VERMONT. - 397 



m his conscience he shall think most conducive to the good of the 

 state. 



One provision in the constitution of Vermont merits attention. The 

 people may, every seventh year, on the last Wednesday in March, 

 elect a council of censors, to consist of thirteen, and to continue in 

 office one year. Members of the council and assembly are disquali- 

 fied for censors. Their duty is to inquire whether the constitution 

 has been preserved inviolate ; whether the powers of government, 

 in their several departments, have been properly exercised ; the tax- 

 es justly laid; the public monies rightly disposed of; the laws duly 

 executed, &c. They may censure ; order impeachments ; propose 

 amendments to the constitution, and call a convention, which must 

 assemble within two years, after the expiration of their censorship. 



History. ...Who the aboriginal inhabitants of Vermont were, is not 

 at this day certainly known. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

 York, and the French of Canada, each in their turns, have laid claim 

 to this territory. The general court of Massachusetts granted, in 

 1716, a tract of land, in the south-east part of the state, containing 

 more than 100,000 acres ; but no settlement was made on it till 1724. 

 This year the government of Massachusetts built fort Dumraer upon 

 Connecticut river. The French advanced, in 1731, up lake Cham- 

 plain, built a fort at Crown Point, and began a settlement on the east 

 side of the lake. New Hampshire now began to grant parcels of 

 land, in the same territory, in consequence of which a dispute arose 

 between her and Massachusetts, which was settled by the decision 

 of George II, in 1740. From this period till 1764, this territory 

 was considered as lying within the jurisdiction of New Hampshire. 

 Not doubting the validity of the New Hampshire title, adventurers 

 flocked from all parts, and the settlements increased rapidly. To 

 check New Hampshire in her proceedings, and intimidate the set- 

 tlers, Coldin, governor of New York, issued a proclamation, in 1763, 

 reviving an old claim of the duke of York to this territory. A coun- 

 ter proclamation was issued, 1764, by New Hampshire, declaring 

 the duke of York's claim obsolete, and that her own grants would be 

 confirmed, though the jurisdiction should be altered. New York 

 applied to the crown, and, on July 20, 1764, his majesty declared 

 the Connecticut river, from where it enters Massachusetts, to the 

 45° of north latitude to be the boundary between New Hampshire and 

 New York. New York immediately declared the New Hampshire 

 grants illegal, and assumed the right of re-granting the soil, which 

 was attended with great expense to those who complied with her re- 

 quisitions: but most of the settlers refused; and altercations and 

 lawsuits were commenced which always terminated in favour of New 

 York. This was not the worst. Land speculators hovered round 

 like birds of prey, and, wherever they saw an opportunity, pounced 

 upon the cottages and farms of the unhappy settlers, and turned 

 them out of doors. Irritated and incensed, the inhabitants arose in 

 their own defence, and vigorously repelled the aggressions of the 

 new claimants. The militia of New York were now called out to as- 

 sist the sheriff; but it produced little or no effect. Ethan Allen, a 

 bold, enterprising, ambitious man, placed himself at the head of the 

 settlers, and assisted by Seth Warner, directed their proceedings. 

 In 1767 the king interposed, and injoined New York to suspend 

 making any more grants in the said territory till his further pleasure 

 should be known. 



Vol. II. 3 E 



