NOTE BY THE EDITOR. [For other important documents relating to this controversy on the part of Vermont, and adherents on border towns of Connecticut river, from January 1 to December, 1780, see Gov. and Coun. Rec. Ver., Vol. II, App. E, pp. 223-278; also, Slade's Vermont Papers.] SECTION X. FRESH MEASURES TO FORM A NEW STATE OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS ON BOTH SIDES THE CONNECTICUT RIVER. Proceedings of a Convention at Walpole, Nov. 15, 16, 1780.* [Copied from Slade's State Papers, pp. 126, 127; also, see Gov. and, Coun. Ver., Vol. II, pp. 278, 279.] At a CONVENTION OF DELEGATES, from the several Towns in the County of Cheshire, in the State of New Hampshire, held at Walpole in said County, on the 15th day of November, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty. Voted, That Dr. Page, Col. Hunt, Capt. Holmes, Daniel Fones, Esq., and Col. Bellows, be a Committee to confer with gentlemen from any parts of the Territory, called the New Hampshire Grants, concerning the jurisdiction of the said grants, and to consider what is proper to be done, by the inhabitants thereof, relative to their jurisdiction; that the same may be ascertained and established;— Which Committee, after due enquiry and consideration, report as follows: viz. "Delegations from three counties (Cumberland, Gloucester, N. Y., and Grafton, N. H.) having by previous agreement met on the 8th of November, 1780, at Charlestown, N. H., measures were taken to learn the sentiments of the inhabitants residing in the towns included in the district which it was proposed to establish. Until the result of this inquiry should be declared, ultimate action was postponed. Desirous of engaging in the union, the towns in the county of Cheshire, N. H., sent delegates to a meeting which was held at Walpole on the 15th of November."-Wms. Hist. of East. Ver., p. 401. The Committee appointed by the Convention, held at Walpole, November 15th, 1780, do report, That we have conferred with the several gentlemen present, who were committees from the different parts of the territory, called the New Hampshire Grants, viz. Cumberland, Gloucester and Grafton Counties, and do find, that many matters lately agitated with respect to the jurisdiction of the New Hampshire Grants, render a union of the inhabitants of that territory indispensably necessary. The said inhabitants received the grants of their lands from the same jurisdiction, and settled them while a union was extant; which was an implicit engagement of authority, that it should be continued. But we were unjustly deprived of the advantages resulting from it, in the year 1764, by an arbitrary decree of Great Britain, to which we never acceded; which decree, however, cannot be esteemed efficacious, since the declaration of Independence; it being one of those iniquitous measures, by which they were attempting to oppress the Colonies; and for which we have since thrown off subjection. This being the case, the union re-exists. And shall we throw it off? God forbid. The situation of the territory aforesaid, by reason of their being a frontier, as well as many other matters, which are obvious respecting commerce and transactions of a public nature, make it expedient that they be united in all their interests, in order to make their efforts, in that quarter, against the common enemy, more vigorous and efficacious. In respect to government, great disadvantages may arise by a division. In that case delinquents may easily evade the operations of justice, by passing from one State to another, and thereby be induced more readily to practice iniquity in that part where the body of inhabitants and the principal traffick center. And we imagine that a union of public interests, is the only means by which the contentions and animosities, now subsisting among the inhabitants of the territory aforesaid, can be brought to a happy issue: for, so long as the course of justice is in different channels, where people are so nearly allied, disturbances will arise. From authentic information, we cannot but apprehend, that the State of New Hampshire is greatly remiss, if not grossly negligent (to call it by no harsher name) in trusting affairs of such great importance as the settlement of their western boundary, to a committee, some of whom, we conceive, would risk the loss of half the State, rather than New Hampshire And, should extend their claim west of Connecticut river. from the best authority that can be obtained, it appears that the agent of the State aforesaid, is endeavouring to confirm a division of the Grants, contrary to their true interests; which has given the people on the Grants, just occasion to rouse and exert themselves in support of an union of the whole. We therefore earnestly recommend, as the only means to obtain an union, preserve peace, harmony and brotherly love, and the interest of the community in general, that a convention be called from every town within the said grants, to be held at Charlestown, on the third Tuesday of January next, at one of the clock, in the afternoon; and that one or more members be appointed from each town, with proper