The History of Vermont; with descriptions, physical and topographical

Front matter

THE HISTORY OF VERMONT; WITH DESCRIPTIONS, PHYSICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL. BY REV. HOSEA BECKLEY, A. M. BRATTLEBORO : GEORGE H. SALISBURY. 1846. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1846, by George H. Salisbury, in the Clerk's office of the District Court for the District of Vermont. MERR1AM AND MIRICK, PRINTERS, GREENFIELD, MASS. PUBLISHER'S NOTE. The Rev. Hosea Beckley, for many years a distinguished clergyman of this state, was the author of the following work, which he had nearly prepared for the press, some two years since, and had obtained a large list of subscribers for the book, when he was suddenly arrested by death — leaving no other patri mony to his bereaved family but this work in manuscript, upon which he had bestowed years of labor, and which is now published for the benefit of his widow.

The work is given entire as it was left by Mr. Beckley, the publisher not deeming himself authorized to alter the manuscript from the condition in which it was left by tbe author. The only thing done, except copying for the press, has been in one or two instances, to bring the narrative down to the close of the last year ; and to arrange the chapters in the order, in which the subjects treated of in them seemed to require, as they were left by Mr. Beckley, owing probably to his sudden demise, without being numbered, or placed in their proper order. GEO. H. SALISBURY. Brattleboro, March 7, 1846.

Preface

. In offering the following work to the public, an apology perhaps is due from the author. Dr. Williams's History of Vermont is good, but fifty years have elapsed since its publication. Great changes have since taken place ; and some things relative lo its early settlement were omitted by him, deeming them too well known, perhaps, even to incur the danger of being forgotten. Others were omitted by him, as if more proper for the statute book, and secretary and town clerk's office, than for common libraries. But the late changes in the •manner of detailing historical events, have proved that many facts and transactions, long buried in the lumber rooms of records, are highly interesting to readers in general. Besides, this work has become scarce, and diffi cult to be obtained. It is an able work on the " natural and civil history" of the state ; and the writer has relied on him as the best authority, relative to the difficulties in the way of its being admitted ihto the union.

A work has recently been published by the Kev. Zadock Thompson, bringing the narrative of events down to this time, combining the details of history and the statistics of a gazetteer. It is a meritorious work, and well deserving of patronage. And the writer here acknowledges with pleasure, valuable hints derived from it, especially the historical part first printed in a small volume. This late publication is voluminous and expensive ; and on that account many, it is apprehended, will think themselves unable to avail themselves of it, who would wish to own a work giving some general description of the state.

PREFACE.

. VI This then is the apology for the following volume, occu pying ground left between Dr. Williams and Mr. Thomp son, infringing on neither, but taking a way of ils own, differing from both. It wishes their works a prosperous course ; and only asks the privilege of sliding around among the hills, defiles, and valleys of Vermont, visiting now and then the neighboring states, where its predecessors, either on account of age, or more bulky dimensions might meet with obstructions. It declines being called a compilation, because it is a work essentially original. Transcriptions are credited to the authors from whom they are taken ; or by marks of quotation. To one of the judges of the supreme court, the writer here acknowledges his indebtedness for several pages of valuable communications. Endeavoring to con sult the best authority, he has generally, for the sake of brevity, preferred abridging and translating to copying.

But this composes but a small part of the work ; the great body of " the descriptions" being from personal observa tion and reflection. They claim in their behalf truth and conformity to fact : but not exemption from mistakes ; for what work of this nature can plead undeviating accuracy. They disclaim an intermixture of reality and fiction. A medium they would hold between the dryness of mere statistics, and the light ness of the journalist, selecting the most important circumstances, and combining the connexion and attractiveness of history without its formality and minuteness. May the volume meet with a kind reception in this cold world, to which it is reluctantly, and not without ill fore boding, dismissed to take its chance with other similar adventurers. With a Roman poet the author would rather see it wearing the marks of hard usage, than snugly perched upon the shelf for ornament, or food for worms and moths. CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Introduction, addressed to the youth of Vermont. — The natural conduct of children, often deviated from in youth and middle age. — The natural order to be pursued by them in the pursuit of knowledge. — The examination of things around them, and the scenery of their own State, claim their first attention. — The peculiar circumstances of their state in its establishment. — Its early history. — Its early fathers and magistrates subjects of study to them and veneration. — Its remembrance of the sounders of their state, and gratitude for the blessings and privileges left them to be cultivated. — Past records of their state place before them the strongest incentives to mental cultivation. — The diffusion of knowledge, to the fear and love of God. — To preserve and enhance their heritage ; cherish the love of liberty. — Imbibe manly sentiments, and exhibit a manly deportment, cultivate physical energy and mental independence. — They place before them motives of the strongest kind to preserve hardihood of character. — To keep possession of and not desert the hills cleared by their fathers.

