ATTITUDE OF CONGRESS.
It must not be supposed, however, that in the overshadowing event of
the great drama of the Revolution, the disputed claims to jurisdiction
over Vermont were entirely forgotten. On the contrary, New York
improved the very first opportunity to make application to Congress
for a recognition of her title to the territory. Then New Hampshire,
inasmuch as she had made the original grants of the soil, memorialized
Congress for a recognition of her claims. Next Massachusetts, fearing
lest the others should proceed to carve up the disputed territory
as they could mutually agree, interposed her plea for a portion,
as coming rightfully under her jurisdiction. So, while Vermont was
battling bravely with the common enemy devastating her borders, she
had to contend with the plots and baneful policy of three beleaguering
and powerful States; and she only asked of Congress an independent
sovereignty and even-handed justice.
Thus were four factions asserting a right to a jurisdiction over the
territory, and each demanding of Congress a recognition of its claims.
That body chose the wisest course practicable. It advised each party
to refrain from a forcible exercise of authority over the disputed
territory as a preliminary measure to future adjustment. To this New
York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire readily agreed, and authorized
Congress to settle the whole matter in controversy.
But the Green Mountain State was of different mettle. She had already
declared herself free and independent; she had boldly assumed the
powers of government, and had exercised those powers in every part of
her territory. She was not willing to surrender her sovereignty at the
behests of a Congress by which her rights were not respected, and in
which she was not represented. She was ready, as she had ever been,
to bear her share of the war with Great Britain, and her sturdy Green
Mountain Boys had more than once proved their valor and patriotism on
the bloody field; but she would not consent to resign her just rights
to the arbitrament of any body of men under heaven.
In June, 1780, Congress declared “that the proceedings of the
inhabitants on the New Hampshire Grants were highly unwarrantable,
and subversive of the peace and welfare of the United States; and
that they be strictly required to abstain in the future from all acts
of authority, civil or military, over those inhabitants who profess
allegiance to other States.”
Undaunted by this reprimand, Vermont responded, through her Governor
and Council, that she considered the same subversive of her inalienable
rights; that it was not in accord with the principal on which Congress
grounded its own independence; and that it was contrary to the
provision of the Federal Constitution forbidding Congress to meddle
with the internal policy of unrepresented territory. Vermont farther
intimated that if the present course was persisted in, she would have
no motive to continue hostilities with Great Britain, and maintain an
important frontier for a country that treated her people as slaves;
but that it would remain for her to finally appeal to God and to
an impartial world, to say who would be accountable for the awful
consequences that must ensue.
And now having outlined thus much in advance by way of a better
understanding of our subject, we will proceed to treat more in detail.