280 NATURAL AND CIViL 



their intentions, and the necessity of a clccided 

 opposition to their claims and proceedingSo 

 The whole continent was filled with resentment, 

 indignation, and disdain ^ at the idea of being 

 subject to tribute.. Those who were supposed 

 to be in favor of the French principles and pro- 

 ceedings, instead of being called republicans, 

 were named democrats ; and the whole party 

 were odious to the people, in every part of the 

 United States. .' ■ . , 



In this state of the public mind the assembly 

 came together. The governor, in his speech, 

 entered largelj'' on the French pojicy, perfidy,* 

 insolence, rapacity, and tributary demands ; and 

 the necessity of expressin!> in the most decided 

 iXianner, their conndence in; and adherence to 

 their own national government.* The house 

 returned an answer truly antigaUican^ aiid in the 

 iiighest tone of what w^as called federalism ; and 

 that nothing might be omitted that could serve 

 to convey the strongest ideas of their union and 

 confidence,. " We cannot," said the assembty, 

 *' close tills reply to your address without ex- 

 presshig our entire approbation of your admih- 

 ikstration, for the past year ; and our sincere 

 Wishes that your usefulness may be long con- 

 tinued to your country. "f 



On' the second day of the session it was pro^ 

 posed to choose a committee, to draw up ait 

 address to the president of the United States ;" 

 and so small and destitute of influence was the 

 opposite party, that it does not appear that any' 

 of them ventured to oppose this novel measure* 



- * Journal of the assembly of V«rmont, far 1798. g. I3« 

 ■f Ibid, p, 7J. 



