USA > Vermont > Outlines of the geography, natural and civil history and constitution of Vermont. Also the Constitution of the United States. with notes and queries > Part 7
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Champlain came up the Sorelle river, and examined the lake, which he called by his own name.
Champlain and his party were attacked by Indians, but by the aid of fire arms killed their chiefs, and terrified the others. Ile returned safely from his important tour of dis- covery, and published a map of the lake. War parties of French, Indians, and the English, frequently passed up and down the lake for many years A fort was built on Isle La Motte previous to 1666. From this fort, called St. Anne, an important expedition, under DeTracy, proceeded against the Mohawks, October 3d, 1666.
A party of French and Indians started from Montreal, Canada, January, 1690, for the purpose of attacking Sche- nectady, in the province of New York. This party passed up lake Champlain, and with great energy persevered through deep snows, and at length arrived at Schenectady on the 8th of February. The inhabitants were ignorant of their danger till they found an enemy before nearly every house. A horrid massacre ensued. The terrified inhabi- tants, awakened from sleep, were subjected to meet the tomahawk of the invaders ; and those who escaped this, soon saw the whole town enveloped in flames. Sixty were killed ; thirty-seven more were taken prisoners. Others, in attempting to flee to Albany, suffered extremely by the se- verity of the weather. 'Twenty-five of these lost one or more of their limbs. Albany was terrified by the news. Some thought it best to destroy the town and escape down the river ; but Colonel Schuyler succeeded in rallying the citizens for defence, and a party of horsemen soon set off for Schenectady. But believing the enemy too strong for their numbers, they did not attack them ; and the French and Indians withdrew to Canada with their prisoners, and forty horses laden with spoils.
Commissioners of several colonies appointed to concert measures for the general safety, met in New York in May following. They devised a plan for capturing Canada, as the only ground of safety to the infant colonies. One party was organized under Sir William Phipps, to attack Quebec ; and another under command of John Winthrop,
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
aided by Iroquois Indians, was to pass by way of lake Champlain, to attack Montreal. The former expedition proved unsuccessful, and the latter was abandoned on account of the lateness of the season, and the refusal of the Iroquois to join it.
An expedition, it has been said, under the authority of Governor Liesler, was sent to the mouth of Otter Creek, April 1st, 1690, and that D' Narin, about the same time, built a little stone fort at Chinmey Point, in the present town of Addison ; and that this was the first possession or occupation by civilized men in Vermont. This, however, was subsequent to the building of the fort at Isle La Motte, which is within the state, though on an island.
An English war party against the French parsed through Jake Champlain, under command of ('aptaia John Schuyler, in August, 1691. Many of this party were Mohawk Indi- ans. The party went as far as Laprairie, opposite Montreal, and burned buildings, killed many cattle, killed six of the enemy, and took nineteen prisoners, and then returned, call- ing on their way at the stone Fort at Chhoney Point.
A treaty of peace between England and France in 1097, checked, for a short thne, tho depredations carried on be- tween the French and English colonies. But war was again declared in Europe in 1702, and the frontier settlements in this country suffered again exceedingly.
A party of some three hundred from Canada, in the winter of 1704, passed up the lake to the month of Winooski river, and following up that strean, made their way to Connecti- cuc river, and down on the ice to the vicinity of Dec: field,₹ Mass. The people there had no knowledge of the presence of an enemy, till they were attacked on the 290. of Fel-
It has been stated that ( .. ..... boll on the chauch of Rev. Mr. Williams. The belt had Been prahaerd u Er : with furs contributed by the Indians on lor the che ci al na hang 1. it has ponad on board a French vessel, bound to Canada. Thetve it was ex pound, and the bell was conveyed to Mass. classetts and put heard by the people of Beef ... French pricet having heard of the misintour to the !. il. : +1? dann Indien , and urged timi to go and recover n. Being ion: ed to a @,oly . ntb !. . m." ill Were
army, then on its way to lake Chamdata. After the cappass of Derita ht, th . I.Hd- ans attempted to carry the bell to Canada, but on account of the rugged way and deep shows, were compelled to bury it on the shore of I 5et hea ph ma, we.list they returned in the Sunnier, Www .
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
ruary. They rallied and made a vigorous defence, but were overpowered by numbers. Forty-seven were slain, and the rest captured. The village was burned, after being plunderel. One of the prisoners carried to Canada froni Deerfiel1, was Rev. (John Williams) whose grandson, Sam- uel Williams, was author of the earliest history of Vermont. The territory of Vermont was passed over by war parties for a long time before any permanent settlements were made in it. Many other plans were formed between 1709, and 1712, to capture Canada, similar to that of 1690.
