USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 3 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
Congress, on the eighteenth of October, 1783, issued a pro- clamation, in which the armies of the United. States were applauded for their fortitude, bravery, and good conduct during the war. Congress then declared, that such part of the armies as stood engaged to serve during the war, should, from and after the third of November, in the following month, be dis- charged. On the second day of November, it being the day preceding their dismission, Washington issued his farewell orders. After commending the officers and soldiers for their, bravery, constancy, and good conduct, he gave them his advice respecting their future conduct ; and bidding them farewell, he concluded with these words : " May ample justice be done to you here, and may the choicest of heaven's favours, both here and hereafter, attend you, who, under the Divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for your countrymen. With these wishes, and this benediction, the commander-in-chief is about to retire from service ; the curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene will to him be closed for ever." With great exertions, four months' pay, in part of several .
years' arrearages, was given to the army.
The evacuation of the city of New-York, and the adjacent posts, took place on the twenty-fifth of November, in the same month. For twelve months preceding, there had been an un- restrained communication between that city and the country. 'The bitterness of war passed away, and civilities were inter- changed between the Americans and British. Washington and the governor of New-York, with their suites, made a public entry into the city of New-York, as soon as the British army was withdrawn. The lieutenant-governor, and members of the council, the officers of the American army and the citizens, followed in procession. In the evening there was a display of fire-works, which exceeded every thing of the kind before seen in the United States.
-
山城管
------
403
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
The hour now approached, in which it became necessary for Washington to take leave of his officers. This was done in a solemn manner. Washington addressed them-" with a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you ; I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy, as your former ones have been glorious and honourable." The officers came up successively, and he took leave of each. When this scene was over, Washington proceeded to the place of embarkation, passing through a corps of infantry. The officers followed in solemn procession, with dejected counte- nances. On his entering the barge to cross the Hudson, he turned towards the companions of his glory, and by waving his hat, bid them a silent adieu.
Washington, on the approaching dissolution of the army, by a circular letter to the governors of the individual states, gave his parting advice to his countrymen, and, with the charms of eloquence, inculcated the necessity of union, justice, and subor- dination, and of such principles and practice as their new situa- tion required.
The army being disbanded, Washington proceeded to Anna- polis, in Maryland, then the seat of Congress, to resign his commission. On his way thither he delivered to the Comptrol- ler in Philadelphia, an account of all the public money he had ever received. This was in his own handwriting. The whole sum, which in the course of the war, had passed through his hands, amounted only to 14,4791. 18s. 9d. sterling, a sum equi- valent to 63,711 dollars and 72 cents. Nothing was charged or retained as a reward for personal services, and actual dis- bursements had been managed with such economy and fidelity, that they were all covered by the above sum.
In every town and village through which the illustrious chief passed, he was met by public and private demonstrations of gra- titude and joy. When he arrived at Annapolis, on the nine- teenth day of December, he informed Congress of his intention to ask leave to resign the commission he had the honour to hold in their service, and desired to know their pleasure in what man- ner it would be most proper to be done. They resolved, that
404
HISTORY OF THE
it should be done in a public audience. When the day (which was the twenty-third of December) fixed for that purpose arriv- ed, a great number of persons attended. At a proper moment, Washington addressed Thomas Mifflin, the President, in the following words :
" Mr. President,
" The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place, I have now the honour of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting my- self before them, to surrender into their hands the trust commit- ted to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the ser- vice of my country.
" Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovc- reignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United · States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence ; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.
" The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations, and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my coun- trymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest.
" While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not to acknowledge in this place, the peculiar service and distinguished merits of the persons who had been attached to my person during the war ; it was impossible the choice of confidential officers, to compose my family, should have been more fortunate; permit me sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of Congress.
" I consider it as an indispensible duty, to close this last and solemn act of my official life, by commending the interest of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to His holy keeping.
1
.
405
STATE OF NEW-YORK:
" Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and bidding an affectionate fare- well to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."
: To this the President, Mr. Mifflin, returned the following answer :
" The United States in Congress assembled receive, with .emotion too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with suc- cess, through a perilous and doubtful war.
" Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you had accepted the sacred charge before it had formed alli- ances, and whilst it was withont friends or a government to sup- port you.
" You have conducted the great military forces with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity ; you have persevered, till these United States, aided by a magnanimous and powerful nation, have been enabled, under a just Provi- dence, to close the war in freedom, safety and independence ; on which happy event we sincerely join you in congratulations.
