Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-02-26

Since the dissolution of the union be-
tween Vermont and the sixteen towns of
New Hampshire, most of the inhabitants
in the western part of the latter state were
still anxious to be annexed TO Vermont.
At n convention called for the purpose of
discussing the matter (January l6, 17S1),
and OF which large majority was found
to be opposed to the jurisdiction of New
Hampshire, and in favor of union with
Vermont. a committee was appointed to
confer with the latter state on the subject
of union. This committee. on February
10, informed the assembly of Vermont
then sitting at Windsor, that "the conven-
ton OF the New Hampshire towns was
desirous of being united with Vermont in
one separate, Independent government.
upon such principles rs should be mutual
ly equitable and beneficial" Vermont
resolved that, "in order to quiet the pres
ent disturbances on the two sides of the
river, and the better 10 enable the inhabit-
ants to defend their frontier, the legisla-
ture of this state do lay II juriSdictional
claim to all the towns east of the Con-
necticut represented by this convention"
The convention of the New Hampshire
towns was at the same time sitting at
Cornish, on the opposite side of the river
and after repeated communications be-
tween the committee of this convention
and the committee of the legislature of
Vermont, the articles of union were final
ly agreed upon. By these articles it was
stipulated that the constitution of Ver-
mont should be adopted by the New
Hampshire towns, and that, if the towns
in Vermont, and also the New Hampshire
towns should finally favor the measure,
the union should then be duly consum-
mated
The assembly of Vermont met again at
Windsor, agreeable to adjournment, April
4. And the convention of the New ITamp-
shire towns also re-assembled at Cornish.
On the 9TH of April a committee of the
convention informed the assembly that not
less than Miny,fve towns on the east side
of the Connecticut river had consented to
the union. On examining the returns
from the towns in Vermont it was found
that thirty-six were in favor of, and seven
opposed to, the union Whereupon COM
mttee was appointed to inform the con-
vention Of the facts, and that the assembly
was ready to receive the members return
ed from the New Hampshire towns on the
morrow, at 9 o'clock in the morning. Ac-
cordingly on the next day thirty-fve rep
resentatives from towns on the east side of
the Connecticut river took their seats in
the general assembly of Vermont
Nor was this all. On account of the
unjustihable measures Of New York al
ready referred to, and in consequence of
repeated solicitations from several towns
in New York which bordered on Vermont,
to be taken into union with that state, the
legislature of Vermont had already, Feb
ruary II, 1881, laid jurisdictional claim to
all the lands west of her present territory
and east of the Hudson. Having now
completed her eastern union, she turns
once more to attend to the one on the
west. On the 18th of May IL committee,
appointed by the general assembly for the
purpose, attended, at Cambridge, New
York, convention of delegates from the
towns in New York which desired union
with Vermont, with view to making the
necessary arrangements for effecting the
same. Articles of union having been duly
agreed TO, and, on the 10th of June fol-
lowing, these having been confirmed by
the legislature, representatives from these
districts were likewise admitted to seats in
the general assembly of Vermont.
1t needs hardly be said that by such bold
and decisive measures us these, Vermont,
not only evinced the peculiar abilities
genius and resolute character of hel
statesmen, but placed herself in an atti.
tudC calculated, on the one hand, to com.
mand the attention and respect of the
country, and, on the other, to enable heI
to maintain her independence, and thwar
the designs of her enemies. Bv the unions
thus formed, not only had she doubled the
extent of territory within her jurisdiction
and added greatly to her numbers ant
resources; quieted the disaffection of hel
people at home, and restored confidence
TO her friends abroad; placed her terrific
ry in condition to invite emigration from
the neghboring states and laid the founda
tioa for II large and powerful community
but she had taught her hostile neighbor
that this claiming jurisdiction over terri
tory which did not strictly belong to then
was n game that two or more might pla,
at:-drawing from them, indeed, thus
, concessions for which justice alone ha
sought in vain, and averting. wthal, tina
dismemberment Of her territory whic
would otherwise have almost surely takel
: pldCc. eit, HOI OHly uIu lneSe unions =
Ohesc annexations of territory on eithe
flank increase the power AM
consequence of Vermont. but, what is q
still greater moment, it prevented, AS
, was confidently believed at the time, tn
division by congress of Vermont betwee
5 the states of New Hampshire and Ne,
York. True, ut one time, her measure
, for maintaining her authority on the Ne,
+ York territory came near bringing he
into violent collision with that state VI
she resolutely stood her ground, and. su.
J tanned us she was by the inhabitants {
the disputed territory, carried her poin
: True, also, that, when the objects con
l templated by these somewhat audaciou
2 measures had been fully accomplished
. both these unions, so auspiciously entere
5 into were dissolved" and Vermont con
] sented, for reasons entirely satisfactory t
D herself, to assert her jurisdiction only owe