History of the state of Vermont; for the use of families and schools

Preface

Tho acknowledged want of a concise History of Vermont, adapted to the use of the higher classes in our schools, as well as for general reading, is deemed a sufficient apology for adding another to the multifarious publications of the day. The early History of Vermont is unlike that of any other state in the Union. As the inhabitants on the New Hampshire grants had never been organized as a province, under the crown of England, and as they constantly refused submission to the provincial governments, which claimed authority over them, they found themselves without any bond of union excepting their common interests, and their social affections. The History of Vermont is, therefore, that of a people assuming the powers of self government, and advancing, by successive steps, from a state of nature to the establishment of a civil compact and to a regular and efficient organization. These peculiarties of our early history, render it a subject of uncommon interest to all, and, especially so, to the descendants of those statesmen and philanthropists, to whom, through the blessing of God, are indebted for all their valuable institutions ; and one of the principal motives which led to the compilation of the following pages was a desire to awaken, and perpetuate, in the breasts of the young, that spirit of patriotism, independence

PREFACE.

and self denial, which so nobly animated the hearts of their fathers.

The materials for the following pages have been principally derived from the History of Vermont, by Doctor Samuel Williams, the Vermont State Papers compiled by the Hon. William Slade, and from information collected by the Author, while compiling his Gazetteer of Vermont, in the year 1824. Doctor Wiliams' history is an interesting and valuable work, but it is too voluminous and expensive for general circulation. The collection of State Papers above mentioned, is invaluable to the historian and antiquarian] as containing the elements of our history, but is not calculated to interest the young, or to hud its way into all tbe families in the state. It has, therefore, been the object of the present undertaking to furnish a work, which should neither be so brief as entirely to preclude any of the important incidents of our early history, nor so voluminous and expensive as to place it above the reach of any individual. With what success this object has been accomplished, it belongs hot to the writer to say ; but if this volume shall serve in any manner to revive among us those virtues, for which our ancestors were so much distinguished, he will so far have accomplished one of the princip 1 objects contemplated in the undertaking, and he Will hereafter have the satisfaction of reflecting that his humble labors have not been altogether useless.

Contents

Preface. - Page 3

Topographical sketch, ... . 9

C II A PTER I .

Section II. Progress of the English and Dutch settlements, from 1607, to 1638, .... 16

Section III. French and English Colonies — Transactions in the vicinity oi Vermont from 1638 to 1705, 19

Section IV. French and English Colonies.- — Transactions in Vermont and its vicinity from 1705 to 1749, 24

Section V. French and English Colonies — from 1748 to 1756. Braddock defeated — The French defeated at fort William Henry, 29

Section VI. French and English Colonies — from 1756 to 1758. Fort William Henry surrendered to the » French — Massacre of the garrison, - - 35

Section VII. French and English Colonies — Events of 1758. Capture of Louisburg — Abercromhie defeated — Fort Frontenac and Du Qucsnc taken, - 39

Section VIII. French and English Colonies — Transactions of 1759 and 1760. Quebec taken — Ticonderoga, Crown Point and Niagara taken — Expedition against I*

CONTENTS.

tho St Francis Indians — Montroal and Canada surrender, - 44

Chapter II. Settlement, And Controversy With New York

Section I. Vermont previous to the year 1760, - 51

Section II. Controversy between New Hampshire and New York, respecting the territory ol* Vermont — from 1749 to 17G4, 54

Section HI. Controversy with New York from 1764 to 1773, 58 4

Section IV. Character of the settlers on the New Hampshire grants and their modes of punishment, 63

Section V. Controversy with Now York from 1773 to 1775 — Miniatory act of New York — Resolutions and remonstrance of the settlers, ... 67

Section VI. Brief review of the progress of settlement previous to the Revolution, 75

Chapter III. Revolutionary Wail

Section I. Events of 1775 — Reduction of Ticonderoga — Invasion of Canada — Carlton defeated by Col Warner— St Johns and Montreal taken by General Montgomery— Assault upon Quebec, 77

Section II. Events of 1776. Small Pox fatal in (he army — American army retreats — Unsuccessful expedition against Three Rivers — Affairs at the Cedars — Chainblee and St Johns abandoned by the Americans Naval engagement on lake Cliamplain — Crown Point abandoned, b7

Section III. Events of 1777. Advance of General Hurgoyhc — Ticonderoga abandoned by the Americans —-Battle at Hubbardton — Retreat from fort Edward—

CONTENTS.

