HISTORY OF VERMONT. 11 



of Canada, the frontiers of New York, Massa- 

 chusetts, and New Hampshire, were no longer 

 exposed to the inroads of the French, or to the 

 ravages and depredations of the Indians. The 

 prospect 'was that the unsettled parts of the 

 country would now aflford quiet and peaceable 

 abodes for a large body of farmers, who might 

 with ease and safety advance their fortunes, and 

 establish settlements and townships in every part 

 of the frontiers, On such accounts the unset- 

 tled lands of the country acquired a new value, 

 and were every where explored and sought after, 

 by speculators and adventurers. 



Among these lands none appeared more in- 

 viting, than the tract of country which was situ- 

 ated between lake Champlain and Connecticut 

 river. The soil was rich and fertile, favorable 

 in many places to the production of grain, and 

 in all to grazing and the raising of cattle. It 

 was plentifully watered by streams and rivers, 

 and abounded with necessary and useful timber. 

 In such a soil and situation, the labor and hard- 

 ships of a few years could scarcely fail of pro- 

 ducing rich and valuable farms ; with all the 

 ease and independence^ that is naturally annexed 

 to industry in the rural economy and life. 



En c OUR A GEO by such prospects, many per- 

 sons were disposed to attempt their fortunes, 

 by settling or speculating in those lands ; and 

 as they were generally supposed to fall within 

 the limits of New Hampshire, the applications 

 were made to that government for the purchase^ 

 and for a title to the proposed new townships. 

 The governor of New Hampshire wished to en- 

 tourage these applications ; and when a sufficieat 



