CHAPTER VI.ATTITUDE OF CONGRESS.
It must not be supposed, however, that in the overshadowing event of the great drama of the Revolution, the disputed claims to jurisdiction over Vermont were entirely forgotten. On the contrary, New York improved the very first opportunity to make application to Congress for a recognition of her title to the territory. Then New Hampshire, inasmuch as she had made the original grants of the soil, memorialized Congress for a recognition of her claims. Next Massachusetts, fearing lest the others should proceed to carve up the disputed territory as they could mutually agree, interposed her plea for a portion, as coming rightfully under her jurisdiction. So, while Vermont was battling bravely with the commonenemy devastating her borders, she had to contend with the plots and baneful policy of three beleaguering and powerful States; and she only asked of Congress an independent sovereignty and even-handed justice.
Thus were four factions asserting a right to a jurisdiction over the territory, and each demanding of Congress a recognition of its claims. That body chose the wisest course practicable. It advised each party to refrain from a forcible exercise of authority over the disputed territory as a preliminary measure to future adjustment. To this New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire readily agreed, and authorized Congress to settle the whole matter in controversy.
But the Green Mountain State was of different mettle. She had already declared herself free and independent; she had boldly assumed the powers of government, and had exercised those powers in every part of her territory. She was not willing to surrender her sovereignty at the behests of a Congress by which her rights werenot respected, and in which she was not represented. She was ready, as she had ever been, to bear her share of the war with Great Britain, and her sturdy Green Mountain Boys had more than once proved their valor and patriotism on the bloody field; but she would not consent to resign her just rights to the arbitrament of any body of men under heaven.
In June, 1780, Congress declared “that the proceedings of the inhabitants on the New Hampshire Grants were highly unwarrantable, and subversive of the peace and welfare of the United States; and that they be strictly required to abstain in the future from all acts of authority, civil or military, over those inhabitants who profess allegiance to other States.”
Undaunted by this reprimand, Vermont responded, through her Governor and Council, that she considered the same subversive of her inalienable rights; that it was not in accord with the principal on which Congress grounded its own independence; and that it was contrary to theprovision of the Federal Constitution forbidding Congress to meddle with the internal policy of unrepresented territory. Vermont farther intimated that if the present course was persisted in, she would have no motive to continue hostilities with Great Britain, and maintain an important frontier for a country that treated her people as slaves; but that it would remain for her to finally appeal to God and to an impartial world, to say who would be accountable for the awful consequences that must ensue.
And now having outlined thus much in advance by way of a better understanding of our subject, we will proceed to treat more in detail.