USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 3 > Part 23
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Allen, after having collected a large body of men, marched into Cumberland, and seized Colonel Patterson and others, acting under the state of New-York.
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Mr. Clinton, on the 18th of May, 1779, immediately after the receipt of Colonel Patterson's letter, wrote to the president of the Congress, that matters were fast approaching a very serious crisis ; that he daily expected he should be obliged to order out a force to protect the orderly disposed in the disaf- fected district ; that justice, the faith of government, the peace and safety of society, would not permit him to continue much longer a passive spectator of the violence committed on his fellow-citizens.
His letter, and other papers, relating to the disputes witlt New Hampshire, were laid before Congress on the 29th of May, 1779, and were referred to a committee of the whole. On the first of June, Congress, who understood the policy of the lead- ing men of New-York in relation to the dispute, resolved. that ·a committee be appointed to repair to Vermont, and inquire
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into the reasons why the people refused to continue citizens of the respective states which had heretofore exercised jurisdiction over them ! And that they should take every prudent measure to promote an amicable settlement of all differences.
On the seventh of June, Mr. Clinton wrote again to Con- gress, informing them of the invasion of Cumberland by Allen, the seizure of the officers, and other acts of violence. " On the 16th, Congress directed that they should be released.
The committee appointed by Congress to inquire into the causes of the differences between the Vermontese and the neigh- bouring states, consisted of five persons, but only two, Dr. Witherspoon and a Mr. Atle, attended. "These gentlemen went to Bennington in the latter month, where they made many inquiries, and had several conferences with the leaders of the Vermontese, and several of the inhabitants friendly to the ad- ministration of New-York. They endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation, but without effect.
Three different claims were now before Congress to the same tract of country. It had, in some measure, become necessary for that body to take up the subject, and canvass the rights of the several claimants, as well as those of the people, whose lands and liberties were at stake, and make some decision. Accordingly, on the 24th of September, 1779, Congress, among other resolves, passed the following :
". Resolved, unanimously, That it be, and hereby is, most earnestly recommended to the states of New-York, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, forthwith to pass laws express- ly, authorizing Congress to hear and determine all differences between them, relative to their respective boundaries."
" Resolved, That Congress will, on the first day of February next, proceed to hear and examine into the disputes and differ- ences relative to the jurisdiction between the three states res- pectively, or such of them as shall pass the laws before men- tioned, on the one part, and the people of the district aforesaid, on the other part ; and after a full hearing, will determine the same."
" Resolved, That it is the duty of the people of the district
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aforesaid, to abstain, in the mean time, from exercising any power over any of the inhabitants of the said district, who pro- fess themselves to be citizens of, or to owe allegiance to any, or either of the said states; but that none of the towns, either on the east or west side of Connecticut river be considered as with- in the said district, but such as have hitherto actually joined in denying the jurisdiction of either of the said states, and have assumed a separate jurisdiction, which they call the state of Vermont."
" And further, That in the opinion of Congress, the said three states, ought, in the mean time, to suspend executing their laws over any of the inhabitants of said district, except such of
- them as shall profess allegiance to, and confess the jurisdiction of the same respectfully."
" Resolved, That in the opinion of Congress, no unappro- priated lands or estates which are, or may be adjudged, forfeit- ed, lying in said district, ought, until the final decision of Con- gress, to be granted or sold."
From these resolves, it is pretty obvious that Congress wish- ed to quiet all parties, and to evade a decision. In truth, that body could have done little, had it been disposed.
The states of New-York and New Hampshire passed the acts, but Massachusetts did not.
The Vermontese were highly displeased, and refused to com- ply with the resolves. The leaders published an address to the people of the United States, in which they declared that they could not view themselves as holden to submit to the execution of a plan, which they had reason to believe, was commenced by the neighbouring states : That the liberties and privileges of the state of Vermont, by said resolutions, were to be suspended upon the arbitrament and determination of Congress. That that body had no right to intermeddle in the internal police and government of Vermont : That the state existed, indepen- dent of any of the thirteen, states, and was not accountable to them or to their representatives.
That the state of Vermont was not represented in Congress, and could not submit to resolutions passed without its consent:
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That there appeared a manifest inequality, not to say predeter- mination, that Congress should request of their constituents, power to judge and determine the cause, and never ask the consent of thousands whose all was at stake. They also de- clared that they were, and had ever been ready to bear their proportion of the burden and expense of the war with Great Britain, whenever they were admitted into the confederacy.
