The Natural and Civil History of Vermont

Front matter

THE. NATURAL AND CIVIL HISTORY OF VERMONT. BY SAMUEL WILLIAMS, LL. D. Member or the Meteorological Society in Germany, or THfc Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, and or the Academy or Arts and Sciences in Massachusetts. IN TWO VOLUMES. Volume II. THE SECOND EDITION, CORRECTED AND MUCH ENLARGED. BURLINGTON, Vt. PRINTED BY SAMUEL MILLS. Solu at his Bookstore in Burlington, hv Mills and Whit*, mlddlebury, isaiau thomas, jun. worcester, thomas and Andrews, Boston, Thomas and Whippll and S. SAWYER AND Co. NEWSURrfOP.*! . 1809, CONTENTS. 0U000983

Chapter I

Page Civil Policy. From the year 1760 to 1775. Settlemtnt 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. 9

Chapter II

American War. Origin and progress of the war in the year 1775. Tne colonies in danger from Canada. Reduction of Ticonderoga and Crown Point by colonel Allen. Attempt of general Carleton to er,gage;^he Canadians and Indians. Invasion of'Ganada by general Montgomery. Allen taken prisoner. Surrender of the forts atChambly and St. Johns. Montreal taken.%General Prescot and the British vessels captured. Escape of general Carleton. Colonel Arnold appears before Quebec. '^•Montgomery marches to that city. Attempt and defeat in storming Quebec. Arnold retires and blockades the place. Reflections on the conduct and character of general Montgomery. Qn the An^eri* can character and campaign. 32

Chapter III

American War. Progress and events of the war in the year 1776. Carleton 's CONTENTS. Page humanity and prudence. Arnold con tinues the blockade of Quebec. Suffer ings and perseverance of the Americans. Arrival of the British fleet and army at Quebec, and retreat of the Americans. Proceedings at the Cedars. Defeat of the Americans at Trois Rivieres. Hu manity and magnanimity of gen. Carle ton. Proceedings of the British. Re treat of the Americans from Canada un der general Sullivan. Measures of gen eral Gates to secure Ticonderoga, and build a fleet on the lake. Exertions of the British to secure the command of Jake Champiain. Defeat and destruction of the American fleet. Carleton lands with his army at Crown Point. Re turns to Canada without attacking Ti conderoga. Reflections on the events of the campaign, on the American character and firmness, and on the conduct of sir Guy Carleton. 64.

Chapter IV

American War.^ Progress and events of the war in the year 1777. General Burgoyne appointed to the command of the troops in Canada. State of the army under his command. Expedition to the Mohawk river. Burgoyne's arrival and speech to the Indians at Boquet river. Invests the forts at Ticonderoga. Eyaruation of the works by St. Clair. Battle of Hubbardton. Destruction of the American works and vessels at CONTENTS. 5 Page Skeensborough. State of the American army at fort Edward. Exertions of the NewEngland States to opposeBurgovne. Victory of general Starks at Bennington. Defeat of Herkimer at fort Stanwix. St. Ledger abandons the siege. Cruelties of the Indians, and murder of Miss M'- Rea. Proceedings on lake George. Bur goyne passes Hudson's river. Battle of September the nineteenth. Defeat of the British army on October the seventh. Retreat of Burgoyne. Distress and sur render of the royal army. Citizens of Vermont return to their settlements, and civil occupations. 94

Chapter V

Civil Policy. From the year 1775 to 1 783. Political state of the people. Conventions to consult on the common safetv. Declaration of the Independence of Vermont. Proceedings of New York. Resolves of Congress. Controversy with New Hampshire. Claims of New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts. Appointment of commissioners, to confer with the nhabitants. 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. Proceedings of Vermont, New York and New Hampshire. Advice of general Washington. Proceedings of Vermont, CONTENTS. Page Votes of Congress. Remarks on the design and effect of these votes. Indian depredations at Royalton. 161

Chapter VI

Civil Policy. F om the y tar 1783 to 1791. Disturbances in Vermont Rcsolutionsof Congress. Remonstrances against the proceedings of Congress. Peace with G. Britain. Disincliuation of Vermont to an union with the confederated States. New federal constitution. Proposals of New York. Settlement of the controversy with that Sitate. Admission of Vermont into the federal union. Political effects cf these controversies. 243

