Resolved, Unanimously, That any person or persons inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants that shall in future subscribe and return an Association to any the Committee or Committees of Safety for either of the Counties in the province of N. York, or to the provincial Congress thereof, otherwise than the Association contained in these Records and subscribed by the several Delegates of this Convention, shall be deemed enemies to the Common Cause of the N. Hampshire Grants.1 66 These were the first formal proceedings in Convention for the evident purpose of severing the connection of eastern Vermont with New York, and of uniting the eastern and western towns in a common league for prosecuting the war for national independence. A common league meant common action, and necessarily implied ultimately a supervisory and executive body of some sort having jurisdiction over the whole territory. Of course the real purpose was covered by article five of the warning, which was interpreted by the vote thereon, "that application be made to the inhabitants of said Grants [i. e., of the whole territory covered by New Hampshire when it granted the charters,] to form the same into a separate District." The editor has suggested the addition of the words or State, because that was the interpretation put upon this vote by the same Convention at the adjourned session of Sept. 25 following, and finally by another adjourned session, Jan. 17, 1777, when it declared the district or territory," &c., "is hereby declared forever hereafter to be considered as a separate, free and independent jurisdiction or state." By extending the proposition to the eastern towns in the form of an appeal to their patriotism, the Convention adopted the form most likely to be popular-at least most likely to attract the ardent eastern Whigs to the projected new state. It is to be observed also that this was the first Convention at which an eastern town was represented. Townshend is entitled to that honor, as well as to the honor of sending one of the ablest, bravest, and best citizens of the state in his day-Maj. Gen. SAMUEL FLETCHER. The delegates of that town were of the com- " mittee appointed to submit the proposition to the inhabitants of the eastern towns. The western members of this committee worked with effect, for which doubtless the eastern members had in some degree prepared the way, the result being that ten other eastern towns were represented in the Convention at the adjourned sitting of Sept. 25. The Convention adjourned on the 25th of July, and on the 6th of August Heman Allen, Jonas Fay, and William Marsh attended a joint meeting of the Committees of Safety of Cumberland and Gloucester counties, assembled at Windsor. Of their work there and the results, B. H. HALL has given the following succinct account: Various papers were read by them bearing upon the subject of a separate jurisdiction; the boundaries of a new state were described; and the approbation of the committees was sought to the projects of the Dorset convention. In support of the proposed measures Mr. Allen told Mr. Clay [James Clay, chairman of the Cumberland County Committee of Safety,] that he had consulted with several members of the Conti Resolved, That nine persons be chosen as a Committee of Appeals, who are to hear and determine such matters as may be properly exhibit nental Congress who had recommended to him and his coadjutors to ascertain the feelings of the people concerning the formation of a new state. He also reminded him, that if the inhabitants of the "Grants" should accede to the form of government which would soon be adopted for the state of New York, they would have no opportunity to withdraw their support therefrom at a future day. For the purpose of ascertaining the views of those residing east of the Green mountains, upon the measures suggested by the committee from the Dorset convention, the people in each town were invited to assemble in town-meeting and express their opinion as to the course which they should deem it best to pursue. In Rockingham, on the 26th of August, the inhabitants voted "to associate with the inhabitants of that district of land commonly called and known by the name of the New Hampshire Grants." They also chose two delegates to attend the convention to be held at Dorset in the fall, and instructed them "to use their best influence" to obtain the passage of such resolves as would tend to establish the "Grants" as a separate and independent state. At "the fullest meeting ever known in Chester," held on the 2d of September, similar measures were adopted, and the association, which had been formed at the Dorset convention, was signed by forty-two of the inhabitants.* A like spirit pervaded many of the other towns in the two counties. In some, however, there were two parties, and in a few, as in Halifax, where the inhabitants voted not to send a delegate "to meet the Green Mountain Boys," no disposition was shown to throw off the jurisdiction of New York. At the adjourned convention, which was held at Dorset on the 25th of September, representatives were present from both sides of the mountains. Loyalty to American principles, as embodied in the Revolution, animated the discussions which took place, and gave character to the measures which were proposed. Yet, while declaring their determination to support the general government of the United States, the members resolved that "no law or laws, direction or directions from the state of New York would be accepted by them, or be regarded by them, as of the least weight or authority. The little leaven of dissatisfaction had worked its effect in silence, and the whole lump was fast becoming assimilated. And again : Before the resolutions of the [New York] Convention concerning Cumberland county had passed, [in October.] James Clay, by the advice of Col. Williams, one of the former deputies, had issued circular letters containing a request that the people of each town would assemble and make known their intentions relative to the course they should pursue on the question of state jurisdiction, in order that their proceedings might be laid before the county committee of safety at the next meeting. Written returns were received from a few towns; verbal messages from