and jealousies of states would have increased and multiplied and rendered impossible the compromises that led to the present Constitution of the United States. And on the other hand, is it not more than probable that the state right doctrine so eloquently urged by Mr. Howell, inflamed and gave strength to the prejudices which imbued a majority of the citizens of Rhode Island to oppose that Constitution, when it was proposed for their acceptance? The inhabitants of "the New Hampshire Grants," so called, as early as June, 1777, petitioned Congress to be received and acknowledged as an independent state, under the name of Vermont. The application was opposed by the states of New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts, each of which claimed jurisdiction over parts of the territory described in it. Notwithstanding their opposition, the inhabitants of the Grants established a separate and independent government. Some of the individuals that resided within the new state, refused submission to the laws established by it, claiming to be citizens of some one of the other states. The subject came before Congress in various forms, at various times. On the 24th of September, 1779, finding that the troubles between the inhabitants of the Grants and the states claiming the territory, were likely to endanger the peace of the Union, they recommended a reference of all matters in dispute to them, at the same time declaring it the duty of the people of the Grants and of the states claiming the territory, not to attempt any control over such of the inhabitants as denied them authority. In June, 1770, the inhabitants of the Grants were strictly required to forbear the exercise of any authority over persons claiming to owe allegiance to either of the states opposing their organization as a state. Mean while, Congress were proceeding to issue the matters in controversy. But on the 5th of December, 1782, premising that the people of Vermont had assumed to exer cise jurisdiction over persons residing within their lines, who claim to be citizens of the state of New York, Congress resolved that such proceedings were highly derogatory to the authority of the United States, and dangerous to the Confederacy, and that they would take effectual measures to enforce a compliance with their resolutions of September 24th, 1779, and June 2d, 1770. The delegates of Rhode Island favored the recognition of Vermont as a state, and voted against the resolution of December 5th, 1782. At the session of the General Assembly, held in February, 1783, the delegates the following instructions on this subject: 1. That they endeavor to procure a repeal of the resolves of Congress against the people of Vermont, passed the 5th of December last. 2. That they join in no compulsory measures, militating with the independence of that people, so long as they continue well affected to the interests of the United States. 3. That they promote and concur in measures to obtain a final declaration of Congress in favor of the independency of that people, to which, it is conceived by this State, they are entitled in virtue of their having complied with certain resolves of Congress, passed on the 7th and 20th of August, 1781, relative thereto, as well as other considerations: PROVIDED, They will, by their delegates, assume on themselves an equitable proportion of the national debt already incurred, and become a part of the Federal Union, by subscribing the Articles of Confederation. The resolutions of the 7th and 20th of August established certain boundaries for the state of Vermont, the acknowledgment of which it was declared should be an indispensable preliminary to the recognition of their independence. So much of the proceedings of Congress on this subject are given as was necessary to elucidate the foregoing instructions. If the instructions were followed, no immediate benefit resulted therefrom to the embryo state of Vermont. She was not admitted into the Union, until March, 1791, after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. SIR: MESSRS. COLLINS AND ARNOLD TO Gov. GREENE. Enclosed we send you the Articles of Peace stipulated between the Ministers of Great Britain and our Ministers, not to be concluded until peace takes place between Great Britain and France. We fear peace is not so near at hand as we would wish. Nothing material has been concluded in Congress, since our last. shall not omit forwarding to you anything requiring your notice. We are, with great respect, Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servants, JOHN COLLINS, We JONATHAN ARNOLD. PHILADELPHIA, March 28th, 1783. SIR: In my last, I had only to inform your Excellency that the preliminary articles for a peace had been agreed to between the ministers of the United States and those of his Britannic Majesty. I have now the pleasure of presenting my congratulations upon the arrival of undoubted intelligence that preliminaries had been agreed to by all the belligerent powers, and that the definitive treaty for a general peace is momentarily expected. I had just time, per the last post, to forward two papers, under cover, to Gov. Bowen, containing a summary of the principal articles, together with the orders of the Count d'Estaing for a cessation of hostilities by sea, one of which I requested him to forward immediately to you. The consequent resolves of Congress will be forwarded by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Two days before the arrival of this intelligence, Congress passed a resolution, of which the enclosed is a copy. The late uneasiness which arose in the army