Battle at Bennington — At Stillwator — Surrender of Burgoyne, 95

Chapter IV. Civil Tolicy Of Vermont During The Revolution

Section I. From the year 1775, to the Declaration of the Independence of Vermont in 1777, - - 11G

Section II. Establishment of the Government of Vermont— from the Declaration of Independence January 15, 1777, to the meeting of the General assembly on the 12th of March 1778,' . . - - - 121

Section III. Controversy with New Hampshire in 1778, and 1779 — Legislative proceedings in Vermont, 127

Section IV. Controversy with New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, in 1778—1779 and 1780, 133

Section V. Union of Vermont with a part of New Hampshire and a part, of New York in 1781, 141

Section VI. Negotiation with the British in Canada from 1780, to 1783, 145

Section VII. Indian depredations upon the settlements in Vermont, - .... « 159

Chapter V. Proceedings Relative To The Admission Of Vermont Into The Union

Section I. Extending from the cofi^lctioit llto eastern ami western unions wiih Vermont on the &2d of June, to 178!, the dissolution of the same on the 22d day of February 1782, ...... 1GG

Section II. Proceedings of Congress — Disturbances in Vermont — from the Dissolutions uf the unions in Vermont February 22d, 1782, to the Treaty of Peace between the United States ami C.reat Britain, January 20111,1783, 171

CONTENTS.

Section III. Disturbances in Vermont growing out of the controversy with New York, - - 181

Section IV. Settlement of the controversy with New York, and the Admission of Vermont into the Union,

Chapter VI. Civil Policy Op Vermont After Her Admission Into The Union

Section I. Extending from the admission of Vermont into the Union in 1791, to the Resignation and death of Governor Chittenden in 171)7, - - 191

Section II. Legislative proceedings in Vermont from the year 1797 to 1812, . 199

Section III. Legislative proceedings from 1812 to 1815 — War with Great Britain — Events on Lake Chumplain— -Battle at Pittsburgh, - - 212

Section IV. Legislative proceedings from 1814 to the close of the year 1832, ' - . 221

Section V. The Frame of Government — Legislative Power — Executive Power — Council of Censors Judiciary— Laws— Education — Diseases &c. - 230

Appendix

No. 1 Gov. & Lieu Gov. 241 No. 2 Treas, & Sec. 242 No. 3 Speak. <V Clerks, 242 No. 4 Coun. & Towns, 243 No. 5Judg. of Sup. C. 24 !

No. (> Senators in Con. 245

No. 7 Rep. in Congress, 2 15 No. 8 Lotteries, 24C No. 9 Population, 317 No. 10 Banks, 248 No. 11 Colleges, 2-19 No. 12 Councils of Cen. 250

SKETCH OF THE TOPOGRAPHY OF VERMONT.

1. Vermont constitutes the north-western part of that section of the United States, which is called New Eng. land. It lies between 42 degrees 44 minutes ,and 45 degrees of north latitude ; and between 3 degrees 31 minutes, and 5 degrees 24 minutes east longitude from the Capitol of the United States at Washington. The length of this State from north to south is 157£ miles. The width is various, being 90 miles at the north end and only 40 at the south. The mean width is about 57 miles, and the whole surface of the State, about 9000 square miles, or 5,7G0,000 acres. It comprehends the territory lying between Connecticut river and lake Champlain, which was [formerly known by the name of the New Hampshire grants, and is bounded north by Canada, east by New Hampshire, south by Massachusetts, and west by New York.

2. The face of the country is generally uneven and the central parts mountainous. The range of Green Mountains, which give name to Vermont, extends quite through the State from south to north, keeping nearly a middle course between Connecticut river and lake Champlain. These mountains rise, in several places, to a height exceeding 4000 feet above tho level of the sea,

TOPOGRAPHY OF VERMONT.

but they are not generally precipitous, and are most of them covered with timber to their summits. The loftiest of these summits are the Nose and Chin in Mansfield, Camel's Hump, and Shrewsbury and Killington peaks.

