[P. 218.] respecting their claim to be an independent State, and on what terms it may be proper to admit them into the federal Union of these States, in case the United States in Congress assembled shall determine to recognize their Independence: and thereof make report. And it is hereby recommended to the people of the territory aforesaid or their representative body, to appoint an agent or agents to repair immediately to Philadelphia with full powers and instructions to confer with the said Committee on the matters aforesaid, and on behalf of the said people to agree upon and ratify terms & articles of Union and Confederation with the United States of America, in case they shall be admitted into the Union: And the said Committee are hereby instructed to give notice to the agents of the State of New Hampshire and New York to be present at the conference aforesaid. Resolved, That in case Congress shall recognize the Independence of the said people of Vermont, they will consider all the lands belonging to New Hampshire and New [P. 219.] York respectively, without the limits of Vermont aforesaid, as coming within the mutual guarantee of territory contained in the articles of Confederation, and that the United States will accordingly guaranty such lands and the jurisdiction over the same against any claims or incroachments from the inhabitants of Vermont aforesaid. August 8th, 1781. Congress proceeded to the election of a Comtee of five to confer with such person or persons as may be appointed by the people residing on the New Hampshire Grants for the purposes mentioned in the foregoing resolutions. The members chosen,* Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Van Dyke, Mr. Carroll, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Randolph. Extract from the Minutes. GEO. BOND, Dep' Sec. * Elias Boudinot, of New Jersey, was a member of Congress, 1781– 1784, and at one time president of that body. Nicholas Van Dyke, of Delaware, a member 1777-1782 1780-1784 1780-1784 1779-1782 -ED. Letter from Samuel Livermore,* delegate in Congress from New Hampshire, to Meshech Weare. [P. 221.] DEAR SIR Philadelphia, Augst 21st, 1781. A Comtee of Vermont has been here by an appointmt in June, to unite their State with the United States, and to sit in Congress. They knew nothing of the resolution of the 7th Augst untill their arrival in this City. After sundry manouvres, Congress informed them by a Resolution yesterday, (Augst 20th) That it would be an indispensable preliminary to their Independence and being admitted into the union, that they relinquished all pretensions east of the west banks of Connecticut river, &c. The committee will return home to consult their constituents. The enclosed paper will give good news. I am, Sir, your most obedt Servant Hon. Presidt Weare. Letter from several inhabitants of Haverhill (Coos) to the Committee of Safety, N. H. [P. 223.] To the Honble the Committee of Safety of the State of N. Hamp": GENTLEMEN Doubtless the State of Vermont is the subject of much conversation with you as well as in the other parts of the Continent; but we are uncertain whether you have obtained some intelligence which we immagine of great importance: We take this opportunity to state a few facts for your consideration. The State of Vermont (as it is called) has settled a carteel with the Enemy in Canada, & the unjust Basis upon which it is founded, gives us reason to believe that no authority but that of Vermont was privy to the same. *For a biographical sketch of Samuel Livermore, see ante, page 37. -ED. This new modled Carteel according to the best information we can get, allows the Brittish to receive a soldier for a citizen this being the case, the inhabitants on our frontiers are bargained to the Enemy at a very cheap rate, & no doubt will be plundered, as it will be easier for the Enemy to obtain their prisoners by plundering the inhabitants, than by getting our soldiers by the fate of war. Since this Carteel was settled, a proclamation has been issued, whereby not only all prisoners in the Country that have a mind to return to the Brittish, are encouraged to make the best of their way to Bennington; but that all those who have deserted into the country, should to the utmost of their power be apprehended & conveyed there in order to be exchanged. Many of the above are settled, and have taken up arms for the country, and are fast friends, but are carried off by force. Two prisoners captured at Ticonderoga made their escape from the care of one Watson at Hartford, & on their way from Coos to Canada were taken up & sent back. But * * [Something appears to be missing from the letter, as it here closes.-ED.] [P. 224.] P. S. There have this instant come in, since the writing of the within, six Deserters from Canada, who declare that there was a report in Canada, that the inhabitants taken from Vermont & confined in gaol there, were to be exchanged for prisoners taken at the point of the sword; and that said Inhabitants nobly scorned so base a proposal, & said they had rather lay in Gaol a year longer than to be exchanged on such a footing; as it would open so wide a Door for the plundering the Inhabitants of the frontiers. So noble a spirit ought to raise a blush on the assumed authority of Vermont. N. B. It would be agreeable that our names might not be exposed, before necessity may require it. Memorial of sundry inhabitants of Chesterfield to the Council and House of Representatives, N. H., relating to the revolt of sundry towns. Chesterfield, Augst 25, 1781. [P. 225.] To the Honourable the Counsel & House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire in General Assembly Conveaned: The MEMORIAL of Nathaniel Bingham, Michael Cresey, Will Lee & James Robinson; GENTLEMEN-It is with the utmost Regret that we make mention of the Deplorable Situation into which we are fallen by the madness & folly of many of our People in these parts, in thinking to Revolt from the State of New Hampshire, in such an unjust & unrighteous a manner as has been attempted. Your honors are sensable that our Confution is great, & that it is very Dificult to know what to Do at a time of such Disorder. We know it has been commonly Reported that this Town has Refused all orders from the State of New-Hampshire, & that they are unanimous in the Revolt from you: Altho there is a considerable Number of faithful friends to you among us who have used their utmost Endeavours to Pacify the People, and to make them sensable of their folly in such Proceedings; but being so unhappy as to have the most of our town & Military officers on that side of the Question, were not able to stop their Proceedings as a town. Neverless, we have the happiness to inform your Honours that on a motion made to know how many of the Inhabitants Disapprove of the measures taken, Eighty of the Inhabitants, namely— Ezekiel Davis, John Pierce, Jona. Hutchins, Arthur Latham, Jacob Winslow, Moses Gary, Jewet Darling, Willm Dodge, Ephrm Russell, Benja Coburn, Joseph Prentice, Abner Harris, jun., Israel Johnson, Andrew Hastings, Lemuel Stoddard, Abraham Stearns, 麗龍 voluntarily signed the following declaration, declaring it to be their real Sentiments, viz. That, Whereas it has bin Reported, that the People in Chesterfield are Unanimously agreed in the Union taking place Between the State of Vermont & the Grants on this side of the River, this is to acquaint the world, that we, whose Names are under written are of oppinion that the measures al Ready taken are Illegal & unjust as they are conducted, & we are altogether against those measures, unless they are carried on with more general Satisfaction to the United States & to the State of Newhampshire in Particular, whose subjects we profess to be, till we are Legally set of by the United States. Chesterfield, August 23, 1781. And whereas there are many Illegal & unjust measures carrying on against the friends of Newhampshire & Safty to the State as we judge, we are therefore at a loss to know what to Do; our Eyes are therefore unto you as our Patrons, Confiding Intirely in your wisdom to Direct us in our Duty. We therefore, beg your advice & Protection; & Conclude by subscribing ourselves your Loyal & affectionate subjects. Chesterfield, August 25th, 1781. NATH BINGHAM JAMES ROBERTSON. |