166 I^AtURAL AND CIVIL 



|)rovisions to carry them through the winter ; 

 and as the operations of war were not expected 

 to re-commence in that part of the country, their 

 civil affairs became the matters of the highest 

 importance. From their pecuUar situation and 

 former controversies with the government of 

 New York, the object which must now most of 

 all engage their attention, was civil liberty and 

 government ; under what government they were 

 to remain, and under v/hat constitution and laws 

 they were to look for freedom, justice, safetjr 

 and protection^ 