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This appeal was published ou the tenth day of December, 1779, and had, in some respects, the effect contemplated. Congress, however, in consequence of the great press of busi- ness before them, did not take up the subject, pursuant to their resolution.
On the twenty-first of March, 1780, it was taken up by that body, and postponed indefinitely. Congress, on the second of June, resolved, that the proceedings of the people of the New Hampshire grants, were highly unwarrantable and subversive . of the peace and welfare of the United States ; and that they be strictly required to forbear from any acts of authority, civil or military, over those of the people who professed allegiance to other states. This resolution had, in some measure, become necessary, from the frequent outrages committed on the peace- ably disposed. On the ninth of June, they deferred the further consideration of the matter, to the second Tuesday in Sep- tember.
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Upon the receipt of these resolves, the governor and council of Vermont replied, that however Congress might view these resolutions, they were considered by the Vermontese in a dif- ferent light : That Vermont being a free and independent state, had denied the authority of Congress to judge of their juris- diction : 'That as they were not included in the thirteen states, if necessitated to it, they were at liberty to offer or accept terms of cessation of hostilities with Great Britain.
The claims of New-York and New Hampshire were shortly after brought up before Congress. Both alleged that the Ver- montese had no right to establish an independent state. Agents, on the behalf of the Vermontese, were also present. . But Con- gress did not acknowledge them as such. The investigation
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commenced on the nineteenth of September, and closed on the twenty-seventh, when Congress resolved, that the further con- sideration of the matters should be postponed indefinitely. The Vermontese agents protested against the whole proceedings, in consequence of their not being accredited.
Disappointed in their expectations of being admitted into the confederation, the leaders sent letters to some influential men in the western towns of New Hampshire, proposing a convention at Charlestown, on Connecticut River, and a union with those towns. A convention was accordingly got up, and a committee was appointed to confer with the legislature of Vermont. A conference was had and a union entered into in February, 1781. · About this time certain of the Vermontese leaders opened a correspondence with the British generals in Canada. Induce- ments were held out, but no arrangements were entered into. From these the British generals anticipated that beneficial re- sults would redound to their country, in case Vermont should. solicit their protection. The correspondence, it would seem, had been begun anterior to the time stated, and before the thir- tieth of March, 1780. This is proved, by a letter, wrote on be- half of the British general, at the city of New-York, by Col- onel Robinson, to Ethan Allen, at that time a colonel in the service of the United States. This letter contained some indi- rect overtures. Allen showed it to some of his associates. Several meetings were held, in which it was concluded not to divulge its contents abroad.
On the second of February, 1781, Colonel Robinson ad- dressed another letter to Allen, in which he avowed objects, and solicited an answer. The latter gave no reply to either, but on the ninth of March, in the same year, forwarded them to Congress. In a letter of the same date, he endeavoured to justify the conduct of the Vermontese, and expressed his de- termination to do every thing in his power towards the estab- lishnicht of a state. He averred that the Vermontese had a right to agree to a suspension of arms with Great Britain.
In the spring of 1781, the British made inroads into Ver- mont, and carried a few prisoners into Canada. An exchange
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became necessary. A flag of truce was sent by the Vermontese into that province, to effect the exchanges. General Haldi- mand, the governor of Canada, complied with the request, and a release was made. In the fall the British came up the lake with some forces. The commanding officer brought a letter from the governor to Mr. Chittenden, the executive of Ver- mont ; and sent a flag to Ethan Allen, then a brigadier of the Vermontese militia, proposing a cessation of hostilities. This proposal was acceded to on the part of Allen. Mr. Ira Allen, a brother of Ethan, and a Mr. Fay, were appointed commis- sioners on the part of Vermont, to negotiate an exchange of prisoners. The commissioners of the British were Captain J. Sherwood and a Mr. Smith. These had several meetings, and an exchange was effected. Every thing wore the appearance of an adjustment of difficulties with Great Britain, and an aban- donment of the cause of independent America ; but an event soon after occurred, which tended to impair the confidence which these meeting's had inspired. In the month of October a party of Indians made a descent on Royalton, and did con- , siderable damage.
