Letter from President Weare to the Delegates of New Hampshire in Congress, relating to existing difficulties.

[Copied from Vol. II, Rec. Gov. & Coun. Ver., App. H., p. 309.] Exeter, June 20th, 1781.

GENTLEMEN-Enclosed you have copies of three petitions from different towns in the County of Cheshire, by which you will see the embarrassed situation we are in, occasioned by the dispute relative to the New Hampshire Grants not being settled.

New Hampshire flattered herself that dispute would have been long since adjusted by Congress, and have been at great expense in sending agents to Philadelphia for that purpose. The amazing unexpected delay therein has been attended with the greatest mischief to the United States in general, and to the State of New Hampshire in particular. It has given an opportunity to many disaffected persons, who are the principal leaders in the disturbances, to do much injury, and who, it is said, and not without foundation, have entered into negotiation with the enemy. In short, New Hampshire is brought into such a dilemma, and the Government thrown into such confusion by this delay in Congress, that it is impossible for her to comply with the requisitions of Congress, to any great degree, while this dispute remains unsettled; and it is in vain for them to expect it of

* Those marked with an asterisk took their seats on a subsequent day of the session.

her, as no supplies of men, money or provision can be collected at present from more than 3rds even of that part of the State which lies east of Connecticut River, and unless Congress brings matters to an immediate issue, we cannot tell how far the contagion may run, but very much fear that the State will be very soon ruined in a great measure, and not able to contribute farther towards the war. Therefore you are directed to lay this dispatch before Congress as soon as may be, and earnestly request that they would immediately take the matter under consideration, and make a final decision thereon without any further delay, as it is of much greater consequence than can be described. I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant.

Signed,

Hon. Sam' Livermore

and John Sullivan, Esquires.

M. WEARE.

A true copy of the original, filed in the Secretary's office, Aug. 21, 1781.

GEO. BOND, Dep. Secy of Congress."

*

Letters from Gen. John Sullivan to Meshech Weare, on the foregoing matters.

[P. 207.] SIR

Philadelphia, July 10th, 1781.

Mr. Livermore and myself were honored with your Letter of the 20th June, with the Enclosures rec'd by yesterday's Post, which were immediately laid before Congress and refered to a Committee, with Directions to report as soon as possible: When the report is brought in & considered, we shall give you official Information. I expect the Result will be a prohibition to the pretended State of Vermont exercising any Jurisdiction East of the River, and an appointment of a Day for proceeding upon the Examination of the Dispute. This will end in the appointment of a Committee to Determine thereon. The Reason why this has not been sooner done is because there has not been a competent

*The foregoing letter, on the 9th of July, 1781, was referred to a committee of congress, consisting of Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Thomas McKean of Delaware, Daniel Carroll of Maryland, and James M. Varnum of Rhode Island.-ED.

Congress since last fall, untill within a few weeks past: I am every day more and more convinced of the Danger and impolicy of suffering the Question of the Independence of Vermont to come upon the Tapis; for if it should be de[P. 208.] nied, New York alone will receive the advantage, for the Reasons mentioned in my former Letter. But I apprehend that this would not be the case. I rather incline to think that the present members would make desperate strugles in favor of its Independence. I scarcely dare trust my thoughts on paper; but be assured, Sir, that the Policy of Vermont has induced them to make enormous Grants to men of Influence in several States, & even to members of Congress. Mr. Livermore & myself no doubt will concur in the proper plan, to avoid the danger arising from this & other Quarters. The only plausible argument in favor of determining the Question of Independency, is, that this is not simply a dispute between New York & New Hampshire; but between them and a people claiming to be Independent of both. The answer to this is simple & plain, viz. That New Hampshire & New York both by ancient and modern determinations join upon each other: Of course, no Independent State can possibly exist between them, & their claim of Independence can no more operate to alter the mode of Tryal pointed out in the Confederation, than if Massachusetts & New Hampshire both laid claim to the County of Essex, & the Inhabitants were to [P. 209.] Declare themselves Independent of both: Here the first step should be to settle the Dispute between the States; & if it was determined to appertain to Massa no other Question would be necessary. Besides, if we admit for a moment, the possibility of its being Independent, we declare it out of the union, & oust ourselves of any Jurisdiction, as we have nothing to do with more than thirteen States; a fourteenth would have a right to Deny the Jurisdiction of Congress, which it seems Vermont has already done. The safest ground therefore for New Hampshire, is to insist that there is no intermediate spot between New York & New Hampshire; & that as Congress have Included Vermont within the limits of the Thirteen United States, it must belong to some one of them; and, Therefore Congress ought to Determine to which,-agreeable to the rules Laid Down in the Confederation.

