of a certain district, known by the name of the New-Hampshire grants, and enquire into the reasons why they refuse to continue citizens of the respective states, which, heretofore, exercised jurisdiction over the said district; for that, as Congress are in duty bound, on the one hand, to preserve inviolate the rights of the several states, so on the other, they will always be careful to provide that the justice due to the states, does not interfere with the justice, which may be due to individuals :

That the said committee confer with the said inhabitants, and that they take every prudent measure to promote an amicable settlement of all differences, and prevent divisions and animosities, so prejudicial to the United States.

Resolved, That the further consideration of this subject be postponed until the said committee shall have made report.

Ordered, That they report specially and with all convenient speed. Resolved, That to-morrow be assigned for electing the committee. Resolved unanimously, That the President inform the Governor of the state of New-York, that a more early attention would have been paid to the pressing applications of that state, relating to the disturbances mentioned in his several letters, had it not been prevented by matters of the greatest importance; and that Congress will continue to pay equal attention to the rights of that state with those of other states in the union. Wednesday, June 2d, 1779.

Resolved, That the committee to repair to the inhabitants of the New Hampshire grants consist of five, any three of whom to be empowered

to act:

The members chosen, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Witherspoon, Mr. Atlee and Mr. Root.

While this subject was engaging the attention of Congress, Aller marched with an armed force, and made prisoners of the Colonel and militia officers, who were acting under the authority of New-York. This fact was immediately made known to Governor Clinton, and by him communicated to Congress, by letter of the 7th of June. The following are the proceedings of Congress thereon.

Wednesday, June 16th, 1779. The committee, consisting of Mr. Jenifer, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Sharpe, to whom was referred the letter of the 7th of June, from governor Clinton, brought in a report; whereupon,

Resolved unanimously, That the officers, acting under the state of New York, who were, lately, restrained of their liberty, by certain persons of a district, called the New-Hampshire grants, ought to be immediately liberated.

Resolved unanimously, That the committee appointed to repair to the inhabitants of a certain district, known by the name of the New-Hampshire grants, be directed to enquire into the matters and things contained in the letters of Governor Clinton of the 27th of May and of the 7th inst.

Williams' history.

and that copies of the said letters be transmitted to the said committee, and that they be directed to report specially to Congress.

· Resolved unanimously, That it was not the intention of Congress, by their resolution of the 1st inst. nor ought the same or any other part thereof, to be construed to hold up principles subversive of, or unfavorable to the internal policy of any or either of the United States:

That as Congress expect very salutary effects from the appointment of the said committee, therefore, all further proceedings on Governor Clinton's letter be postponed until they report.

Of the Commissioners appointed by Congress to repair to Vermont, two only attended-Dr. Witherspoon and Mr. Atlee.

We learn from Williams' history, that they repaired to Bennington in June, and after several conferences with the friends of Vermont and New-York, they returned, without accomplishing the purpose of their mission. From the journals of Congress, we, merely, learn the fact, that they made a report to that body, on the 13th of July, 1779.

The controversies, arising out of the various claims to the territory of Vermont, had now become a subject of general attention. The important consequences involved in them, induced Congress again to take the subject under consideration; and on the 24th of September, the following important resolutions were adopted.

Friday, September 24th, 1779. Congress took into consideration resolutions reported from the committee of the whole, which were agreed to, as follows:

Whereas, on the first day of June last, Congress, by a certain resolution, reciting" that whereas divers applications had been made to Congress, on the part of the state of New-York, and of the state of NewHampshire, relative to disturbances and animosities among inabitants of a certain district, known by the name of the New-Hampshire grants," praying their interference for quieting thereof, did resolve," that a committee be appointed to repair to the New-Hampshire grants, and enquire into the reasons why they refuse to continue citizens of the respective states, which, heretofore, exercised jurisdiction over the said district; for that, as Congress are in duty bound, on the one hand, to preserve inviolable the rights of the several states, so, on the other, they will always be careful to provide that the justice due to the states, does not interfere with the justice, which may be due to individuals: that the said committee confer with the said inhabitants, and that they take every prudent measure to promote an amicable settlement of all differences, and prevent divisions and animosities, so prejudicial to the United States :" and did farther resolve," that the farther consideration of this subject be postponed until the said committee shall have made report."

And whereas it so happened, that a majority of the committee appointed in pursuance of the aforementioned resolution, did not meet in the said

district, and, therefore, have never executed the business-committed to them, or made a regular report, thereupon, to Congress :

Ordered, That the said committee be discharged.

And whereas the animosities aforesaid have lately proceeded so far, and risen so high, as to endanger the internal peace of the United States; which renders it indispensably necessary for Congress, to interpose for the restoration of quiet and good order.

And whereas one of the great objects of the union of the United States of America, is the mutual protection and security of their respective rights and whereas it is of the last importance to the said union, that all causes of jealousy and discontent between the said states, should be removed; and therefore, that their several boundaries and jurisdictions be ascertained and settled: and whereas disputes, at present, subsist between the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay and New-York, on the one part, and the people of a district of country, called the New Hampshire grants, on the other; which people deny the jurisdiction of each of the said states over the said district, and each of the said states claim the said district against each other as well as against the said people, as appertaining, in the whole or in part, to them, respectively:

Resolved unanimously, That it be, and hereby is, most earnestly, recommended to the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay and New-York, forthwith to pass laws, pressly authorizing Congress to hear and determine all differences between them, relative to their respective boundaries, in the mode prescribed by the articles of confederation, so that Congress may proceed thereon, by the first day of February next, at the farthest and further, that the said states of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay and New-York, do, by express laws, for the purpose, refer to the decision of Congress, all differences or disputes relative to jurisdiction, which they may, respectively, have with the people of the district aforesaid, so that Congress may proceed thereon, on the first day of February next; and also to authorize Congress to proceed to hear and determine all disputes subsisting between the grantees of the several states aforesaid, with one another or with either of the said states, respecting title to lands, lying in the said district, to be heard and determined in the mode prescribed for such cases, by the articles of confederation aforesaid: and further, to provide that no advantage be taken of the non-performance of the conditions of any of the grants of the said lands, but that further reasonable time be allowed for fulfilling such conditions.

