The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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WEDNESDAY, NOVR 27th. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
WEDNESDAY, NOVR 27th.
The report of the Committee on the letter from the Lt Govr of
R. Island (see Novr 25) was made & taken into consideration.
It was moved by Mr. McKean to insert in the first clause on
the Journal, after directing the apprehension by Genl W., "in
order that the sd. persons may be brought to trial." The reason
urged for the motion was that it might appear that the interposition
was not meant to supersede civil process further than the necessity
of the case required. Agst the motion it was urged, that
it would lead to discussions extremely perplexing & dilatory &
that it would be more proper after the apprehension sd have
taken place.—The motion was lost, 6 States only being for it.
With respect to the main question it was agreed on all sides
that it was indispensable to the safety of the U. S. that a traitorous
intercourse between the inhabitants of Vermont & the Enemy
should be suppressed. There were however two modes proposed
for the purpose, viz: the direct & immediate interposition of the
military force according to the Report, and, 2dly A reference in
the first instance to the acting Authority in Vermont, to be followed
in case of refusal or neglect of Justice on the offenders, by
an exertion of compulsive measures against the whole body.
In favor of the 1st. mode it was sd., that it would be the only effectual
one & the only one consistent with the part Congress had observed
with regard to Vermont; since a reference to the Authority
of Vermont, which had itself been suspected & accused would
certainly be followed at the best by a mere mock trial; and
would moreover be a stronger recognition of its independence
than Congress had made or meant to make.
In favor of the 2d. mode it was alledged, that the body of the
people in Vermont were well attached to the Revolution, that
a sudden march of military force into the Country might alarm
them, that if their Rulers abetted the Traitors, it wd disgrace them
in the eyes of their own people, and that Congress would be justified
in that event to "split Vermont up among the other States."
This expression, as well as the arguments on this side in general
came from Mr. Howell, of R. I., whose object was to render
the proceedings of Congress as favorable as possible to the independence
of Vermont.
In order to compromise the matter Mr. Arnold moved that the
Comander in Chief sd. be directed to make a previous communication
of his intentions & the evidence on which they were founded
question.
It was suggested by Mr. Madison, as a better expedient that
he sd. be authorized to make the communication if he should deem
it conducive to the more certain apprehension of the suspected
persons.
The Delegates from N. Y. said they would agree that after the
apprehension should have been effected, the Commander might
give notice thereof to the Persons exercising authority in Vermont.
It was finally compromised as it stands on the Journal.
In the course of the Debate Mr. Clark informed Congress, that
the Delegates of N. Jersey could not vote for any act which
might oppose force to the Authority of Vermont, the Legislature
of that State having so construed the Resolutions of the 7 & 20th.
of Aug: as to be incompatible therewith & accordingly instructed
their Delegates.
The communication directed to the States on this occasion
thro' the Commander in Chief was objected to by several members
as an improper innovation. The object of it was to prevent
the risk of discovery, if sent before the plans which might
be taken by Gen1 W were sufficiently advanced, of which he was
the proper Judge.
| The writings of James Madison, | |