Chapter VII

Civil Policy. From the year 1791 to 1807. Favorable prospect at the admission of Vermont into the federal union. Manner of transacting the annual business of the State. Assembly complete a volume of laws. Influence of French polities. Washington's popularity and influence. Governor Chittendcn's resignation and death. Election and measures of governor Tichenor. Policy and proceedings of the legislature at Vergennes, in 1798 ; at Windsor, in 1799; at Middlebury, in 1800 ; at Newbury, in 1801 $ at Burlington, in 1802 ; at Westminster, in 1803 ; at Windsor and Rutland, in 1804 ; at Danville, in 1805 ; and at Middlebury in 1806. 26? "

Chapter VIII

State of Society. The employments of the CONTENTS. 7 Page people : Agriculture, Manufactures, Hunting, Comm rce,the profits' of Labor. 352

Chapter IX

State of Society. Customs and Manners : Education, early Marriages, Activity, Equality, Economy, and Hospitality of the people. 36?

Chapter X

State osSociety. Religion : Importance of this Principle, Danger of any Control in it, Equ alky of all Denominations, Effect of this Equality, Grants and laws for the Support of Religion, Extent of Religious liberty, Connexion of Religion with Science and Education. 389

CHAPTER XL

State of Society. Nature of the American Government. Constitution of Vermont, Laws, Counties, and Courts, Annual Expense of Government, Public Revenue, Militia, Popularitv of the Government. 39J

Chapter XII

State of Society. Population: Causes on which this depends, the mean Period of Human Life in the American States, Period of doubling in Vermont, comparative View of Population in new and old Countries. 4 If?

Chapter XIII

- State of Society. Freedom : Destroyed in some Countries by the Slate of Society, produced by the Settlement of America, the Cause and Effect of the American War, cannot be preserved by Government, depends en the state and condition of the people. 426- CONTENTS.

Appendix

. Page No. I. Speech of the Oneyda tribe, one of the six nations of confederate Indians, sent to the New England provinces, June 19,-1775. 437 No. II. Speech of lieut. gen. Burgoyne to the Indians in Congress, at the camp on the river Boquet, June 21, 1777. 437 No. III. A proclamation by lieutenant general Burgoyne, July 4, 1777. 439 No. IV. Address to general Burgoyne. 441 441 No. V. Lord Chatham's Speech on the Indian war and barbarity. 442 No. VI. A convention between lieutenant gen. Burgoyne and major general Gates, October 16, 1777. • 443 No VII. Historical memoirs of colonel Seth Warner. 445 No VIII. Proceedings of the convention that declared the independence of Vermont. 450 No. IX. The declaration and petition of the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants to Congress, announcing the district to be a free and independent state. 453 No. X. The remonstrance of the commissioners from Vermont, against the proceedings of Congress, Sept. 22, 1780. 455 No. XI.

Questions proposed by the committee of Congress to the agents on the part of Vermont, with the answers of the agents, August 18, 1781. 457 No. XII. The improvement which the man of Europe has received in America. 458 No. XIII. Topographical Table of the Towns and Counties in the State of Vermont. 465 Additional Notes. THE NATURAL AND ' CIVIL HISTORY OF VERMONT. \0s&^0^/F^tf^r>

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 Eng land 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 Al bany. In 1640, the French had extended far up the river St. Lawrence, and began their set tlements at Montreal.

In 1635, the English began the town of Springfield, upon Connecti cut 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 southeast 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 i The government of Massachusetts, then built fort Dummer, vipon 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 Champiain, and in 1731, built their fort at Crown Point, and began a settlement on the east side of the lake. This 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. The wars having terminated in the reduction * Laws of New York, Vol. I. p. 32.

Edit. 1 7 74. of Canada, the frontiers of New York, Massa chusetts, 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 unset tled 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 in viting, than the tract of country which was situ ated between lake Champiain 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 hard ships of a few years could scarcely fail of pro ducing 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 per sons 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 en courage these applications ; and when a sufficient number of purchasers appeared to advance the purchase money, and pay the customary fees and donations, he was always ready to make the grants, and issue the charters.

