in readi-
ness for any emergency. Being joiner
and mill-wright by trade, he built the
first mills which were erected at Airing
ton and Pawlet, and was preparing in
connection with his cousin. Ira Allen,
for the erection of mills at Winooski
falls, when the war of the revolution