HISTORY OF VERMONT. 277 



much activity and utility, beloved by his family 

 and friends, and sincerely esteemed and lament- 

 ed by the people of the state, governor Chitten- 

 den died at Williston, August the 25th, in the 

 68th year of his aec. 



In this event, the politicians found new mo- 

 tives and reasons for their appearance and ef- 

 forts ; while another had served still more, to 

 rouse up their activity and exertions. Presi- 

 dent Washington had the year before announced 

 his intention to resign his office, and retire from 

 the labors of public life ; and on March fourth, 

 John Adams had been declared to be the presi- 

 dent of the United States. It was known that 

 he was an avowed opposer of the French prin- 

 ciples and proceedings ; and a large number of 

 the people were opposed to his appointment. 

 The restraints that had been imposed on the 

 spirit of party by Washington's virtue and 

 popularity, and by the certainty of Chittenden's 

 election to the chair of state, had both ceased. 

 The parties were already formed, and had pro- 

 ceeded so far as to adopt the terms federal and 

 repiihltcan^ as the common phrases of political 

 language, and the avowed badges of distinction 

 and opposition ; and the opportunity was now 

 arrived, for the federalists and republicans to 

 exert all their arts and influence to strengthen 

 their own party, by the clectiom of a new gov- 

 ernor. Neither party were deficient in exerting 

 all their powers and abilities in the electioneer- 

 ing contest. The assembly came together at 

 Windsor, in the beginning of October ; and on 

 qounting th€ votes of the freemen, it was found 

 ^hat an election had not been made by the 