To render their state reputable and honorable in the view of other communities. — To cherish and encourage literature and literary men, and those of their own countries, rather than those of foreign countries 17

Chapter II

General description of the state. — Its name. — Surface.— Exterior appearance. — Its shape, and boundaries. — Road from Brattleboro to Albany. — Scenery near Bennington and Manchester. — Former and present stage route across the mountain. — Road on the banks of the Battenkill, through Arlington. — Deceptive appearance of the distant prospects. — Variegated appearance in Rutland county and Addison. — Chimney Point. — The country along Lake Champlain to Burlington and St. Albans. — CONTENTS. VIII Franklin County. — Prospect from Westford. — Soil on the Con necticut river. — On the hills and vallies east side ; and on the west side of the mountain. — How enriched. — Interval. — Hills. Soil near Rutland, Middlebury and other places. — Gardens and productions of Burlington. — Franklin county compared with other counties. — Crops produced, how abundantly. — Agricul tural fair at Sheldon. — Cattle, beef and pork.— Dairies.— Butter, Cheese.— How put up for market.— Wool.— Extensive flocks. — How kept. — Honey Bee. — Patent Hive. — Sugar ... 45

Chapter III

First settlement. — Remains of forts. — Claimed by Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. — Limits. — Orders of the crown to the Governor of New Hampshire to take direction of its settlement. — Wentworth's grant for the settlement of Bennington. — Previous commencement by the French on Champlain. — Claimed by New York. — Collision and violence threatened. — Courts interrupted. — Systematic opposition to the claims of New York, headed by Ethan Allen. — His character, associated with Seth Warner. — Deputation to Great Britain. — Royal interdict, disregarded by New York. — Measures to arrest Allen and his associates. — The progress of things hastened by the home government. — Under sanction of the first Congress, the royal courts interrupted. — Court house at Westminster seized, bloodshed and death. — Excitement. — Battle of Lexington. — War of the Revolution. — Contest suspended between New York and these settlers. — Their singular position, without regular government. — Convention. — Constitution adopted. — Petition to Congress. — Claiming independence. — Opposed by New York. — Perplexing to Congress. — Their evasive and dilatory policy. — Leave given to withdraw their petition. — Burgoyne on their frontier. — Their independence admitted by New Hampshire. — Proposed state in the valley of the Connecticut. — Claimed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York at the same time. — Disturbances in the southeastern section. — The decision of the question claimed by Congress 65

Chapter IV

Rendered persevering by circumstances. — The justice of their cause. — Spirited reply to Congress.— Claiming the same grounds as did Congress with the mother country. — Appeal of Gov. Chittenden and his council. — Intimations of terms with CONTENTS. IX Great Britain. — Their justification. — Abandoned by the Union. — A frontier district. —7A powerful enemy on their border. — Self-preservation led them to this. — Their last resort. — New York and New Hampshire persisting. — Vermont claimed juris diction over a part of their territory. — This measure favorable. — Strengthened their hands and encouraged to renew to Con gress their petition. — The enemy's proposals ; communicated to Congress by E. Allen. — His celebrated appeal. — Their only overt act. — Exchange of prisoners. — This offer of the British known to a few only. — Interrupted letter of Lord Germain. — The eyes of Congress opened by it. — Washington. — Commu nication to Gov.

Chittenden. — Delegates sent to Philadelphia. — Action of Congress. — Their repeated deferring of the subject. — Vermont raised troops to defend herself. — Censured by Congress. — Influenced by New York. — Censures and threats repelled 80

Chapter V

Vermont little affected by the strong resolves of congress. — Peace with Great Britain. — Placed Vermont in new circumstances. — Favorable. — Taking the place of spectator to the other colonies. — Encouraging the settlement of her lands. — Reforming evils. — Relieved from some evils of the other states. — The state of the country improving, she again seeks alliance with it. — Intrinsic difficulties. — The question where the Capital of the nation should be, produces an alteration in New York towards her. — Commissioners appointed by New York. — Terms of reconciliation proposed. — Controversy ended. — Her admission into the Union. — Remarks on this controversy. — Its moderation. — The subject manifested. — Worthy of Imitation. — The instance, one, of bloodshed. — Family connexions of him killed ... 94

