in 1689, but a separation took place in 1692. From 1699 to 1702, it was connected with Massachusetts and New York, and from 1702 to 1741, with Massachusetts alone, after which it remained a separate government. This state suffered much from the early Indian wars: one of the incidents of which, may be related here, as illustrative of the vindictive and ferocious charac ter of the savages.

In 1675, Maj. Waldron, by a stratagem, made prisoners of about 200 Indi ans, who had menaced the settlements with hostilities; seven or eight of thes who were known to have committed some atrocities, were immediately hang ed, and the rest sold into slavery. The Indians of the neighborhood were exasperated by this proceeding, and swore implacable revenge against Waldron. In 1689, after a lapse of 13 years, they found means to accomplish a scheme of vengeance. Waldron then dwelt at Dover, and the inhabitants of the town, unsuspicious of any hostility, were utterly off their guard, and allowed the savages to sleep within their garrison, so far were they deceived by their artful dissimulation. On the evening of the 27th of June, they assembled in the neighborhood of the town, and sent their squaws to apply for lodging at each house marked for destruction; these were admitted without suspicion.

In the dead of the night, the doors were thrown open at a concerted signal, and the Indians rushed from their ambush upon the defenceless inmates. Waldron though 80 years old, made a gallant defence; he seized his sword and drove back those who broke into his chamber, but when returning for his weapons, was overpowered by numbers and struck down with a hatchet. The Indians dragged him into his hall, seated him in an elbow chair upon a long table, and insultingly asked him who shall judge Indians now?' Each one then with his knife cut gashes across his breast, saying 'I cross out my account.' When weakened with the loss of blood, he was about to sink, his own sword was held under him, upon which he fell and died.

CHAPTER III. VERMONT.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.

1. BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. Vermont is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. by Connecticut river, which separates it from N.Hampshire, S. by Massachusetts, and W. by N. York, from which it is separated mostly by L. Champlain. It lies between 42° 44′ and 45° N. lat. and 71°33′ and 73° 26' W. long. being 157 miles in length, from N. to S. and 90 miles in breadth at the northern extremity, and 40 at the southern. It contains 10,212 square miles. No part of the state is nearer the ocean than 70 miles.

2. MOUNTAINS. The Green Mountains occupy the centre of the state throughout its whole length. This range begins in the state of Connecticut at West Rock, near New Haven, and extends N. into Vermont. Tracing the course of these mountains from the southern limit of this state, we find them stretching northerly to the 44th parallel of latitude. At this point they divide into two branches; one of them called the height of land continuing in a northeasterly course, forms the northern boundary of N. H. and Maine. The western range runs to the N., and terminates near the extremity of the state, in a succession of small hills. The highest summits of the Green Mountains belong to the western range, although the N. E. branch

forms the ridge separating the tributary streams of the Connecticut, from those of Lake Champlain, and some of these latter pass through the westerr range. The streams which arise on the W. of the mountains in the southern part of the state, flow into the Hudson.

From the southern limit of Vermont, to the point where the mountains are divided into two branches, the range is lofty and unbroken by the passage of any large stream; in these parts the communication between the districts, on the opposite sides, is difficult. The western range beyond the fork, is high and precipitous, but the rivers which cross its course have opened convenient passages, and the communication from E. to W. is much less obstructed than in the southern division. The northeastern branch is nearly uniform in height, and has no prominent elevations, but it diminishes on approaching the Canada line.

The Green Mountains are from ten to fifteen miles wide, much intersected with valleys, abounding in springs and streams, and exhibiting that perpetual verdure which has conferred upon them their name. Their sides are completely covered with woods, and their rocky summits are clad in a coat of green moss. The trees appear old, but small; they are all of the evergreen sort, pine, spruce, hemlock and fir, intermixed with shrubs and bushes. Vegetation decreases on approaching the top of the mountains; the trees diminish in size, and frequently terminate in a shrubbery of spruce and hemlock, two or three feet high, with branches so interwoven, as to prevent all passage through them. Trees of this height with shrubs and vines producing berries, and a species of weed called winter grass, mixed with the moss of the rocks, are all the vegetation which the summits of the mountains produce. The sides of the mountains are generally rugged and irregular; some of them have large apertures and caves. The thick, green moss which coats their tops is so compact and firm, and lies in such extensive beds, as to reach from rock to rock, and they will sometimes bear the weight of a man without being broken through. These immense spongy masses receive the moisture supplied by the clouds and rain, and while a part of it runs down the sides of the mountain, much of it is absorbed, and penetrates the whole mass. In this manner, several of these mountains are continually wet on their tops, and have large marshy spots which are the constant resort of water fowl during the warm season. The roads across them are frequently wet and miry, when the valleys below are dry. The loftiest summits are Killington Peak, near Rutland; Camel's Rump, between Montpelier and Burlington, and Mansfield. Mountain, a few miles farther N., all which are more than 3,500 feet above the level of the sea. Ascutney, a single mountain near Windsor, is 3,320 feet in height.