Nor could the purchasers be apprehensive that any controver sies could arise respecting the validity of grants and charters, purporting to be made by the king of Great Britain, under the signature and seal of the governor of New Hampshire ; as this was one of the royal provinces, and the lands were fairly purchased and paid for. They had fur ther reasons for such expectations, for a royal decision had been made, which was understood to have decisively assigned these lands to that province. The provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, had a long and tedious controversy, respecting their divisional line. This was not settled until March 5, 1740 ; when George the second, determined, " that the northern boun dary of the province of Massachusetts be, a similar curve line, pursuing the course of Mer rimack river, at three miles distance, on the north side thereof, beginning at the Atlantic ocean, and ending at a point due north of Pa tucket falls ; and a straight line drawn from thence, due west, until it meets with his Majes ty's other governments."

This line was run in 1741, and has ever since been admitted as the boundary line, between Massachusetts and New- Hampshire. By this decision, and the establishment of this line, the government of New Hampshire concluded, that their jurisdiction ex tended as far west, as Massachusetts had claim. •d and(exercised ; that is, within twenty mile's of Hudson's river. The king of Great Britain, had repeatedly recommended to the assembly of New Hampshire, to make provision for the sup port of fort Dummer ; as a fortress, which had now fallen within their jurisdiction, and was known to stand on the west side of Connecticut river. From these circumstances, it was not doubted either in Britain, or in America, but that the jurisdiction of New Hampshire extended to the west of Connecticut, river ; but how far to the west, had never been examined, oc called into question.

Benning Wentworth, was at that time governor of New Hampshire In 1749, he made a grant of a township, six miles square. It was situated twenty miles east of Hudson's river, and six miles north of Massa chusetts line. In allusion to his own name, he gave to this township, the name of Bennington. For the space of fourorfiveyears, he made several other grants, on the west side of Connecticut river. In 1754, hostilities commenced between the English and the French in America, which put a stop to the applications and grants, and issued in a war between the two crowns. In 1760, the operations of the war, in this part of America, were terminated, by the surrender of Montreal, and the entire conquest of Canada. During the progress of the war, the New Eng land troops cut a road from Charlestown in New Hampshire, to Crown Point, and were frequently passing through these lands ; and their fer tility and value became generally known.

Upon the cessation of hostilities, they were eagerly sought after, by adventurers and speculators. By the advice of his council, the governor oi" New Hampshire directed a survey to be made of Connecticut river, for sixty miles ; and three lines of townships, to be laid out, on each side. The application for lands constantly increased, and new surveys were made. So rapid was the progress, that during the year 1761, not less than sixty townships, of six miles square were granted on the west of Connecticut river. The whole number of grants, in one or two years more, amounted to one hundred and thirty eight; and their extent, was from Connecticut river, to what was esteemed twenty miles east of Hud son's river, so far as that extended to the north ward ; and after that as far west as the eastern shore of Lake Champiain.

The cultivation of the country, and the number of the settlers, in creased with a surprising rapidity ; and Went worth had an opportunity to accumulate a large fortune, by the fees and donations which attended the business, and by a reserve of five hun dred acres, which he made in every township. for himself. The government of New York, wishing to have the profits, and intending to have the dis posal of the lands, was alarmed at these pro ceedings. Charles the second, in 1664, and 1674, made an extraordinary grant to his broth er, the duke of York ; containing among other parts of America, " all the lands from the west side of Connecticut river, to the east side of Delaware bay." This grant was inconsistent with the charters, which had before been granted to Massachusetts, and Connecticut ; and neither of them, admitted it to have any effect, livith regard to the lands which they had settled^ 6r claimed to the west of Connecticut river : And there were no principles, which apply to human affairs, by which this grant would bear a strict examination.

If it be examined geo graphically, the bounds of it were contradictory, indefinite, and impossible. If it be subjected to a legal construction, the whole of it, upon James' accession to the throne, merged in the crown ; and at his abdication, passed to William his successor. If it be considered as an instru ment of government, it did not establish any colony or province of New York, or any power to govern any such province. Upon this inade quate and blundering transaction of Charles the second, New York founded her claim and hope, of obtaining the lands, which New Hampshire was granting. To check the proceedings of New Hampshire, and to intimidate the settlers, Mr. Colden, lieutenant governor of New York, issued a proclamation,* reciting the grants to the duke of York, asserting their validity, claiming the jurisdiction as far east as Connecticut river, and commanding the sheriff of the county of Albany, to make a return of the names of all persons, who under the color of the New Hamp shire grants, had taken possession of any lands to the west of the river.

