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habitants on the two sides of said river to defend their frontier, the legislature of this state, do lay a jurisdictional claim to all the lands whatever, east of Connecticut River, north of Massachusetts, and west of the Mason line, and south of latitude 45 degrees, and that they do not exercise jurisdiction for the time being." Articles of agreement between the parties were agreed upon by the convention, who had adjourned to meet at Cornish, and were then in session, February 22d. The Legislature of Vermont also, upon petition of sundry of the inhabitants in the north-eastern section of the state of New-York, praying for their protection against the enemy, resolved "That the legislature of this state, do lay a jurisdictional claim, to all the lands situate north of Massachusetts line, and extending the same to the Hudson River, the east of the centre of the deepest channel of said river, to the head thereof, from thence east of a north line, being extended to latitude 45 degrees, and south of said line, including all the lands, and waters, to the place where this state now exercises jurisdiction-and not to exercise jurisdiction for the time being."

This bold measure had the desired effect, and brought into a union with Vermont thirty-five towns in the western parts of New-Hampshire, and twelve districts in the northern parts of the state of New-York: ten of which districts were actually represented in the House of Assembly for Vermont, at their session in June. The motives that led to this union were, security against the depredations of the English, under cover of that neutrality which the leading characters in Vermont, were actually negociating with the British government in Canada; not with hostile views towards the United States, but from motives of policy, to coerce the states of New-York and New-Hampshire, and even Congress, into an acknowledgment of their just rights, as a free and independent state. This artful policy of

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Vermont, flattered the British government with strong hopes, and expectations; and the spirit extended to NewYork, and produced the following letter from a Col. Ro binson, (then in that city,) to Col. Ethan Allen.*..

"Sir, I am now undertaking a business, which I hope you will receive with the same good intention, that inclines me to make it. I have often heard that you, and most of the inhabitants of Vermont, are opposed to the wild and chimerical scheme of the Americans, in attempting to separate this continent from Great-Britain, and to establish an independent state of their own, and that you would willingly assist in uniting America again to GreatBritain, and in restoring that happy constitution we have so wantonly and unadvisedly destroyed. If I have been rightly informed, and these should be your sentiments and intention, I beg you will communicate to me, without reserve, whatever proposals you would wish to make to the commander in chief; and I hereby promise, that I will faithfully lay them before him, according to your directions, and flatter myself, that I can do it to as good effect, as any other person whatever. I can make no proposals to you, until I know your sentiments; but think upon your taking an active part, and embodying the inhabitants of Vermont in favour of the crown of England, to act as the com-1 mander in chief shall direct, that you may obtain a separate government, under the king and constitution of England, and the men, formed into regiments under such officers as you shall recommend, be on the same footing as all the provincial corps are. If you think proper to send a friend here with proposals to the general, he shall be protected, and well treated here, and allowed to return whenever he pleases."

This letter was delivered to Col, Allen, in the streets of Arlington, (Vermont,) by a British soldier in the garb of a farmer.

Colonel Allen disclosed this letter to those of the first characters in the state, who were bis confidential friends; but no answer was returned. Colonel Robinson repeated his communications to Colonel Allen, in February, (inclosing a copy of the foregoing, which he suspected might have not been received,) and assured him that he might rely upon the terms, which in his former letter he could only recommend, and requested a plan of future correspondence and negociation. This letter also was kept confidentially with the governor, and others, and no answer was returned. In March, 1781, Colonel Allen enclosed these letters to Congress, with the following declaration.

"I am confident that Congress will not dispute my sincere attachment to the cause of my country, though I do not hesitate to say, I am fully grounded in opinion, that Vermont has an indubitable right to agree on terms of cessation of hostilities with Great-Britain, provided the United States persist in rejecting her union with them; for Vermont' would be of all people the most miserable, were she obliged to defend the independence' of the United States, and they at the same time at full liberty to overturn and ruin the independence of Vermont. I am persuaded that Congress," when they consider the circumstances of this state, will be more surprised that I have transmitted to them the inclosed letters, than that I have kept them so long; for I am as resolutely determined to defend the independence of Vermont, as Congress are that of the United States, and rather than fail, will retire with the Green Mountain Boys, into the desolate caverns of the mountains, and wage war with human nature at large."

Previous to this communication to Congress, an event: had taken place on the side of Canada, which served greatly to give weight and strength to Colonel, now GeneralTM

Allen's letter. Certain prisoners who had been taken, and carried into Canada in the spring of 1780, wrote to Governor Chittenden to negociate an exchange; the governor complied, and in the month of July, opened a correspondence with General Haldimand upon the subject, who sent a flag to General Allen, with proposals for a cessation of hostilities, and a general exchange of prisoners; this proposal, at the request of General Allen, was extended to the districts in the state of New-York, then in union with Vermont, and commissioners were appointed to negociate the exchange of prisoners. Under cover of this negociation, the subject of the union of Vermont with the British government in Canada, was carried to such lengths, as flattered the British Commissioners that their object would soon be obtained. New-York at this time had withdrawn her troops from Skeensborough, and Congress had withdrawn all the continental troops from the territory of Vermont, and she was abandoned to her fate.

CHAPTER XL.

VERMONT CONTINUED.

VERMONT Saw herself abandoned by America, and courted by Britain, and she had but one alternative, either to be compelled into an acquiescence with the demands of NewYork, or unite herself with Canada.

Although the British were in great force upon Lake Champlain, yet Vermont, by her commissioners, effected an exchange of prisoners in July, and at the same time, effected a neutrality that secured her whole territory from depredations, through this memorable campaign.

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The General Assembly of Vermont held their October session at Charlestown, and the enemy were in great force at Fort Ticonderoga; at the same time they sent on their agents to the assembly with proposals, that they might issue their printed Proclamations throughout Vermont, and announce the royal offers to unite them to the king's government. At this critical moment the capture of Lord Cornwallis was announced, which gave a diversion to the affairs of the agents at this time, and they returned with the whole armament into winter quarters in Canada, and Vermont escaped unmolested.

The winter and spring of 1782, were spent in negociations upon this interesting subject, by the agents of the parties; the most flattering assurances, and the most extensive advantages were promised to Vermont by the British agents, even to guarantee her independent sovereignty over her own, and all her newly acquired territory, drawn from New-Hampshire and New-York. Gen. Haldimand pressed a secret treaty with Vermont, and at the same time made to Gov. Chittenden, by letter, the following assurances.

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