The conquest attempted in 1709 failed through great mortality in the army, and the neglect of Great Britain to furnish an adequate fleet to attack and capture Quebre. An expedition was fitted ont the next year, 1710, against the French at Acadia. The success of this encouragei another expedition against Quebec and Moutreal. A Hect sailed from Boston, July 30, 1711, to attack Quebec, but encount- ered a fearful storm just as it was entering the St. lawrence river. Eight of the vessels were wrecked, ant more than a thousand men perishel by the calamity. An army, col- Jected to march against Montreal, hul ja't startel from Albany, when nows of the dreadful calamity to the fleet reached it, and the army at once returned and was disbanded.
The failure of this third attempt for the conquest of Can- ada, left the frontiers still exposed to all the fearful savages of Indian warfare. Peice was, however, restored coon atter the preceding events, and the colonies had a brief season of respite. But though England atal France had made peace, the Indians, who were jealous of the growing power of the colonies, were easily excited by French maissicaaries sent among them, to engage in war with the colonies of Nev England ; and from 1720 ta 1721 a terrible warfare .. .; carried on.
Norridgewock, in the present state of Maine, was attacked by the English. The Jesuit missionary Rasles and eighty of the Indians were killed, and the town destroyed. This and other things disheartened the ladians, and a longer period of peace ensued than had been known for meany years. A fuit was built at Brattleboro in 1721, called
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Dummer,* and a settlement was commenced on the "Dum- mer Meadows, " by John, Thomas and David Sargeant, Jr., Nathan Willard, John Alexander, Fairbank Moore and son, John Arms and Samuel Wells. John Sargeant was the first white person born in the state. The fort was soon de- stroyed by the Indians, and several of these early settlers were killed or carried into captivity. In 1739 John Har- ney, James Washburn and Joseph Eddy, commenced a set- tlement at Westminster. How long it was continued is unknown.
A settlement was commenced at Putney in 1742 or 3, by a few men who built a fort on the "Great Meadow," but abandoned it at the commencement of the French war, which soon followed.
Near the former fort Dummer settlements were attempted a second time in 1744 or 5. Bridginan's fort and Start- well's fort, in Vernon, were built near the same time. Bridg- man's fort was attacked by the fulians, June 24th, 1746, but after killing one or two of the inhabitants they were repulsed. During the next year, 1747, the Indians cap- tured the forts, killed several of the inhabitants, and carried others into captivity.
A settlement was begun at Rockingham in 1753, by Joel Bigelow, Simeon Knight and Moses Wright. In 1751 the settlement at Putney was re-commenced by John Perry, Michael Gilson and Philip Alexander. It is supposed that this settlement was never abandoned. These were almost the only attempts at settlement ia Vermont, made for a large number of years.t This is accounted for from the local situation of the tract of country now constituting Vermont, lying as it did between the provinces owned by England and France, which, with their Indian allies, vere
: It is an interesting fact that one of the earliest foreign missionaries in this coun- It was sent to this fort Ebenezer Winsdell was ordained December 12th, 1733. as one of three unssituaties, appointed by the " Honorable Society for propagating Christian knowledge, and to carry the Gospel to the Aboriginal natives on the borders of New England." He afterwards became a colonel in the army, and built a lost and founded a town in New Hampshire, both of which bete his name.
Most of these accounts of cards settlements are given on the authority of Den mming's " Appendix," and the ' Vermont Onaricily Gardleer,' edited by Ms# Hennhogy.
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
engaged in almost constant warfare. But when Canada was taken by the English in the year 1760, the danger before encountered in a great measure ceased, and the state was afterward rapidly settled. A settlement was begun at Guilford by Micah Rice, in 1760. Bennington and several other towns were settled in 1761, and from that period em- igrants became numerous, and population increased rapidly.
Questions.