others; but the majority did not deem it practicable to offer a reply. The greater part of the inhabitants of Hartford favored a separation from New York, but desired that an application to that effect should be made in the state Convention before the subject was brought before the Con * Chester was not represented in General Convention until October 30, 1776. ed to them (in writing) by any of the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants relative to the cause of American Liberty, by way of proper appeal from the judgment of either of the Committees of Safety on said Grants, any five of which Committee to be a Quorum. Resolved, That Doctor Jonas Fay, Col. Timothy Brownson, Col. William Marsh, Capt. Joseph Bowker, Capt. Joseph Woodward, Capt. Micah Veal, [Vail,] Col. Thomas Chittenden, Major Stephen Royce, and Capt. Abraham Underhill, be and are hereby unanimously appointed a Committee for the above purpose. Lastly Resolved, To adjourn this Convention, and to meet at this place on Wednesday, the 25th day of September next at 8 o'clock in the Morning. JOSEPH BOWKER, Chairman. Attest, JONAS FAY, Clerk. ADJOURNED SESSION AT DORSET, SEPT. 25, 1776. [From the mannscript copy of the HON. JAMES H. PHELPS, as published in the Vermont Historical Society Collections, Vol. I. ] NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS, At a General Convention of CEPHAS KENT's, Dorset, 25th Sept. 1776. the Several Delegates from the Towns on the West side the range of Green Mountains the 24th day of July last, consisting of fifty-one Members, representing thirty-five towns, and held this day by adjournment by the representatives on the West and East side the said range of Green Mountains; the following members being present at the opening of the Meeting, viz.,: Captain JOSEPH BOWKER in the Chair. tinental Congress. The particular sentiment prevailing at this time was favorable to a peaceable revolt, if a revolt should be declared necessary to the well-being of the people.-Eastern Vermont, pp. 268, 269, 276. 'James Rogers came from Londonderry, N. H., to Vermont. About 1770, with S. Thompson and James Patterson, he commenced the settlement of Londonderry, Vt., which had been granted by New York to Rogers, Feb. 13, 1770, under the name of "Kent." He was commissioned by New York as assistant justice of inferior court of common pleas and as justice of the peace in 1766, and again in 1772. In 1775 he was counted a Whig, and at a Convention of twelve towns in Cumberland county, held Feb. 7, of that year, was appointed one of a committee of correspondence for twenty-one towns. On the 31st of May, 1775, New York tendered to him a commission as brigadier-general of the militia of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Charlotte counties, which he refused "upon political principles." The Committee of Safety of Cummberland county nominated him for the same office in the same year, doubtless without accurate information as to his politics. In Sept. 1776 he was a delegate in the Dorset Convention, and seems to have voted in favor of separating from New York. Afterward, probably on Burgoyne's invasion, Rogers joined "the king's troops," and Oct. 3, 1777, the Council of Safety assumed the control of his property, which was confiscated in 1778. In 1795 and 1797 James Rogers, Jr., petitioned the The foregoing members being organized proceeded to business. 1st. Voted, That the records and proceedings of this Convention held at this place, from the 16th of January, 1776 to this time, be read to give light to those Gentlemen Delegates from the East side of the Green Mountains in particular and the whole in general. 2d. Voted, That the words "That has been heretofore subscribed and returned or that " included in a vote at the last sitting of this Convention be erased, which is accordingly done.1 3d. Voted, To adjourn till 8 o'clock to-morrow morning at this place. THURSDAY, 8 o'clock in the Morning. Meeting opened at time and place. 4th. Voted, To make a general list of the names of those of the inhabitants of the several Towns on the N. Hampshire Grants who have signed the General Association, voted by the last Convention to be signed. 5th. Voted, That no member of this Convention be permitted to speak more than three times to one case (at one sitting) without leave of the Board. 6th. Voted, That the Association originally signed be returned to the Clerk of this Convention at their next sitting. 7th. Voted, To take the following vote passed in July 24th, 1776, into consideration (viz.) “Proceeded to the consideration of the fifth article of the Warrant, and voted that suitable application be made to form that District of Land, commonly called and known by the name of the NewHampshire Grants, into a separate District;" passed in the affirmative— not one dissenting vote. 8th. Voted, That Col Wm. Marsh, Dr. Jonas Fay, Doct. Reuben Jones. Capt. Ira Allen, Colo Thomas Chittenden, Colo Benjamin Carpenter and Colo James Rogers be a Committee to form a plan for future proceedings and report to this Convention as soon as may be. 9th. Voted, To adjourn this meeting till half past 1 o'clock in the afternoon, at this place. Meeting opened at time and place. REPORT (AS OPINION) OF A SUB-COMMITTEE. A Covenant or Compact ought to be entered into by the Members of this Convention for themselves and their Constituents, to be governed and regulated by such rules as may be agreed on by the majority, (viz.); To regulate the Militia; To furnish troops according to our ability, for the defence of the Liberties of the United States of America. To return the numbers of the inhabitants on this District to the Continental Congress, and at all times to be governed by their Councils. General Assembly for a restoration of the property of his father, and all that had not then been sold was restored to him.-Thompson's Vermont, part III, p. 103; Eastern Vermont, pp. 206, 244, 250, 764, 765, 770. 1 This probably refers to the resolution of Jan. 17, recommending the inhabitants in the New Hampshire Grants to sign the " Association” or pledge to defend the United American States, which had been signed by members of the Convention. The amendment, made by the above vote, seems to have been made in the record of the original resolution. |