Chapter VI

Constitution adopted. — Features of its government. — Representatives. — Governor and council. — How chosen. — Council of censors. — Its power and objects. — The government democratic. — Original counties. — Judicial department. — Salaries of public officers, and compensation of the general assembly, and others in authority — Contrast between the early and present times. — Reflections on the first courts and the changes in them, and the place of holding them. — Customs of first settlers. — Choosing elevated situations. — Inconvenient often. — CONTENTS. X Alterations and improvements. — Changes. — Their evils. — Benefits 105

Chapter VII

In Windham county such changes seen. — Black mountain. — Road on West river. — Cascade. — Defile. — Newfane hill. — Its former appearance. — Deserted state. — Contrast. — Judges and Lawyers. — New county seat. — Fayetteville. — Changes. — Their advantages. — Evils. — Uplands. — Their use. — Northern positions and exposure. — A family burnt in Newfane. — Hardy occupiers of exposed northern positions. — Hardihood a general trait. — Contributing to it, their early troubles. — Their aversion to effeminacy. — Illustrated by examples. — The character of the first settlers. — Settled principally from Connecticut. — Reproaches answered. — Testimony of Hillhouse to this trait of character 120

Chapter VIII

Character of its inhabitants continued. — Hardy. — Their position. — Climate and employments unite in making them so. — Bodily structure. — Exercise. — Exceptions. — Dissipation. — Diet. — Wrong management. — Frankness another trait. — Enterprising . — Seen in the improvements. — In new sources of profit. — In their vallies, rivers, lakes ; quarries ; factories ; potatoes. — Starch factories. — Found over the union in responsible trusts. — Intelligent. — Comparative number who cannot read or write. — Jurymen. — A comparison. — Prejudices. — Apology for speaking of them by comparison. — Formerly stigmatized. — Unfounded as persons. — Griswold and Lyon. — Rencountre between them. — How treated in Connecticut. — Its influence. — Hospitality. — Southern. — In Vermont to strangers 134

Chapter IX

Character continued. — Originality. — Illustrated. — Baptist clergyman. — Constable. — The taking down a house of Divine worship. — Building another. — Prosecution. — Court of experience. — The bible cited as authoritiy. — The sign of the Green mountain tavern.— Singular punishment inflicted. — An instance of mischief making. — The false alarm. — Its consequences. — Breaking roads after drifting snow storms. — Assault and battery. — A lawsuit. — Freemen's meeting. — Town meeting. The Vermont originality seen.— Freedom of their elections!— CONTENTS. XI Extending to all classes. — Clergymen not excluded. — Baptist clergymen in several instances governors. — Anecdote of one. — A singular character 149

Chapter X

Characteristics of Vermonters closed. — Some deductions from the foregoing. — Too often subservient to selfish office-seekers. — Discouraged sometimes under difficulties. — Want of perseverance in carrying to the end promising beginnings. — Family rivalries. — Their consequences. — Winter employments and recreations. — Friendly annual visiting. — Social inteicourse 161

CHAPTER XL

Changes in the executive department, from 1797 to 1842. — Changes in parties. — Governors. — Their characters. — Incidents under their administrations. — English and French party. — How originated. — Difficulties with France and the general government. — 1816, cold summer. — A railer at Providence. — Free-masonry becomes a political question. — Excitement. — No choice of governor by the people. — Many trials in the House. — Antimasonry in politics succeeds. — Arrival in Vermont of the Marquis de La Fayette. — Proceedings at Windsor. — Some character of him. — From 1842 looking back, and reflections on the list of chief magistrates. — The variety in their characters, pursuits, and religious belief. — The abolition of capital punishment 167

Chapter XII

Senate of Vermont. — How constituted. — Members. — Their age. — Its operation and results. — New organization in the courts. — Changes in the Superior court. — Chief Justices. — Remarks on annual appointments of Judges. — United States senators of Vermont. — Their character. — Character of that body. — Population. — Rapid increase. — Additional towns. — Changes of fifty years in the exterior. — Surface. — Buildings. — Cultivation. — Retrospection. — Contrast 182

