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THE

NATURAL AND CIVIL

HISTORY OF VERMONT.

CHAPTER I.

CIVIL POLICY. From the year 1760 to 1775. Settlement of Vermont by the English. Grants from New Hampshire. Proceedings of New York. Violent opposition of the Settlers. American War. Its commencement, importance and aspect.

1761. THE large and valuable tract of country, which is now known by the name of Vermont, was situated between the New England provinces, New York, and Canada. Its distance from the English settlements along the sea coasts, and from the French on the river St. Lawrence, prevented any settlements being made in it, at an early period, by either nation: But both of them, were making constant advances towards it. So early as the year 1615, the Dutch had advanced one hundred and sixty miles up Hudson's river, and built a fort at Albany. In 1640, the French had extended far up the river St. Lawrence, and began their settlements at Montreal. In 1635, the English began the town of Springfield, upon Connecticut river; and by 1670, had extended as far up the river, as Deerfield. On September 3d,

VOL. II. A

1696, Colonel Fletcher, governor of New York, made a grant to Godfrey Dellius, a clergyman at Albany, of a tract of land on the east side of Hudson's river: This tract extended from the northernmost bounds of Saratoga, to the Rock Rossian, (now called Split Rock, in the township of Willsborough) about seventy miles in length, and in width, twelve miles from Hudson's river. In 1699, this grant was declared by the government of New York to have been extravagant, and vacated on that account.* In 1716, a tract of land was granted by the general court of Massachusetts, in the south east part of the state, containing more than one hundred thousand acres. But it was not until the year 1724, that any settlement was made, within the bounds of Vermont The government of Massachusetts, then built fort Dummer, upon Connecticut river. This fort, was then admitted to be within Massachusetts, afterwards it was found to be in New Hampshire, and is now in Vermont. This was the first settlement, any civilized nation had ever made, in this state. On the other side of the state, the French made their advances up lake Champlain, and in 1731, built their fort at Crown Point, and began a settlement on the east side of the lake. part of America became of course, the seat of war, and was constantly exposed to the depredations of both nations, and their Indian allies; and it was dangerous and impracticable to settle the country.

This

THE wars having terminated in the reduction

* Laws of New York, Vol. I. p. 32. Édit. 1774.

of Canada, the frontiers of New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, were no longer exposed to the inroads of the French, or to the ravages and depredations of the Indians. The prospect was that the unsettled parts of the country would now afford quiet and peaceable abodes for a large body of farmers, who might with ease and safety advance their fortunes, and establish settlements and townships in every part of the frontiers. On such accounts the unsettled lands of the country acquired a new value, and were every where explored and sought after, by speculators and adventurers.

AMONG these lands none appeared more inviting, than the tract of country which was situated between lake Champlain and Connecticut river. The soil was rich and fertile, favorable in many places to the production of grain, and in all to grazing and the raising of cattle. It was plentifully watered by streams and rivers, and abounded with necessary and useful timber. In such a soil and situation, the labor and hardships of a few years could scarcely fail of producing rich and valuable farms; with all the ease and independence, that is naturally annexed to industry in the rural economy and life.

ENCOURAGED by such prospects, many persons were disposed to attempt their fortunes, by settling or speculating in those lands; and as they were generally supposed to fall within the limits of New Hampshire, the applications were made to that government for the purchase, and for a title to the proposed new townships. The governor of New Hampshire wished to encourage these applications; and when a sufficient

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