USA > Vermont > A history of Vermont, from its first settlement to the present time : with a geographical account of the country, and a view of its original inhabitants. For the use of schools > Part 3
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As soon as the settlers appeared in arms, and determined to resist to the last extrem- ity, the New-York militia deserted their ranks and dispersed ; and the sheriff found his authority in no way strengthened by the posse which had accompanied him,
By these circumstances, the inhabitants began to be en-
9. How did New-York attempt to enforce the decrees? What was the result ! How did this affect the settlore! What was the character of the great body of the settlers? What was the prudent course for New- York to . have taken ! What would probably have bern the result?
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couraged, and the opposition became more general, open, and daring. Several officers were severely injured in their attempts to put in force the decisions of the courts of New- York-and as the difficulties and dangers thickened, none could be found hardy and daring enough to attempt the dis- possession of any of the inhabitants.
Still the acts of ejectment went on in the courts at Alba- ny, but they were never executed, and finally no attention was paid to thenr.
During this period many acts of roughness and excess were counnitted; and when it is considered who were the great body of the settlers, and their advantages for refine- ment, they might naturally be expected. 'Iney were a hardy race of men, born and brought up amidst the vicissi- tudes and hardships of the wilderness, and tho' uncultivated and rude, still they were intrepid, brave, and determined.
They had acquired their possessions by a hard and labori- ous course of life, and had suffered many privations in the settlement of the country. That such men, under such circumstances, should quietly give up their property to greedy speculators, or pay four times the original sum which they had advanced for them, in order to retain them, was more than could reasonably have been expected.
Knowing this, the government of New-York might natu- rally expect that an attempt to drive them from their fire- sides and their homes, would call their boisterous elements into action, and furnish a sufficient apology for acts of vio- Ience and outrage.
After the decision by the Crown, assigning this territory to them, bad the government of New-York, as prudence would have dictated, allowed those already in possession to have quietly held their lands, no controversy would ever have arisen. The inhabitants were by no means disposed to question the jurisdiction of New-York; but considering their lands honestly purchased, and laberiously acquired, they felt that they could not be called upon to relinquish them. By the foreed construction put upon the decision of the Crown, all these troubles were occasioned, and no ad- vantage ever acerned from it to those who caused them.
This opposition was by New- York called felony, treason, and rebellion against lawful authority : but the truth is, touch more blue is to be attached to the government for framing such laws, than to the people for resisting them.
· Still, as the government persisted in its attempts to en-
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force these laws, the opposition became more violent, and served to confirm them in their suspicions and prejudices against their rulers.
SEC. 10. At the head of the opposition were Ethan Allen and Seth Warner. Allen, however, was foremost; bold, hardy, and enterprising, undaunted by danger and un- moved by flattery, firm in his determination, and with great confidence in his own abili- ties, he undertook to direct the proceed- ings of the people.
By writings and other means, he stirred up the minds of the people, and in pamphlets which be cirenlated, he strove to display the injustice of the claims of New-York ; and though indifferently written, they were much read, and ex- orted a powerful influence among the people. Though he wrote with asperity, still he avoided every thing like injus- tice, and was always averse to bloodshed and cruelty.
Warner was next to Allen, and among the most distinguished leaders of the oppo- sition. He was cool, firm, and steady, and determined that the laws of New-York re- specting the settlers, should never be car- ried into effect.
10 Who were at the head of the opposition? Who was foremost? What was als character ! Who was next ! What was his character ?
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CHAPTER IV.
FROM 1767 TO 1775.
Continuation of the disputes concerning New- Hampshire grants, to the commencement of the Revolution.
SEC. 1. This controversy became so se- rious and alarming, that the settlers sent a committee of three, as agents to represent their situation to the Court of Great Britain, and implore the protection of the Crown.
They proceeded to England and presented their petition at the throne. In consequence of this, the King instituted an enquiry into the nature and cause of their grievances and seemed inclined to afford them relief.