Chapter XIII

Villages. — Increase of their numbers. — Growth. — Exemplified. — Brattleboro. — Contrast of thirty or forty years. — Its situation. — Public buildings. — View of it from the burying-ground. — Typographic Co. — Early settlers. — First bridge over the Connecticut. — Members of congress. — Its first clergyman. — Dum- CONTENTS. XII merston. — Putney. — Westminster. — Some account of it. — Its part in the early history of the state. — Members of congress. — Rev. Lemuel Haynes. — Monument. — Bellows Falls. — Contrast between it and Westminster. — Curiosity of the falls. — Crossing the mountain. — Bennington. — Some particulars of it. — Its early history. — Antiquity. — Head quarters. — Its founders. — Centre. — Burying-ground. — East village. — Furnace. — Hinsdale village. — General improvement and prosperity. — Pleasantness. — Gov. Tichener 191

Chapter XIV

Further account of villages. — Manchester. — Its situation and appearance. — Burr seminary. — Marble quarries. — Factories. — Quality, and abundance. — Market for it. — Supposed murder. — Castleton. — Road to Rutland.— Clarendon springs. — Wallingford. — East Rutland. — Its common. — Judge Williams. — Woodstock. — Its situation. — Judge Hutchinson. — Charles Marsh. — Windsor. — Springfield. — Its appearance. — Self-taught mechanic. — A curiosity. — Derby. — Danville. — Montpelier. — Its situation. — Population. — Associations of its name. — State house. — Particular description of it. — Middlebury. — Its exterior. — Vergennes. — Decline.— -Its prosperity. — Villages of less extent. — -Their number. — The first class. — In order relative to Montpelier. — Viewed at once. — Retrospection. — Contrast. — Reflections 207

Chapter XV

Military exploits and measures in and near Vermont. — Names of leaders, and places of fame. — Discovery of North America and settlement in Canada. — Lake Champlain. — Lake George. — Iroquois Indians. — Strife between the English and French. — Col. Schuyler. — Attack on Deerfield. — Capture of Quebec. — Abercrombie. — Wolf. — His character. — Settlement at Crown Point. — Chimney Point. — Surprise of Bridgman's fort. — Capture of Mrs. Howe and other women. — Attack on Royalton. — Brandon. — The justification of Vermont, thus exposed, in -admitting overtures from the English 221

Chapter XVI

Warlike movements in Windham. — Adherents of New York. Guilford. — Ethan Allen's proclamation. — General Bradley. — Instrumentality in quelling the disturbances. — Arnold.— Strife between him and Allen. — Campaign against Ticonderoga CONTENTS. XIII planned in Connecticut. — Capt. Phelps exploring the enemy's works. — Ethan Allen a prisoner. — At Halifax. — At Cork. — On Long Island. — In New York. — The old jail. — Prisoners iu it. — Capt. Travis. — Maj. Van Zandt. — Col. Allen crying for quarters.— His death. — His grave and epitaph. — Col. Seth Warner. — His burial place 234

Chapter XVII

War events continued. — Contest for the supremacy on the lake. — The Americans defeated. — Gallant conduct of Waterbury and Arnold. — Arrival, and progress of Burgoyne. — Excitement. — Mounts Defiance, Hope, Independence. — Cannon mounted by the British on Defiance. — Reflections on the past events. — The battle of Hubbardston. — Gen. Fraser. — Battle of Bennington. — Gen. Stark. — His policy at that battle as related by Col. Humphrey.— Letter to Gov. Trumbull of Connecticut. — The war of 1812. — Generals Hampton and Wilkinson. — The army of the North. — The invasion of New York from Canada. — The naval battle on Champlain. — Its effects, and impression on the country. — Commodores McDonough and Downie .... 246

Chapter XVIII

Readiness of the government to foster public benevolent Institutions. — Asylum of deaf and dumb at Hartford. — Asylum for the insane at Brattleboro. — Mrs. Marsh, its founder. — Dr. Rockwell, superintendent. — Its location and scenery around it. — Buildings. — Patients. — Success. — An object worthy of public patronage. — Provision for the indigent insane. — Causes increasing of this malady. — Other ways of suffering. — By flood and cold. — Inundations of 1828-30. — Catastrophe at New Haven. — A man perished by cold neat the summit of the mountain. — A man, wife and infant impeded by the drifting snow. — Overtaken by night in an uninhabited part of the road. — Their sufferings. — Death of the wife. — Sudden changes in the weather. — Great contrast. — Cold days. — The freezing of a rum drinker. — The circumstances. — His body long buried under the snow 256

Chapter XIX

Literature. — Colleges. — Vermont university. — Presidents.— Daniel Haskell.— Middlebury College.— Presidents.— Academies and high schools. — Primary schools. — Improvements. — Literary men.— Authors.— Daniel Chipman.— Royal Tyler.— Martin CONTENTS. Field.— Wilbur Fisk.— Jeremiah Evarts.— William Chamberlain 269

