their per-
sons or properties, on their return to their habitations in the said
district."
These resolutions Avere answered in a very spirited letter from
Governor Chittexdent, denying the authority of Congress to in-
terfere in the internal proceedings of Vermont, containing a very
able argument in justification of their measures, and promptly re-
fusing to obey the requirement of Congress. The General Assem-
11
73 HISTOIU' or ADDISON CULMY.
blj also adopted a Icttex- to CongresS; einbmcing more concisely the
same sentiments.
These ate among the last acts of interference, in the affairs of
Vermont, on the part of Congress, or the New York government.
The legislature of that State, on the first day of March, 1786,
thought proper to make the compensation, which Vermont had re-
fused, to the last mentioned sufferers ; and granted them a township
of land in the "countyof Chenango, eight miles square, named
Clinton, now Bainbridge.
In the u:oantimc the people of Vermont, -with quiet and undis-
turbed prosperity, continued to press forward in their c:ireer of
separate tind independent existence, v.'ith increasing indifi(.'rence to
the hostility or favor of any exterior power. At length on the 15th
day of July, 1789, the legislature of New York, tired of the
fruitless controversy'', giving up all hope of reducing the territory
to her jurisdiction, and desirous, it is said, of increasing the north-
ern influence in Congress, which Vermont might bring, passed
an act appointing commissioners, witli full power to acknowledge
her independence, and settle all existing controversies. On the
22d of October following, the legislature of Vermont appointed
commissioners on their part with similar powers.* On the 7th of
October, 1790, the commissioners agreed upon the boundaries and
the terms