" Having defended the standard of liberty in this New World -having taught a lesson, useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action with the blessings of your fellow-citizens ; but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command- it will continue to animate the remotest ages. We feel with you our obligations to the army in general, and will particu- larly charge ourselves with the interest of those confidential officers who have attended your person to this affecting moment.
: " We join you in commending the interest of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching Him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the op- portunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable
406
HISTORY OF THE
nation. And for you, we address to Him our earnest prayer ., that a life 'so beloved may be fostered with all his care ; that your days may be happy as they have been illustrious, and that He will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give."
The mingled emotions that agitated the minds of the specta- tors during this affecting scene were indescribable. Immedi- diately on resigning his commission, Washington hastened, with ineffable delight, to his seat at Mount Vernon, on the Virginia side of the Potomac.
To pass suddenly from the toils of the first public commission in the United States to the care of a farm ; to exchange the in- struments of war for the implements of husbandry, would to most men have been a difficult task ; but to the elevated mind of Washington it was natural and delightful. The commanders of armies may learn from his example, that the fame which is . acquired in the field without guilt or ambition, can be preserved without power or splendor in private life.
See Ramsey's History of the Revolutionary War, &c.
1
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
407
CHAPTER XIII.
Controversy with Vermont resumed-New-York consents to re- linguish all claims to Vermont-Boundary between the two + states fixed-The causes which led to the settlement of the western country-Cession of the Genesee country by the Go- vernment of New- York to that of Massachusetts-Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham purchase the country of Gene- sec from Massachusetts-Military lands-Mr. Hugh White, the pioneer of the western country, settles at Saughdughquada, now Whitesborough, in the county of Oneida-Settlement made at Onondaga Hollow by Mr. Webster .- Settlements made at. Seneca Falls in Seneca county, and at East Cayuga in Cayuga county-Cooperstown, in Otsego county, founded, and Orford, in the county of Chenango-Oliver Phelps sets out from Gorham, in Massachusetts, for the Genesee country -His arrival at Canandaigua-He negotiates a treaty with the Senecas, and purchases large tracts of land from them- O. Phelps founds Canandaigua, and opens a land office-Ge- neva founded-Pittsford, Geneseo, and other places, founded -Ontario erected into a county-Road made from the settle- ments of Whitestown via Oneida, Canasaraga, Onondaga, Cayuga and Geneva to Canandaigua-Onondaga erected into a county-Population of the western country in 1800-Emi- grations to the counties on and near the Iludson-Obstacles thrown in the way of emigrants-Act for the sale of the un- appropriated lands.
THE controversy between New York and Vermont resumed. The resolves of Congress did not meet the expectations of the government of New-York. The legislature, on the fifteenth and nineteenth of November, passed a number of resolves, and entered a solemn protest against the resolves made by Con- gress. The resolves of that body, it would seem, had been dif-
-
408
HISTORY OF THE
ferent from what had been expected by the leading men of New-York, but such perhaps as equity, under all the circum- stances presented, might have required. It was necessary that the persons and property of the Vermontese should be protected · against invasions under assumed rights. The New-Hampshire grants, by every rule of natural right, ought to be confirmed. New- York had refused to do this, but, nevertheless, had sub- mitted the matter to Congress. The claims of New-York, so far as respected sovereignty and jurisdiction, were plain, and so they were in respect to the grants. The Indigines had never been consulted as to the soil ; the lands were vacant. Circum- stanced as they were, the colonial government and its succes- sors had no natural right to disposess men who had went on to them, and made improvements. The grounds which the rulers of New-York had all along taken, were such as to pre- clude the idea of conciliation. The delegates were instructed to enter their dissent ; which they did, and this after the sub- mission to that body ..
The disaffection was not confined to the district claimed by New-York; it spread over the western towns of New- Hampshire.
About the same time, the governor of New-York ordered out a detachment of militia, to suppress, as was alleged, a com- bination formed by the people living in some of the towns contiguous to the New-York boundary, to obstruct the due execution of the laws. Brigadier-general Gansevoort, who had distinguished himself at the siege of Fort Stanwix, was sent out upon this service. This officer marched with the militia to the town of Hoosack, where a Mr. Walbridge had assembled a considerable body of the Vermontese, for the pur- pose of opposing the sheriff and his abettors, in the execution of the law in respect of ejectment recoveries.
General Gansevoort addressed a note to Mr. Walbridge, in which he gave him to understand that he must disband his men, and return home, otherwise he would be treated as an insurgent. Walbridge temporised, and spun out the time, so that nothing was done on either side ; and the New-York militia gradually disbanded themselves, and returned home.
