USA > New Hampshire > The history of New-Hampshire. Comprehending the events of one complete century and seventy-five years from the discovery of the River Pascataqua to the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety, Vol 2 > Part 24
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" prefiion ! New- Hampfhire Gazette, July 20, 1786.
359
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
At the firft fitting of the Affembly, when 1786. five only of the members of the propofed June. convention were in town, fome wags, among whom were feveral young lawyers, pretend- ed to have been chofen by the towns in which they lived for the fame purpofe. In confer- ence with the five, they penetrated their views, and perfuaded them to poft an adver- tifement, for all the members who were in town to affemble immediately ; it being of the utmoft importance to prefent their peti- tion as early in the feffion as poffible. By
this means, fixteen pretended members, with the five real ones, formed themfelves into a convention, choofing one of the five their Prefident, and one of the fixteen their Clerk. They carried on their debates and paffed votes with much apparent folemnity. Having framed a petition, complaining in the moft extravagant terms of their grievances ; pray- ing for a loan of three millions of dollars, fund- ed on real eftate ; for the abolition of Inferior Courts, and a reduction of the number of law- yers, to two only in a county ; and for a free trade with all the world ; they went in pro- ceffion to the Affembly, (fome of whom had been previoufly let into the fecret) and with great formality prefented their petition, which was fuffered to lie on the table, and was afterwards withdrawn. The convention then diffolved ; and when others who had been really chofen by the towns arrived, they were exceedingly mortified on finding their views for that time fo completely fruftrated.
The next effort of the party was to call County Conventions. Of what clafs of peo- ple thefe were compofed, fome idea may be
360
HISTORY OF
1786. formed from this circumftance. An innhold- er, at whofe houfe one of thefe conventions firft met, refufed to take their promife for lumber to pay the expenfe of their meeting ; upon which they adjourned to a ware-houfe, be- longing to one of the party, and were treated with liquor gratis.
Sept. 13.
From two of thefe conventions, and from feveral towns in different parts of the State, petitions were prefented to the Legiflature, at their feffion in Exeter. On calm deliberation, thefe petitions appeared to be inconfiftent with each other, with the conftitution, with juftice and public faith. But to ftill the clam- or and collect the real fenfe of the people on the fubject of paper currency ; the Affembly formed a plan for the emiffion of fifty thou- fand pounds, to be let at four per cent. on land fecurity ; to be a tender in payment of State taxes, and for the fees and falaries of public officers. This plan was immediately printed, and fent to the feveral towns ; and the people were defired to give their opinions in town meetings for and againft it, and to make return of their votes to the Affembly at their next feffion.
This way of proceeding did not coincide with the views of the party ; the principal directors of which endeavoured to conceal themfelves, whilft they perfuaded a confide- rable number of perfons of various charac- ters, to appear openly in fupport of the peti- tions, They took pains to fpread falfe re- ports through the country ; and among oth- er things, it was faid that the Affembly had paffed an act, to refund the value of the con- fifcated eftates, which was to be immediately affeffed on the people.
361
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
It muft be obferved, that at this time, cau- 1786. fes of a fimilar nature had excited numbers of people in fome counties of Maffachufetts, to affemble in arms and prevent the Judicial Courts from fitting. This example, aided by falfe reports, and a fenfe of grievances, partly real and partly imaginary, operated fo pow- erfully on the minds of a number of people, in the weftern part of the county of Rock- ingham ; that on the morning of the twen- Sept. 20. tieth of September, about two hundred men affembled at Kingfton, fix miles from Exeter, where they chofe leaders and procured a drum. By the help of fome militia officers they formed themfelves into military order, and in the afternoon marched to Exeter ; about one third of them being armed with mufkets, and the others with fwords and clubs. Having entered the confines of the town, they halted ; and fent a paper to the Affembly, figned by one of them who ftyled himfelf moderator, demanding an anfwer to their former petition immediately. They then marched through the town, and para- ded before the meeting-houfe, where both Houfes of Affembly were holding a confer- ence. The doors were open, and as many of them as were difpofed, entered. The Prefi- dent, in a cool and deliberate fpeech, explain- ed the reafons on which the Affembly had proceeded in rejecting the petitions ; expofed the weaknefs, inconfiftency and injuftice of their requeft ; and faid, that if it were ever fo juft and proper in itfelf, and if the whole body of the people were in favor of it, yet the Legiflature ought not to comply with it, whilft furrounded by an armed force. To X x
362
HISTORY OF
1786. do this, would be, to betray the rights of the people, which they had all folemnly fworn to fupport. He concluded by declaring, that no confideration of perfonal danger would ever compel them to violate the rights of their conftituents.
