Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-10-30
AN ENrERRs7INq poouMENr.

~ ootteot anu ne mas Oeen aDle 70 verify the
facts from documents, letters and personal
recollections.
AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT.
A RARE FIND IN BRArTLEBoRo aARREr, AND
A Rare LEAP OUT OF VERMONT EARLH HIS.
TORY.
Mr.. Editor: While exploring one Of the
Oldest garrets in Brattleboro The other day, l
picked up from the floor rather bulky little
package that had evidently been done up with
an eye to its preservation. Removing layer
after layer of paper, carefully folded one over
the other, the object Of some ones special
care was revealed. Unfolded and spread out
for inspection, II proved TO be large quarto
sheet Of old-fashioned, hand made paper, dis
oolored by age and it's original tough ibre
limp and worn from the constant handling Il
undoubtedly received when the contents Of
its printed page we're of vital Importance TO
residents of eastern Vermont. 1t is a rare
memento of the long conflict between the ad-
herents Of the New York and New Hampshire
grants, the latter Of whom numbered nearly
three-fourths Of the people in this section,
and had met in convention at Westminster on
the 18th Of January, 1777, land declared that
the district Of territory known a. the New
Hampshire Grants was proclaimed q separate
and independent state, and was called New
Connecticut, alias Vermont. An account of
the proceedings was transmitted to the Con.
tinental Congress, accompanied with prayer
that the deolatstion Of the people might be
received, and New Connecticut ranked among
the free and independent states, and delegates
therefrom admitted 10 seats in the Oontinen-
tai Congress. The New York authorities, who
had always exercised Jurisdiction over Yer
mont but bad adopted q mild policy in deal
ing with the maloontents, Immediately took
cognizAnce of the proceedings of the West
minister convention, and by various means
urged Congress TO take immediate action !;
and that body, after a careful hearing OF both
sides, on the Both Of June, 1777, resolved It,
self into q committee Of the whole, and pass
ed the act printed belova
In CONGRESS,
MONDAY, sOth June, I77T.
CNoNeREss, sgreeably to the order Of the day. re-
solved itseh into committee Of the whole, TO
take into consideration the letters from 4 bra
hsT Ts Bro,es EsQ Presids9i q The convsn,iop
Agreh, 17I1; the resolutions passed In COMMITTEES Of
Safety for the State Of NeW-HOrk, At Fiahkii 2Oth
January, 1iT7 transmitted with the above letters; .
petition signed Jonas Fay, Thomas ChittsndeH Hepaan
Allen and Reuben Jones, IN the name and behalf Of
the people sitting themselves Inhabitants Of the Hs0
Hampshire Grdnts dated Sesr- Hampshire Grants
Matchmaker 18th January, lT7I letter from Pisrrs
Van CoTtiand Esq President Of the Council Of safe
ty Of Hep York, dated 2sth Nay, IT77 and printed
paper signed "a word TO the wise suficent" con-
tanning extract from the minutes Of Congress- and
letter to the Inhabitants Of Vermont signed Thomas
Yoffu0 daked phf1ndeInhf0 A l,fd ~.
fore Congress the asa instant BY the Delegates Of
York; and after some time. the President resumed
mtiee have had nnder confederation the letters and
papers TO them referred, and have come 10 suudry
resolutions thefeupon, which be 10 ready 20 report
whenever the Congress shall please 10 receive them
Ordered, That the report be now received
The report from the Committee OF the whole was
then read, and agreed to, As follows:
ResoiUed, That Congress is composed OF Delegates
chosen by and representing, the communities re-
speetively inhabiting the territories OF
shre, Massachusetts Bay Rhode Island and Providence
Foundations COnneeeIt Sslr- York. Neo-JsrseE. Penn
svlpania, Dslauars Maryland, Virginia Horfh Caro-
Ina South Carolina and Georgia, as they respective
H stood at the time OF Its hrst institution :-thAt IT
was Instituted for the purpose Of securing aud de-
Tending the communities Aforesaid against the usur
pations, expressions and hostile inVlsions Of Great
Britain land that therefore Il cannot be intented
that Congress by any OF its proceedings would do,
recommend countenAnce anything iD jurcus to the
rights and Jurisdictions Of the several communities
which It represents.
Resolped, That the Independent government at
tamntad 10 he "A ~ tha ,ors s,h ~ th.r.
ss~ss IN ~ bi,.nts ~ ~. ", " a. Sit ~
dsriva no connts1'nce - sro a. - ~ ~
Congress declaring the United Colonies TO be inde-
RshSr a.. - a. rSsoitsor ~ rnrsr.s '' "of roin any
n-.-,|.S r.Na.,@4-,.,ssos ,,,
,.tssotyea, fhAt tne Retuo1 oa Sgilas Fegi Ihonds
CI.tNeh4e"y nehdn huen Ane hsuoeh zones, IN the
I,nS euu oena Q, & tne people sthne tnemseVe, Sc
~ ~MoIe,siu, pLIsynH tn., tneI oseAreu9n, That they
asst" -" ~ rss"iSS tsst ~ I,t ~ ,S t ~
,.1s,i'io, Sssc,tht 80 ~. .'tad r - .h 49, s
uand indspendent siatss ana thSt IsieSs,es 49,
Srom NAV be admitted 10 ssSts IN censrssS . he A.
uisSsd 1A'' " " ''-' =" OO"Sis''' Os ui'
p,.oJr,5 -rh., f,on.,... n, -.,.i,, 49,, ,sa...,-. i.