The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-10-27


and used the resolution FOR all Il vas
worth and il was worth much In secur-
ing signers 10 their agreement
No full journal Of this convention of
June I, l777 has ever been found. Ira
Allen, in one Of his later publications.
gives the following account Of IL:
"Soon after the return Of the com
missioners from Congress, Mr. Ira
Allen wrote, printed. and published a
pamphlet, showing the right the
people had TO form a government,
which with DIR. Young's letter WAS
spread through the State, and meas
ures taken 10 convene convention,
which met at Windsor, in June, i777,
to form a constitution, and appointed
a committee to revise draft Of a
constitution then exhibited, and passed
resolution recommending to each
town, 10 elect and send representa-
tives 20 a convention TO meet at Wind
sor in July following"
II was the largest convention yet
held, there being ~ delegates pres
ent.
The excuse, given in a resolution
passed, changing the name from New
Connecticut TO Vermont, was that they
had discovered a settlement on the
Susquehanna river which had been
given that name. As a matter Of fact,
il was changed on the recommenda-
ton Of DIR. Young, Tan old friend and
neighbor Of the Allens) in q letter
brought by the committee returning
from Congress, giving the new State
the name Vermont, from the French
Verdmont or Green Mountain. intend
ed to perpetuate the name given the
Green Mountain Boys.
A vote was taken whether the
House would proceed to business on
the former declaration, made at
Westminster in January, with the re-
suit:
"That then the names Of the repre-
sentatives being distinctly and sever
ally called by the secretary, II OF
them did answer in the words follow
ing, viz: Proceed to form"
They all then renewed their pledges
to support the cause. That the pub
lie might more fully understand why
they declared themselves into a new
State, they published a complaint"
setting forth again what has already
been outlined.
They then proceeded and resolved:
Whereas, this convention did at its
sitting at Westminster on the 18th
Of January last make and publish a
declaration that they would at all
times hereafter consider themselves as
a free and independent State" etc.
"And whereas no government sufIic-
lent to the exigencies OF our affairs has
been hitherto established; therefore IL
becomes absolutely necessary for the
safety, wellosing and happiness Of the
Of this State TO form such
q government as shall, in the opinion
Of the representatives OF the people OF
this State, best conduce 20 the happi-
ness and safety Of their constituents
in particular and America in general;
and whereas the honorable Continental
Congress did, on the 10Th day of May,
I776, make and publish the within
for the express pur-
pose Of taking up government" An
,ther reference TO the resolve of Con-
yress.
They adjourned June 8 TO meet at
Windsor July 2, 1777.
This convention was unsurpassed in
Importance by any other in the State,
nasmuch as il established a constitu-
ion and frame Of government. No
,fficial record and no full and satisfac-
ory unofficial account has ever been
published. Ira Allen was a member
md the leading spirit which brought
{ about. He wrote in his History Of
Vermont, in 1898:
"A draft Of the constitution was laid
,eforc the convention and read. The
business being new and OF great con-
equence, required serious delibera-
ion" He also recites that while they
we're considering it, the news arrived
hat Ticonderoga was evacuated, eI-
,osing 10 danger the families Of many
4 the delegates and that Of the presi-
lent. "In this awful crisis, the con
'ention was for leaving Windsor but
severe thunder storm came on, etc.
hey read the constitution paragraph
y paragraph for the last time"
An election was ordered 20 be held
n December, l777, TO elect representa-
ives 70 meet in Bennington, In Janu-
ry, 1878. A Council OF Safety was
ppointed TO administer the affairs Of
he State until some other provision
D that regard should be made.
The first secretary was Ira Allen.
he Office was one Of high dignity cor
asponding TO that Of secretary Of
tate but with more authority as his
gnature was recognized - Of equal
with that Of the president
The new State or republic Of Yer
ont was formed but after 20 much
Dor by Ira Allen and his associates
I'd just as il was finished, Il seemed
! II all was about TO BE- lost.
Many on The west side q the noun
IN. who had maintained the spirited