SEc. 2. In 1707 a report was made con- corning the New-Hampshire grants, and an edict issued prohibiting the governor of New-York, on pain of the King's displeas- ure, making any grants of any part of the land described in the report, until the' King's further. pleasure should be made known.
This gave encouragement to hope that a period would be put to these oppressive acts of the goverment. It was believed that this would prevent any further grants, and that they should be allowed to possess their lands in quiet.
But they were destined soon to be disappointed in all these hopes. For while the governor of New-York was calling opon them to submit to the royal decrees, he paid little or no regard to them himself, but still continued to
1. What did the settlers do at this crisis ?
2. What edict was issued by the King in 1767? How did it affect the settlers ? Were they disappointed ! Did the governor of New- York oboy this?
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make grants, and the fees were caught at with as much avidity as before.
The large emoluments accruing from these, were too tempting to be readily relinquished ; for the fees attending the grant of a township exceeded 2000 dollars, while under New-Hampshire it did not amount to more than 100.
The imperfect management of the colloquial affairs, and the difficulty encountered in regulating them, encouraged the government of New-York to hope that they should go on with impunity.
SEc. 3. With the view of conciliating the inhabitants, an address was issued in 1772, by Tryon, governor of New-York, inviting the people of Bennington and vi- cinity to lay before him the causes of their complaints.
'This invitation was accompanied by assurances of the disposition of the governor to afford such relief as the situ- ation and circumstances of the people would justify. Safety and protection was also offered to any persons they might send as agents, excepting Allen, Warner, and some others.
Two were accordingly appointed to wait on the governor, and conduct the negociations in behalf of the settlers, -- Explanations were also made respecting the conduct of some of the excepted persons.
These negociations, however, resulted in mere forma! professions of friendly dispositions on the part of the gov- ernment. The council recommended the suspension of all criminal suits and prosecutions in behalf of the Crown, until advices could be received as to the wishes of his Majesty.
The crimes here alluded to, consisted in the opposition which had been made to the oppressive aets of New-York. So far from considering this criminal, the settlers had been supported in it by principles of duty and a sense of right.
The government had made no concessions, which tended in the least to remove the cause of their grievances .--- The affair was important to the inhabitants, for on the issue of
3. Who attempted a reconciliation ? What measures di.the take ? Were they successful ? How did it result ? How did the settlers coalider their conduct ! llow was it considered by New-York ?
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it was staked their all, and they were determined to pre- serve it.
The government pronounced them traitors and rebellious, and denounced their attempts to preserve their estates, as in open opposition to the laws of their country and the de- crees of their King.
Still, while no security was offered them for the peacea- ble possession of their hard carned estates, and no recon- ciliation was effected, the minds of the settlers were not likely to be conciliated by the mere suspension of these prosecutions.
A large number had been indicted for riot and rebellion, on account of exertions made in opposition to the new grants. They refused to submit themselves to trial, and had generally either cluded the officers or defended them- selves against an arrest.
SEC. 4. Instead of using measures to pacify the irritated feelings of the people, in 1774 New-York passed an act, declar- ing, that unless all offenders delivered them- selves up to the authority of the colony within 70 days, they should, if indicted for a capital offence, be convicted of felony, and suffer death, without the benefit of clergy.
This was a most unexampled display of despotisia, and put an end to all further prospect of reconciliation. The courts were empowered to award execution against the offenders, in the same manner as if they had been tried and convicted ; and all crimes committed on the grants were to be tried by the courts at Albany.
A proclamation was also issued, offering a reward of fifty pounds each, for the apprehension and delivery of Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and six others, who were among the most active and powerful members of the opposition party.
The effect of the writings and exertions of Allen and Warner, had been to stir up the people to meet in the sev-
4. What art was passed in 1721? What is said of it ! What proclamation was made? What had beenthe effect of Allen's and Warner a writings ? What was the offret of the proclamation ! What resolution did the committees pass ? Who published an address ! What declaration did they make !
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eral towns, and appoint committees of safety, and to con- cert measures for the common welfare.