Who were the former owners and inhabitants of Vermont? What is said of their dwellings? Were they civilized ? What were their employments ? What was their common food ? Their clothing ? How were laws made and recorded ? By whom was gov- ernment administered ? Where did the Iriquois live ? What other tribes ocenpied Vermont ? Who was the first white person known to have visited the state ? When did this occur ? Whom did Cham- plain encounter ? Who frequently parsel up and down the lake? Where was a fort built Lefore 1666 ? Where did DeTracy attack the Mohawks ? When was an attack made on Schenectady ? De- seribe this massacre. Who attended to aid the inhabitants? Was he successful ? What meeting was held in New York the follow- ing May ? What plans were devisel for capturing Canada ? Did they sneceed ? What expedition passed through lake Champlain in 1691? What did they accompli h ? When was a treaty made between France and England ? How did this affect the colonies ? When was war again declared in Europe ? When and from what place was an attack made upon Deerfield, Mass? How many were killed ? What wa- the fate of the village ? When were plans formed to capture Canada ? Cause of the first failure ? What ex- pedition in 1710 ? What in 1711? What happened on the way to Quebec ? During what years was a terrible war carried on by the Indians ? What finally disheartened the Indians? When was fort Dummer built ? Who commenced settlements on the Dummer Meadows ? Name of the first white person born within the state? Who destroyed the fort ? What settlement in 1739? When was a settlement attempted at Putney ? Why was it abandoned ? What. settlements in 1744 or 5? What event is mentioned as ocentring in 1746? What in 1747 ? When was a settlement attempted at Rockingham ? What settlement in 1754? What is said respecting it? What prevented the rapid settlement of Vermont ? When was Canada taken by the English ? When was Guilford settled ? Who first settled there ? When was Bennington settled ? Did emigra- tion become rapid after that period ?
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
LESSON IL.
Vermont was anciently claimed both by the province of New Hampshire, and that of New York. The governor of New Hampshire began to make giants of towns in 1749. A violent contest ensued between the two provinces, which was not settled till 1764, when it was decided by the king of England in favor of New York. The governor of New Hampshire had already made one hundred and thirty-eight grants of land, and many proprietors had paid hin for the lands thus granted. The government of New York declared theso grants void, that is, good for nothing, and required the inhabitants to buy the lands a second time. The prices set upon them were very high. A few towns complied and obtained new titles to the lands, but the greater part refused to do it. They thought it unjust to be obliged to buy their lands twice, in addition to all their other hardships as pi- oneer settlers. The lands were then sold by the governor of New York to other persons, and the inhabitants were sued and required to leave. They, however, were deter- mined to resist the law, till the pleasure of the king of England, under whose goverment all the provinces then were, could be known. The sheriff's were resisted, and some of them roughly handled. The New York militia could not be prevailed on to take up arms to force their neighbors to submit to so cruel requisitions.
Ethan Allen and Seth Warner were more engaged than others in promoting opposition to the unreasonable claims of New York. By their writings and other efforts the people were excited to meet in reveral towne, appoint " committees of safety," and tale measures for the common welfire.
The rapid increase of inhabitants intween the years 1770 and 1775, many of whom were found ready to sym- pathize with the committees of safety, and with such men as Warner, Allen, Baker and others, made it hourly more difficult for the governor and people of New York to ac- complish what they had undertaken. The king of England
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had requested New York to suspend prosecutions till his majesty's further pleasure should be made known. But in despite of orders from Great Britain, and the remon- strances of the inhabitants of the " New Hampshire Grants," New York continued to assert her claims, and endeavored to enforce them.
This course enraged the settlers more and more, and led to the use of the " beech seal," and other modes of punish- ing all who sided with New York. One, more than usually offensive, who had attempted to hold office under New York, was condemned to receive two hundred lashes of the " beech seal" on his bare back .. Another was condemned to be suspended in an arm chair for two hours to a sign post twenty-five feet high. HIe had been repeatedly warned to desist, but would not until he was thus summarily punished, and ordered to leave the territory and " sin no more."
In the midst of these commotions there was increasing reason to apprehend war between the colonies and Great Britain. The attempt to enforce the " stamp act," and other encroachments made by the mother country, had served to awaken the most determined opposition, and there was a strong expectation that war would soon ensue.
Great Britain had established military posts on lake Champlain, which were garrisoned by British soldiers. One of these was at Ticonderaga, and another at Crown Point. The importance of these posts to the colonies, in case Great Britain should proceed to make war with the colonies, was felt by men in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Unbe- known to each other, both began to put forth an effort to capture these poste, and Connecticut men regarded Allen a3 a proper officer to lead in the enterprise.
Several gentlemen in that colony procured a loan from the Legislature of eighteen hundred dollars to provide pow- der and balls. They then hastened to Bennington for the purpose of securing the aid of Allen and others in the pro- posed undertaking. Allen readily engaged in it, and im- mediately proceeded to enlist men for the purpose. The men from Connecticut having procured provisions, &c., pro- ceeded to Castleton, and were soon joined by Allen and his reci nity.