3. Among these mountains, arise a great number of streams, which following the several declivities, find their way into Connecticut river on the east, or lake Champlain on the west. The principal streams, which I fall into the Connecticut, are the Wantastiquet or West river, Black, Otte-Qucchee, White, Wells and Pasumpsic. Those which fall into lake Champlain, are Otter Creek, Winooski, or Onion, Lamoille and Missisco. Black, Barton, and Clyde rivers run northerly into lake Memparemagog. These are all considerable streams, and they all abound in falls/and rapids, which might afford water power for propelling machinery to almost any amount.

4. Lake Champlain stretches along the western border of Vermont for the distance of about 100 miles, and varies from half a mile to thirteen miles in width. It affords an easy communication between the Hudson and the St Lawrence, and it will be seen by the following pages that both the French and English frequently availed them- | selves of the facilities it afforded in their predatory expeditions against each other. Lake Memphremagog is situated on the northern boundary of Vermont and lies about half way between lake Champlain and Connecticut river. It is between 30 and 40 miles long, and from 3 to

4 miles wide. These lakes, as well as the rivers and smaller streams, were formerly well stored with fish ; and fromtheir waters the natives derived a large share of theirsubsistence.

5. When lirst visited by Europeans, this whole tract i

TOPOGRAPHY OF VERMONT.

of country was one unbroken forest. At that period the hand of industry had no where laid bare the soil to the genial influence of the summer's sun. The borders of the lakes and rivers were then shaded by a beautiful and lofty growth of pine and elm — the uplands were heavily timbered with maple, beech and birch, interspersed with a variety of other trees— while the mountains, which lifted their blue heads among the clouds, were clothed to their towering summits, with the perpetual verdure of their hardy evergreens.

6. These forests, and the margins of the lakes and streams, were well stored with moose, deer, bears, wolves, otter, beaver, and a variety of other animals, which made this region the favorite hunting ground of the natives ; and here, from time immemorial, the successive generations had pursued the chase, vying in fleetness with the passing wind, and free as the mountain air, which they inhaled.

7. Where now we behold smiling villages, thronged by the busy multitudes, and cultivated farms, yielding the peaceful fruits of regulated industry, then were seen nought, but dark and gloomy forests and the pyres erected in their midst, for the immolation of those, whom the fortune of war had thrown into the hands of an enemy. Where now from our fields and hamlets the hum of business daily ascends, save when exchanged for 'the sound of the church-going bell,' and hushed for the rational and solemn worship of Almighty God,— then were heard only the war-whoop and the death song of the savage — the commingled strains of fierceness and exultation— the horrid shrieks of cruelty and of death.

8. But changes so auspicious in the general aspect of things have not been effected without toils, and difficulties

TOPOGRAPHY OF VERMONT.

and dangers, to which the present inhabitants of Vermont, surrounded by their conveniences and comforts, are utter strangers. The ruggedness of the country, the density of the forests, the length and dreariness of the winters, and above all their exposure to the depredations of the merciless savages, were lor a long period sufficient to deter all from emigrating hither excepting men of the stoutest* hearts and most robust bodies. And then the labors of cutting down the forests, subduing the soil, procuring means of subsistence, and defending their possessions against unjust and arbitrary claims, were calculated to continue in vigorous exercise all their powors of body and mind.

9. But as they possessed neither the means, nor the leisure for mental cultivation, their characters, as would be expected, partook very much of the boldness and roughness of the mountain scenery amidst which they resided. From being accustomed to face dangers of different kinds, and to surmount difficulties by their personal exertions they acquired an unlimited confidence in their own abilities, and imbibed the loftiest notions of liberty and independence. These traits of their general character, as will be seen by the following pages, were fully devoloped during the controversies, in which it was their lot to be for many years involved, and they have at all periods marked their proceedings in the council and in the held.

HISTORY OP VERMONT.

Introduction

INDIAN AND COLONIAL WARS.

