HISTORY OF VERMONT. 16S 



force than what custom and habit gave them. 

 The sentiments and maxims derived from the 

 'Opinrens and feelings of the neighborhood, were 

 all the powers that subsisted to put any restraint 

 on the most vicious, or to preserve the lives and 

 properties of the inhabitants. It was soon found, 

 not only inconvenient to subsist, but impossible 

 to have safety and prosperity, in such a state of 

 society. 



The contest with New York, had now in a 

 great measure subsided, and the attention had 

 been chi-jfly taken up, with the affairs of the war. 

 The method in which they had managed their 

 general concerns, was by meetings of towns and 

 plantcitions, by committees, officers, and leaders, 

 nominally appointed, and submitted to, by gen^ 

 eral consent and approbation. The people had 

 been unable to raise, any considerable sums of 

 money, on any occasion ; but the affairs of the 

 war had so multiplied emissions of paper cur- 

 rency,' that this difficulty was in some measure 

 removed. But the constant difficulty and em- 

 barrassment, of conducting their public affairs 

 without the advantages of government, had giv- 

 en rise to combinations of a general nature^ 

 among several of the towns ; and partial con- 

 ventions had been holden at several times and 

 places, on each side of the mountains. But no 

 general plan ©f combination and union, had taken 

 place ; nor does it seem, that the people at this 

 period of their affairs, had entertained the idea 

 of forming themselves into an independent state. 

 But it had become a matter of general inquiry 

 and conversation, what should be done ? And 

 what measures ought to be adopted for the 