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
Before they left Castleton, Colonel Arnold arrived at that place from Massachusetts, attended only by a servant. He exhibited a commission from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, and orders to raise four hundred men for cap- taring Ticonderoga, Crown Point, &c. He represented the forts provided with only feeble means of defence. The men from Connecticut and Vermont permitted Arnold to join the party ; but it was ordered by the council that Allen should have the commission of Colonel, and be first in com- mand.
One of the gentlemen from Connecticut went to Ticon- deroga, feigning himself a settler. Under pretence of se- curing the services of a barber, he gained admission to the fort. Hle affected an awkward appearance, and artfully avoiding detection, returned to his party with all the infor- mation needed.
Allen commenced his work immediately, and arrived at Orwell, opposite Ticonderoga, on the evening of the 9th of May, 1775. The enterprise had been conducted with so much celerity and skill, that no information had reached the fort. Most of the little army were "Green Mountain Boys," there being only forty from Connecticut, and two hundred and thirty from Vermont. The difficulty of pro- curing boats to convey them across the lake was a serious one, but was artfully and successfully overcome. A Mr. Duglass was sent to Bridport to procure aid in men, and. a scow belonging to Mr. Smith. On his way Douglass stopped to enlist a Mr. Chapman in the enterprise. The conversation was overlicard by two young men, James Wil- cox and Joseph Tyler, who were in bed in a chamber over the room. They immediately devised the plan of decoying on shore a large oar boat belonging to Major Skene of the British army. This boat then lay off Willow Point. They dressed themselves, took their guns and a bottle of rum, of which they knew the black commander of the boat to be exceedingly fond, and enlisted four others on their way. When they arrived on the shore near the boat, they induced the commander to take them on board, offering to help 10w the bour to Shoreham, where they pretended to be going, to
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join a hunting party waiting for them. The party in the boat mistrusted nothing, until they arrived at Allen's head quarters, and were made prisoners of war. Douglass arrived about the same time, with the scow for which he had been sent, and other boats were procured so that Allen was able to transport eighty-three men at once across the lake. These landed near the fort.
As the morning was advancing, Allen thought it not best to wait for more of the men to cross over. Both Allen and Arnold desired to take the command, and the contention came near being serious, when it was agreed that both should enter the fort at the same time, but that Allen should enter on the right and have the command.
A little after daybreak, May 10th, 1775, they advanced towards the fort, followed by their men, and guided by a lad, Nathan Beman, who had often played with the boys at the fort. The sentry snapped his gun at Allen, and immediately retreated through a covered way into the fort, but was fol- lowed by the men with Allen. The whole was accomplished with so much celerity, that in a short time the soldiers were paraded within the fort. The garrison were not even awake, till aroused by the huzzas of the Green Mountain Boys over their victory. Captain De Laplace, the commander of the fort, without waiting even to dress, rushed to the door of the barracks, where he was met by Colonel Allen, who sternly demanded the surrender of the fort, or he would put the garrison to the sword. De Laplace inquired of Allen by whose authority the demand was made, " I de- mand it " said Allen " in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." The commander of the fort saw at once that resistance was vain, and surrendered the fort, and gave up the garrison as prisoners of war.
Colonel Seth Warner, with the remainder of Allen's troops, arrived soon after the surrender of the fort, and was immediately despatched with a company of men to take Crown Point, which had only a sergeant and twelve men as its garrison. These surrendered upon the first sum- mons, and Warner took possession of the fort. Skenes- borough was also taken the same day by another company
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of Allen's men, and Major Skene, who was at that place, was made prisoner.
The success of these enterprises was what might have been expected from the character of such men as Allen, Warner and their companions. The number of men captured was not large, embracing besides Major Skene, Captain De Laplace, and a Lieutenant, only forty-four privates; but the forts contained two hundred cannon, some mortars and how- itzers, &c., and a warehouse filled with materials for boat- building. In the enterprise Allen and Warner did not lose a single man.
It was now determined by the little army not to stop with their present achievements, but to attempt to secure the control of the whole lake, by capturing an armed sloop that was lying at St. John3. For this purpose they manned and armed a schooner and procured several batteaux. Ar- nold commanded the schooner and Allen the batteaux. The wind proving favorable, the schooner easily outstripped the batteaux, and Arnold arrived at St. Johns, captured the sloop and commenced huis ictuin, meeting Allen with the batteaux at some distance sonth of St. Johns.