Section I •

Discovery of America — Discovery and Settlement of Canada— discovery of Lake Champlain*

1. The discovery of the American continent by Christopher Columbus, in 1492, awakened a spirit of enterprise, not only in Spain, but in all the principal nations of Europe. From each of these, expeditions were fitted out, and swarms of adventurers issued forth, either to immortalize their names in the annals of discovery, or to enrich themselves and their country with the treasures of a new world. Spain took the lead in the career of discovery, and was followed by England, France and Holland ; but while Spain, invited by the golden treasures of the Incas, was pursuing her conquests and exterminating the defenceless natives in the south, the three latter nations were peaceably and succesfully prosecuting their discoveries in more northerly regions. 2

2. In 1534, James Cartier, in the service of France, while exploring the continent of America in the northern latitudes, discovered, on St Lawrence's day, the great gulf and river of Canada, to which he gave the name of St Lawrence. The next year he returned with three ships, entered the gulf, and, having left his ships at anchor between the island of Orleans and the shore, he ascended the river St Lawrence with his boats, 300 miles, to the Indian town of Ifochelaga, where he arrived on the 2nd day of October, 1535. To this place he gave the name of Montreal, which it has ever since retained. This was doubtless the first voyage ever made by civilized man into the interior of North America, and the first advance of a civilized people into the neighborhood of the territory of Vermont.

3. Cartier and his companions, were every where received by the natives with demonstrations of joy and were treated by them with the greatest respect and veneration. The savages seemed to consider the Europeans as a higher order of beings, whose friendship and fovors they deemed it of the highest importance to secure. And this was true not only of the Canada Indians, but of the natives of every part of the American continent ; and the suspicions of the natives were not generally aroused, nor preparations made, either for defence or hostility, till the new comers had manifested their avarice and meanness by the most cruel acts of injustice and violence.

4. On the 4th of October, Cartier departed from Hochelaga, and on the 11th arrived safely with his party at the island of Orleans. Here he spent the winter, during which he lost many of his men by the scurvy, and in the spring returned to France. In ]540, Cartier again visited Canada and attempted to found a colony ; but this colony was soon broken up, and no further attempts were made by the French to establish themselves in this part of the country for more than half a century. In 1003, Samuel Champlain,a French

DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS .

nobleman, sailed up the St Lawrence, visited the several places, which Cartier had described, and, having obtained all the information, which he could derive from the natives, respecting the interior of the country, he returned to France to communicate his discoveries and to procure assistance in establishing a colony.

5. It was not, however, till the year 1608, that the French court could be induced to fit out a fleet for the purpose of founding a colony on the river St Lawrence. This fleet- was placed under the command of Champlain, who, in the beginning of July, arrived at a place called by the natives, Quebec. The situation of this place being elevated and commanding, and its being mostly surrounded by water rendering its defence easy, Champlain had in a former voyage designated it as the most eligible spot for beginning a settlement. He therefore immediately commenced cutting down the timber, clearing the land, building houses, and preparing the soil for cultivation. Here he spent the following winter, in the course of which, his little colony suffered extremely from the scurvy and from the severity of the climate.

6. In the spring of 1609, Champlain left Quebec, accompanied by two other Frenchmen and a party of the natives, for the purpose of exploring the interior of the country, particularly the southern lake, which the Indians informed him opened a communication with a large and warlike nation called the Iroquois. Champlain proceeded up the St Lawrence and the river now called the Sorel, till he arrived at a large lake. To this lake he gave his own name, which it still retains. Proceeding southward, he reached another lake lying to the southwest of lake Champlain, which he named St Sacrament, but which is now known by the name of lake George.

7. On the shores of lake George, they fell in with a party of the Iroquois, between whom and the Canada Indians, a war had long subsisted. A skirmish immediately ensued, but the Frenchmen being armed with muskets, it was soon decided in favor of Champlain

HISTORY OF VERMONT.

and his party. The Iroquois wore put to flight, leaving 50 of their number dead upon the field, whose scalps I were taken and carried to Quebec. This was doubtless the first time the Indians, in these regions, ever witnessed the effect of European arms, and it is probable the panic produced in the astonished natives, contributed, not a little, to a favorable and speedy termination of the combat.

