two thousand and five hundred were sick, or absent on furlough; so that the number of effective men in his army, amounted to about ten thousand and five hundred. The number of militia however was constantly varying; some arriving, and others returning.* THE Convention troops having marched on to Boston, the New England militia returned to their respective homes; but general Gates pushed forward his continental troops with the utmost expedition, to stop the British in their desolatory career on Hudson's river; among these, was the Vermont regiment under colonel Warner. On their approach, the British commanders, Vaughan and Wallis, found it unsafe to continue their desolating and burning plan; and returned with their troops to New York; having made their own cause extremely odious to the Americans, by the cruelty, inhumanity, and vindictive spirit, that had marked all their proceedings. THE northern expedition having terminated thus favorably to the Americans, Saratoga and the adjacent country; soon became a quiet habitation. The armies were all moved off, and the inhabitants began to return to their former places of abode. The towns in the western parts of Vermont, which had been deserted, began again to be inhabited. Where the crops of grain had not been entirely destroyed, the inhabitants soon collected, and were seen gathering their corn and hay in the months of November and December. Their first business was to collect Gordon, Vol. II, p. 268. Murray, Vol. II, p. 353, provisions to carry them through the winter; and as the operations of war were not expected to re-commence in that part of the country, their civil affairs became the matters of the highest importance. From their peculiar situation and former controversies with the government of New York, the object which must now most of all engage their attention, was civil liberty and government; under what government they were to remain, and under what constitution and laws they were to look for freedom, justice, safety and protection. CHAPTER V. 1775, to 1783. CIVIL POLICY. From the year Political state of the people. consult on the common safety. the Independence of Vermont. New York. Resolves of Congress. Controversy with New Hampshire. Claims of New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts. Appointment of Commissioners, to confer with the Inhabitants. Interposition of Congress. Conduct of Vermont. Measures pursued by Congress. Further claims of Vermont. Proceedings and views of the British generals and ministers. Resolutions of Congress. Pro ceedings of Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire. Advice of General Washington. Proceedings of Vermont. Votes of Congress. Remarks on the design, and effect of those Indian depredations at Royalton. votes: 1775. WHILE the people of America were thus contending with the fleets and armies of one of the most powerful kingdoms of Europe, and were exerting all their strength and resources, to defend themselves against a foreign conquest, another object of equal difficulty and importance, was, to form such a system of civil government, as should be best adapted to their state of society. The sufferings they had undergone, in consequence of their connection with the British king and monarchy, had every where made them averse to the monarchical form of government; and every circumstance VOL. II. U in their situation and affairs, inclined and united them to make choice of the republican system. Their object was not licentiousness and confusion, but the preservation of public liberty, order, and safety; and they were well aware that it was a matter of extreme difficulty, to form such constitutions of civil government, as would preserve these objects from the attacks of licentiousness and oppression. Civil policy and government became of course an object of universal enquiry, study, and investigation; and the people were as anxious to provide for their own internal government and safety, as to provide ways and means to carry on the war. IN no part of America, were the advantages of civil government more wanted, than among the inhabitants on the New Hampshire Grants. Amidst all the difficulties they had passed through, they had not so much as the form of any civil government among them. When called upon to oppose the proceedings of New York, they had no other way of transacting their affairs, than to collect together, and follow the advice of the most active and ambitious of their leaders. When alarmed by the defeat of the American armies, or the approach of the British troops, or when called upon for supplies, the only method in which they could conduct the business, was to collect together and consult what should be done. And when they had voted their conclusions, their agreements had no other force, nor was there any other power to carry the most necessary measures into effect, than the consent and inclination of every individual among them. No civil laws were of any other force than what custom and habit gave them. The sentiments and maxims derived from the opinions and feelings of the neighborhood, were all the powers that subsisted to put any restraint on the most vicious, or to preserve the lives and properties of the inhabitants. It was soon found, not only inconvenient to subsist, but impossible to have safety and prosperity, in such a state of society. THE Contest with New York, had now in a great measure subsided, and the attention had been chiefly taken up, with the affairs of the war. The method in which they had managed their general concerns, was by meetings of towns and plantations, by committees, officers, and leaders, nominally appointed, and submitted to, by general consent and approbation. The people had been unable to raise any considerable sums of money, on any occasion; but the affairs of the war had so multiplied emissions of paper currency, that this difficulty was in some measure removed. But the constant difficulty and embarrassment, of conducting their public affairs without the advantages of government, had given rise to combinations of a general nature, among several of the towns; and partial conventions had been holden at several times and places, on each side of the mountains. But no general plan of combination and union, had taken place; nor does it seem, that the people at this period of their affairs, had entertained the idea of forming themselves into an independent state, But it had become a matter of general inquiry and conversation, what should be done? And what measures ought to be adopted for the |