This outrageous proceeding of the government served only to unite the settlers, and the committees for the towns west of the Green Mountains, at a general meeting, passed the following resolution :
"That for the future, every necessary preparation be made, and that our inhabitants hold themselves ready at a minute's warning, to aid and defend such friends of ours, who, for their merit to the great and general cause, are falsely de- nominated rioters ; but that we will not act any thing, more or less, but on the defensive, and always encourage due execution of law in civil cases, and also in criminal prosecutions that are so indeed; and that we will assist to the utmost of our power, the officers appointed for that purpose."
An address was also published by those persons who had been proscribed, to the people living in the vicinity of the New-Hampshire grants, declaring, that they would kill and destroy whoever should attempt to arrest them, or be in any way accessary to the taking of them.
Sec. 5. The inhabitants now began to feel anxious for an entire separation from New-York, and for this purpose, they con- ceiyed the project of making the "New- Hampshire grants," (as the present State of Vermont was then called,) into a royal province, independent of any other.
Philip Skeen, a colonel of one of the King's regiments in America, who was possessed of a large estate on Lake Champlain, seems to have been one of the projectors of this plan. He went to England to effect this object, and though he met with some encouragement, still nothing de- cisive was effected at that time.
Sac. 6. Serious differences had for some time existed between the colonies general-
$ For what were the people anxious ? What project was proposed? By whom " What measures did he take ! How did they succeed ?
6. What took place between the colonies and mother country ? How did the coinnies regard the conduct of the mother country ! What was done by the Congress in 1774 ? How was the authority of the mother country treated ? C
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ly, and the mother country. They consid- ered her as encroaching upon their rights and liberties, and were resolved on resist- ing all undue exercise of her authority.
In September, 1774, a Congress, consisting of delegates from most of the colonies, met-and after a memorial to the King and people of England, published an address to the colonies, exhorting them to maintain their liberties in such a manner as should be deemed necessary and expedient.
In consequence of this, and the succeeding acts of the English government, their authority began soon to be treat- ed, nearly in the same manner by the colonies generally, as that of New-York bad been by the settlers of the New- Hampshire grants.
The judicial proceedings under the royal authority were interrupted, and most of the courts were shut up or adjourn- cd without transacting any business.
SEC. 7. An affair soon occurred between the New-Yorkers and the settlers, which exasperated both parties to the highest de- gree. According to usage the court of Cumberland county* was to hold a session at Westminster on the 13th of March, 1775. Some of the inhabitants of that place and the vicinity, carly took possession of the court-house, and denied admittance to the officers.
Having procured an armed force, about 11 o'clock at night, the sheriff proceeded to the court-house and demand- ed admittance, which being refused, they fired into the house and killed and wounded several of the occupants.
This violent and unjust proceeding gave a fresh impulse to the popular excitement, and called forth the indignant
7. What affair happened at Westminster! What county now comprises s hat was Cumberland county ? What did the Sheriff do ! "What was the ef- fect ! What resolution did the committees pass ?
*Now Windham county.
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feelings of the inhabitants. They assembled from all quar- ters, highly exasperated, and called a coroner's inquest, which brought in a verdict of murder.
They then seized some of the officers and imprisoned them in the jail at Northampton, in Massachusetts ; but they were afterwards released. In consequence of this af- fair committees of the people from most of the towns met at Westminster in April and passed a resolution, of which the following is the substance.
"That it is the duty of the inhabitants, wholly to renounce and resist the administration of the government of New- York, until their lives and property could be secured by it, or until their grievances could be laid before the king, to- gether with a remonstrance against their proceedings, and a petition, to be taken out of so oppressive a jurisdiction and be attached to some other, or be incorporated into a Dew one, as should be deemed best."
SEc. 8. Matters had now arrived at that point, at which they seemed about to form a most sanguinary crisis and a civil war seemed to threaten them, with all its hor- Fors. Both parties were irritated and ex- asperated to the last degree and appeared to be on the eve of open hostilities, when an event occurred, the most tremendous in its consequences, and which served to arrest the attention of all, and to give a new impulse to the torrent of popular fury.
