The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-16
THE FIRST VERMONT FA,T-DAY.

Address. GLOBE PAPER CO., Rutland. Vt.
THE FIRST VERMONT FAsT-DAY.
The early months of 1777 were peculiar
ly gloomy to the then residents Of Yer
mont. Her territory claimed by both New
York and New Hampshire, her citizens
branded as a mob, her leaders proclaimed
outlaws and price set on their head, her
petition to the continental congress that
she "might be ranked among the free and
independent American states" treated with
silent contempt, threatened with invasion
by powerful British army under COM
mand of General Burgoyne, her border
swarming with hordes Of savage and tory
enemies, she had no hope but in the God of
battles and her own strong right arm. She
determined to strike for herself, and ac-
cordingly, a convention of the representa-
tives from the several counties and towns
Of the New Hampshire Grants assembled
at Westminster en- the fifteenth day Of
January. Joseph Bowker, of Rutland,
was president Of the convention, and with
Heman Allen represented this town. There
were present besides these, John Hall of
Castleton Thomas Chandler of Chester
Nathan Clark, John Burnham, and Nathan
Clark, jr., of Bennington Martin Powell,
of Manchester Thomas Chittcnden, of
Williston Ira Allen. of Colchester Leon
ard Spaulding, of Dummerston Dennis
Lockland, of Putney Nathaniel Robinson
and Joshua Webb, of Westminster; Samuel
Fletcher, of Townshend Reuben Jones
and Moses Wright, of Rockingham Ehcn
Hosington, of Windsor Stephen Tlldcn,
of Hartford Benjamin Emmons, of
Woodstock and Thomas Moredock and
Jacob Burton of Norwich.
The object of this convention was well
understood, as was shown by Pomfret,
Barnard and Royalton being each repre-
sented "by letter voting for new state"
and committee reporting that three
fourths of the towns east of the mountain,
THAT have acted arc for new state; the
''rest we view rs ncuters." On Friday,
January 17th, 1777, the following declara-
ton was adopted; "This Convention,
"whose members are duly chosen by the
''free voice of their constituents in the sew
"eral towns, on the New Hampshire Grants,
Sin public meeting assembled, in our
'names, and in behalf of our constituents,
edo hereby proclaim and publicly declare
that the district of territory comprehend
Sing and usually known by the name and
description of the New Hampshire
''Grants, of right ought to be, and is here
''by declared forever hereafter to be con-
''sidered as a separate, free and independ-
lent jurisdiction or state; by the name, and
''forever after to be called, known and dis
'tinguished by the name of New CoNNEorI-
"cUT, and that the inhabitants that at pres
lent are, or that hereafter may become res
''ident, either by procreation or emigration,
''shall be entitled to the same privileges
''immunities and acknowledgements as are
'allowed and on such conditions" Is are or
any time may be allowed or enjoyed by
the free citizens "of any of the free, and indie
'pendent states of America And such
privileges and immunities shall be regu-
Slated by bill of rights, and by form of
government, to be established at the next
adjourned session of this convention"
Having adopted this declaration, and
transacted some other business, the conven-
tion adjourned to meet again at Windsor
on the 4th day of June. On this day the
convention re-assembled, being reinforced
with large number of additional delegates
Arlington, SALISBURY, Sunderland, Dor
set, Rupert, Pawlet, Wells, Poultney,
Castleton, Hubbardton, Dandy, Tinmouth,
Clarendon, Pittsford, Brandon, Whiting,
Cornwall and other towns, as we'll as those
before mentioned, being represented. The
enemy were becoming more and more
threatening on Lake Champlain. General
Poor had written to Washington stating the
situation, declaring that Ticonderoga was
untcnable against vigorous attack" and
asking for relief. But the usually far
sighted Washington was blind, in this in
stance, and wrote that "the garrison at Ii
conderoga is sufficient to hold it against any
attack" Succor was not sent, and, amid
these dangers, the convention re-assembled.
Their first act was to change the name of
the state from "New Connecticut" to YER
MONT. They then appointed committee
to draft constitution, ordered an election
OF delegates to convention, to be held on
the I'd day of July, to form constitution,
and appointed Fast Day. Thus the early
inhabitants of Vermont set an example for
all time having acquired name, they
seek the protection and guidance of the AL
mighty in their labors, and, under that
blessing and direction, take the necessary
steps to secure, to themselves and their
posterity the benefits of free institutions, a
good government, and personal liberty
regulated by law. The proclamation for a
Fast Day was as follows;
Since God has been pleased in his wis
dom to visit the inhabitants of this land
with his just judgments by suffering our
unnatural enemies to wage war against u.s.
the pestilcnce to prevail and the many
other calamities with which we are now
threatened as just reward for the many
prevailing sins committed against the
Divine Law, we have sufficient reason to
believe calls aloud on his people for solemn
Fasting and Prayer. We have, therefore,
thought fit to appoint and do hereby APP
point Wednesday the 18th day of June in
slant TO be observed as day of public
fasting and prayer throughout this state
and do earnestly recommend to the good
people thereof to observe the same as such,
that we may humble our hearts before
God and implore Him to avert the impend-
ing Judgments, remove the sword of our
unnatural enemies from us, sanctify the
awful frowns of Divine Providence, grant
His blessings on our councils and arms and
direct our generals, guard this state from
the invasion of the savages, direct in our
election of members for establishing gov
crnment, bless the labors of our hands,
grant suitable seasons for the yeBr for seed