This fpeech being ended, the drum beat to arms ; as many as had guns were ordered to load them with balls ; fentries were placed at the doors, and the whole Legiflature were held prifoners ; the mob threatening death to any perfon who fhould attempt to efcape, till their demands were granted. The Af- fembly went on with their bufinefs, taking no farther notice of the rioters, till the ap- proach of evening ; when the Prefident at- tempted to go out, but was ftopped by an impenetrable column. He then reafoned with them, and warned them of the fatal ten- dency of their conduct, affuring them, that the force of the country would fupport the government. Their anfwers to him were infolent and reproachful. They raifed a ery for paper-money, an equal diftribution of property, and a releafe from debts. The in- habitants of Exeter had all this time beheld with filence the infult offered to the Legifla- ture ;, having no orders to take arms, they reftrained their indignation, till the dufk of the evening ; when fome of them beat a drum at a diftance, and others cried, 'Huzza for ' government ! Bring up the artillery !' At the found of thefe words the mob were ftruck with a panic, and began to difperfe. Their moderator ordered them to meet again, at nine of the clock the next morning, and they fcattered in every direction.
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363
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
The Affembly being thus at liberty, re- 1786. quefted the Prefident to call out the force of the State to quell the infurrection. In the evening he iffued his orders, and before morning companies of militia, well armed, began to come in from the neighbouring towns. By ten of the clock in the morning a fufficient body of horfe and foot, with field- Sept. 28. pieces and military mufic, having arrived ; the Prefident put them in motion againft the infurgents, who were then parading, about a mile diftant. Having by their fpies obtain- ed intelligence of the motion of the militia, the unarmed part of the infurgents retreated to a hill beyond the river ; the others kept their ground till a party of light-horfe appear- ed in view, and then the whole body retired. Some of them were taken by the purfuers ; others recovered the bridge at King's-fall, and being met by thofe who had firft retreated, made an appearance as if they would difpute the paffage. Orders were given by one of their leaders to fire ; but the force of the government appeared fo formidable that they dared not to obey. The officers of the mili- tia rufhed in among them, feized their mod- erator and others to the number of forty, the reft fled with precipitation, and no farther purfuit was made. The prifoners were dif- armed and conducted to the town ; where they were brought to an examination before the Prefident and Council. Had thefe men been engaged in a good caufe, and comman- ded by proper officers, they would have main- tained the honor of their country, and fought her battles with ardor and perfeverance ; but, confcious of their inconfiftency in oppofing a
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السن
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364
HISTORY OF
1786. government of their own eftablithing, their native fortitude forfook them ; and they gave an example of the moft humiliating fubmif -- fion. Moft of them profeffed to be afhamed of their conduct, and their fhame appeared to be fincere.