Thus, in the course of a few days, alt the British forts and military stores on the lake were secured to the Ameri- cans, and provision made for defending the settlements on the lake from surprise and sudden attack. These achieve- ments were made by the skill of a few resolute and carnest officers and soldiers, and were greatly useful to the colonies.
The attention of New York was now turned to the con- test with Great Britain, but the purpose of bringing the "New Hampshire Grants" under her control was not abandoned. The effect of these events on the people of Vermont, was to unite them more firmly, and to make them more conscious of their strength. The committees of safety were very active, and took every precaution possible for the safety of the people.
But Vermont was in a troubled condition. The British were soon able to recover the control of the lake. This left the people exposed both to the British and their old ene- mies, the New Yorkers. The people did not properly belong
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to the united colonies, and were more than others exposed to the cvils of war with the mother country, without the aid of the other colonies. But though troubled they were not disheartened. They appealed to Congress for aid, and wished to be in some way admitted to the same rights and privileges as the people in other colonies.
New York had passed an act offering a reward of fifty pounds each for Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and six others who had taken a leading part in opposition to her claims. This united the people more and more in opposition to the claims of that colony.
Through their . committees of safety, they declared to Congress their readiness to do their full share in carrying on the war with England, and their readiness to be called on for that purpose whenever Congress should think proper. But they also declared their unwillingness to place them- selves under the goverment of New York, lest it should afterwards be considered as implying a submission to that government. They canellei by requesting that when they should be called naon by Congress, they might not be called upon as persons subject to the restrictions, lunita- tions or regulations of New York, but as persons inhabiting the .. New Hampshire Grants ;i and that when commissions should be granted to any of the inhabitants, Congress woukl thus consider them.
'The influence of the colony of New York was consid- erable in Congress, and that body were unwilling to take up the subject very deGnitely. The committee in Congress to whom the petition was referred, reportedl as their opinion " that it bo recommended to the petitioners to submit for the present to the government of New York, and to assist their countrymen in their contest with Great Britain ; but that such submission ought not to prejulie; their right to any Lands in controversy, or be construet to affirm or admit the jurisdiction of New York over the country, after the present troubles have ceased."
" To avoid any decision at that time, the petition was with drawn." These transactions were at the commencement of the year 1776. Nothing had been done to produce a
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GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF VERMONT.
more settled state of affairs, when on the 4th day of July, the representatives of the thirteen united colonies, in Con- gress, declared themselves INDEPENDENT OF THE KING AND GOVERNMENT OF -GREAT BRITAIN.
Questions.
By whom was Vermont anciently claimed ? When did the gov- ernor of New Hampshire begin to make grants of Jand ? When was the contest between New Hampshire and New York ? How many grants had been made ? What was required by New York ? Was this demand complied with ? What was then done by the governor of New York ? What was the result of this proceeding ? Who were the leaders in the resistance to the clans of New York ? What measures were taken for the safety of the people? What request was made by the king of England ? War this request com- plied with ? How did this affect the settlers ? To what did it lead ? What punishments were inflicted on some who attempted to en- force the claims of New York? Why was war with Great Britain anticipated at this time? Where bad military posts been estab- lished? By whom were they garrisoned ? How were there posts regarded by the colonies ? Who formed plans for capturing them ? What was done by gentlemen in Councetient ? Whose aid did they secure? At what place were they joined by Allen and his men ? What pretentious were made by Colonel Arnold? How was the matter rettled ? What was done by one of the men from Connecti- ent ? Was his stratagem successful? When did Allen arrive at Orwell ? How many men accompanied him ? How many were Green Mountain Boys? What difficulty arose? How and by whom was it overcome ? How many men were transported across the lake with Colonel Allen? What threatened to prove a serious himfrance ? How was the trouble settled ? When was the attack made on the fort at Ticonderoga ? Relate the events of its capture. By whom was Crown Point captured? How large was the garri- son ? What other place was taken the same day ? What ad- vantages were gained by these conquesta ? What was next accom. plished by the little army ? Who commruled the expedition ? Were these achievement- important to the colonies ? To what was the attention of New York now turned ' What united the people of Vermont mate firmly? To winf langer were they exposed ? To whom did they apped trail? What did they wish ? What act has been passed by New York ? What did Vermont express a willingness to do? What were the people unwilling to do ? What report was made by the committee in Congress? Why were they umwilling to consider the subject ? When did there trans- actions take place ? When was i.dependence declared by the united vlonies ?
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