2,66 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



doubtedly was to preserve peace and union a» 

 mong the states ; and to prevent their conten- 

 tions, from injuring the common cause. This 

 end was effected : But it does not seem to 

 have peen produced by the poHcy of Congress, 

 but by the virtue of the people. The measures 

 .of Congress respecting the controversies of 

 "Vermont with New Hampshire and New York, 

 served rather to displease all parties, than to 

 satisfy any. Such was their uncertainty, their 

 contradictory, and evasive nature, that when the 

 dangers occasioned by the war were removed, 

 the people of Vermont had very little desire or 

 -inclination to be much connected with Congress. 

 it was not until more steadiness, vigor, and a- 

 bilit}?^ appeared in the federal government, that 

 the people were willing to be brought into the 

 American union. 



Amidst the errors and evils which attended 

 these controversies, tJiey were found to pro- 

 duce some good effects. They served to exer- 

 cise and draw forth abilities and powers, which 

 proved of great service to their country, when 

 they came to be employed in the grand contest 

 with Britain. 



They led the people to acquire just senti- 

 ments of the rights of men, and of the nature, 

 importance, and extent of government. At that 

 period, every thing in America seemed to ope- 

 rate to promote political knowledge. The prin- 

 ciples of civil liberty, which v/ere but imperfectly 

 considered in' the writings of Locke, Sydney, 

 and Montesquieu, occurred every moment to 

 the views and feelings of the whole body of the 

 people : Instead of being any longer barely the 



