?^6 



NATURAL AND CIVIL 



ef the inhabitants. In the fall of 1775, he war 

 •employed by the people, with four others, as a 

 committee, to repair to Philadelphia, to procure 

 intelligence and obtain advice re,cpecting what 

 ineasures Congress were pursuing, and what 

 kind of political proceedings were proper for the 

 people on the New Hampshire grants. Deeply 

 interested in the controversy with New York 

 respecting the title to their lands, and more ac- 

 quainted with public business than the other 

 settlers, he was early engaged in the opposition 

 to the measures of that goverhmentj and became 

 one of the principal leaders in all the proceedings 

 of their conventions. While suffering severely 

 from the operations of the American war, he 

 saw the opportunity it afforded to terminate al) 

 their controversies by declaring independence, 

 and forming a new state and government in the 

 disputed district. And having adopted this de- 

 cisive plari of sound policy, he steadily pursued 

 It, till he saw it avowed by the inhabitants, and 

 acknowledijed bv the federal government, The 

 people were agreed in placing him at the head 

 of their new commonwealth ; and in all the 

 scenes and contests which ensued, he proved an 

 able counciUor, and a firm, economical and 

 popular governor. On account of his judgment, 

 experience, and acquaintance with the manners 

 and disposition of the people, matured by age, 

 observation and practice, he appeared to be bet- 

 ter qualified to be their governor than any other 

 man at that period ; and was probably of more 

 benefit and advantage to the state, than a man 

 of more theoretic knowledge, or polite accom- 

 plishments, would have Ipeen. After a life of 