8. Thus, so early as the year 1609, was lake Champlain, and the western borders of the present territory of Vermont, discovered and partially explored by the French ; and although, after this event, more than a century elapsed, before this tract of country became the residence of any civilized inhabitants, it was, during this period, and long after, the theatre of war, and a scene of Indian havoc and cruelty, of the most appalling character. But these wars were wholly carried on by the Canada Indians and the French, whose settlements were rapidly extending up the St Lawrence, on one part, and by the confederated nations of the Iroquois on the other, previous to the year 1064. This year the Dutch settlement, of New Netherlands, was surrendered to the English, and its name changed to New York ; and from this period, the country now called Vermont, and lake Champlain, became the great thoroughfare of the French and English colonies and their Indian allies in their almost incessant wars with each other.

Section II

Progress of the English and Dutch settlements, from 1607 to 1638.

1. While the French were founding their colony at Quebec, exploring the regions of Canada, and rapid-

DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS.

ly extending their settlements along the banks of the St Lawrence, the other nations of Europe were not inactive. The English, after several unsuccessful attempts, succeeded in 1607, in making a permanent settlement upon the banks of James river in Virginia, and about t he same time planted a small colony in the present state of Maine. Jn 1614, Capt. John Smith explored the sea coast from Penobscot to cape Cod, drew a map of the same and denominated the country New England.

2. In 1609, Capt. Henry Hudson, at that time in the service of Holland, discovered and gave his own name to Hudson river, now in the state of New York, and in 1614, the Dutch began a settlement on the island of Manhattan, where the city of New York now stands. To the country they gave the name of New Netherlands and the town they called New Amsterdam, in allusion to the country and city they had left in Europe. About the same time they built fort Orange where Albany now is, and soon after began settlements at Schenectaday and other plaees in the vicinity.

3. In 1620, a band of English subjects, who, to avoid persecution, had, 20 years before, taken refuge in Holland, and who were denominated puritans from their scrupulous religious conduct, embarked for America, where they hoped to be allowed the privilege of enjoying, undisturbed, their peculiar notions, and of worshiping their Creator in that unadorned simplicity of manner, which they supposed the scriptures to inculcate. Their place of destination was the mouth of Hudson river; and, as they contemplated forming their settlement under the protection of the English, they had obtained a patent of lands from the Virginia company in England previous to their embarkation.

4. After encountering many difficulties and delays they finally got to sea, but their pilot, either through treachery or ignorance, shaped his course so far to the northward, that the first land they discovered was

2*

HISTORY OF VERMONT.

cape Cod, distant more than 300 miles from the nearest civilized settlement, and not within the limits of | their patent. The season was so far advanced, it being i now the 9th of November, that it was deemed expoclient to attempt a settlement in the section of country where they were, and preparations for that purpose I were immediately commenced. After spending some time in exploring the coasts and harbors ; and after having formed themselves into a body politic under the crown of England and chosen John Carver, their * governor, they landed on the 22nd day of December, and began a settlement, which they called New Plymouth, (now Plymouth in Massachusetts,) in allusion to the s town they had left in England. I

5. This colony, at first, consisted of 101 persons; but the severity of the climate, the want of accommodaitons, their unusual hardships and a mortal sickness which prevailed, reduced their number to 56, before the opening of the next spring. Their drooping spirits were, however, revived during the next summer, by | the arrival of supplies from England and by a consid- j erable addition to the number ol settlers. From this time the affairs of the Plymouth colony assumed a brighter aspect, and tbe settlements in these parts were f rapidly extended.

6. As early as the year 1623, the English had begun settlements at Portsmouth and Dover, in the present state of New Hampshire, and, in lG33>tfoey had penetrated the wilderness to Connecticut river and established themselves at Windsor in Connecticut. In 1635, they had extended their settlements northward up this river as far as Springfield in Massachusetts, and soon after they established themselves at Decrlield. Thus early were the French on the north, the Dutch on the south and the English on the cast, advancing their settlements into the neighborhood of the present state of Vermont.

