583
CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS TO SAMUEL MINOT, Esq. &c.
Gentlemen, The Subscribers are here at present as Members of a Committee of Congress sent forthe express purpose of endeavouring to bring about an amicable settlement of the Differencesbetween the State of New York and the Inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants who have formedthemselves into a State called by them the State of Vermont . We have understood that you andothers who adhere to the State of New York have declined taking your Turn of Militia Duty for theDefence of the frontiers because the Requisition was made under the Authority of the State ofVermont and that you have met with some Trouble on this Account. We have therefore sent thisto inform you that we hope there will be by interposition of Congress a happy Accomodationof all Differences in a short Time ; in the mean while we have obtained a promise from GovernorChittenden that you shall not be molested till matters are finally settled and we have engaged to writeto you voluntarily and freely to raise your full Proportion of Men whenever your Neighbours arecalled and you are informed of this either by continental Officers or the New State till such Time asyoa have Special Directions from the Governor of New York which we hope to obtain for you onour Return hence. This we are confident you will readily comply with as otherwise People will betempted to impute your Conduct to disaffection to the Cause of the United States . We hope you willunderstand that the Protection and Forbearance which is promised in your behalf is to be consid-ered as on the condition of your cordially complying with our Request and in every Respectbehaving quietly and orderly while the measures for Pacification are on foot.
GOV. CHITTENDEN’S PROMISE.
Bennington 23 d . June 1779.
Sir, Your favor by M r . Tucker came to hand yesterday. Am unhappy to hear of a secondInsurrection and open Violation of the Authority of this and the United States ; The presentdistressed Situation of our northern Frontiers absolutely demands the assistance of their Brethren andFriends. Am sorry to find that private difficulties should in the least impede and prevent a generalUnion in Defence of the Grand Contest on which the Liberty and happiness of the whole depends.
With pleasure I can inform you (and desire the same may be communicated to the respectiveInhabitants) that a Committee of the honorable Continental Congress have arrived at this Place, fromwhich we may expect the most salutary and agreeable effect in a speedy Settlement of the unhappyDispute between this and the State of New York .
From the Situation of the present affairs and the pressing necessity of securing our frontierInhabitants together with the Advice of the Committee aforesaid transmitted in a Letter ; I presumethe Inhabitants will readily turn out in Defence of their Country agreable to orders; and in the meanTime I would recommend while they continue to do their proportion in the present War, the sus-pending of all prosecutions in the Law against those who acknowledge themselves Subjects of theState of New York (except Capitol Offences) until Congress make a final Determination in the Matter.
I am Sir Your hum ble . Serb
A true Copy p r Jos. Fay.
Thos. Chittenden.