3. RIVERS. Except the Connecticut, which washes the eastern border of the state, all the rivers of Vermont are small, and have their origin among the Green Mountains: 35 of these run easterly, and fall into the Connecticut; 25 run westerly into Lake Champlain, and two or three in the same quarter fall into the Hudson. In the N. E. are 4 or 5 which fall into Lake Memphremagog, through which they finally reach the St Lawrence. There is but one river in the state navigable to any extent; this is the Connecticut, and strictly speaking, this is within the boundary of N. Hampshire. The chief streams flowing into the Connecticut, are, beginning at the N. 1. the Pasumsic, which rises from a pond in Westmore, a little to the S. E. of Lake Memphremagog, and flows southerly 45 miles to the Connecticut at Barnet, receiving in its course 10 small streams. 2. White River, formed from two small branches, and falling into the Connecticut, after a course of 50 miles. 3. West River, which joins the Connecticut near the S. boundary of the state

On the W. of the mountains, there flow into Lake Champlain. 1. the Missisque, rising in Belvidere, passing into Canada, returning to Vermont and falling into the lake at Missisque Bay: this river is navigable 7 miles for boats. 2. the Lamoil, rising in Glover, and running into the lake at Colchester; this river is 75 miles long, and is a smooth pleasant stream, watering a rich, fertile, and level country; it has 14 tributaries. 3. Onion River, rising 30 miles E. of the Green Mountains, and running N. Westerly about 80 miles to the lake: it is navigable for small vessels 5 miles from its mouth, above this it is obstructed by falls. 4. Otter Creek, which rises in Bromley and runs N. 90 miles to the lake at Ferrisburgh: it is navigable to the falls at Vergennes, 5 miles.

4. LAKES. Lake Champlain which. bounds this state on the W. is 128 miles long, varying in breadth from one mile to 15; it is sufficiently deep for the largest ships, and contains a surface of 600 square miles. It embosoms above 60 islands, and discharges its waters northward through the river Sorel into the St Lawrence. From the 20th of April to the 20th of June, the waters of the lake generally rise from 4 to 8 feet. Early in the winter the shores are frozen, but the whole lake is not often covered with ice till the middle of January. Early in April the ice disappears. Many marks on the rocks along the shore, indicate that the level of the waters was much higher in former years than at present; though no perceptible alteration has taken place since the discovery of the country. This lake took its name from Samuel Champlain, a Frenchman, who discovered it in 1608, and was afterwards drowned in its waters.

Many considerable towns are situated on its shores, the principal of which are Burlington, St Alban's, Plattsburg and Whitehall. On the 11th of September, 1814, a naval battle was fought upon its waters between the American fleet, under Com. Macdonough, and the British fleet under Com. Downie, in which the Americans obtained a complete victory. The lake is navigated by near four hundred vessels of all kinds, besides several steamboats.

Immense timber rafts containing houses for lodging the crews, are often seen floating down the lake toward the canal, on their way to Albany and the towns on the Hudson.

Lake Memphremagog lies partly in Canada, and partly in the N. of this state: it is 35 miles long and 3 broad; its outlet is the river St Francis, which

flows into the St Lawrence. The land around this lake is level and fertile. A remarkable eruption of one of the small lakes of this state took place in 1810. Long Lake, a beautiful sheet of water, a mile and a half in length, and three fourths of a mile in width, was situated in the town of Glover in the N. part of the state, and communicated by a small stream with lake Champlain.. About 200 rods from Long Lake, was a smaller lake on a much lower level, the outlet of which was Barton River, flowing in an opposite direction into Lake Memphremagog. The land separating these lakes was a steep declivity. The water being low at the mills on Barton River, during the summer of 1810, it was thought advisable to obtain a new supply by letting out a portion of the water of Long Lake into the lake beneath, by means of a trench down the intervening declivity. Accordingly, on the 6th of June, the people of the neighborhood assembled with their tools, and began the work of cutting the trench, when on a sudden the lake burst its borders, and poured with its whole mass down the descent, rushing with inconceivable velocity in an immense column, three quarters of a mile wide, and 80 feet in depth, across the country 15 miles into Lake Memphremagog.

This furious torrent tore up in its course, rocks, hills and forests, sweeping away houses, mills, cattle, &c. roaring like thunder, and shaking the earth like a mighty earthquake. The inhabitants of Barton hearing the roar, looked up toward the lake, and beheld the torrent coming down upon them, bearing a whole forest upon its top. The cattle for many miles round, ran bellowing to their homes, and all the neighborhood were thrown into the greatest terror. No lives were lost, but a vast amount of damage was occasioned by the inundation.

