234 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



in terms more strong and decisive, their indig- 

 nation at the public trifling of a body, whose 

 public measures ought to have been marked, in 

 every instance, with the strictest faith, the great- 

 est integrity, and the most delicate sense of 

 honor. 



When the last resolutions of Congress be- 

 came known in Vermont, the general opinion 

 was, that the assembly had been duped by the 

 finesse of Congress, to bring themselves into a 

 state more weak, arid dangerous than they had 

 been before : And that there would be no safe- 

 ty, in being guided by resolutions, which might 

 be formed, and changed, amidst the intrigues 

 and cabals of parties. Both the people and the 

 assembly of Vermont, seem to have been deter- 

 mined by the measures of Congress, to main- 

 tain their own independence, to adhere to the 

 boundaries to which they had agreed, and to 

 defend themselves by force against any body of 

 men who should endeavor to dissolve, or to dis- 

 turb their government ; and not to make any 

 further solicitations to Congress, to receive them 

 into the confederation. But that no blame 

 might be laid upon them, or any deficiency be 

 found in their proceedings, the general assembly 

 at their annual session in October, again appoint- 

 ed agents with full powers and instructions, to 

 negociate and complete the admission of Ver- 

 mont into the vmion of the states. 



Indian Depredations. While the peo- 

 ple in every part of tiie state had been agitated 

 by these political contests, it had been their 

 good fortune not to suffer much from the inroads 

 ®f the enemy at Canada. Some instances how- 