The dignity of government being thus vindicated, its lenity was equally confpicu- ous. Six only of the prifoners were detained, and a party of light-horfe was fent to appre- hend two others of the moft culpable. They were taken out of their beds and brought to Exeter. This manœuvre had an excellent effect, for fome, who knew themfelves equal- ly guilty, were afraid to fleep in their own houfes. The Superior Court being then in feffion at Exeter, thefe eight prifoners were arraigned on an indictment for treafon. One dropping on his knees, pleaded guilty ; oth- ers hefitated when they pronounced the words ' not guilty.' They were ordered to recog- nife for their appearance at the next Superior Court, when their bonds were difcharged. Some of them, who belonged to the Prefby- terian Churches, were cited before the eccle- fiaftical feffion, and there cenfured, as oppo- fers of juft government. Others, being mili- tia officers, were tried by a general Court Martial ; of thefe, fome were cafhiered, but not incapacitated for future fervice ; fome were reprimanded, and others were acquit- ted. The whole oppofition was completely fubdued ; wavering minds became fettled ; converts were made to the fide of govern- ment ; and the fyftem of knavery received a deep wound, from which it has not fince re- covered.
Sept. 25.
i.
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365
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
The plan which had been iffued by the 1787. Affembly, for emitting paper-money, was in courfe referred to the people, in their town- meetings ; and at the next feffion the returns were made, when a majority appeared againft it. To finith the whole matter, two questions Jan. 4. were put in the Affembly. The firft was, ' whether the Legiflature can, confiftently ' with the conftitution, and their oaths, paf's ' an act making paper bills of credit, a tender ' to difcharge private contraAs, made prior
' to the pafling fuch act ?' The other was, ' whether paper-money be emitted on any ' plan which has been propofed ?' Both thefe queftions were determined in the negative.
To obferve the progrefs of wifdom and virtue, and the obftacles which are laid in the way of vice, is a moft pleafing entertainment to the philanthropift ; and it is but juft, in fuch a contemplation, to acknowledge that fuperintending influence, which brings good out of evil. It was feared by many, that the American revolution would not produce that fum of political happinefs which its warmeft advocates had fondly predicted. The efforts of faction in feveral of the States were very alarming. in New-Hampfhire, the affault being made directly at the fupreme head of the government, the force of the State im- mediately rofe and crufhed it. In Matfachu- fetts, the attacks were made on the Judicial Courts, which of themfelves had no power effectually to oppofe them. The difaffection there rofe to a higher degree; it was more extenfively diffufed, and with more difficulty quelled. But at length the conflitutional powers of government being exerted with
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366
HISTORY OF
1787. vigor, the fpirit of anarchy was fuppreffed. In another neighbouring State, the fame fpirit reigned triumphant. A depreciating curren- cy was eftablifhed by law, and pertinacioufly adhered too by the government.
The imbecility of the confederation by which the States were united, had long been felt, and fome attempts had been making to ftrengthen it ; but the view of our fituation at this time demonftrated the total inefficacy of that conftitution, to bind together thirteen diftinct fovereignties, over which no coercive power was eftablifhed, which could prevent or cure fuch evils as threatened the deftruc- tion of all public and private credit. Happily for the American union, the remedy exifted within itfelf. The good fenfe and public virtue of the great body of our citizens read- ily adopted the idea of a CONVENTION OF THE STATES. The firft propofal came from Virginia, where American liberty was firft publicly afferted, when it was flagrantly vio- lated by the ftamp act. The name of Patrick Henry will ever be illuftrious in the Ameri- can annals for moving the refolves of 1765 ; and the name of James Madifon will be equal- ly diftinguifhed for propofing the convention of 1787.
To this convention, which was holden at Philadelphia, all the States, except one, fent their delegates. After a clofe and particular inveftigation, they produced a new federal conftitution ; containing adequate remedies for thofe political diforders, which had threat- ened with extinction, the liberty and inde- pendence of the American States.
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367
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
Among other wife provifions, to eftablifh 1787. juftice and fecure the bleffings of liberty, thọfe which refpect public and private cred- it are not the leaft confpicuous. To fupport the former, the Congrefs has a power which, by the firft confederation, was not delegated, ' to lay and collect taxes, duties, impofts, and ' excifes, to pay the debts and provide for the ' common defence and general welfare of the ' United States.' For the latter it is declared, that ' no State fhall coin money, emit bills of ' credit, make any thing but gold and filver ' coin a tender in payment of debts, pafs any " bill of attainder or expoft facto law, or any " law impairing the obligation of contracts.'
