adjudging it to New Hampshire, and I am convinced this will finally turn the scale in favor of New Hampshire."

It is probable that this apprehension of difficulty in enforcing a decision in favor of New York, was very unfavorable to her claim, but that it tended to strengthen that of New Hampshire is more. doubtful. A determination in favor of the independence of Vermont would have equally avoided the danger of a civil war, but that as well as a decision in favor of New Hampshire, would have grievously affronted New York. All difficulty would be most effectually avoided by congress, by forbearing to make any decision.

Vermont had warm friends in Congress, who believed the oppression of New York fully justified her people in opposing the jurisdiction of that state, and political considerations also operated in her favor, with other members. The question in relation to the disposition of the vacant western lands which were claimed by Virginia and several other states, to the exclusion of the residue, had long agitated and divided congress, and had hitherto prevented the adoption of the articles of confederation by all the states. Of these claims, that of Virginia was the most extensive and important. It reached west to the Mississippi, and indefinitely to the northward, including the present six states of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. North and South Carolina and Georgia, also claimed west to the Mississippi. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland were among the states whose rights to the avails of the lands was denied, and they, with apparent reason, claimed that those lands wrested from the crown of Great Britain by the common exertions of all the states, should be appropriated for the common benefit. The articles of confederation, which contained no provision in regard to those lands; had been agreed to by some of the states under protest that the adoption of them should not be considered a waiver of their right to a proportionate share in their proceeds. But the state of Maryland, had absolutely refused to sign the articles, until an amendment should be inserted providing for a fair participation of all the states in them. New York had set up a vague claim to western territory by way of inheritance to the six nations of Indians, and her delegates acted with those of Virginia and the other claiming states. If Vermont were declared to be a part of New York, her power and influence would be increased, but if admitted a member of the confederation, another vote would be added in opposition to such exclusive claims. The question in regard to these lands doubtless influenced the

action of many of the members, and operated with other considerations to prevent a decision in favor of New York.

Some of the difficulties encountered by the delegates of New York in their efforts to obtain the action of congress in their favor, may be seen from the following extract of a letter written by John Morin Scott, one of their number, to Gov. Clinton, dated September 26th. He says: "New Hampshire, represented by Gen. Sullivan, seems too favorable to the people of the Grants, and countenances an idea too prevalent in congress, that the dispute between New Hampshir e and New York should he settled by a court of commis

sions

rs constituted agreeably to the articles of confederation. The in view is evident. It is to create delay and thereby to disage the subjects of our state, and strengthen the Vermenters. have, however, gone through with the evidence on our own part

* *. I am at a loss what is best to be done. If we push r a determination we may gain it by a bare majority, and even nis depends upon the prospect we have of New Jersey. Mr. Duane is of opinion that Maryland will be with us. I differ with him. In short it seems to be the system of the smaller states to compel the larger (the western bounds of which are undefined) to large concessions. This they expect to effect by embarrassing us with respect to the settled parts of the country. Gen. Sullivan is sick which has suspended business for a few days. I am of opinion the sooner we press the matter to its crisis, the better; for I fear the interest against us is growing. Not that I imagine a majority will express it by deciding against us, but that it may continually be done by procrastination."

*

*

*

To this letter Gov. Clinton returned an immediate answer, hoping that congress would be pressed to a decision, even if it should be carried "by only the vote of a single state." But all efforts of the New York delegates to obtain a decision in their favor were ineffectual. On the 29th of November, Mr. Duane wrote to Gov. Clinton, that the Vermont business remained quiet, but that he foresaw there must be a rehearing in consequence of the changes in several delegations.1

Dr. Williams, writing when the memory of this hearing before congress was fresh, thus speaks in regard to it in his history:

1

1 Clinton Papers, Nos. 2856, 2865, 2981, 3181, 3215, 3240, 3258, 3393. Jour. Cong., vol. 3, p. 462, 464, 465, 513, 518, 520, 526. Slade, 118, 124. Ira Allen's Vermont, p. 140–146. Ms. of B. H. Hall. Cong. Doc., in state department at Washington, No. 40, vol. 1. Journals of Vermont Assembly, Oct. 14, 1780. Williams's Vermont, p. 257.

