$44 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



The new settlers were almost universally in fa- 

 vor of the proceedings of the government ; and 

 were adding much every year, to its strength, 

 numbers and unanimity. With these prospects, 

 the legislature judged that a general act of am- 

 nesty, in favor of those who had been in oppo- 

 sition to government, might be of use to recon- 

 cile and quiet those, wlio were now fully con- 

 Tinced, that nothing could be carried against 

 ijie goverement, by force and opposition. Ac- 

 cordingly, in February, 1781, tlie legislature 

 passed a general act of amnesty, in favor of such 

 persons witliin the state, as had previously made 

 opposition to its authority. Upon this judicious 

 extension of lenity, all opposition to the internal 

 government of Vermont, had ceased for more 

 than a year ; and all parties within the state, 

 seemed to acquiesce in the support of govern- 

 jjient. 



Congress had withdrawn all the continental 

 troops, and left the inhabitants to take care of 

 themselves. In their exposed situatioUj it be- 

 came necessary to raise a body of troops, for 

 the defence of the frontiers. The legislature 

 ordered them to be raised from the several 

 towns in the state, in proportion to the number 

 of their inhabitants. There were some persons 

 in the southeasterly part of the state, who opposed, 

 the raising and payment of these men. The 

 governor of New York, by letters to them, and 

 otherwise, interfered in the business. To some of 

 these disaffected persons, he gave civil and mili- 

 tary commissions, and encouraged them with the 

 prospect or promise of support and protection.*. 

 ^f Remonstrance of the Council cf V«rm«nt, p. i8. 