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In September, Fay and Allen, on the part of Vermont, en- tered into a convention with the governor of Canada, whereby a suspension of arms was agreed upon. After this, the enemy returned all the captives, without ransom. While the Vermon- tese were conducting these affairs, an event happened, which put an end to them. Lord Cornwallis, with his whole army, were made prisoners. About the same time, the enemy ascend- ed Lake Champlain, with an armed force. The commander sent letters to Charlestown, announcing his arrival, but the leading men of Vermont declined to answer them, or maintain further correspondence. The commander of the enemy, en- couraged by the previous correspondence, had been induced to bring printed proclamations for distribution. But the people of Vermont were not prepared for such an event. The corres- pondence, however, was kept up. Two letters were forwarded by the British to the leaders. In July, 1782, Ira Allen, the brother of Ethan, repaired to Canada, at the instance of Mr.
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Chittenden and others, and had an interview with Haldimaad, the governor. The object of this mission, it was said, was the exchange of two officers. Mr. Haldimand wrote to Governor Chittenden. His letter bears date August 8th, 1782. In this he assures Mr. Chittenden, the governor of Vermont, that no hostilities should be committed upon the people of that state.
On the 25th of March, 1783, the British agent in Canada wrote a letter on the same and other business. In this, a strong desire is manifested, that a reconciliation may be speedily ac- complished between the Vermontese and the mother country, and that the negotiations already begun under such propitious circumstances, may soon be closed.
The peace between the United States and Great Britain put an end to these correspondences. The tract of land compris- ing Vermont was included within the states:
But to return .- While these correspondences were going on, Congress, on the 7th of August, 1781, resumed the subject matter, which had been laid before them, in relation to the claims of the states of New-York and New-Hampshire, and passed the following resolves, to wit :
" Whereas the states of New-York and New-Hampshire have submitted to Congress the decision of the disputes between them and the people inhabiting the New-Hampshire grants, on the west side of Connecticut River, concerning their respective claims of jurisdiction over the said territory, and have been heard thereon : And whereas the people aforesaid, claim and exercise the power of a sovereign independent state, and have requested to be ad- mitted into the union of the United States of America ; in order thereto, and that they may have an opportunity to be heard in vindication of the said claim :
" Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to confer with such person or persons as may be appointed by the people residing on the New-Hampshire grants, on the west side of Connecticut River, or by the representative body, respecting the claim to be an independent state, and on what terms it may be proper to admit them into the union of these states, in case the United States, in Congress assembled, shall determine to
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recognize their independence and thereon to make report. And it is hereby further recommended to the people of the territory aforesaid, or their representative body, to appoint an agent or agents to repair immediately to Philadelphia, with full powers and instructions to confer with the said committee on the mat- ters aforesaid, and on behalf of the people aforesaid, to agree upon and ratify terms and articles of union and confederation with the United States of America, in case they shall be admit- ted into the union. And the said committee are hereby in- structed to give notice to the agents of the states of New-York and New Hampshire, to be present at the conference aforesaid.
Agents attended on behalf of the people of Vermont, and on the 18th of August, had a conference with said committee. Upon the report of the committee, Congress, on the 20th of August, " Resolved, That it be an indispensible preliminary to the re- cognition of the independence of the Vermontese, and their ad- mission into the compact of the United States, that they relin- quish all demands of lands or jurisdiction, on the east side of the west bank of Connecticut River, and on the west side of a line, beginning at the northwestern corner of the state of Massa- chusetts, thence running twenty miles east of Hudson's River, so far as the said river runs northerly in its general course, then by the west bounds of the townships granted by the late government of New-Hampshire, to the river running from the South Bay to Lake Champlain ; thence along the said river, to Lake Champlain ; thence along the waters of Lake Cham- plain, to latitude forty-five degrees north, excepting a neck of land between Missisconi Bay, and the waters of Lake Cham- plain."
In October, of the same year, these resolves were laid before the assembly of Vermont. After much debate, they determined not to accept of them ; and also further, that they would not submit to any arbitrament made by Congress, or any other body of men.
We shall conclude chapter seven, by giving the names of the officers of the revolutionary army, who served in the line of VOL. III. 33
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this state, during the war. The list was furnished me by the Hon. Silas Wood, the author of-A sketch of the first settle- · ment of Long Island. It cannot be viewed with indifference by the people of this state, and especially the descendants of those officers. Few, very few of those who served their country in that long, doubtful, and arduous contest are now living.