"At no time had the spirit of parties run higher than at this period. During the whole of this trial, it does not appear that either of the contending parties, had any idea of conciliatory measures; all seem to have been determined to effect their purposes. And although Vermont was not admitted to appear as one of the parties before congress, her expectations and prospects had at no time been so high. She well understood the ground, on which she stood, and it was generally believed in the other states, that some of her leading men would incline to join with Canada, and make the

best terms they could with the British government, if no alternate

In

was held out, but submission to the government of New York this state of the parties it was as dangerous to the American c to decide against Vermont, as against New Hampshire or New Y Congress felt and wisely endeavored to avoid the difficulty. question was made whether congress had the power to form a I state, within the limits of the union. Those who remember t. virulence of these parties, and the precarious situation of th American contest at that time, will not wonder that congress found reasons to avoid coming to any decision at that period, for no decision could have been made, that would not have proved highly irritating to some of these states, already too much inflamed by the violence and duration of the contest."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

INVASION FROM CANADA, A TRUCE, AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE FUTURE DEFENCE OF THE STATE.

1780-1781.

Military events of 1780- Frontier forts garrisoned and militia in readiness for service-Their promptness commended by Gov. Clinton-Invasion from Canada in October and Capture of Fort George and Fort Ann on the New York frontier, and the destruction of Royalton, Vermont - Great alarm and flight from the New York border-Gen. Ethan Allen's truce with the enemy by which their farther ravages in New York and Vermont are prevented, and they retire to Canada Accusations and complaints against Allen- He vindicates himself before the Vermont assembly, who approve of his conduct - Vermont assembly obtain provisions for the supply of troops for the ensuing year by assessing the several towns for their delivery in kind, and raise money and add to the power of the state by grants of land - The governor of Vermont, by circulars to the adjoining states, demands a relinquishment of their claims to her territory, and proposes a union with them for mutual defence against the common enemy - Massachusetts relinquishes her claim.

THE

HE military events with which Vermont was connected in the year 1780 cannot be passed over without a brief notice. All the Continental troops being withdrawn from her territory, she was left entirely to her own resources and exertions for protection against the enemy in Canada. The forts at Rutland, Castleton and Pittsford were strengthened and were continually occupied by small garrisons of militia levies, and measures were taken to have the body of the militia held in readiness to turn out en masse when required. Two companies of rangers were also kept in constant service, for patrolling the frontiers and keeping watch for approaches of the enemy. The promptness and activity of the Vermonters against the common enemy was such, on one occasion, as to extort praise from the governor of New York. In the month of May Sir John Johnson, with a body of tories and Indians, made an unexpected irruption from Canada into the Mohawk valley and ravaged the country in the vicinity of his former residence at Johnstown. Gov. Clinton, with some militia from Albany, hastened to Lake George for the purpose of intercepting him on his return. At the south end of the lake, before crossing it, he dispatched a request to the commanding officer at Castleton to meet him at Ticonderoga with such force as he could muster. The next day after the call was received, Major Ebenezer Allen, of the Vermont rangers,

wrote him that he had reached Mount Independence, with over two hundred men, and was in the immediate expectation of being joined by one hundred more, but that he had no boats, which he trusted the governor would furnish to enable him to cross over to Ticonderoga. Sir John by passing farther north and striking Lake Champlain at Crown Point made his escape. But Gov. Clinton, writing to the New York delegates in congress, was constrained to say that "the punctuality and readiness of the militia of the Grants in complying with his request with about two hundred and forty men, did them great honor." 1

No serious invasions of the enemy were made during the summer, but early in October, Major Carleton came up Lake Champlain with a fleet of eight large vessels, containing upwards of one thousand men, regular troops, loyalists and Indians. Fort Ann was invested by a large force, and its garrison of fifty men was compelled to surrender. Captain Chipman commanded a part of Warner's regiment about eighty in number, at Fort George. On the morning of the 11th, he dispatched an express to Fort Edward for provisions, of which the post was nearly destitute. While on the way this person was fired upon by a party of twenty-five men, but he escaped and returned to the fort. Captain Chipman, supposing the party to consist of a scout from the enemy, sent out all his garrison except fourteen men. This detachment met the enemy a short distance from the fort, where a conflict ensued, in which almost every man was either killed or taken. The enemy then marched to Fort George, which, after a short resistance was surrendered by capitulation. On their way to Fort George they had burnt and destroyed all before them, and after demolishing the two forts which they had captured, they kept up continued demonstrations of making farther advances.

This invasion justly created great alarm. The militia of Vermont were called out and ordered to rendezvous at Castleton, under the command of Brig. Gen. Ethan Allen. Gov. Chittenden also sent to the militia of Berkshire county, Mass., for aid. The assembly, which was sitting at Bennington, adjourned for several days to enable the members to take the field. Gov. Clinton wrote from Albany to Gov. Chittenden, for assistance, and was answered on the 18th of October, that the militia of the state were at the north, but that he would send him those which were expected from Berkshire

1 Clinton Papers, May 29 and June 1, 1780, No. 2973. Life of Brant, vol. 2, p. 81.