Resolved unanimously, That Congress will, and hereby do, pledge their faith to carry into execution and support their decisions and determinations in the premises, in favour of whichsoever of the parties the same may be; to the end, that permanent concord and harmony may be established between them, and all cause of uneasiness removed.

Resolved unanimously, That Congress will, on the said first day of February next, proceed, without delay, to hear and examine into the disputes and differences relative to jurisdiction aforesaid, between the said three states respectively, or such of them as shall pass the laws before mentioned, on the one part, and the people of the district aforesaid, who claim to be a separate jurisdiction, on the other; and, after a full and fair

hearing, will decide and determine the same according to equity; and that neither of the said states shall vote on any question relative to the decision thereof. And Congress do, hereby, pledge their faith to execute and support their decisions and determinations in the premises.

And whereas it is essential to the interest of the whole confederacy, that all intestine dissentions be carefully avoided, and domestic peace and good order maintained :

Resolved unanimously, That it is the duty of the people of the district aforesaid, who deny the jurisdiction of all the afore-named states, to abstain, in the mean time, from exercising any power over any of the inhabitants of the said district, who profess themselves to be citizens of, or to owe allegiance to, any, or either, of the said states: but that none of the towns, either on the east or west side of Connecticut river, be considered as included within the said district, but such as have, heretofore, actually joined in denying the jurisdiction of either of the said states, and have assumed a separate jurisdiction, which they call the state of Vermont. And further, that in the opinion of Congress, the said three states afore-named, ought, in the mean time, to suspend executing their laws over any of the inhabitants of the said district, except such of them as shall profess allegiance to, and confess the jurisdiction of, the same respectively. And further, that Congress will consider any violences committed against the tenor, true intent and meaning of this resolution, as a breach of the peace of the confederacy, which they are determined to keep and maintain. And to the end, that all such violences and breaches of the public peace may be the better avoided in the said district, it is, hereby, recommended to all the inhabitants thereof, to cultivate harmony and concord among themselves, to forbear vexing each other at law or otherwise, and to give as little occasion as possible to the interposition of magistrates.

Resolved unanimously, That, in the opinion of Congress, no unappro priated lands or estates which are, or may be, adjudged forfeited or confiscated, lying in the said district, ought, until the final decision of Congress in the premises, to be granted or sold.

Ordered, That copies of the aforegoing resolutions be sent by express, to the states of New-York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts-Bay, and to the people of the district aforesaid, and that they be respectively desired to lose no time in appointing their agent or agents, and otherwise preparing for the hearings aforesaid.

The aforesaid resolutions being read over, and a question taken to agree to the whole,

Resolved, unanimously in the affirmative."

On the 2d of October, the first of the foregoing resolutions was amended, as follows.

Whereas in the first resolution of Congress of the 24th of September last, relative to a district of country, called "New-Hampshire Grants," is the following clause, viz.

"And also to authorize Congress to proceed to hear and determine all disputes subsisting between the grantees of the several states aforesaid, with one another, or with either of the said states, respecting title to lands,

lying in the said district, to be heard and determined in the mode prescribed for such cases by the articles of confederation aforesaid:" and whereas no provision is made in the said articles of confederation for hearing and determining disputes between any state and the grantees of any other state :

Resolved unanimously, That the clause, above recited, be repealed. Resolved unanimously, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay and New-York, to authorize Congress to proceed to hear and determine all disputes subsisting between the grantees of the several states aforesaid, with one another, or with either of the said states, respecting title to lands, lying in the said district, to be heard and determined by "commissioners or judges," to be appointed in the mode prescribed by the 9th article of the confederation aforesaid.

Ordered, That a copy of the preceding resolves be transmitted to the said states of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay and New-York, and also to the inhabitants of the New-Hampshire grants.

The foregoing resolutions were communicated, by express, to the Governor of Vermont, and laid before the Legislature, then in session. The following extracts from the journals of the assembly, will show the meas ures adopted by Vermont, on this occasion.

"STATE OF VERMONT,

In General Assembly, October 16th, 1779.

Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed, to join a committee from the Council, to form the out-lines of a plan to be pursued by this state for defence against the neighboring states, in consequence of the late acts of Congress, for that purpose.

Committee chosen-Gen. Ethan Allen, Mr. Jones, Mr. N. Clark, and Mr. Fassett."

"October 19th, 1779.

Resolved, That this assembly join with the Governor and Council, in a committe of the whole, to-morrow morning, to take into consideration several acts of the honourable the Congress, of the 24th of September last, relating to a settlement of all disputes between the states of NewHampshire, Massachusetts-Bay and New-York, on the one part, and the state of Vermont on the other."

"October 20th, 1779.

The Assembly, with the Council, according to their resolution of yesterday, resolved, into a committee of the whole, to take into consideration several acts of the honorable the Congress, of the 24th September last, relating to a settlement of all disputes between the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay and New-York, on the one part, and the state of Vermont, on the other, &c.

The committee of the whole being dissolved, the speaker resumed the chair, and the house proceeded to business."

"October 21, 1779. The committee of the whole brought in the following report, viz. Agreeable to the order of the day, his Excellency the Governor, the

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