Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-03-22
The First Legislature CT Vermont

The first session of the first Leg islature Of
this State of Vermont, elected finder the
constitution adopted July s.h, III, was
opened at Windsor, Thursday, March l2
| l17o. The representatives OF the freemen
OF the several towns in this State met at the
E:eeting- house" which then stood little
south Of the Site Of the present South church
building. Capt. Joseph BoxEer, of Rut
land, was chosen Speaker, and Major
Thomas Chandler, Clerk. After organiza-
tion, the Rev. Mr.. Powers preached a ser
mon on the occasion. from Matt. xviii. 10
And Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying. All power is given unto me in
heaven and earth - A copy Of tho dis.
course fer the press was requested and it
was in due time printed. The sum of ten
pounds was collected by contribution to
pay Mr. Powers for bis services The assem-
bly, proceeded to count the votes Of the tree
men FOR Governor, and c, loLel Thomas
Chittender, of Williston, was d.
clared elected &, lon,l Joseph Marsh
was elected Deputy Governor, and
Ira Allen. ESD, Treasurer The fellow
ing gentlemen were declared chosen Coun-
cillors. viz Joseph Bowker Jacob Bailey,
Jonas Fay. Timothy Brownson, Peter
Oleott, Paul spooner, Benjamin Carpenter.
Jeremiah Clark. Ira Allen, Thomas More
dock. John Throop, Benjamin Emmons
No complete list OF the members OF this
first legislature is given in the Journal of
the Assembly which is published in SHADES
Vermont State papers, nor has any list, so
far as We are informed. been discovered.
Nor are the acts. passed at this session and
the succeeding session of l176, although
published and proclaimed by the Governor
as the laws OF the State. preserved. Nathan
Clark, Esq. was chosen Speaker pro
.empore. and Ebentzer Curtis. Clerk pro
ten Mai Thomas Chandler was appoint
ed Secretary of State: Benjamin Bald
win was elected Clerk: Mr.. Bowker
having been chosen Councillor, Ma
than Clark. Esq, was elected to fiji the
vacancy of Speaker. From the Journal of
the General Assembly we learn that on the
second day OF the session a Committee was
chosen to wait on the Committee from the
east side Of Connecticut River relative
to forming a union between said Grants
and this State, and II was atterward
determined t. lay the subject before the
people If the State; that the representa-
tives were allowed three dollars per day
from the time they lett home till the House
aGjourns and four pence per mile for horse
travel :" that a petition for a lottery was
denied that the first class of tories"
were voted II be kept in "close cOnfne
ment :" that acts for the observance OF
the Lords Day and for establishing ''the
common law as the law OF this State" and to
prevent "some individuals catching al the
fish that pass AMI repass up and down White
River, SO called, were passed" that e pub
lie Fast On the third Wednesday OF April
be proclaimed that it was voted to call
the county on the east side OF the noun
tains. Cumberland, and that on the west.
Bennington that list bill Was passed and
arrangements made for - in ierior and prob
ate courts" and that JUDGES OF superior
courts we're chosen and arrangements made
for " filing up Col. Warmers regiment"
Acts were passed also "for Furnishing high
treason and other atrccious crimes,
and against treacherous conspiracies' as
said acts stand :" in the Connecticut law
book" After session of fifteen days, the
Assembly adjourned until the first Thurs
nay of June next. to meet at the house Of
Capt. Stephen Fay, of Bennington" -