When this new Conftitution was propofed to the people, conventions were called in each State to confider it. In thefe bodies, compo- fed of perfons who reprefented impartially every clafs and defcription of the people, and who were themfelves equally various in their principles, habits and views; the Conftitution underwent the moft critical and fevere dif- cuffion. Whilft it was in debate, the anxiety of all parties was extended to the utmoft de- gree, and the efforts of its friends and its op- pofers were unremitted.
After the Conftitution had been, with the help of fome propofed amendments, adopted by Maffachufetts, a convention was called at Exeter in New-Hampfhire. At its firft meet- ing, a debate which continued ten days en- ded in an adjournment for four months ; at the expiration of which term, in a fhort fef- fion of three days only at Concord, the quef- June 2x. tion for adopting and ratifying the Conftitu- tion, was, with the fame help as in Maffachu-
1788, Feb. 13.
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368
HISTORY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
1788. fetts, carried in the affirmative, by a majori- ty of eleven ; the whole number prefent be- ing one hundred and three. This was the ninth State in the Union which accepted the Conftitution ; and thus the number was com- pleted which was neceffary to put in motion the political machine. In about a month, two more States were added. Then a Con- grefs was formed, and the illuftrious WASH- 1789. INGTON, by the unanimous fuffrage of the people, was placed in the firft feat of govern- ment. Three other States, of which one is Vermont, have fince been admitted into the union ; and there is now in operation a gen- eral fyftem of energetic government, which pervades every part of the United States, and has already produced a furprifing alteration for the better. By the funding of the Con- tinental debt, and the affumption of the debts of the individual States, into one general mafs, a foundation is laid for the fupport of public credit ; by which means the American rev- olution appears to be completed. Let it be the fincere prayer and endeavour of every thoughtful citizen, that fuch harmony may prevail between the general government, and the jurifdiction of each State, as the peculiar delicacy of their connexion requires ; and that the bleffings of 'peace, liberty and fafe- ' ty,' fo dearly obtained, may defcend invio- late to our pofterity.
1790.
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APPENDIX.
No. I.
A chronological detail of the different forms of government in New-Hampfhire, from the beginning of its fettlement to the prefent time ; with the names of the Chief Magif- trates.
1623 S
EVERAL families of fifhermen and planters, un- der the direction of the company of Laconia and their agents.
1638 Three voluntary affociations for government, at Portf- mouth, Dover and Exeter. Hampton being confider- ed as part of Mafachufetts.
1641 All the fettlements by a voluntary act fubmitted to Maffachufetts, and were comprehended in the county of Norfolk, which extended from Merrimack to Pif- cataqua rivers.
1680 A royal government was eftablifhed by commiffion from Charles II.
John Cutts,
168t Richard Waldron, Prefidents.
1682 Edward Cranfield, Lieutenant Governor. *
1685 Walter Barefoote, Deputy Governor.
1686 A general government was eftablifhed over the terri- tory called New England, by James II. Jofeph Dudley, Prefident.
1687 Sir Edmund Androffe, Governor.
1689 After the depofition of Androffe, New-Hampfhire, by a voluntary act, became again united with Maffa- chufettss as under the old charter-
1692 John Ufher publifhed the commiffion of Samuel Al. len, and officiated as Lieutenant Governor.
1697 William Partridge was appointed Lieutenant Governor.
* Since writing the firft volume, I have met with a gentleman of Ja- maica, who is a great grandfon of Licur. Governor Cranfield. From him I learned, that Wir Cranfield was of the family of Lord Monteagle, who was instrumental of difcovering the popith plot in the reign of James I. That after his departure from New Hampshire, and while he related at Barbadoes, he fuggeftel the expediency of the 4 and an half per cent. duty on fugars to the British government, which was granted by the Affemblies of the iflands, and has ever fince been continued That in the reign of King William III, he procured a fhip of war, at his own . xpenfe, and pre- fented it to the Crown. That he died about the beginning of the prefent. century, and was buried in the Cathedral Church, at Bath, in England.