Chapter XX

Literature and learned men continued.— The learned professions. — Clergymen.— Difficulties encountered by them in the early settlements. — Their characters. — Names of some of them. — The fruit of their labors.— Dr. Burton.— His authorship.— Lemuel Haynes.— Bunker Gay.— Attornies at law.— Of some who are dead, their character.— Civilians and statesmen. — Courts. — Their appearance. — Dispatch in business. — Physicians. — Difficulties in their way in the first settlement of the state.— Their character. — Medical college at Castleton. — Vermont poets. — Self-taught one. — Putney hill.— Stanzas of poetry made by a bard living at its foot 282

Chapter XXI

Religion. — The three principal denominations. — Congregationalists. — Some account of them. — Baptists. — Their peculiarities. — Anecdote of an Elder. — Methodists. — Their rules and support of preachers. — Episcopalians. — Universalists. — Unitarians 293

Chapter XXII

Miscellaneous. — Birds. — Partridge. — Quail. — Snow-bird. — Wild pigeons.— Their abundance formerly. — Swallows. — Their varieties. — Swallow trees at Middlebury and Bridport. — The Bobolink. — Robin. — Quadrupeds, wild. — Wolf. — Bear. — Squirrel, Gray and other kinds. — Fox. Dendrology. — Evergreen trees. — Hardwood trees — Sugar maple. — Its beauty. — Changes in its foliage.- -The beech. — The beautiful form and appearance of trees. — The spruce. — The elm. — Trees mentioned by ancient writers. — Homer. — Virgil. — In the sacred Scriptures. — Classical and venerable. — The Wellington tree. — Various shapes of the elm. — Two in Berlin, Ct. — Contrasted. — A venerable pine 301

Chapter XXIII

Vermont well watered. — Water power. — Little subject to drought. — Torrents. — Floods in the spring. — Devastations by water. — On the banks of the Connecticut. — Passage between cakes of ice. Droughts. — Rivers. — Otter creek — Onion. — Lamoille. — West river. — Valley through which it passes. — Its channel in sum- CONTENTS. XV mer. — In the spring and in floods. — Snow in different seasons and places. — Travel over drifts. — Snow bridges. — Seasons of plunging and slumping. — Funerals, and tombs for winter accommodations. — The winter of 1842-3 remarkable. —March and April. — A great flood. — Its ravages. — Prevalence of the erysipelas in some parts of the state. — A season of suffering. — A young man perishing in the snow near Windsor . . . 318

Chapter XXIV

Earliest records. — State papers. — Council of Safety. — Its origin lost. — How chosen. — Its jurisdiction and power. — Tories. — Their families. — Examples from the records of the governor and council. — The first public execution. — Excitement. — Anecdote of Ethan Allen. — Treason, how defined. — Journal of the House of Representatives. — First constitution. — Some of its principles. — The custom of giving titles. — Origin of the superior court. — The judges. — How chosen. — Its early proceedings. — Places of holding the general assembly 331

Chapter XXV

Crossing the mountain in 1843. — Newfane Hill. — Stratton convention of 1840. — Scene among the mountains. — Sunderland. — House built by Ethan Allen. — Birth place of Jeremiah Evarts. — Manchester. — Session of the court there. — Going to College. — Manchester mountain. — Spruce timber. — Peru turnpike. — Prospect. — School children. — Their salutations. — Chester. — Convention of presbyterian and congregational ministers. — Tract society. — Morning prayer meeting. — Narrative of the state of religion. — Sabbath School Union. — Rev. Mr. Munger. — Hindoo girl. — Indians. — Puritans. — Temperance. — Education society.— Domestic Missions. — Lord's supper. — Crossing the mountain to Bennington in 1843. — Marlboro. — Wilmington. — Bennington furnace. — Reflections 346

Chapter XXVI

Improvements in manners and morals. — Dandyism. — Mutual sympathy. — First settlers characterized by a distinguished traveler. — Early prejudices against evangelical doctrines and their advocates. — Law repealed relative to local societies. — Ministers of the gospel set afloat. — Their trials. — A sceptic preparing his own tomb. — Lock and key on a coffin. — Green mountain Farrier. — Roughness of deportment wearing away. — Evidence CONTENTS. XVI of it. — Manner of its progress. — Urbane and polished manners. — Increasing respect for religion. — In the young especially. — Disturbance of public worship at New Haven, Ct. — Capital punishment.— Crimes. — Profaneness.— Gambling. — Other vices. — Temperance 362