:
STATE OF NEW-YORK. 409
The assembly of Vermont met in the month of February, , 1782, at Bennington, and after considerable debates in relation to their condition, came to the following conclusion, on the 22d of the same month:
" The recommendation of the grand committee, consisting of the governor, the honorable the council, and the represen- tatives of the people, on taking into consideration the resolutions of Congress respecting this state, in the month of August last, being read, is as follows : " That in the sense of this committee, Congress, by their resolution of August last, in guaranteeing to the states of New-Hampshire and New-York, respectively, all the territory without certain limits therein expressed, has eventually determined the boundaries of this state. And whereas, it appears to this committee consistent with the spirit, true intent and meaning, of the articles of union entered into by this state, with the inhabitants of a certain district of coun- try, on the east side of the west bank of Connecticut river, and on the west side of a line twenty miles east of Hudson's river ; which articles of union were executed on the twenty-fifth of February, and the 15th of June last, that Congress should con- sider and determine the boundary lines of the state : it is recom- mended to the legislature of this state, to pass resolutions declaring their acquiescence in, and accession to, the determi- nation made by Congress, of the boundary lines between the states of New-Hampshire and New-York, respectively, and this state, as they are in such resolutions defined and described : and also expressly relinquishing all claims to jurisdiction over the said districts of territory, without said boundary lines, and the inhabitants thereon residing.
" Confiding in the faith and wisdom of Congress, they will immediately enter on measures to carry into effect the other matters in the said resolution contained ; and settle the same on equitable terms, whereby this state may be received into, and have and enjoy all the protection, rights and advantages, of a union with the United States, as free, independent and sovereign states, as is held forth to us in and by the said resolutions.
VOL. IIP. 52
-
410
HISTORY OF THE
" And that the assembly cause official information of their resolutions, to be immediately transmitted to the Congress of the United States, and to the states of New-York and New- Hampshire.
" Whereupon, resolved, that the foregoing recommendation be complied with ; and that the west bank of Connecticut river and a line, beginning at the northwest corner of the state of Massachusetts, from thence northward twenty miles east of Hudson's river, as specified in the resolutions of Congress, in August last, be considered as the east and west boundaries of this state. That this assembly do hereby relinquish all claims and demands to, and right of jurisdiction over, any and every district of territory without said boundary lines. That au- thentic copies of this resolution be forthwith sent to Congress, and to the states of New-York and New-Hampshire, respec- tively." Such was the recommendation of the committee, and the resolution of the assembly. Both construed the resolves of Congress, which were merely recommendatory to the states of New-York and New-Hampshire, as determining the controversy, and establishing a new state.
The legislature of Vermont had been led to the adoption of this measure, in consequence of a letter, bearing date, January first, 1782, from General Washington to Mr. Chittenden, the then governor. In this letter he says, " it is not my business, neither do I think it necessary now to discuss the origin of the right of a number of inhabitants to that tract of country, for- merly distinguished 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, because Congress, by their resolve of the seventh of August, imply it, and by that of the twenty-first, are willing fully to confirm it, provided the new state is confined to certain prescribed bounds. It appears, therefore, to me, that the dispute of boundary is the only one that exists, and that being removed, all other dif- ficulties would be removed also ; and the matter terminated. You have nothing to do, but withdraw your jurisdiction to the
-
-- '411
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
confines of your own limits, and obtain an acknowledgment of independence and sovereignty under the resolve of August, for so much territory, as does not interfere with the ancient esta- blished bounds of New-York, New-Hampshire and Massachu- setts. In my private opinion, while it behooves the delegates to do ample justice to a body of people, sufficiently respectable by their numbers, and entitled by other claims to be admitted into the confederation ; it becomes them also to attend to the in- terest of these constituents, and see that, under the appearance of justice to one, they do not materially injure the rights of others. I am apt to think, that this is the prevailing opinion of Con- gress."
Such were the opinions expressed by the father of his coun- try. They had great weight, and were received almost as laws. They changed the views of a body of men, who, although they had been contending for their dearest rights, had set laws at defiance, and had disregarded the opinions of Congress, ex- pressed in resolves.
The legislature of Vermont, after having passed the afore- said resolves, proceeded, and chose four delegates to represent that state in Congress. These were commissioned with plen- ary powers, to negotiate the admission of Vermont into the American confederation. Only two of the delegates were to take seats, in case of admission.
