The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-21

the days of Jeffries. 1t would not only
have been in violation Of fundamental
principles if it had been done by the
Crown, but it was in direct contraven-
ton of the orders of the Crown, based
upon the judgment of the Privy Coun-
Gil.
The occupants of the Hampshire
Grants had no means of legal resist
Ilnce. They were without money, with
ii counsel, without influence. They
made one effort at defence in suit
tried at Albany, but soon found they
had no justice to expect in that quar-
ter. Then they set the authority of
New York at defiance, and resolved to
protect themselves. Sheriffs who came
into the Grants to execute writs, were
turned back. Militia sent to support
them, were repulsed. Rights which the
law should have defended, were main
tanned by force.
But with the first guns of the Revo-
luton, the people of the Grants threw
themselves into that struggle, without
regard to its effect upon the con test, to
them much more important, in which
they were already engaged. Ticon-
deroga was taken by Ethan Allen,
and Crown Point by Warner. They
marched in force upon the disastrous
expedition against Canada, where Allen
was left prisoner. They turned out
on the approach of Burgoyneto garri-
soil Ticonderoga, in such strength that
men enough were not left at home to
transport the supplies, which out of
their slender resources they poured into
that fortress. They were with Arnold
in his desperate battles on Lake Cham
plain. They fought under Warner at
| Hubbardton before Bennington, and
with Gates at Bemis Heights and Sara
toga afterwards. They pursued the
British who retreated from Ticon-
deroga after Burgoyne's surrender,
capturing the last prisoners, and firing
the last shots at the remains # that ex-
petition.
When the authority of Greet Britain
Independence, the organization of q
separate government by the Inhabitants
of the Grants became unavoidable. The
jurisdiction of New Hampshire over
them had ceased after the Royal order
of 1894, and with New York they
were at war. AS early as July, 1776. in
Convention assembled at Do;set, tliey
adopted articles of association for the
purposes of the war as well asOf domes.
tic government. In January, l777, they
resolved TO form an independent state
under the name of New Connecticut
declaring it to be necessary !or protec-
ton against the British, az well as
against New York. In June 1777, a
committee was appointed to daft a con.
stitution, and the name of Vermont was
adopted. In July following, the consti
tuition was ratified, and at the first cleo.
ton held under it, Thomas Chittenden
was made Governor.
That first constitution of Vermont car
not be read without admiration. 1 pity
the man, who in view of the time anC
the circumstances of its composition
can read it without sensibility. Framed
by a rural people, in hardship anC
poverty, foreign enemy at their very
gates, still more inveterate foe in the
sister province that should have beer
their protector. Its authors neither
statesmen nor lawyers, unframed in pc
litical science or literary accomplish.
ment; but one of them having ever saf
in legislative assembly before. They
were only doing their best under every
encouragement, with such slender &C
! quirements as they had, toward the