This event which so suddenly terminated the prospect of hostilities between New-York and Vermont, was no less than the breaking out of a war, between the Colonies and England; a war between the mother country and her de- pendencies, and which in the event, has proved to be unpar- alleled in the annals of the world.
It was not now to be a contest between petty govern- ments about boundaries and titles, but the struggle of a few
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9. To what did the differences seem to be approaching! What event prevented it ! What was the state of the parties who were about to #1 4ge la war !
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colonies thinly peopled and totally unprepared for it; with- out troops, without arms and without money ; against & gigantick power, unequalled in the discipline of her annies and the extent of her resources.
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The contest was desperate -- every nerve was to be strung and every arm strengthened for the conflict. Petty and local quarrels were to be abandoned and every resource drawn forth, for it was a contest on the one hand for life; for liberty and the rights of man, against undue oppression and tyranny. Of the revolutionary characters it has been". Jaconically said, that "they were few, but they were men." . As the inhabitants of the New-Hampshire grants, were located in the vicinity and bore a considerable part in the revolutionary struggle, their history must necessarily it- volve some account of that event. It will be brief and confined chiefly to those transactions, in which they were immediately concerned.
CHAPTER V.
FROM 1775 TO 1776.
Outline of the causes of the Revolutionary War; Transactions from the commencement of the war to the Declaration of Independence.
. SEC. 1. The troubles and differences be- tween the colonies and the mother country; (as England was called,) originated in right claimed by the King and Parliament to fax the colonies without their consent, and to make laws binding them in all cases,
The manner of obtaining supplies from the colonies, from The time that they were first considered capable of granting
1 In what dispute did the Revolution originate ? How were supplies orig- Anally obtained from the colonies? What did Parliament do ? What did the colonies declare ? Was s civil war expected ut that time !
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wily, up to the declaration of war, was, by a requisition of the Crown, through the governors to the several assemblies. 'The colonies from time to time, as demands were made, granted supplies, even more than was asked.
Had this method been continued, no doubt all the money that could reasonably have been demanded, would have been granted, without the least breach of the harmony which subsisted between the two countries, and for many years have delayed the separation of the colonies from the juris- diction of Great Britain.
This, however, was not the case. The Parliament claim- ed the right of taxing, and proceeded to exercise il, by laying a stamp duty, &c. The colonies were determined to resist it, and the controversy commenced.
The colonists were of opinion and declared, that no money could be levied from English subjects, but by their own consent, given either personally or by their representatives ; and therefore whatever was to be raised from the people of the colonies, must first be granted by their assemblies, as the money raised in England is granted by the House of Commons ; that the right of granting their own money, was essential to English liberty ; that if any body of men, in which they had no representative, could tax them at pleas- ure, they could not be said to have any property of their own.
The colonists had uniformly opposed what they conceived to be acts of tyranny and unconstitutional exercise of au- thority ; but they neither contemplated or desired an inde- pendence of the mother country ; neither did they expect a civil war. But they hoped by uniform and vigorous resis- Lance, to compel the ministry to surrender the unjustifiable ground they had taken.
SEC. 2. This controversy had been car- ried on for ten years, increasing the ran- cour and animosity of the parties, and bad gathered strength from the continued train of oppressive and violent acts. The colo- nies still hoped these differences would be
3. Where was the first blood shed in the Revolution ? Relate the circum- stances of the alfray. Where did the last hope of the colonies lay ? What fortresses did they atteropt to rescue ? Who took command of the expedition ? What was the amount of theforce ! How did they obtain information respect- ing the garrison at Ticonderoga ?
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amicably settled and tranquillity be restor- ed. This, however, proved to be a delu- sion, and from the events which occurred in and around Boston, they began to sus- pect an appeal to arms would be necessary, and every preparation was accordingly made.