To prevent the effects that might arise from this proclamation, the governor of New Hampshire put forth another proclamation,! declaring the grant to the duke of York to be obsolete, that New Hampshire extended as far to the west, as Massachusetts and Connecticut, that the grants made by New * 1763. Dec. a8. ■f 1764. March 13. Hampshire would be confirmed, if the jurisdiction should be altered; the settlers were exhorted, not to be intimidated, but to be industrious and diligent in cultivating their lands ; and the civil officers were required, to exercise jurisdiction as far westward, as grants had been made, and to punish all disturbers of the peace. This proclamation served to quiet the minds of the settlers : And after such assurances from a royal governor, they had no idea that a contest be» tween two provinces, respecting the extent of their jurisdiction, would ever affect the property of such individuals, as had fairly purchased their lands, under a charter from a royal government.

New York had as yet founded her claim to the lands, upon the grant to the duke of York ; but that sagacious government did not choose to rely upon so precarious a ground. Applications were made to the crown representing that it would be greatly for the convenience and advantage of the people, who were settled west of Connecticut river, to be annexed to New York ;' that the course of business must always lie that way, and that the people were desirous to be included in that government.* The result of these applications, was a decision in favor of New York i On July 20th, 1764, his majesty Ordered and declared, " the western banks of the river Connecticut, from where it enters the province of the Massachusetts bay, as far north as the forty fifth degree of northern latitude, to be the boundary line, between the said two * The inhabitants complained that a petition was presented to the king, signed with their names, but unknown to them.

In their first petition to Congressman. 7, 1776, they give this account of the petition, " We hare often heard, and verily believe [it was] in your petitioners' names." provinces of New Hampshire and New York.'* This determination of the king, did not appear to be founded on any former grant to the duke of York ; but was a decision, de novo ; as the occasion, and convenience of the people, were supposed to require. In this decision of the boundary line, there was nothing alarming to the people who had settled on the new lands. They had no idea of disputing the jurisdiction, or opposing the government of New York. They concluded the title to their lands, would not be in any way affected, by the decision, but rather confirmed : And that the determination was expressed in language sto be) designed to relate to the future, and not to any past transactions, or time.

Had the government of New York assigned the same construction to the royal decision, no controversy would ever have arisen ; the settlers would have remained quiet and easy, under their jurisdiction. But a very different construction Was put upon the royal deteimination, in New York. The government of that province construed it, as a declaration not only of what was to be, for the time to come, but of what was, and always had been, the eastern limit of New York : And of consequence, that the grants which had been made by the governor of New Hampshire, were grants of what had always be longed to New York. In conformity to this explanation, the grants from New Hampshire, were considered by the government of New York, as illegal, and of no authority. The new district was divided into four counties : The south western parts, were VOL. ii.

B annexed to the county of Albany ; the nortH west, were formed into a county by the name of Charlotte. On the east side of the green mountains, two counties were formed ; Cum berland to the south ; and Gloucester, to the north ; and in these, courts were regularly held. The settlers were required to surrender the charters, which they had received from New Hampshire, and to take out new grants from New York, which were attended with great, fees, and expense. Some of the towns complied with this requisition, and bought their lands the se cond time, but the greater part refused it : And where it was not complied with, on the part of the grantees, new grants were made of their lands, to such petitioners, as would advance the fees which were demanded. Actions of eject ment were commenced in the courts at Albany, against several of the ancient settlers ; and the decisions of the courts, were always in favor of the New York proceedings, and against all titles and grants, derived from the governor of New Hampshire.

The case of the settlers did not admit of any relief, from the customary forms of law ; but only from the equity, the wisdom, and the moderation, of a provincial government : But moderation, and tenderness of the rights of individuals, unable to defend their claims, was not to be expected from adventurers, and spec ulators, who had an opportunity to acquire what lands they pleased, under the customary forms of law, and government. The governor, and some of the leading men in New York, availed themselves of this state of things ; and derived much more enormous profits, by making a second grant of the lands, than the governor of New Hampshire had acquired, by making the first.* Although it proved an easy thing for the claimants under New York, to recover judgment against the settlers, it was not found so easy a matter, to carry those judgments into execution.

