HISTORY OF VERMONT. 34/ 



•ontcmplating any such events as a contest with 

 Great Britain, or an American Independence, 

 the question was how to establish such an un- 

 ion and gx)vernment among the colonies, as 

 should prevent their destruction aud conquest 

 by the French. One member from each colo- 

 ny was appointed for this purpose ; Atkinson 

 of New-Hampshire, Hutchinson of Massachu- 

 setts, Hopkins of Rhode-Island, Pitkin of Con- 

 necticut, Smith of New- York, Franklin of 

 Pennsylvania, and Tasker of Maryland. In 

 adjusting a plan of union and defence, different 

 political sentiments were found to prevail. 

 Some were fearful of throwing too much power 

 into the hands of the king, and others were as 

 much afraid of giving too much power to the 

 colonies. Alarmed however on all sides with 

 the increasing power and policy of France, they 

 were extremely cautious not to break on these 

 points, and in a few days agreed upon a result. 

 Their plan was, that application should be made 

 to the parliament of Great Britain for an act to 

 constitute a Grand Legislative Council in the 

 colonies. This council was to consist of dele- 

 gates from the several Legislative assemblies, 

 subject to the controui of a president general, 

 to be appointed by the crown, and to have a 

 negative voice. This council were to enact 

 general laws ; apportion the quotas of men and 

 money, to be raised by each colony ; determine 

 the building of forts ; regulate the operation of 

 armies ; and concert all measures for the com- 

 mon protection and interest. The delegates of 

 Connecticut alone entered their dissent, and 

 their objection was against the negative voic^?- 

 assigned to the crown. 