Learning that the colonists had provided some Stores at Concord, near Boston, the British general despatched a body of troops to destroy them. The people were determined to defend them, and an affray accordingly took place be- tween them and the troops.
April 19, 1775, the troops attacked the provincial militia at Lexington ; eight were killed and several wounded. They pro- ceeded and executed the object of their march, and then began their retreat to Boston. But they were not permitted to return in peace. The inhabitants began to collect with arms, and before they arrived at Boston, there were 65 regulars killed, and 174 wounded.
Here was shed the first blood in the war of the revolution; a war which severed America from Europe.
There was now no hope entertained of a reconciliation ; matters had gone too far, and the only appeal was to arms, and the last hope of the colonists lay in an effectual defence against the attacks of the mother country.
For this purpose it was deemed necessary to secure the fortresses of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Military stores were purchased by some gentlemen in Connecticut, and as did success of the enterprise depended on the secresy and shrewdness with which it was managed, they engaged Ethan Allen to conduct the attack. ..
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· Allen was exactly fitted for the command of the enter- prise, and soon assembled 230 "Green Mountain Boys," (as the inhabitants of the New-Hampshire grants were called,) and uniting with those from Connecticut at Castleton, they mustered a force of 270 men. Allen was invested with the command, with a commission of colonel, and proceeded to take the necessary steps for an attack on Ticonderoga.
Information was gained with regard to the state of the garrison, by Capt. Phelps of Connecticut, who went in dis- guise to examine it. Immediately on his return, Allen commenced his march and arrived at Orwell, opposite Ti- couderoga, on the night of the 9th of May. without being suspected by the garrison.
They were here greatly embarrassed by the want of boats to cross the lake. Allen, however, passed over with only 83 men, and landed gear the works. The remainder of the force was left under the command of Col. Seth Warner.
SEC. 3. Early on the morning of the 10th of May, 1775, the Green Mountain Boys, un- der Allen, entered and took possession of the fort, completely surprising the garrison, who made little or no resistance.
When they approached the entrance, the sentry snapped his gun at Allen, and retreated. He was followed by tho provincials, and so complete was the surprise, that the com- mander, La Place, and most of the garrison, were found in their beds.
When Allen demanded the surrender of the fort ; "by what authority do you require it" said La Place. "I de- mand it" said Allen "in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." It was instantly surrendered without a struggle.
Sec. 4. After landing his men Allen sent back the boats for the remainder of the par- ty who arrived soon after the surrender of the fort. Col. Warner then took the com-
$. When was Ticonderoga taken, and by whom ? 'Relate the particulars,
4. What was done by Col. Warner on his arrival ? What other place was (oken : What advantages were gained by these ospeditiouy ?
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mand of a detachment, and set offfor Crown Point, which surrendered to him on the first summons.
A third party took possession of Skeensboro' now White- hall, and from this place a schooner was fitted out, which passed the lake and captured an armed vessel at St. Johns, These expeditions gave them command of the Late, and large quantities of stores fell into their hands.
SEC. 5. On the 17 of June was fought the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, between 1500 Americans and 4000 Britisn. This battle which, all circumstances considered, is nearly unparalleled for slaughter, was fought on an eminence, a short distance from Boston.
During the night previous, the Americans bad thrown up a redoubt behind which they sustained the attack. The loss of the British was about 1000 ; that of the Americans 77.
Although for want of ammunition the Americans were obliged to retreat, still the battle had a most happy effect in encouraging the people. They found from experience. that the British troops were not invincible. They became more united, and the national freling began to be enthu- siastically displayed, and Congress took measures for the support of a regular army, and appointed Geo. Washington commander in chief.
An expedition was planned against Canada, and the con- duet of it given to Generals Montgomery and Schuyler. The force destined for the attack was 1000 men. They ad- vanced to the attack of St. Johns, but the force being found inadequate and wanting artillery. they returned to the Isle ad Noir to await the arrival of reinforcements which were daily expected. Schuyler, returned to Albany to conclude a treaty with the Indians, leaving Montgomery in command.
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