In the mean time, Congress took up the subject again ; the refusal of the assembly in October, to comply with the resolutions Congress had made in August, was viewed in a very unfavourable light, and excited considerable indignation. Indeed the refusal, accompanied with inflammatory resolves, set- ting that body and all others at defiance, afforded but too just grounds.
On March first, it was proposed in Congress to pass a resolve, that if, within one month from the time in which the resolve should be communicated to Thomas Chittenden, the governor, they should comply with the resolves of August seventh and twentieth, 1781, they should be immediately admitted into the Union ; but if they should refuse this, and did not desist from
412
." HISTORY OF THE.
attempting to exercise jurisdiction over the lands guaranteed to New-York and New-Hampshire, Congress would consider such neglect or refusal, as a manifest indication of designs hostile to the United States, and that all the pretensions and applications of the said inhabitants, heretofore made for admission into the Union, were fallacious and delusive; and that thereupon the forces of the United States should be employed against the inhabitants, and Congress would consider all the lands within the territory to the eastward of the ridge of mountains, as guar- anteed to the state of New-Hampshire, and all the lands to the westward of said line, as guaranteed to New-York ; and that the commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States, should without delay or further order, carry the same into effect. But after some animated debates, the resolution was laid upon the table, and indefinitely postponed.
On the thirty-first of March, the delegates from Vermont laid before Congress the resolutions of the assembly of that state, in which they claimed a compliance with the resolves of Congress of August seventh and twentieth, and requested to be admitted into the confederation as an independent and sove- reign state. Congress referred the matter to a committee of five of their members. On the seventeenth of April, the com- mittee made the following report : "in the sense of. your com- mittee, the people of the said district, by the last recited act, . appear to have complied with the stipulation made and requir- ed of them in the resolutions of the twentieth and twenty-first of August, as preliminary to a recognition of their sovereignty and independence, and admission into the union of these states. And that the conditional promise and engagement of Congress of such recognition and admission, is thereby become absolute, and necessary to be performed.
" Your committee, therefore, submit the following resolution :
" That the district of territory called Vermont, as defined and limited in the resolutions of Congress of the twentieth and twenty-first of August, 1781, be, and it is hereby recognized and acknowledged by the name of the state of Vermont, as a free, sovereign, and independent state ; and that a committee
- 413
STATE OF NEW-YORK.
be appointed to treat and confer with the agents and delegates from the said state of Vermont, upon the terms and mode of the admission of the said state into the Union."
When this report was read in Congress, a motion was made and seconded, that the first Tuesday in October following be assigned for the consideration of the report; the vote passed ¿ in the negative. A motion was then made and seconded, that the third Tuesday in June next, be assigned for the considera- tion of the report ; the vote was again in the negative. A mo- tion was then made and seconded, that Monday next be assign- ed for the consideration of the report. This vote passed in the negative.
: . From these votes, it is apparent that Congress were averse to a course, different from that contained in their resolutions of `August twentieth and twenty first, 1781.
. The interference of Congress closed about this time. In the autumn of the same year, the Vermontese assembly appointed agents, with full powers and instructions to renew their applica- tion for admission into the Union, but Congress refused to have any thing to do in the premises. Great Britain had concluded a peace with the United States, and had in the treaty, renoun- ced all her claims to the contested territory. Congress might have coerced the Vermontese to a compliance, or to return to their allegiance to the state of New-York ; but that body deem- ed it expedient to let things rest, hoping in the mean time, . that the passions of those concerned in the dispute would be assuaged, and that peace and harmony would follow.
Such was the situation of Vermont at the close of 1783. - Some of the inhabitants were strongly attached to the govern- ment of New-York, but the great body of the people were, and had always been, opposed to it. Their opposition did not, however, originate in a dislike to the government, but to the measures pursued in relation to their lands. The colonial and state governments had pursued the same course in regard to the lands. The Vermontese held under grants made by New- Hampshire. They had an important interest at stake-they contended for their fire-places and altars. The government of
414
HISTORY OF THE
New-York ought to have confirmed the grants-justice required it. They had been made under the faith of government; the people had settled upon them, made improvements, and erected habitations. The lands cost New-York nothing, nor would the coffers of the province or state have been filled, or even bene- fited by the vacation of the grants. The wild lands of this state have in general been frittered away, and the New-Hamp- shire grants would have shared the same fate. Population, agriculture, and commerce, strengthen states, and replenish their coffers-not a few land jobbers or speculators.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.