Chapter XXVII

Spirit of innovation. — Changes not always improvements. — Evils. — Multiplying out of proportion.' — Churches. — Changing the site often and building new ones. — Slightly built. — Sanctity of time. — The proper materials for building them. — Stone and brick. — Frequent changes in the pastoral relation.— Consequences. — Contrast between the clerical and other professions. — Neglect of grave-yards. — North burying-ground in Hartford, Ct. and new one in New Haven. — Their location proper near churches.— Their influence on the living. — Westminster Abbey. — Lord Nelson. — Incentives and examples placed before Vermonters. — Conclusion HISTORY OE VERMONT.

Chapter I

Introduction, addressed to the youth of Vermont. — The natural conduct of children, often deviated from in youth and middle age. — The natural order to be pursued by them in the pursuit of knowledge. — The examination of things around them, and the scenery of their own State, claim their first attention. — The peculiar circumstances of their state in its establishment. — Its early history. — Its early fathers and magistrates subjects of study to them and veneration. — Its remembrance of the founders of their state, and gratitude for the blessings and privileges left them to be cultivated. — Past records of their state place before them the strongest incentives to mental cultivation. — The diffusion of knowledge, to the fear and love of God. — To preserve and enhance their heritage ; cherish the love of liberty. — Imbibe manly sentiments, and exhibit a manly deportment, cultivate physical energy and mental independence. — They place before them motives of the strongest kind to preserve hardihood of character. — To keep possession of and not desert the hills cleared by their fathers. — To render their state reputable and honorable in the view of other communities. — To cherish and encourage literature and literary men, and those of their own countries, rather than those of foreign countries.

Children seek an acquaintance first with the things immediately around them. They look at the candle which gives them light, — the fire which warms them, and the vessel from which they receive their food and drink. Domestic animals early attract their attention ; the dog, the cat, the barn-yard fowls ; the crowing of the cock, the lowing of the kine, and the bleating of the flocks. Their parents, and all the members of the family interest them ; and they imperceptibly become familiar with their looks and gestures, and the tones of their voices. As they increase in years and stature, they extend their views to objects more distant ; to the green hills and vallies around them ; to the woodland and forests. The singing of the birds, and whistling of the wind catch their ears, and fill their minds.

They look attentively at the lofty house ; and at the spires and turrets, which adorn churches. They begin to eye with emotion the distant horizon ; the blue hills which limit their sight ; the setting sun ; the rising moon and twink ling stars. This is natural ; and by such gradations their views are imperceptibly extended, and their minds enlarged. The contrary would be unnatural. That is, it would be a transgression of order, for them to close their eyes and stop their ears on the objects, and to the sounds near and around them ; and strive to look first at things far distant: to view the mountain prospect, and scan the wonders of the sky ; to measure the other bodies of the solar system before taking a view of the one on which they were born ; and listen to the murmurs and thunders of heaven, before heeding the songs of their mothers ; and understanding the accents and motions of their fathers and kindred.

Equally natural and becoming would it be for the youth of a community to become acquainted first with the history of their native State ; the time and circum stances of its settlement ; by whom, and the difficulties encountered and overcome in doing it. They should take pleasure in making themselves acquainted with the progress in subduing the forests, and rendering the soil feasible and productive, with the increase of its popula tion ; and the improvements in the arts and sciences. The melioration of society in manners and morals ; in accommodations and refinements, in morality and religion, should not be overlooked by them. With important early events, either of a physical or moral nature ; either of a civil or military character, they should be familiar. With the features of its primitive government ; the changes and modifications through which it may have passed, with the principal legal requisitions and prohi bitions, and of the character of its chief magistrates they should not be ignorant.

The leading traits of character in its inhabitants, their predecessors ; their virtues and chief excellencies and ruling passions, not omitting their foibles and defects, as incentives to amendment, should be looked out and well scanned by them. Having done this, they may extend their researches and inquiries to other states, and to the nation. A general knowledge of the history of the states composing this great Republic, and ofthe republic itself as a whole is an object very desirable ; and the youth of Vermont should feel emulous to acquire it. Indeed they need not stop here, but circumstances permitting, can continue their researches, till a general comprehensive view of the world be gained by them. With the aid of science they can look at the other planets of the solar system, and at the heavenly bodies, " which rule by day, and give light by night."