upon the return of their committee from Congress, artfully excited, as is supposed, by some insidious enemy, and which in its first appearances threatened a general mutiny, but which, by the prudence and wisdom of their illustrious General, terminated happily, and much to the honor of the officers, I have no doubt tended to precipitate that resolution. Every effort was made to obtain a reference of the officers to their respective states for compensation, but in vain. Whilst acting against that measure, I was happy in possessing sentiments coïnciding with the instructions of my constituents, and to believe those instructions were founded in the most worthy motives, of guarding against the violation of the constitutions of the states, and the preservation of the rights and privileges which those constitutions secured and which, it was feared, would be endangered by such an estabishment. The affair of a general impost, which has engrossed a great deal of time since the commencement of the present year, is yet incomplete. I had flattered myself that the arrival of the intelligence of peace would put a stop to the proceedings, as thereby the formidable plea of necessity would be in a measure superseded, and as it could not be doubted that the states, when eased of the immediate expense of prosecuting the war, and enjoying unmolested the advantages to be derived from agriculture and commerce, would be able to draw out their resources timely and sufficient to answer the necessary and constitutional requisitions of Congress, for the support of the federal government, and for the satisfaction of the creditors of the public. But in this I was mistaken. Ideas of the necessity of forming a general system of finance, which will throw a share of the power and strength of government now held by the states, into the hands of Congress, seems in the minds of some to prevail over every other consideration, and it appears that nothing will give satisfaction but to send out the impost, differently modified, for another trial among the states. I shall now feel little uneasiness for its fate, from a confidence that the wisdom of the states is fully apprized as to its consequences. No intelligence on which I can rely has been received of the doings of the Assembly, at their last session. The last post brought me neither letters nor papers. I wish for the earliest information with respect to every matter which may be designed for my attention or direction. With the greatest respect, I have the honor to be Your Excellency's very humble servant, To his Excellency Gov. GREENE. JONATHAN ARNOLD. As suggested in the foregoing letter of Mr. Arnold, the impost differently modified," was agreed to by Congress on the 18th of April, 1783. Congress then, Recommended to the several states as indispensably necessary to the restoration of public credit and to the punctual and honorable discharge of the public debts, to invest the United States or Congress assembled, with a power to levy for the use of the United States," specified duties on certain enumerated articles and five per cent. ad valorem on all other imported goods, to be applied "to the discharge of the interest or principal of the debt contracted on the faith of the United States, for supporting the war,” to be collected in each state by officers appointed by state authority. The grant to continue for twenty-five years, unless said debt should be sooner paid. And further, that each state should appropriate substantial and effectual revenues for the term of twenty-five years to supply means of paying their respective proportions of one million five hundred thousand dollars yearly, exclusive of the aforementioned duties, towards the principal and interest of the said debt of the United States, to be collected in each state by state officers, but to be carried to the separate credit of the states where collected. The quota of Rhode Island was fixed at thirty-two thousand three hundred and eighteen dollars. These provisions to take effect when assented to by all the states. And as a further means of extinguishing said debt as well as of establishing the harmony of the states, it was recommended to the states holding or claiming unoccupied western lands, to make liberal cessions of the same. And further it was recommended to the states so to amend the Articles of Confederation, that all charges of war and other expenses incurred for the defence of the states, or for the general welfare, should be borne by the states in proportion" to the whole number of white and other free citizens and inhabitants, of every age, sex and condition, including those bound to servitude for a term of years, and three-fifths of all other persons not comprehended in the foregoing description, except Indians not paying taxes, in each state,’ instead of "in proportion to the value of all land within each state granted or surveyed for any person, with the buildings and other improvements thereon," as provided for in the Articles of Confederation. There were but three delegates in Congress who voted against this proposal; two of whom were the delegates from this State, and the other, Mr. Hamilton, of New York. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Madison, Ellsworth and Hamilton, was appointed to prepare an address to the states, to accompany these recommendations. They reported on the 24th the form of an address which Congress then adopted. It contained an earnest appeal to the states to adopt the recommendations of Congress as the most feasible plan of restoring public credit, and confidence, and harmony among the states. |