That to prevent the Disaffection from becoming general, and to encourage the Inhabitants which then continued loyal to this State in the Discharge of their Duty, as subjects thereof ; the honorable the Legislature in the Month of February in the year 1778, did pledge the Faith of this State "to conenr "in the necessary Measures for protecting the loyal Inhabitants "of this State residing in the Counties of Albany Charlotte 'Cumberland and Gloucester in their Persons and. Estates."
That a number of the Inhabitants of Cumberland County,
relying upon the Faith of the State so pledged for the Protection of their Persons and Estates, have continued in Allegiance to, and remained dutiful Subjects of, this State. _ That when the party who had erected a seperate Government first proceeded to take the Property of the loyal Subjects of this State, the latter immediately in the most earnest manner petitioned his Excellency the Governor (it being in. the Recess of the Legislature) for Protection. That they have several times since. repeated their Requests to the same Purpose.
That notwithstanding the Promise of the Legislature above. mentioned, and their several applications for Protection, Persons acting under the authority of the pretended State of Vermont have imprisoned a large number of the most respectable Subjects of this State in Cumberland County, and have taken Property from a considerable number of others.
1004 CONTROVERSY RESPECTING THE
That the Persons who have thus suffered are of Opinion that the Legislature are bound in Equity, at least to make Compensation for the Injuries they have received since their Petition for Protection ; and a majority of them have requested your Petitioner to make Application to the honorable the Legislature therefor.