HISTORY OF VERMONT. 415 



well understood their own situation, circum* 

 stances, dangers and interests ; and were at- 

 tached to the welfare of the country : The oth- 

 er, were almost wholly ignorant of the state of 

 things in America ; and not at all disposed to 

 promote her interest, any further, than as it 

 served to advance the interest of the crown, un^ 

 der which they served. This must always l)e 

 the case, where one people are in so unhappy 

 and unnatural a situation, as to be under the 

 government of another. The people of Ameriw 

 ca have now no restraint, no opposite interest of 

 a foreign king, and parliament, to perplex their, 

 government, influence their measures, and op- 

 pose their interest. They have every where set 

 up governments for themselves ; and they are 

 every where flourishing, and rapidly increasing 

 in their wealth, and numbers : And are not on- 

 ly satisfied, but they are strongly attached ta 

 their governments. If there be any certain 

 marks of a good government, those marks are 

 the peace, happiness, and prosperity, the in= 

 crease, and the aftcctioas of the peopico 