5. ISLANDS. There are three considerable islands in Lake Champlain, called North and South Hero and La Motte. North Hero contains 6200 acres, and has a good soil. South Hero has above 9000 acres of good land. The basis of these islands is limestone, abounding in some parts with shells. 6. CLIMATE. The climate of Vermont is cold and changeable, but the air is pure and healthy, except on the shores of the lake, where fevers sometimes prevail. The extremes of temperature are about 100 degrees above, and 27 below the zero of Fahrenheit. Winter begins about the first of December, although frosts appear as early as the first of September. From the first setting in, to the breaking up of the winter, there is scarcely any thaw. The winter continues till April. Snow storms are frequent, yet little snow falls at a time: they come from all points of the compass except the East, and are generally over in a few hours. The cold is here more steady and uniform than in the other New England states. On the mountains, the snow is commonly three or four feet deep, and lies till the end of April. On the low grounds, it is from 1 to 2 feet in depth, and continues till about the 20th of March. The severest cold never kills the young trees, and the chilling easterly winds of spring seldom reach so far inland as to be felt here; west of the Green Mountains they are totally unknown.

Wheat, barley, pease and flax are sown about the 20th of April, and frosts disappear by the middle of May. Apple trees put forth leaves about the 5th of May, and blossom by the 15th. Maize is planted between the 10th and 20th of May. Hay is cut by the 10th of July; barley and rye are reaped the last of July; flax in the early part of August; wheat in the middle of August. Apples are ripe by the 8th of August. Oats are reaped by the 20th of August, and maize is ripe on the first of October. Droughts are uncommon; the crops more frequently suffer from too much moisture. During April and May the weather is mild with frequent showers. Through the summer it is fair and serene. The wind at this season is mostly from the S.W. being regulated by the direction of the mountains, and the shores of lake

Champlain. The heat of the day is excessive, but the nights are ever cool And agreeable. Thunder showers usually come from the W. and S. W. and are common in May, June, July and August, but not at other times. Little damage is ever done by hurricanes or hail. In spring and autumn the atmosphere is often smoky and obscure. Throughout September and the most of October, the finest weather prevails, with gentle winds and a clear sky. Frosts appear, as before stated, in September; November is cold and rainy, with some snow, and high winds.

7. SOIL. The soil is generally rich and loamy. On the borders of the rivers are fine tracts of interval land, which consist of a deep, black, alluvial deposit; these are sometimes a mile in width, and are very productive in maize, grain, grass and garden vegetables. The uplands are in many places scarcely inferior to the intervals, and are in general sufficiently free from stones to admit of easy cultivation. The hills and mountains which are not arable on account of their steepness, or the rocks, afford the best of pasturage for sheep and cattle. There is hardly any part of the country better adapted to the rearing of horses, horned cattle and sheep, than the mountainous parts of this state. Wheat is raised more abundantly on the western side of the mountains, than on the eastern. The soil and climate of all parts are very favorable to the growth of the apple and other fruits. The greater part of the state is better fitted for grazing, than tillage.

8. GEOLOGY. The rocks E. of lake Champlain belong to the transition order, for the distance of 10 or 15 miles from the shore; along the rivers are many alluvial deposits, but the general character of the state is decidedly primitive. The ranges of rocks, like the ranges of mountains, extend through the state from N. to S. The ranges on the W. side of the mountains are much more regular and better known, than those on the eastern. Beginning at the lake, and proceeding easterly, they are nearly as follows. 1. Old red sandstone is an interrupted range. 2. Graywacke. 3. Transition, or metalliferous limestone, alternating with transition argillite. 4. Transition or calciferous sandstone. 5. Transition argillite. 6. Primitive argillite. 7. Sparry limestone. 8. Granular limestone. 9. Granular quartz, containing hæmatitic iron ore and manganese, and lying at the foot of the Green Mountains on the W. side. 10. Hornblende rock. 11. Gneiss, with alternating layers of granite. 12. Mica slate, constituting the middle ridge of the Green Mountain range, and extending in many places a considerable distance down the eastern side.

These ranges of rocks reach from Canada to New Jersey. They are frequently interrupted, and the rocks which are primitive are often in alternating layers. Mica slate and gneiss are the most common rocks, for a considerable distance down the eastern side of the mountains. Primitive limestone is found in Londonderry, Weston and other places, and also in Caledonia county. An extensive range of serpentine occurs in the southern, and another in the northern part of the state: in connexion with the serpentine are beds of steatite, talc and chlorite. Farther E. are found hornblende rock, gneiss, granite and argillaceous slate, in uninterrupted ranges. A bed of granite extends through Windham county, passing the Connecticut at Bellows Falls into N. Hampshire. Ascutney mountain is formed of this stone. Along the Connecticut is an uninterrupted range of argillaceous slate.

9. MINERALS, QUARRIES, &c. Iron is abundant in this state, and lead, zinc, copper and manganese are found in many places. Sulphate of iron, or copperas is very plentiful. The manufacture of this last, deserves particular notice, and an account of it will be found under the head of manufactures. The sulphuret of iron is found in the towns of Strafford and Shrewsbury, in the eastern and central parts of the state. At the former place, the bed of