with the exhorbitant fees of
the governor and other officers concerned in completing the titles,
Avhich it is said, amounted to one or two thousand dollars for each
charter. And the controversy Avith New York v/as transferred from
the governor of New Hampshire, to the claimants under his grants.
These chose, rather than submit to the terms required, and pay for
their charters a second time, under less favorable conditions, to de-
feud the titles they had in such way as they must; and accordingly
made their preparations for that purpose. They proceeded to
organize the several towns and appointed the requisite officers, and so
far as their circumstances allowed, adopted the laws of New Hamp-
shire : but, being without any established government or law, where
their peculiar circumstances required, they became " a law unto
themselves.'' To be thebetter prepared for the impending cricis,
the several towns west of the mountains appointed committees of
safety, and these occasionally met in convention, to consult for the
general defence. For this purpose they organized a military force,
" of which Ethan Allen was appointed Colonel Commandant, and
Setii Warner, Remembrance Baker, Robert Cockran and
others vrero appointed cnptains." Under these leaders every able
60 nrsTORY of Al)DIS0^ county.
* bodied man stood ready, ■when called on, to enter the service. Thus
organized they waged an exterminating war against all settlers,
under a New York title, on lands which were claimed under a
New Hampshire grant, and against all persons acting officially with-
in the territory, under the laws of the former State. All rights
and powers, claimed under the authority of that State were denied
and resisted. If surveyors were sent to