A list of the Officers of the Revolutionary Army belonging to the line of the State of New- York, who served to the end of the war.'
Major-general-Alexander M' Dougall.
Brigadier-general-James Clinton.
Colonels-Peter Gansevoort, John Lamb, William Malcom, James Livingston, Philip Van Cortlandt, Goose Van Schenick.
Lieutenant-colonels-Jacobus Bruen, Robert Cochran, Sid- ney Hay, Henry B. Livingston, William P. Smith, Ebenezer Stephens, Cornelius Van Dycke, Benjamin Walker, Frederick Weisenfelts, Marinus Willet.
Majors-Sebastian Bauman, John Davis, Nicholas Fish, John Graham, Samuel Logan, Stephen M.Dougall, Lewis M. Malcom, George H. Nicholson, Richard Platt, James Rose- crants.
Captains-Aaron Aerson, Philip D. Beveir, Leonard Bleeck- er, Thomas T. Bliss, Wm. Bull, John Doughty, Edward Duns- comb, Andrew Finck, George Fleming, Chilson Ford, Theo- dosious Fowler, Abner French, Henry Goodwin, Charles Gra- ham, Silas Gray, James Gregg, Jonathan Hallet, John F. Hamtramack, Derick Hanson, Benjamin Hicks, Robert Hunter, Cornelius T. Jansen, John Johnson, Abraham Livingston, Thomas Machin, Elihu Marshall, Alexander M. Arthur, An- drew Mordie, Gershom Mott, Abraham Neely, Daniel Nevin, Nathaniel Norton, Jackson Patton, Charles Parsons, Henry Pawling, Solomon Pendleton, Samuel Pell, Benjamin Pelton, Jacob Reid, James Robecheau, John Santford, James Stewart, Israel Smith, Nathan Strong, George Syter, Peter Taulman, Henry Tiebout, Jonathan Titus, John C. Ten Broeck, John D. Ten Eyck, Henry Vanderburgh, John Van Dycke, Peter
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J. Vosburgh, Nicholas Van Rensselaer, Anthony Welp, Jacob Wright, Robert Wright, Guy Young.
Lieutenants-Jonas Addoms, Peter Anspack, Edward Arm- strong, Josiah Bagley, James Barret, Jerrick Beekman, Wil- liam Belknap, Robert Bennet, Prentice Bowen, Francis Brind- ley, James Bradford, Caleb Brewster, James Brewster, Jacobus Bruen, Palmer Cady, Alexander Clinton, Christopher Codwise, William Colbreath, Philip Conine, Michael Conolly, Henry Dember, Daniel Denniston, George Denniston, Henry Dodge, Samuel Dodge, Alexander Down, Joshua Drake, Peter Els- worth, Samuel English, James Fairlie, Joseph Frelick, John Furman, Benjamin Gilbert, Finch Gildersleve, Isaac Guyon, Francis Hanmer, Abraham Hardenburgh, John L. Harden- burgh, Elisha Harvey, Thomas Hunt, Christopher Hutton, James Johnston, David Kirkpatrick, George Laycraft, William Laycraft, Jonathan Lawrence, Abraham Legget, Samuel Lewis, Robert H. Livingston, Alexander M. Arthur, Peter Magee, Anthony Maxwell, John Miles, Francis Monty, William Morris, Ebenezer Mott, Peter Nestel, Charles Nukerk, Hiel Peck, Wil- liam Pennington, John Reed, Wilhelmus Ryckman, Barent Salisbury, William Scudder, John Shaw, Isaac Smith, John Smith, Ephraim Snow, John Stagg, Cornelius Swartwout, Henry Swartwout, Samuel Tallmage, Peter Tappen, Abraham Ten Eyck, Alexander Thompson, Andrew Thompson, Azariah Tuthill, Peter Van Benschoten, John Van Dycke, Rudolph Van Hovenbarack, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Tobias Van Vech- ten, Bartholomew Van Volkenburgh, Tunis Van Waggenen, Henry Van Woert, Charles F. Weisenfelts, Jacobus HI. Wen- den, Ephraim Woodruff, Peter Woodward, Jotham Wright.
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Ensigns-John Burr, Nehemiah Carpenter, Samuel Dodge, John Fondy, Douw Fondy, Benjamin Herrin, Garret Lansing, Joseph Morril, William Peters, Robert Provost, Dirck Schuy- ler, Barnabas Swartwout, Abraham Ten Broeck, Bartholomew Vandenburgh, Robert Wilson.
