Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-02-26
Studies in Early Vermont History.
RY REV. r. II. HOWARD, A. NJ.
THE CIVIL roLITY OF VERMONT.


THE CIVIL PoLITY OF VERMONT.
Interesting as is the record of the i'm
portant and memorable events of which
we have just attempted rapid and i'm
perfect sketch, hardly less interesting,
particularly to the thoughtful reader, are
the facts connected with the early rise and
progress, or development, of the internal
policy of the state. Briefly let US trace
some of the successive steps by which the
powers Of government were assumed, and
the political fabric erected.
The New Hampshire grants, having
never been recognized by the king us Il
separate jurisdiction, and having, as we
have just seen, ever refused submission
to the authority of New York, were, at
the commencement of the Revolution,
nearly in state of nature, SO to speak:
that is, they were without any internal
organization under which the inhabitants
could act with system and effect-their
only rallying point, or bond of union, be-
ing their common interest in resisting the
claims and authority of New York. Yet,
while the same interests which thus drove
them to resistance, gave quite all the effect
of law to the recommendations OF their
committees, ,and invested with supreme au-
thority the dictum Of the few bold and
daring spirits whose sagacity and energy
served to give impulse, system and direc-
ton to their operations, the partial relief,
on the other hand, now experienced from
the expressions of New York, served
clearly TO discover to the inhabitants of the
grants the frailty of their bond of union,
and to convince them of the necessity of
better organization, both to enable them
to maintain the grounds which they had
assumed in relation to New York, and to
put it in their power to render efficient aid
to their countrymen in the contest now
opening with Great Britain.
With view to moving wisely in this
important matter, counsel was first sought
of congress. A convention of delegates
from the several towns assembled at Dor
set on the 10th of January, 177G, forward
ed petition and an address to congress.
in which, after giving Il brief sketch OF
the controversy with NewYor they avow-
ed their unwavering attachment TO the
cause in which the colonies had unsheath-
ed the sword, and expressed their willing
ness to bear their full proportion of the
burden Of prosecuting the war; but were
careful to declare their unwillingness to
he considered in any manner subject to
the authority or jurisdiction of New York;
or to be called upon, whenever their scrv-
ices should be required, as inhabitants OF
that province.
To this first petition of the inhabitants
of the grants to congress, 1t was answered,
by the committee to whom it was referred,
that the petitioners had, for the present,
better submit to the government of New
York, and assist their countrymen in the
contest with Great Britain, with the under
standing, however, that such submission
should not prejudice their right to any
lands in controversy, or be construed to
affirm, or admit, the jurisdiction of New
York over the country, when the present
troubles should be ended. Considering
this report of the committee unfavorable
to the grants, the agent, Mr.. llemrn Al
len, by whom this petition had been for
warded, asked leave to withdraw the
same. and thus congress was prevented
from coming to any decision upon the sub
ject.
Meanwhile, the declaration Of American
independence having now been by con
gress published to the world, in order to
ascertain the state of public opinion as to
what course it were best, under the Cir
cumstances, to pursue, it was determined
that general convention should be called
for that purpose, and that circulars be ac-
cordingly addressed to the different towns,
requesting them to appoint delegates.
With this request there was very general
compliance; and delegates accordingly
from thirty-Gve towns assembled at Dor
set, July 81 1776. AT this session it was
agreed O 70 enter into an association
among themselves for the defence Of the
liberties of their country (2) That they
would not associate WITH or submit to, the
provincial government of New York,
while all such inhabitants Of the grants us
should thus associate, or submit, should be
regarded us enemies to the common cause
(3) That suitable measures be taken, rs
soon rs may be, to declare the New
Hampshire grants u free and separate dis
trict.n+ On the 10Th Of January, 1777, the
convention met again ut Westminster
The sentiments of their constituents hav
ing, in the meantime, been well ascertain
ed, and being. withal. fully convinced thai
there was now no other way of safety left
the delegates on the 10th of that month
published the following declaration
This convention, whose members are
duly chosen, by the free voice of theil
constituents, in the several towns on The
New Hampshire grants, in public meeting
assembled, in our own names, and il
behalf of our constituents, do hereby pro
clui,n md declure that the district Of terri
tory comprebending, md kaown by III
name and description of the New Hump
shire grants, Of right ought 10 be anil i
hereby declared forecer hereafter to be,
free and independent jurisdiction, or state
10 be T0reUer hereafter called, knoWn ano
distinguished dgUte mame Of Fcrn'onL't
This declaration was unanimousl,
adopted by the convention, after whicl
resolutions were adopted notifying con
gress Of the steps they had taken, renew
ing their expressions of loyalty ant
attachment to the common cause, ant
praying that their declaration might b
acknowledged, and that delegates from