7. A short time prevjpus to the arrival of the Plymouth colony a mortal sickness had prevailed among the natives, by which tjho country, in tne neighborhood

PJEQUOD WAR.

of their landing, had been almost divested of inhabitants. But the natives, who remained, welcomed the English with demonstrations of joy, and seemed disposed to admit the new comers into their country upon friendly terms. But the repeated acts of injustice and extortion on the part of the settlers, and the astonishing rapidity with which their settlements were extending over the country, at length aroused the jealousy of the Indians, and in 1G30, a general conspiracy was formed by the Naragansets and other tribes, the object of which was the total extermination of the English. The settlers however, were seasonably informed of the plot and their vigorous preparations to defeat it, effectually deterred the Indians from attempting its execution. ,

8 But soon after this event, the English settlers were involved in a war with the Pequods, a powerful tribe of Indians, who inhabited the northwestern parts of Connecticut. This war was prosecuted with vigor on both sides, but was terminated in 1G37, by the •complete overthrow of the Pequods. Seven hundred of the Indians were slain, some fled to the Mohawks, by whom they were treacherously murdered, and the Pequods who remained in the country and the other tribes of Indians were so much terrified at the prowess of the English as to be restrained from open hostilities for nearly forty years.

Section III

French and English Colonies — Transactions in the vicinity of Vei-mont from 1638 to 1705.

1. Although both the French and English colonies liad long been in the habit of furnishing the Indians i with arms, ammunition, provisions and clothing, when

HISTORY OF VERMONT.

going to war either among themselves, or with an $ opposite colony ; yet previously to the year 1689, no I expedition had ever been fitted out in one colony for the express purpose of aiding the Indians in their depredation upon another. This year it was resolved by the French to attempt, by the aid of the Canada \ Indians, the conquest of the province of New York, which had now been for some time in possession of the English. They looked upon this course as the only effectual method of subduing their most inveterate and troublesome enemy, the Iroquois.

2. It was proposed that a large body of Canadians and Indians should march by the way of lake Champlain, and fall upon Albany and the other northern

'settlements ; and that the city of New York should be at the same time attacked by a fleet, ordered for that purpose from France. But while preparations were making and before the arrival of the fleet, the Iroquois made a descent upon Canada, plundered and burnt Montreal and broke up most of the frontier settlements. Frontcnac, the French general, was so much disheartened by these calamities, that he relinquish' d the hope he had entertained of conquering New York, but he considered some attempt against the English settlements indispensable, in order to revive the drooping spirits of the Canadians and Indians.

3. Two parties were therefore sent out. One of these, underthe command of Seur Hortel, on tin? 18th of March, 1090, succeeded in destroying the fort at Salmon falls in New Hampshire, where they slew DO of the English and took 54 prisoners, whom they carried to Canada. The other party, consisting of ^00 French and 50 Indians, commanded by D. Aillebout, set out from Montreal in the beginning of January, and, proceeding by the way of lake Champlain, directed their march towards Schenectady, a settlement on the Mohawk river, 14 miles northwest from Albany. But on account of the length of their march through deep cnovvs in the midst of winter, they were reduced

MASSACRE AT SCHENECTADY.

to such extremities by hunger and fatigue, when they arrived in the vicinity of this place, that they thought seriously of surrendering themselves to the English as prisoners of war. They, however, sent forward their spies, who reported, on their return, that the inhabitants were in no apprehension of danger — that the soldiers were few and undisciplined, and that the place was in no condition for defence.

4. Encouraged by this intelligence, the party moved forward, and on the 8th of February, 1690, at 11 o'clock in the evening, they entered the village of Schenectady, and separating into small parties appeared before every house at the same time. Never was a place more completely surprised. Without the least apprehension of danger the inhabitants had just retired to their beds, and, while their senses were locked in the soundest sleep, the terrible onset was made. A general shriek aroused the place, and to many it was the shriek of death. The terrified and bewildered inhabitants attempted to rise from their beds, but they rose only to meet the tomahawk, which was lifted for their destruction. The whole village was instantly in flames; and to add to this heart rending scene, the infernal yell of the savage was incessantly commingled with the shrieks and the groans of the dying.

5. In this massacre no less than 60 persons perished ; and 27 were taken prisoners and carried, by the French and Indians into captivity. They, who escaped the hands of the enemy, fled nearly naked, towards Albany through a deep snow, which had fallen that very night. Of those who succeeded in reaching Albany, no less than 25 lost some one, or more, of their limbs by the severity of the frost. The news of this awful tragedy reached Albany about day break and spread universal consternation among the inhabitants. The enemy were reported to be 1400 strong, and many of the citizens of Alhany advised to destroy the city and retreat down the river towards New York. But Col Schuyler and some others at length succeeded in