Physician-general-John Cochran.
Physicians and Surgeons-Geo. Campbell, Charles M.Knight, Joseph Young.
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Surgcons-Samuel Cook, George Draper, Daniel Meriname, Thomas Reid, Caleb Sweet, Nicholas Schuyler, John F. Vachee, Hemlock Woodruff.
Hospital Surgeon-Malachi Treat, John Elliot, Surgeon's Mate.
Apothecary-general-J. B. Cutting, Andrew Cragie, Apos thecary.
The whole number of Revolutionary Oficers who served to the end of the war, in the lines of the different states, were 2310.
New Hampshire 79
Massachusetts, including Maine 445
Connecticut 254
Rhode Island
44
New-York
200
New-Jersey ·
92
Pennsylvania
421
Delaware
32
Maryland 1.66
Virginia, including Kentucky 337
North Carolina 99
South Carolina 93
Georgia .
48
See Wood's Sketch of L. I., Laws of N. Y. v. 1, printed in 1792, Journals of the Assembly, Williams' History of Vermont, &c.
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CHAPTER VIII.
Condition of the American army at Valley Forge-Combination . to remove Washington from the command-Distresses of the army-Arrival of the Baron Steuben at Valley Forge-The British government appoints commissioners to treat with the Americans about an adjustment of differences-Intelligence of a treaty of alliance with France is brought-British treat- ment of American prisoners-The British make inroads into New-Jersey from Philadelphia-Sir Henry Clinton evacuates the city of Philadelphia, and marches for New- York-Wash- ington breaks up his camp at Valley Forge, and goes in quest of the British-Battle of Monmouth-Count D. Estaing ar- . rives at Rhode Island with a fleet-The Americans land on Rhode Island-The French fleet puts out to sea in pursuit of the British fleet-Both fleets dispersed by a storm-The . French. fleet returns to Rhode Island, and goes thence to Bos- ton-The Americans retreat from Rhode Island-Predatory incursions of the British into Connecticut-American army retires into winter quarters at the Highlands-Arrival of the British commissioners-Wyoming laid waste by the tories and Indians-Dispositions made for the invasion of Canada und the protection of the frontier settlements-The British posts at Kaskaskias and St. Vincents taken by Colonel Clark.
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1778 .- THE condition of the American armies at this time was deplorable. In every division complaints were made of the deficiency of provisions, clothing, blankets, and tents. Some of the troops under Washington showed indications of mutiny. The paper currency had depreciated in value, and the inhabitants would not accept of it in pay for necessaries for the army. At Valley Forge the last ration was delivered, and it became apparent that the army would be dissolved, unless
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provisions could be obtained. Under these circumstances, Washington, in order to avert the dissolution of the army and save the states, ordered that the country should be scoured, and provisions taken, wherever found, to supply the urgent wants.
The commissary department organized by Congress was very defective. Frequent representations in relation to this were made to that body, by the commander-in-chief and others, but to no purpose. The seizures produced great irritation, and rendered the cause unpopular with those who were not pre- disposed to make great sacrifices. Congress had, by a resolu- tion of the seventeenth of September, 1777, which was continu- ed in November, authorized Washington to seize provisions for the army, within seventy miles of his head-quarters. In addi- tion to this, they directed him to issue a proclamation, calling on the farmers within the like distance, to thresh out the one- . half of their grain by the first of February, and the residue by the first of March, under the penalty of having the whole seized.
The success of this experiment for subsisting the army by impressments, did not meet the expectations of Congress. Sup- plies derived by force are precarious. They may relieve for an instant, but eventually prove pernicious. ; Besides, they spread disaffection among the people ; and create in the soldiers a disposition to rob and plunder.
About this time a combination was formed against Washing- ton, in which many members of Congress; and some of the ofti- cers, were concerned. The eclat with which the capitulation at Saratoga had surrounded the reputation of General Gates, acquired advocates for the opinion, that the arms of America would be more fortunate, if that gentleman should be elevated to the supreme command. He showed by his conduct, that if he had not originated he at least sanctioned it. He had not only omitted to write to Washington the successes of his army, after the victory of the seventh of October had opened to him the prospect of destroying the enemy's army ; but he had carried on a correspondence with General Conway, in which that offi-
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