Y Y
370
APPENDIX.
1698 Samuel Allen took the Chair as Governor, and re- fored Umher to his feat as Lieutenant Governor.
1699 Richard, Earl of Bellomont, Governor of New York, Maff chufetts and New Hampshire, opened his com- miffion in New Hampshire, under whom William Partiidge officiated as Lieutenant Governor.
1702 Jofeph Dudley, Governor of Maffachufetts and New- Hampfhire.
John Uther reappointed Lientenant Governor.
1715 George Vanghan, Lieutenant Governor.
1716 Samuel Shute, Governor of Maffachufetts and Nex- Hampthire,
1717 John Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor ; and after Shute's departure in 1722, Commander in Chief.
1729 William Burnet, Governor of Maffachofetts and New- Hampfhire.
1730 Jonathan Belcher, Governor of Maffachufetts and New- Hampshire.
1731 David Dunbar, Lieutenant Governor ; he returned to England in 1737.
1741 Benning Wentworth, Governor. No Lieutenant Go- vernor for 25 Years.
1762 John Temple, Lieutenant Governor, merely titular ; he never officiated.
1767 John Wentworth, Governor.
1775 The British Government was diffoived, and the pen- ple formed a Provincial Convention, of which Mat. thew Thornton was Prefident.
1776 A temporary Conftitution was framed to continue du- ring the war with Great-Britain. Under this Con- Rtitution,
Methech Weare was annually elected Prefident.
1784. A new and permanent Conftitution took place, under which the following Prefidents of the State have been annually elected. Methech Weare, 1785 John Langdon,
17862 1787 John Sullivan,
* Prefident Weare, being worn out with public fervices, refigned his office before the expiration of the year ; and after larguifhing under the infirmities of age, died on the 15th of January, 1786, atat 73
His anceftors had been in public flations, from the firft cftablithment of the Province. He himfelf had been employed in public bufinefs about forty five years. He was chofen Speaker of the Houfe in 1752 Commf. fioner to the Congrefs at Albany in 17 ,4 ; afterward one of the Jufbices of the Superior Court ; and in 1777, Chict Jnftice. He was not a perfon of an original and inventive genius, but hed' a clear di cernment, extentive knowledge, accurate judg nent, a calm temper a modeft deportment, an upright and benevolent heart, and a habit of prudence and diligence in difcharging the various duties of public and private life. He did not en- sich himfelf by his public employments, but was one of thofe good men, " Who dare to love their country and be poor."
371
APPENDIX.
1788 John Langdon, 1789. John Sullivan,
17903 Jofiah Bartlett.
N. B. In cafe of a vacancy within the year, the fenior Counfellor prefidee.
No. II.
A catalogue of Counfellors in New Hampfhire under the royal government. With the years when they were appointed, and the times of their death, as far as either can be afcer- tained.
N. B. Where no dath is placed in the first column, the date of the appoint- ment is the fame as the preceding. Where a dafh is placed, the time is uncertain.
Appointment. Names. Deatb.
1 680 JOHN CUTTS, Prefident. 1631
Richard Martin, Treafurer.
1693
William Vaughan, Recorder. 1719
Thomas Daniel. 1683
John Gilman. 1708
Christopher Hoffey.
1685
Richard Waldron, Prefident.
1689
Flias Stileman, Secretary.
1695
Samuel Dalton.
1681
1680 Job Clements.
1717
Robert Mafon, Chancellor.
1688
1681 Richard Waldron.
1739
Anthony Nutter.
1682 Walter Baretoote, Deputy Governor. Richard Chamberlayne, Secretary.
1683 Nathaniel Fryer, Prefident.
Robert Elliot.
John Hinckes, Prefident.
Edward Randolph.
1684 James Sherlock.
Francis Champernoon.
. Robert Wadleigh.