When the executive officers came to eject the inhabitants, from their houses and lands, they generally met with an avowed op position, from the possessors ; and were not suffered, to proceed to the execution of their offices. The minds of the settlers, instead of being depressed into submission, seemed to de rive new powers, from oppression : And the people soon began to associate, to defend one another, in their opposition to the courts, and officers of New York. When it was found, that there was an avowed opposition and combination, against the pro ceedings of the courts at Albany, an attempt was made by the government of New York, to engage the militia to assist and support the sher iff. The people who were thus forced to march, in support of the sheriff, had no affection for the business : They were rather in sentiment, with the settlers ; and had no disposition to hazard their lives, in support of a quarrel, which they plainly saw, was designed only for the e molu ment of a few speculators ; whose claims and conduct, did not appear to them, to be so * The fees to the governor as New Hampshire, for granting a township, were about one hundred dollars; under the government of New York, they generally amounted to two thousand or two thousand sis hundred dollars. justifiable as those of the people, against whoi* they were compelled to take up arms.

The sheriff soon found that very little dependence could be placed on the posse, which attended him : Upon the appearance of an armed oppo sition from the settlers, the New York militia could not be kept together, and the sheriff found his power, was no more availing, when he was attended with the posse comitatus, than when he was without them. This circumstance afforded much encourage ment to the inhabitants, and they began to be lieve, they should find that support from the general sentiments of the people in the adjacent states, which they could not find from law. Their opposition became more general and dar ing ; and some of the officers of New York be came sufferers, for attempting to carry into ex ecution the judgments of their courts. In this course, the difficulties and dangers were con stantly increasing, until several on both sides were much abused and wounded ; and no of ficer from Newyork, dared to attempt to dispos sess any of the settlers, of their farms.

The actions of ejectment, however, still went on, in the courts at Albany ; but do attention was paid to them, nor was any defence made by the settlers ; but they were never suffered to be carried into execution : And when all other methods had failed, the most active of the lea ders, were indicted as rioters. The main body of the settlers at that time, consisted of a brave, hardy, intrepid, but uncul tivated set of men. Without many of the ad vantages of education, without any other property than what hard labor and hard living had procured, destitute of the conveniences and el egances of life, and having nothing to soften or refine their manners ; roughness, excess, and violence, would naturally mark their pro ceedings. To deny such people justice, was to prejudice and arm them against it, to confirm all their suspicions and prejudicesagainst their rulers, and to give them an excuse and plea to proceed to outrage and violence.

When the government of New York, gave to their pro ceedings, the names of mobs and riots, abuse and outrage to their officers, it is probable the expressions conveyed pretty just ideas, of the appearance of their conduct, and opposition to the laws. But when they called their opposition, felony, treason, and rebellion against law ful authority, the people of the adjacent pro vinces, seem to have believed, that the government of New York was much more blamable, in making and executing such laws, as called their titles to their lands in question, than the settlers were, in acting in open and avowed op position to them. In this scene of violence, and opposition to the proceedings of New-York, Ethan Allen placed himself at the head of the opposition. Bold, enterprising, ambitious, with great con fidence in his own abilities, he undertook to direct the proceedings of the inhabitants.

He wrote and dispersed several pamphlets to display the injustice, and designs, of the New York proceedings : And so oppressive were those measures, that although Allen was a very indifferent writer, his pamphlets were much read, and regarded ; and had a great influence upon the minds, and conduct of the people, The uncultivated roughness of his own temper and manners, seems to have assisted him, in giving a just description of the views and pro ceedings of speculating land jobbers : And where all was a scene of Violence and abuse, such a method of writing, did not greatly differ from the feelings of the settlers, or from the style of the pamphlets that came from New York. But though he wrote with asperity, a degree of generosity attended his conduct ; and he carefully avoided bloodshed, and protested against every thing that had the appearance of meanness, injustice, cruelty, or abuse, to those who fell into his power.

Next to him, Seth Warner seems to have been the most distinguished, in those times. Warner was cool, firm, steady, resolute, and fully determined that the laws of New York respecting the settlers, never should be carried into execution. When an officer came to take him as a rioter, he con sidered it as an affair of open hostility ; defen ded himself, attacked, wounded, and disarmed the officer ; but with the spirit of a soldier, spared his life. So notorious and alarming had this contro versy become, that the settlers sent three of their most active members, as agents to Great Britain, to represent their situation, and implore the protection of the crown.* An enquiry Mas made into the nature and ground of their com plaint ; and the event proved favorable to their hIJic6""' Slmuel Robins<K1-- fr™es Brakenridge, and Mr. wishes.