mine those Disputes, agreeable to their Resolutions; which by this Government is by no means admissible. Notwith[P. 188.] standing the usurpation and Injustice of Neighbouring Governments towards Vermont, and the late Resolutions of Congress; this Government, from a principle of virtue and a close attachment to the cause of Liberty, as well as a thorough examination of their own Policy, are induced, once more to offer UNION with the United States of America, of which Congress are the legal Representative Body-Should this be denied, this State will propose the same to the Legislatures of the United States seperately, and take such other measures as self-preservation may justify. In behalf of the Council, I am, THOS CHITTENDEN. To his Excellency, Samuel Huntington, Esq. Thomas Tolman, P. Sec'ry. President of Congress. (a true copy) Beza. Woodward's petition in behalf of people above Charlestown, N. H., Grants [Gov. and Coun. Ver., Vol. II, pp. 251-253]. [By order of a convention holden at Dresden, Aug. 30, 1780.] To his Excellency the President and the Honorable members of the Congress of the United States of North. America-Humbly sheweth. The petition of the principle inhabitants on Connecticut river on both sides and northward of Charleston, met in Convention at Dresden on the New Hampshire Grants, August 30th 1780 That the union of Canada with the United States is in our opinion of the greatest importance to them for the following reasons, viz: there is but one seaport in that country which we shall ever have need to defend, yet good water carriage for near two thousand miles, stretching itself in a circular manner round the thirteen United States, through an excellent country of land, great part of which is inhabited by savages, whose furr and skin trade produces to our enemies an annual profit which is immense. The annual produce of wheat in that country for exportation is very great, by which the British armies in America receive essential advantage. The capture of that country will be a leading step towards securing to the united States the profit of the fish, oil, &c. produced at and near the St. Lawrence, which would be a greatly beneficial acquisition. While they hold possession of Canada, our frontier must be very extensive, and the savages at their command, and we. had almost said, the enemy destroy and take yearly from the frontiers bordering on Canada as much in value as the cost of reducing and holding that country. We are sure the defence of our frontiers costs more. The securing that country in our favor will be the only effectual means to enable us to secure those of Ohio and Missisipi, both on account of obtaining in that way the interest of the savages in our favor, and as the conveyance for the enemy (while they hold possession of Canada) of men, ammunition and provisions to those parts is not only as easy but more expeditious and safe by the waters St. Lawrence than by the Gulf of Mexico. And in our opinion those countries cannot otherwise be effectually secured. By obtaining Canada we add to our force thirty thousand fighting men and destroy the efficacy of the bill passed in the British Parliament in the year 1774 for extending the province of Quebec which includes the province of Main and great part of New Hampshire, these Grants, &c. the establishment of which is, without doubt, the main object of the enemy in taking and holding possession at Penobscot, and within the extent of which the United States have not a single fortress to cover their claim in opposition to that of the British. In short that bill is so extensive that should it be established the united States would have little or nothing left worth contending for, and we see not how it can be effectually destroyed but by a union of Canada with them. The body of inhabitants in that country are desirous of such union, and unless it can be bro't about speedily by sending a force into Canada, they will be under necessity to take an active part against us, which they have hitherto avoided. The whole force of Britain now in arms in Canada at all their posts from Quebec to Detroit including one thousand five hundred tories and Indians (who are continually roving and destroying our frontiers) does not exceed five thousand men; one thousand are stationed in the district of Montreal, and six hundred of the rovers have that district for their head quarters. The communication from the settlements on this river to St. Charles on Chamblee river is easy-the road already opened more than half the way, the rest may be opened at very little expense, and the whole will be very good-the distance about one hundred miles. A good commander with few continental troops in addition to such Voluntiers as may be raised for that purpose on these Grants and in the New England States, with a suitable quantity of arms and ammunition to furnish those Canadians who are now eager for such an expedition, and will at once join us on arrival of an army there, will easily take possession of and keep the district of Montreal, and that being secured, the country above, even to and beyond the western Lakes must soon submit to the united states. Your petitioners are confident that fifteen hundred men. from these Grants will turn out (if called for) to assist in taking possession of that country. They can and will chearfully furnish five hundred horses, one hundred teams and ten thousand bushels of wheat, and more if necessary, also such other grain as may be wanted on the credit of the continent from the district of country between the heights on the two sides of Connecticut river and north of the Massachusetts Bay, the inhabitants of which, (more than five thousand families) are now chiefly obliged to hold the sword in one hand and tools for husbandry in the other, and probably must continue so to do till that country is reduced, unless we have a large continental force continually supported here to defend us from their ravages, as our frontier is very extensive. We therefore humbly pray that Congress will be pleased to order an expedition into Canada, by the middle of September next, or as soon as possible, and publish a recommendation to the people on the Grants and to the New England States for voluntiers to join such Continental forces as shall be sent on the expedition, and that we make ready necessary provisions which your petitioners will chearfully comply with to the utmost of their power. And as in duty bound shall ever pray, &c. Per order of the Convention, BEZA. WOODWARD, Clerk. Another letter from Beza. Woodward to the President of Dresden on the New Hampshire Grants May it please your Excellency. } Col. Olcott [is] again appointed* agent in behalf of the people on both sides Connecticut river from Charleston upward, in the dispute betwixt the claiming States and the New Hampshire Grants.-We entreat that a determination of the question 66 Whether a new State be allowed on the Grants," may be deferred no longer, as every confusion is taking place among the people and will continue while that point is unsettled, of which he can give particular information and to whom we beg leave to refer Congress. We trust our petition by our agents last winter and the committees letter of the 20th ult. will be brought to the view of Congress when the trial comes on. There is no one point in which the people can agree so well as in an union with N. Hampshire in case the whole on both sides of the river shall not be permitted to unite in a new State, which the body of the people have now done expecting-[two or three words erased] We would however entreat that after the determination that a new State be not admitted, the people may be called upon to show which of the States they wish to be united with, as the happiness and prosperity of the inhabitants will greatly depend on their being gratified in that respect; such a measure also will have the most effectual tendency to procure an universal acquiescence in the resolves of Congress respecting the matter, as it will evidence a tender concern in Congress for their wellfare. Great numbers think they have an undoubted right to * Appointed by the convention at Dresden, Aug. 30, 1780. demand a union with New Hampshire by virtue of the compact made with them by the King in the Grants he made of the lands by the Governor of New Hampshire. It has been suggested that the people will take arms and claim protection of Canada under the Quebec bill in opposition to any resolve Congress may pass against a new State, which we can assure them is without foundation in respect to the body of the people, who are waiting with earnest expectation the decision of Congress on the subject, and mean to conform their conduct to it-there are very few but what will readily acquiesce-none of any consequence on this side the green mountains, and few on the other, however some of their leaders may desire to raise a tumult in opposition to them. Col. Olcott is vested with all the power which our people can confer while in our present distracted situation, and we hope his measures in the matter conformable to this and other papers from this quarter may be considered as the voice of the people. I write this by order and in behalf of the general Committee in the northern district of the grants and have the honor to be with highest sentiments of respect, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, BEZA. WOODWARD, Clerk. His Excellency the President of Congress. [Endorsed] Read, Sept. 18, 1780. Letter from Hon. John Sullivan, delegate in Congress, to Meshech Weare, relating to affairs in Vermont. [P. 189.] DEAR SIR Philadelphia, Septem1 16, 1780. Congress have not yet come to a single resolution respecting Vermont, though it has been five days on the Tapis. New York seems disposed to have a determination against its being an Independent State, & then to have Commess appointed to say whether it falls to New York or New Hampsre. General Foulsom and myself have opposed this |