1685 Henry Green. 1700
1692 John Uther, Lieutenant Governor. 1726
Thomas Graffort, ) named in Uther's
John Walford, commiffion, but not
John Love, in the Council books. Peter Cu ffin. John Gerrifh. 1714
Nathaniel Weare, Agent. 1718
1697 William Partridge, Lieutenant Governor. 1698 Jofeph Smith,
Kingfley Hall, appointed by Govern- Sampfon Sheafe, or Allen, during his Peter weare, fhort adminiftration.
1702 Samuel Perhallow, Treaf. and Recorder. John Plaifted.
1726
372
APPENDIX.
Appointment. Names.
Deati,
Henry Dow. 1707
George Jaffrey. 1706
1710 Mark Hunking, Recorder.
1712 John Wentworth, Lieut. Governor. 1730
1715 George Vaughan, Lieut. Governor. 1724 1717
1716 Richard Gerrith.
Theodore Atkinfon.
1719
Shadrach Walton, Prefident.
George Jaffrey, Treafurer.
1749
Richard Wibird. Thomas Wellbrooke.
1736
1719 Thomas Packer.
1722 Archibald McPhedris.
1723 John Frof.
1724 Jotham Odiorne.
1728 Henry Sherburne. Richard Waldron, Secretary.
1758
1732 Jothua Peirce, Recorder.
1743
1734 Benning Wentworth, Governor.
1770
Theodore A+kinfon, Secretary ..
1779
Ephraim Dennet.
Benjamin Gamblin. 1737
1739 Richard Wibird.
1765
Ellis Hufke.
1755
- - Jof:ph Sherburne.
1744
1740 John Rindge.
1740
John Downing.
1766
- Samuel Smith.
1760
-
Jofeph Blanchard.
1758
Sampfon Sheafe.
1772
1753 Samuel Solley. Daniel Warner.
1778
1754 Jofeph Newmarch.
1765
1759 Mark Hunking Wentworth.
1785
1759 James Nevin.
1768
1761 John Nelfon.
1787
1762 William Temple.
1789
Theodore Atkinfon, Secretary.
1769
1765 Peter Livius.
1766 Jonathan Warner.
Daniel Rindge.
Daniel Peirce, Recorder.
1773
George jaffrey, Treafurer.
Henry Sherburne. 1767
Daniel Rogers.
1772 Peter Gilman.
1787
Thomas Weftbrooke Waldron.
1785
3774 John Sherburne. John Phillips.
1775 George Boyd.
1787
Nathaniel Barrell.
1732
1723
1753
I
373
APPENDIX.
No. III. Alphabetical lift of Delegates to Congrefs, before and during the Confederation.
N. B. Thofe marked thus * are dead.
JOSIAH BARTLETT,
*Jonathan Blanchard,
* Nathaniel Foliom,
*Peirce Long, Nathaniel Peabody,
Abiel Fofter,
John Sullivan,
George Froft, Matthew Thornton,
John Taylor Gilman,.
* John Wentworth,
Nicholas Gilman,
John Langdon,
Woodbury Langdon,
Paine Wingate.
Delegates to the Convention of the United States, in 1787. John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman.
Under the prefent Federal Conftitution.
John Langdon,
Senators, Paine Wingate.
Reprefen- talives,
Samuel Livermore,
Nicholas Gilman,
Abiel Fofter,
Jeremiah Smith,
No. IV.
A table of the number of rateable polls ; amount of rateable eftate, and number of Reprefentatives in the feveral counties, in the Province of New-Hampfhire, A. D. 1773.
Counties.
Reprefent- atives.
No. of rateable polls.
simount of rateable eftate.
Rockingham
21
7570
£ 10,528
Strafford
6.
2292
3,101
Hillfborough
4
2946
3,888
Chefhire
3
2052
2,445
Grafton
642
686
34
15502
[20,648
34 Members reprefenting 46 towns-8729 rateable polls. Unreprefented 101 towns-6773 rateable polls. -
147 15502 polls.
1
Samuel Livermore,
* William Whipple, Phillips White,
374
APPENDIX.
