Honbl’ Masheck Ware
[Superscribed:]
The Honbl
MESHECH WEARE President the Council the State New Hampshire
Exeter
[43.—Letter from the Governor and Council of Vermont to the President of New Hampshire, demanding an acknowledgement of her Independence.]
State Of Vermont, In Council, Bennington Decr. 12th 1780
Sir
Inclosed I transmit your Excellency a Copy of my Letter to Congress of the 25th of 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 Legislatures 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 those 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-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 part of the United States for Safety, or 3rdly be under the disagreable 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 servicable 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 Independance. or whether she is only struggling in a Bloody war, to establish neighbouring States in their Independance, 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 Obed’
Humble Servant
Thos Chittenden.
P. S.
I would recommend to your Excellency’s favourable Notice, Majr Fay the Bearer, who is a Gentleman in whom the highest Confidence may be put for any farther particulars of Intelligence.
–T. C.
His Excellency,
Meshech Weare Esqr;
President of the Council
of the State of New-Hampshire—
[44.—Resolutions of the Legislature of New Hampshire, concerning the ” Vermont Controversy.”] State Of New ) In the House of Representatives Hampshire j January 12th 1781
Whereas this State is subjected to many hardships & Inconveniencies on account of the unsettled Situation of the Inhabitants of the Tract of Land called the New Hampshire Grants, west of Connecticutt 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 he had thereon—
Therefore Resolved, that the Agents & Delegates from this State to the Continental Congress be instructed, and they hereby are instructed to use every possible means to induce Congress to make a speedy and final determination of the Disputes relating to the Tract of land aforesaid—and, as soon as Congress shall proceed in said matter, it is the Opinion of this State, that the said Agents and Delegates ought to use their Endeavours to have the Question Whether the said Tract of Land shall be a “separate & Independent State,” first determined—
That, if the same shall be determined in tho Negative, they and each of them urge all proper Motives & Arguments to have the same Tract confirmed to the State of New Hampshire —for which purpose they are directed to make use of the papers now in their possession respecting said Dispute—and to procure such others as may be of Service—
It is further Resolved that the Honorable the President be desired to enclose an Attested Copy of this Resolve & transmit the same to the said Agents & Delegates as soon as may be—
Sent up for Concurrence
John Langdon Speaker
In Council Janr 13th 1781 Read & Concurrd
M Weare Pres’ “