instructions to unite in such measures as the majority shall judge most conducive to consolidate an union of the grants, and effect a final settlement of the line of jurisdiction. In Convention, at Walpole, November 16th, 1780. The above report being repeatedly read, Voted, That it be accepted; and a sufficient number of copies be printed and transmitted to the several towns on the New Hampshire Grants, on both sides of Connecticut river, for their notice, to appoint one or more members to attend the said General Convention;-which shall be deemed a sufficient notification. By order of the Convention. A true copy, Attest BENJAMIN BELLOWS, Chairman * Colonel Samuel Hunt and Dr. William Page were the delegates sent to the convention from Charlestown. Col. Benjamin Bellows (afterwards General) was from Walpole. Daniel Jones, Esq., was a citizen of Hinsdale, and was the first chief-justice of the court of common pleas after the organization of the county of Cheshire in 1771. The residence of Captain Holmes has not been ascertained. Daniel Newcomb, Esq., clerk, was of Keene, and subsequently was judge of the superior court. (See Hist. of Charlestown, p. 144.)—ED. Letter from Thomas Chittenden to Meshech Weare, enclosing a copy of his Letter to Congress of the 25th of July last (see ante, p. 366). [P. 203.] SIR State of Vermont; In Council. Bennington Dec. 12th, 1780. Inclosed I transmit your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to Congress of the 25th July last, which together with this, I request may be laid before the Legislature of the State over whom you preside, for their perusal and consideration. The arguments and representations therein exhibited, are equally applicable for the consideration of the several Leg islatures of the United States seperately. Many and great are the evils which Vermont labour under, Congress claiming a Jurisdiction over them, three of the United States claiming their Territory in whole or in part, and Vermont at the same time a Frontier in part to to these very States, and exposed to British Invasions, who being possessed of the Lakes, can suddenly bring their whole force into this State, which beyond Hessitation will be their object next campaign (unless some, immediate measures are adopted to prevent it) as they have already destroyed the frontier settlements of the State of New [P. 204.] York; In a word, their Force will undoubtedly be so great, that it will be out of the power of this State to form Magazines and support a Body of Troops sufficient to withstand them; and the consequence must inevitably be, either, That the inhabitants of this State be sacrificed or 2ndly, be obliged to retire into the interior parts of the United States for safety: or 3rdly be under the disagreeable necessity of making the best terms with the British that may be in their power. Nearly the same would be the condition of either of the United States seperately considered from their union (as they would be unable to withstand the British power;)— which may abundantly serve to evince, that it is out of the power of Vermont to be further serviceable to them, unless they are admitted into union. This State are of opinion that it is high time she had better assurances from the several States now in union, whether at the conclusion of the present war, she may without molestation enjoy her Independence, or whether she is only struggling in a Bloody War, to establish neighbouring States in their Independence, to overthrow or swallow up her own, and deprive her citizens of their landed estates. I do therefore, in Behalf of this State, demand your Legislature that they relinquish their claim to jurisdiction over any and every part of this State, and request them to join in a solid union with Vermont against the British Forces which invade the American States. Such a union for the mutual advantage of both States, I am ready to ratify and confirm on the part of this State. I have the honor to be, with sentiments of Respect & Esteem, your Excellency's very obedt Humble servant, THO CHITTENDEN. P. S. I would recommend to your Excellency's favorable notice, Majr Fay the Bearer, who is a Gentleman in whom the highest confidence may be put for any further particulars of Intelligence. His Excellency, Meshech Weare, Esq, President of the Council of the State of New Hampshire. T. C. Resolutions of the General Assembly of New Hampshire, Fan. 13, 1781, instructing its Delegates in Congress. [Copied from Vol. II, Rec. Gov. & Coun. Ver., App. G., p. 274.] State of New Hampshire. In House of Representatives, January 12th, 1781. Whereas this State is subjected to many hardships & Inconveniences on Account of the unsettled situation of the Inhabitants of the Tract of Land called the New Hampshire Grants, west of Connecticut-River-A respectable number of whom, being desirous of having said Tract confirmed to this State, considering the same as part thereof― And it being highly necessary as well for the good of this State, as for the Interest of the Inhabitants of said Tract that a speedy Decision be had thereon Therefore Resolved, that the agents & Delegates from |