No. V.
An exact table, Thewing the flate of Reprefentation, in the Le- giflature of the Province of New Hampshire, A. D. 1773, with the proportion of fuch reprefentation to the taxation of the feveral towns.
No. of
Repre-\'s be proportion each town
Jent
pats to every ficcò.
Dover
2
25 13 0
- 2 0
36 15 0
18
76
Hampton
2 14 90 9 14 C
24 3 0 10 17 O
12 I 6
Hampton Falls
I
Exeter
Brentwood
2
24 40
Epping
14 10 0 23 10 0
Poplin
Newcaftle
2
5 16 0
2 0
16 18 0
8 90
Kingfton
I
14 9 C
Eaft Kingfton
7 5 0
Sandown
1
7 12 C
Hawke
7 15 0
37 IO
37 IO
Stratham
Į
18
3 0
1 8
3 0
Windham
5 0 0
40 15 0
40 15 0
Greenland
I
10 17 0
10 17 0
Lee
1 2
6 0
29 18 O
29 18 0
Newmarket
1
17 10 0
17 10 0
Southampton
1
7 15 0
7 15 0
Candia
8 6 0
Raymond
7 13 0
38
7 0
38 7 0
Hampftead
7 15 0
Atkinfon
9 13 0
24 15 0
24 15 O
Pelham
I
14 10 0
24
IO
24 IO
Somerfworth
1
16
0
C
16 co
Hollis
I
16 18 0
16 18 0
Merrimack
I
7 5 0
7 5 0
Litchfield
5 60
13 15 O
13 15 O
Kenfington
1
14
O
14
I
18 15 0
18
15 0
Barrington
I
14 00
14 00
Amherft
I
19 7 0
Bedford
7 50
26 12 0
26 12 0
9
13 0
9 13 º
Londonderry
I 35 15 ℃
Durham
I
17 12 C
Chefter
I
22
8 o
Plaftow
I
7 70
.
Nottingham Weft
8 9 0
I
3
58 2 0
Proportion to cack Represent. 19 7 0
Madbury
Northampton
10 17 O
6 5C
68 9 0
34 46
Rye
Newington
I
Salem
9 11 0
Rochefter
Numes of towns represented PORTSMOUTH
375
APPENDIX.
No. of
Proportion
Names of torras represented. - Repre The proportion each town
to each
Sent. paid to every Ficco. Reprefent.
1
8 4 0
8 4 0
Charlestown
I
9
4 40
46 Towns reprefented by 34 memb and pay 629 4 0 of cach £1000 JOI Towns not reprelented which pay 370 16 o of each frooo
-
147 Towns. 34 memb. £1000 0 0
This and the foregoing table were calculated by Wentworth Chefwill, Efq of Newmarket.
No. VI.
Copy of a letter from his Excellency General WASHINGTON, to THOMAS CHITTENDEN, Efquire.
[Certified by Tobias Lear, Efq. private Secretary to the Pref- ident of the United States. ]
Philadelphia, I/l January, 1782. SIR,
I RECEIVED your favor of the 14th of November, by Mr. Brownfon. You cannot be at a lofs to know why I have not heretofore, and why I cannot now, addrefs you in your public character, or anfwer you in mine : But the con- fidence which you have been pletfed to repofe in me, gives me an opportunity of offering you my fentiments, as an individu- al, withing mott ardently to fee the peace and union of his country, preferved, and the juft rights of the people of every part of it fully and firmly eftablithed.
It is not my bnfinefs, neither do I think it neceffary now, to difcufs the origin of the right of a number of inhabitants to that tract of country formerly diftinguithed by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, and now known by that of Vermont. I will take it for granted that their right was good, becaufe Congrefs, by their refolve of the 7th of Auguft, imply it ; and by that of the 21f, are willing fully to confirm it, provided the new State is confined to certain defcribed bounds. It ap- pears, therefore, to me, that the difpute of boundary is the only one that exifts, and that that being removed all further difficulties would be removed alfo, and the matter terminated to the fatisfaction of all parties. Now I would afk you can- didly, whether the claim of the people of Vermont, was not, for a long time, confined folely, or very nearly, to that tract of country which is defcrihed in the refolve of Congrefs of the 2ift of Auguft laft ; and whether, agreeable to the tenor of your own letter to me, the late extention of your claim upon New Hampshire and New York, was not more a political ma- nœuvre, than one in which you conceived your felves juftifiable.