I confess myself astonished at the proceedings of Vermont, & more so at the conduct of the Inhabitants in our

Counties. I am unwilling to believe them Influenced by the British; but a variety of Circumstances have almost con[P. 210.] firmed me in this opinion. I suppose what ever can be done here will be done in a week or fortnight at furthest. The Commissioners will no doubt meet at Springfield or Hartford, where the titles will be Discussed & the Right Determined. Of course my attendance here will be no longer necessary on that account. I wish therefore that Mr. Gilman may be directed to set out to relieve me immediately, as my Domestic concerns will oblige me to set out perhaps before his arrival. Should the state call on me to argue the cause before the Commissioners I shall attend with pleasure.

I have the honor to be, with the most

perfect esteem, Dear Sir, your most obet servt JNO. SULLIVAN.

Honble Meshach Weare, Esq.

Philadelphia, 17th July, 1781. SIR-The affair of Vermont is not yet decided. I expect by next post we shall be able to forward you the Result of Congress. I take the Liberty of enclosing you the paper of this day & have the honor to be,

with much esteem, Dr Sir, your

Honble Meshach Weare, Esq.

most obedt Servt

JNO. SULLIVAN.

Letter from Col. Timothy Ellis to the Committee of Safety, New Hampshire.

[P. 213.] GENTLEMEN

Keene, Aug 7, 1781.

I am informed that you have rec'd some late Intelligence from Gen1 Sullivan respecting the New Hampshire Grantsif it is any thing favourable to the friends of N. Hampshire, I wish it may be published & sent to us by the next Post for we are in a very distressing and dangerous situation, and need every possible Encouragement & assistance to enable us to support the Rights of N. Hampshire against the rapacious claims of Vermont. They have, by a Resolve of their General Court appointed and authorized a Commit

tee to take the Records of the Court of Common pleas in this County, and have order'd the Clerk to deliver them up for the use of (what they call) the County of Washington. They have laid a Tax of 10/ silver money upon every hun[P. 215.] dred acres of our Land, and are making hasty Preparations to collect it. They have Commissioned Judges for their County Court, which is to be held in Keene the 14th day of August inst. and I suppose will proceed to do Business under Vermont, unless prevented by New Hampshire. In this critical Juncture, I have to ask your advice & Direction, and hope you will bear us in mind, and not forsake us in our Distress.

I am Gentlemen, with much Respect,

Your humble servant
TIMOTHY ELLIS.*

Resolves of Congress respecting a decision of the disputes relating to the New Hampshire Grants.

BY THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS Assembled,

[P. 217.]

AUGUST 7th, 1781:

Whereas the States of New Hampshire and New York have submitted to Congress the decision of the disputes between them and the people inhabiting the New Hampshire Grants on the west side of Connecticut river, called the State of Vermont, concerning their respective claims of jurisdiction over the said territory, and have been heard thereon; and whereas the people aforesaid claim and exercise the powers of a Sovereign independent State, and have requested to be admitted into the federal union of the United States of America; in order thereto and that they may have an opportunity to be heard in vindication of their said claim;

Resolved, That a Comtee of five be appointed to confer with such person or persons as may be appointed by the people residing on the New Hampshire Grants on the West side of Connecticut River, or by their representative body,

*Timothy Ellis was a prominent citizen of Keene. He was a member of the Provincial Congress at Exeter, 1775; appointed major in Col. Samuel Ashley's regiment, Aug. 24, 1775; representative in 1776–8. -Ed.