tion of the people of Vermont was called, to consider the subject of an union with the Federal government.

January 11, 1791, the convention met at Bennington, and after some debate it was resolved, that it was expedient for Vermont to be connected with the confederated States.

The Hon. Nath. Chipman and Lewis R. Morris, Esq. were appointed commissioners by the Assembly, to negociate with Congress on the admission of Vermont into the Union.

February 18, 1791, the preliminaries were all settled, and by an unanimous vote of Congress Vermont was admitted into the Union, and allowed to take a seat in that body on the 4th of March following. Thus the Federal Union was completed, and all controversies respecting Vermont brought to a close.

SEC. 6. 1792. In October the Legislature met, and appointed a committee to compile a code of laws, adapted to the wants of the people. The constitution was afterwards revised by a Council of Censors, and July 4, 1793, adopted by the Convention at Windsor in its present form.

Thomas Chittenden was at this time governor. He was

6. When was a committee appointed to compile a code of laws? Were they afterwards revised? Who was governor at this time? What is said of him?

He

placed at the head of the State government in 1778, and continued in that station till his resignation in 1797. bore a distinguished part in the early transactions in Vermont, and was deeply interested and very active in the controversy respecting the New-Hampshire grants.

During the scenes of violence and confusion which attended that long and arduous controversy, he sustained the part of an able councillor, and a firm, unshaken politician. A few weeks after his resignation he terminated a life of 68 years, a large part of which had been devoted with zeal and ability to the cause of Vermont.

SEC. 7. Soon after the close of Gov. Chittenden's administration, two parties began to form in the State. They styled themselves Federal and Republican in contra distinction.

Strange as it may appear that a people living in an inland part of America should in any way be affected by the affairs of Europe, yet the principal subject of dispute originated in different opinions relative to the transactions at that time going on in France.

The federal party in America were opposed to the French principles, and for several years maintained the ascendancy in Vermont; but afterwards the republicans became most numerous. During this year (1797) Isaac Tichenor was elected governor.

SEC. 8. 1798. An application was laid before the Legislature at their session this year, from some of the Indian Chiefs in Canada, claiming a large tract of land in the northwest part of the State; and requesting compensation for it from the gov

ernment.

A committee was appointed to investigate the grounds of

7. What parties now appeared? How did the disputes originate? Which was opposed to the French principles ? Who was elected governor in 1797 ? 8. What application was made to the Legislature in 1798? What did the committee report? What is said of party spirit? What did the republicans attempt in 1800? For what purpose? Which party had the majority in 1801 ?

the claim. They reported that "they had had a claim to the said land, but that in the former wars between the English and French, the Indians had removed to Canada and joined their fortunes with the latter; that the English being victorious, had gained these lands by right of conquest. "That in the late war between England and her colonies they had united themselves with the former, and thereby involved their interests with them. The United States proving victorious, and the lands south of Canada being surrendered to them, the Indian claim became entirely extinguished, and the right to the lands in question was vested in Vermont."

1799. The governor, by direction of the Legislature, notified the Indians of the Seven Nations that, in consequence of the above mentioned circumstances, their title had become extinct, and that they had now no claim to any lands in Vermont.

In the mean time Washington had declined a re-election to the office of President of the United States, and John Adams was elected in his stead. Party spirit began to run high throughout the Union; the Federalists being in favour of the administration, and the Republicans opposed to it. As yet the Federal party kept the ascendancy in this State, but Republicanism was daily gaining ground.

1800. The time was now approaching when another election of President must take place. The republicans knowing that if the appointment of electors for Vermont should be made in the usual manner by the Legislature, that they would all be in favour of Mr. Adams, made an attempt to have the State divided into districts, and electors to be chosen directly by the people. The bill was, however, negatived in the House of Representatives, by a vote of 95 to 73.

1801 to 1805. Mr. Adams had lost his election of President, and Mr. Jefferson, his opponent, and of the republican party, was elected by a majority of one vote. The republicans had now obtained a majority in the House of Representatives of this State of about 20 votes, and that party now began to predominate.

SEC. 9. 1805. There had never yet been any place fixed upon as a permanent

9. Had the seat of government been permanently fixed? Where was it now fixed? What was the ordinary business of the Legislature?

seat of government; by an act of the Legislature it was fixed at Montpelier from the year 1808.

The sessions of this body had been uniformly continued from its organization in 1778. A connected detail of its proceedings after the settlement of the New-York controversy, could be of little use, and extremely uninteresting, and is therefore omitted.

The principal and ordinary business of the Assembly consisted in the appointment of the civil officers, granting taxes for the support of government, schools, and roads; and the enactment of such laws as the interests of the people might require.

SEC. 10. 1806. Petitions for Banks were presented to the Assembly this year from several towns. The policy of granting such institutions in this State was much doubted by some, and caused some debate. It was also difficult to decide where they should be located.

A project for a State Bank was however proposed, and it was finally chartered.One branch was established at Woodstock and another at Middlebury. It proved in the end an impolitick measure, and was finally after some time abandoned.

June 18, 1812, War was declared by the United States against Great Britain. The principal grounds of it wereThe impressment of American seamen into the service of Great Britain, and depredations committed upon the commerce of the United States under the pretence of blockading the coast of Europe, whither our staples were then carried. With the exception of some naval actions, no important transactions took place this year.

10. What petitions were presented in 1806? Were they granted? What plan was adopted? Where were the branches located? When was war declared against Great Britain? What were the grounds of it? What took place on Lake Champlain? What advantage did the British gain?

1813. Preparations were now made for the invasion of Canada, and naval armaments were collecting on the lakes. The force of the Americans on Lake Champlain consisted only of two schooners, and several armed barges and gunboats. On the first of July they were attacked in the north part of the lake by a superior force, and after an action of three hours, were obliged to surrender.

By this action the British obtained command of the lake. They soon after landed and burnt Plattsburgh in New-York, and committed some depredations in Swanton, Vermont.

SEC. 11. 1814. Great exertions were made by Com. Macdonough to prepare a fleet which would cope with that of the enemy on Lake Champlain. This was nearly effected in the spring, and the flotilla lay at Vergennes, waiting for the arrival of its ar

mament.

Fortifications had been erected at the mouth of Otter Creek for its protection. On the 12th of May the British squadron appeared before the battery, and commenced a blockade. Apprehensions were entertained of an attack in the rear of the fortifications, and Gen. Davis, of the Vermont militia, was ordered out with his brigade to oppose the landing of the enemy.

On the 14th the British commenced an attack, which was successfully resisted. They were compelled to retire with the loss of two gallies, they being so damaged as to compel them to abandon them.

The whole squadron soon after moved down the lake.Some skirmishing took place at Burlington with the militia under Gen. Wright. Com. Macdonough attempted to bring round some of his vessels to the mouth of the Creek, but the enemy disappeared before he could effect the object.

SEC. 12. Early in September it was announced that Sir George Prevost, with an

11. What was Macdonough exerting himself to do? Where did it lay? 12. What did Prevost threaten in September? Where were the Americans fortified? Relate the particulars of the engagement between the fleets. What other action was fought? Relate the particulars. How were the military operations closed? Where was the treaty of peace signed?