Winchefter Keene
I
10 12 0
10 12 0 9
376
APPENDIX.
If my fitft queftion be anfwered in the affirmative, it certainly bars your new claim. And if my fecond be well founded, your end is anfwered, and you have nothing to do but with- draw your jurifdiction to the confines of your old limits, and obtain an acknowledgment of independence and fovereignty, under the refolve of the 21ft of Auguft, for fo much territory as does not interfere with the ancient eftablithed bounds of New-York, New Hampfhire and Maffachofetts. I periuade myfelf you will fee and acquiefce in the reafon, the juflice, and indeed the neceflity of fuch a decition.
You muft confider, Sir, that the point now in difpute is of the utmoft political importance to the future union and peace of this great country. The State of Vermont, if acknowledg- ed, will be the firft new one admitted into the confederacy ; and if fuffered to encroach upon the ancient eftablithed boun- daries of the adjacent ones, will ferve as a precedent for others, which it may hereafter be expedient to fet off, to make the fame unjuftifiable demands. Thus, in my private opinion, while it behoves the Delegates of the States now confederated, to do ample juftice to a body of people fufficiently refpectable by their numbers, and entitled by other claims to be admitted into that confederation, it becomes them alfo to attend to the interefts of their conflituents, and fee, that under the appear- ance of juftice to one, they do not materially injure the rights of others. I am apt to think this is the prevailing opinion of Congrefs, and that your late extenfion of claim has, upon the principle I have above mentioned, rather diminithed than in- creafed your friends ; and that, if fuch extenfion fhould be perfilted in, it will be made a common caufe, and not confid. ered as only affecting the rights of thofe States immediately interested in the lofs of territory ; a lofs of too ferious a nature not to claim the attention of any people. There is no calam- ity within the compafs of my forefight, which is more to be dreaded than a neceffity of coertion on the part of Congrefs ; and confequently every endeavour fhould be ufed to prevent the execution of fo difagreeable a meafure. It muft involve the ruin of that State againft which the refentment of the oth- ers.is pointed.
I will only add a few words upon the fubject of the negoci- ations, which have been carried on between you and the ene. my in Canada and in New York. I will take it for granted, as you affert it, that they were fo far innocent, that there nev- er was any ferious intention of joining Great Britain in their attempts to fubjugate your country ; but it has had this cer- tain bad tendency, it has ferved to give fome ground to that delufive opinion of the enemy, and upon which they, in a great meafure, found their hopes of fuccefs ; that they have nume- rous friends among us, who only want a proper opportunity to thew themfelves openly ; and that internal difputes and feuds will foon break us in pieces. At the fame time the feeds of diftruft and jealoufy are feattered among ourfelves by a
APPENDIX.
377
conduct of this kind. If you are ferious in your profeffions, thefe will be additional motives for accepting the terms which have been offered, (and which appear to me equitable) and thereby convincing the common enemy, that all their expecta- tions of difunion are vain, and that they have been worfled at their own weapon-deception.
As you unbofom yourfelf to me, I thought I had the great- er right of fpeaking my fentiments openly and candidly to you. I have done fo, and if they fhould produce the effect which I moft fincerely with, that of an honorable and amica- ble adjuftment of a matter, which, if carried to hoftile lengths, may deftroy the future happinefs of my country, I fhall have attained my end, while the enemy will be defeated of theirs.
Believe me to be, with great refpect,
Sir, Your moft obedient fervant, GEORGE WASHINGTON.
END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
Z z
6222 1
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