summer. In their own virtues and exertions, and in the hospitality and kindness of their neighbors and friends, the worthy but distressed inhabitants of Royalton found relief and sup port, through a long and tedious winter.

CHAPTER VI.

CIVIL POLICY. From the year 1783 to 1791. Disturbances in Vermont. Resolutions of Congress. Remonstrances against the proceedings of Congress. Peace with Great Britain. Disinclination of Vermont to an Union with the confederated States. New Federal Constitution. Proposals of New York. Settlement of the Controversy with that State. Admission of Vermont into the Federal Union, Political Effects of these Controversies.

IN the internal government of the state, Vermont had met with good success. The people were not fully united in the measure, when the powers of government were first assumed. Some were upon principle, attached to the government of New York. Those who were of a timid constitution, were fearful of the consequences. Those who wished to be free from the restraints of law and government, were clamorous about tyranny and oppression. Several of these sought protection from New York, avowed their allegiance to that state, and received commissions for civil and military offices, under that government; and were extremely active to oppose, and disturb the government of Vermont. Notwithstanding these attempts, the government of Vermont had been constantly gaining strength, not only among the people who were already settled in the territory, but by the accession of large numbers of people from other states, but chiefly from Connecticut.

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The new settlers were almost universally in favor of the proceedings of the government; and were adding much every year, to its strength, to numbers and unanimity. With these prospects the legislature judged that a general act of amnesty, in favor of those who had been in opposition to government, might be of use to reconcile and quiet those, who were now fully convinced, that nothing could be carried against the government, by force and opposition. Accordingly, in February, 1781, the legislature passed a general act of amnesty, in favor of such persons within the state, as had previously made opposition to its authority. Upon this judicious extension of lenity, all opposition to the internal government of Vermont, had ceased for more than a year; and all parties within the state, seemed to acquiesce in the support of government.

CONGRESS had withdrawn all the continental troops, and left the inhabitants to take care of themselves. In their exposed situation, it became necessary to raise a body of troops, for the defence of the frontiers. The legislature ordered them to be raised from the several towns in the state, in proportion to the number of their inhabitants. There were some persons in the southeasterly part of the state, who opposed the raising and payment of these men. governor of New York, by letters to them, and otherwise, interfered in the business. To some of these disaffected persons, he gave civil and military commissions, and encouraged them with the prospect or promise of support and protection.* Remonstrance of the Council of Vermont, p. 18.

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Made insolent by this prospect of support and distinction from the government of New York, some of these disaffected persons, had the effrontery to attempt to exercise the laws of New York, over the citizens of Vermont, in avowed contempt and defiance of her authority. Insolence so audacious, admitted of no other treatment, than the punishment, which civil laws assign to such crimes. Lenient measures proved in vain, and the government of Vermont ordered a military force to be sent to assist the sheriff of the county of Windham, and to protect the courts of justice against an armed violence and opposition. Five of the most obnoxious of the criminals were banished, and sundry others were amerced in pecuniary fines, according to the customary and due forms of law. The offenders had been guilty of that avowed and armed opposition to law and government, which in every country is denominated treason and rebellion. But great care was taken to avoid the effusion of blood, and to have the punishment of the offenders extended no further than was necessary, to preserve the independence and safety of the

state.

DISAPPOINTED in their views and expectations of producing an insurrection in Vermont, checked and restrained by the proceedings of her courts, nothing remained for them but to seek support and reward from the government, under whose authority they pretended to have acted. But it was not in the power of New York, to afford them such relief as they wished: Neither her power or policy, her promises or her threatenings, would have had the least effect

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upon the people, or the government of Vermont. Nothing remained but an appeal to Congress. Complaint was made to that body, that their resolutions of September 24, 1779, and of June 2, 1780, were publicly violated; and that Vermont had proceeded to exercise jurisdiction over the persons and properties of sundry persons, who professed themselves to be subject to the state of New York. Congress took up the complaint, and referred it to a committee. November the 14th, the committee reported, "that the measures complained of, were probably occasioned by the state of New York having lately issued commissions, both civil and military, to persons resident in the district called Vermont" And that it be recommended to New York, to revoke all the commissions which they had issued since the month of May; that it be recommended to the inhabitants to make full satisfaction to the persons, who had suffered damages; and that it be recommended to New York, and to the people exercising government in Vermont, to adhere to the resolutions of Congress, of September 24th, until a decision should be had upon their affairs. But after several attempts, a vote could not be obtained in favor of these resolves, and the matter was ad journed.*

On December the fifth, the business was ta. ken up again; and Congress, instead of proeeeding to fulfil her own engagements to Vermont, was led by an ill judged policy, to embrace the cause of the criminals, and to pass resolutions full of censure and threatening, Journal of Congress, Nov. 14, 1782.