CHAPTER IV.

THE BUILDING OF THE STATE.

1. Town Governments.-Union.-The early settlements in Vermont were mostly on lands granted by the Governor of the Province of New Hampshire. By these grants the inhabitants of the townships severally were authorized to organize town governments. Such governments were organized as soon as the settlers became sufficiently numerous. The powers of the town were derived from and regulated by the Province. One of the early acts of the town of Bennington was a vote "to send a petition to the General Court of New Hampshire to raise a tax on all the lands in Bennington, resident and non-resident, to build a meetinghouse and school-house and mills, and for highways and bridges." In 1764, the west bank of the Connecticut River was declared by the King to be the boundary between New Hampshire and New York. New Hampshire withdrew her claim of jurisdiction. New York claimed jurisdiction, and claimed further that her jurisdiction was prior to that of New Hampshire, and that any grants made by New Hampshire of lands west of the Connecticut River were unlawful and without effect, and that any persons who held such lands under New Hampshire grants must give up the lands or purchase them again of New York. The settlers denied the claim of New York upon lands already granted by New Hampshire. As the dispute went on they gradually rejected the claim of New York to jurisdiction, and so each town became an independent government. But the people of the several towns had

common interests, and were exposed to common dangers. Within eight months from the promulgation of the King's order fixing the boundary, the settlers of southwestern Vermont had held a convention at Bennington, and had chosen an agent to act for them. The need of united action did not become less and the towns began to appoint committees of safety who should correspond with committees of other towns and with them recommend measures for the public good. These committees became accustomed to meet in convention, and their resolves grew to have the effect of laws, and to be extended to all matters civil and military. A few of these conventions deserve notice.

2. Convention at Manchester.-Among the proceedings of a convention held in Manchester in April, 1774, "was a resolve forbidding any person to act as an officer under a commission from the New York government."

A CONVENTION DECLARES FOR A NEW STATE.

3. Dorset.-First Meeting.-June 24, 1776, a warrant was issued by a committee, appointed for the purpose by a previous convention, in which the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants on the west side of the Green Mountains were warned and those on the east side were desired to meet by their delegates in convention at Dorset, July 24. Thirty-two towns. were represented in this convention by forty-nine delegates. One of the towns represented was Townshend, which is east of the mountains. Two acts of that convention should be remembered:

Resolved, That application be made to the inhabitants of said grants to form the same into a separate District.

Voted, To choose a committee to treat with the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants on the east side of the range of Green Mountains, relative to their associating with this body. This convention adjourned to meet at Dorset the 25th day of the next September.

4. Dorset.-Second Meeting.-The adjourned meeting was attended by fifty-eight representatives from thirty-three towns. Eight of the towns were east of the mountains. At this meeting the convention

Voted, To take the following vote, passed July 24, 1776, into consideration (viz.) "Proceeded to the consideration of the fifth article of the warrant, and voted that suitable application be made to form that District of Land, commonly called and known by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, into a separate District;" passed in the affirmative-not one dissenting vote.

The people of Vermont joined very heartily in the effort to make the American colonies independent of Great Britain, but there was an opposing minority called Tories. How this convention regarded Tories may be learned from the following:

Voted, That a sufficient jail be built on the west side of the range of Green Mountains at some place that shall be hereafter agreed on for securing Tories.

Voted, That, as it appears that the inhabitants of the town of Arlington are principally Tories, yet the Friends of Liberty are ordered to warn a meeting and choose a Committee of Safety and conduct as other towns; if they meet with opposition to make application to the Committees of Safety of other towns for assistance.

The convention adjourned to meet at Westminster on the 30th of the next October.

5. Westminster.-Third Meeting.-When the 30th of October arrived, there was excitement throughout the New Hampshire Grants. The British had advanced from Canada. The American flotilla on Lake Champlain had been destroyed. Gen. Carleton, who commanded the British, had established headquarters at Crown Point. The New England militia. were gathering for the protection of Fort Ticonderoga, upon which an attack was anticipated. The militia of the New Hampshire Grants responded promptly to the call of Gen. Gates for assistance, and when they were dismissed, November 9, they received the thanks of the General for their spirit and alertness.

One consequence of these movements was that the convention at Westminster was but thinly attended. It consisted of seventeen delegates from fifteen towns, nine of which were east of the mountains. After a session of three days the convention adjourned to meet at Westminster, Jan. 15, 1777.

6. Westminster.-Fourth Meeting.-The convention met according to adjournment and consisted of twenty-four delegates from seventeen towns, ten of which were east of the mountains. Three other towns. reported by letter that their people voted in favor of a new State. Three votes of the convention at this. meeting require our attention. They follow:

Voted, That the district of land commonly called and known by the name of New Hampshire Grants,. be a new and separate State; and for the future conduct themselves as such.

Voted, That the declaration of New Connecticut be inserted in the News Papers.

Voted, That Capt. Heman Allen, Colonel Thomas. Chandler and Nathan Clark, Esq., be a committee to

prepare the Declaration for the press as soon as may be.

This committee performed their duty, and as a result of their labors the following Declaration appeared in the Connecticut Courant of March 17, 1777:

Vermont's Declaration of Independence. In convention of the representatives from the several counties and towns of the New Hampshire Grants, holden at Westminster, January 15, 1777, by adjourn

ment.

Whereas, The Honorable the Continental Congress did, on the 4th day of July last, declare the United Colonies in America to be free and independent of the crown of Great Britain; which declaration we most cordially acquiesce in: And whereas by the said declaration the arbitrary acts of the crown are null and void, in America, consequently the jurisdiction by said crown granted to New York government over the people of the New Hampshire Grants is totally dissolved:

We, Therefore, The inhabitants, on said tract of land, are at present without law or government, and may be truly said to be in a state of nature; consequently a right remains to the people of said grants to form a government best suited to secure their property, well-being and happiness. We, the delegates from the several counties and towns on said tract of land, bounded as follows: South on the North line of Massachusetts Bay; East on Connecticut River; North on Canada line; West as far as the New Hampshire Grants extends:

After several adjournments for the purpose of forming ourselves into a distinct separate State, being