j((fS NATURAL AND ClVlL 



The sentiments of the people, were itdtv 

 very generally tending to\^'ards a total separa- 

 tion from New York. On September the 25thy 

 the convention met again, and resolved without 

 a dissenting vote, " to take suitable measures 

 as soon as may be, to declare the New Hamp- 

 shire grants, a free and separate district.'* And 

 that " no law or laws, direction or directions 

 from the State of New York, should be ac- 

 cepted." 



In January 1777, a general convention of rep- 

 resentatives from the towns on both sides of the 

 mountains, met at Vrestminster. The senti- 

 ments of their constituents, were now, well 

 known : And after a very serious debate and 

 consultation, the convention concluded that 

 there v,-as no other way of safety left, but to 

 form themselves into a new state, and assume all 

 tlic povv-ers of government. Accordingly, on 

 January 16, having resolved upon this meas- 

 ure, they made and published the following dec- 

 laration : 



" This convention, whose members are du- 

 ly chosen by the free voice of their constitu- 

 ents, in tire several towns on the New Hamp- 

 shire grants, in public meeting assembled, in 

 our own names, and in behalf of our constitu- 

 ents. Do hereby procLiim, and publicly declare,^ 

 that the district of territory comprehending, 

 and usually known, by the name and descrip- 

 tion of the New' Hampshire grants, of right 

 ought to be, and is hereby declared forever 

 hereafter to be considered as a free and inde- 

 pendent jurisdrction, or state ; to be forever 

 hereafter called, known, and distinguished, by 



