HISTORY OF VERMONT. 54S 



useful laws were enacted. The necessary and 

 customary business of the state being compleat- 

 ed, and the unfinished business referred to the 

 next session ; on November the 11th, the le- 

 gislature, by order of the governor, was adjourn- 

 ed without day. 



In the difficult and critical business of re- 

 viewing the proceedings of the legislature for 

 several years, the mind is kept in a painful anx- 

 iety lest the subject should not be fully compre- 

 hended, the views of parties understood, or their 

 conduct be justly and fairly represented. Per- 

 haps it is not possible to avoid all mistakes, 

 when wTiting upon such subjects. It may be 

 justly expected that the facts should be fairly 

 stated : But it is not given to man, to be above 

 all errors of judgment. I have not found that 

 I could represent the political proceedings oth- 

 ervv'ise, than I have stated them. All parties 

 will find references to the journals, as vouchers ; 

 and the places are quoted, from which they may 

 examine with what care, im.partiality. and fideli- 

 ty, the representations are made. 



An historical relation of the proceedings of 

 one of our general assemblies, will unavoidably 

 lead us to describe the passions of men in A- 

 merica, operating as they always have done, and 

 always will do, in every country upon the globe. 

 Where their own particul;ir interests, emolu- 

 ments, and power, are out of view, the men who 

 are clothed vvith authority will be much influ- 

 enced by considerations of justice, equity, and 

 fitness ; by moral and social principles. Whea 

 their own interest or sdA'ancement is dependent 

 on the principles they embrace, and the measures 



