ing the pretended State of Vermont & convened at Brattleborough the 4th May 1779. Humbly Sheweth That there being a numerous party in avowed opposition to legal authority, your Petitioners and others have been compelled to submit, though reluctantly, to live without the benefits arising from a well regulated Government. They have been destitute of the regular means of punishing the most attrocious offenders

& of compelling the execution of private Justice. In short they |

are, and for a long time have been, in such anarchy, that even Committees where they do exist, are without. Power.

In this Distracted State your Petitioners have waited, with

much Impatience the Leizure of the Grand Council of the American Empire to whose authority alone these deluded men pretend submission. We had no Doubt as we understood application had been made for the Purpose, but Congress would use the first moment they could spare from more important Coneerns

to recommend to the revolted subjects of the State a Return to.

their Allegiance. We were encouraged to expect it not only as

the Revolt established a Precedent which might be dangerous -- in other States and as the Continent could derive no assistance .

of Consequence from the Grants either in Men or Money, while they remain under a disputed Government, But because the States had confederated for their mutual & general Welfare, and bound themselves to assist each other against all force offered

to, or attacks made upon any of them, on Account of Sovereignty