S18 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



the independence of their own state. No polic5%* 

 it was ever}- where urged, could be more dan- 

 gerous, than to hazard the success of the A- 

 merican cause, upon a dispute with a people^ 

 whose exertions had fully shown that they de- 

 served all the blessings of freedom, to as great 

 an extent as anv of their neie'hbors ; and whose 

 ability and enterprise would not fail to secure 

 it, in one form or another. What gave weight 

 to the public opinion, \vas the general belief that 

 the commander of the American forces, was 

 fully of the ^ame opinion. 



The congress of the United States immedi- 

 ately took up the matter, and formed their re- 

 solves in a style very different from what they 

 had done, the year before. Their resolves were 

 officially transmitted to the legislature of Ver- 

 mont, and were in the following words : " By 

 the United States in Congress assembled, Au- 

 gust 7, 1781. Whereas the states of New 

 Hampshire and New York have submitted ta 

 Congress, the decision of the disputes between 

 them, and the people inhabiting the New Hamp- 

 shire grants, on the west side of Connecticut 

 river, callsd the state of Vermont, concerning 

 their respective claims of jurisdiction over the 

 said territory, and have been heard thereon ; 

 and whereas the people aforesaid claim and ex- 

 ercise the powers of a sovereign, independent 

 state, and have requested to be admitted into 

 the federal union of the United States in Ameri- 

 ca ; in order thereto, and that tliey may have an 

 opportunity to be heard in vindication of their 

 said claim ; Resolved, That a committee of live 

 be appointed to confer with such person or 



