Gazetteer of Vermont, Hayward, 1849. 

      Alburg is a point or tongue of land, extending from Canada, about 10 miles south, into Lake Champlain; being washed by the waters of Missisco bay, on the east, and by those of the main channel of the Lake, on the west, and is about 6 miles in width on the Province line. It is the northwest town in the state. The French, in the early day, called it "Point Algonquin." Afterward it was called "Missisco* leg" -- then "Missisco, tongue," from its peculiar shape; 

after this, "Caldwell's Upper Manor," but finally "Alburgh;” [Allensburg -- abbreviated to Al-burgh. We have seen among the papers of Rev. D. T. Taylor, an interesting ore in proof of this statement. -- Ed.] after Maj. Gen. Ira ALLEN. It contains about 18,000 acres of land. It is comparatively level, though portions are rolling -- the course of the ridges being north and south. The soil is of the clay formation -- the ridges of argillacious slate, with small portions sandy. It produces most of the cereals in abundance, together with fruit and vegetables, and is, perhaps, on a medium for grazing. The scenery, especially in the pleasant season of the year, is delightful. Alburgh Springs, in the east part of the town, is becoming a pleasant village, and a place of considerable summer resort. The mineral waters are esteemed excellent for all cutaneous diseases.

     The earliest civilized settlement, of which we have any authentic account, was made by the French about the year 1731, at Wind-Mill Point, in the west part of the town. This was under a charter from the French crown, issued to "Senior Francois Foucault, councillor to the Supreme Council of Quebec, and principal scrivener to the Marine," which is confirmed by another charter bearing date April 3, 1733, ratified by his Majesty the King of France, April 6, 1734. May, 1743, this charter was renewed and augmented, in which charter of confirmation it is recited, that Foucault had complied with the conditions of the original grant, by establishing three new settlers, in addition to eight who had settled the previous year -- that he had built in that year, (1731) a wind-mill of stone masonry which cost near 4,000 livres, and had taken steps to build a church 20 by 40 feet, which was to be ready to receive a missionary the next spring, to whom a lot of land was conveyed, free of charge, of 2 acres in front by 40 acres in depth, to serve for the building of a church, a parochial house and burying-ground, and for the maintenance of the missionary, which donation was accepted by the Bishop of Quebec. This charter or concession granted to the said Foucault, was for "two leagues in length upon the River Chambly;" and in its renewal the lands of the original grant were included, and an "augmentation of one league in front, by the same in depth, to be taken at the end of the said two leagues, going up the said River Chambly." In view of the Improvements set forth in the petition of the said Foucault, to which reference is trade in the said grant, and also his efforts to induce settlers to enter upon these lands, the farther augmentation above named was made, in the year 1743, of a neck of land or peninsular of about 2 leagues in front, joining the concession previously made, and going up the said River Chambly to the point called "Point du Detour" the southern extremity of Alburgh, known as "Point of the tongue," which said extent of land had bees granted to Mr. De L'Isle, who relinquished the same at the same time, on account of the bad quality of the land; part of which, the petitioner states, is fit for cultivation, and which the petitioner could give to some laborious young man -- all the remainder being without any depth, and full of large stones and rocks This grant or concession is signed jointly by "Charles Marquis De Beaubarnois" and "Gilles Hocquart," who declare therein, that they have "full power and virtue thus to do by his Majesty," &c.

     This settlement was of short duration, and another was commenced in 1741, only 10 years after, and soon abandoned. This is corroborated by the fact that the early settlers of the town found the mill in ruins, except the masonry, only about 50 years after its erection, and that an excavation near it, apparently a cellar, bad large trees growing in it. I might here say, that stones were found in the cellar of the mill, which were pronounced by good judges to be, genuine French burr, and were afterward sold by Joseph MOTT to Judge MOORS, of Champlain, and run in his mill. The cellar and upper wall, say about 4 feet above the ground, are still in a good state of preservation, The fact that these settlements were of so short duration will not seem so remarkable, when we bear in mind that the French and English, each aided by their Indian allies, were establishing and demolishing their respective settlements and outposts, especially along the Lakes, about this period. Son. Foucault transferred his grant to Gen. Frederick Haldimand, who was Gov. of Canada from 1778, to 1784, and Haldimand subsequently conveyed the same to Henry CALDWELL, Esq., of Belmont near Quebec. Caldwell caused the outlines of the town to be surveyed and lotted on the Lake-shore. The title of Henry Caldwell descended to John Caldwell, his son.  It was afterward purchased from John Caldwell by the late Heman ALLEN, of Highgate. About the year 1782, some emigrants from St. Johns made a settlement within the present limits of the town, it was then known as "Caldwell's Upper Manor." One of these, John GIBSON, who settled on what Is since known as the HUXLEY farm, had a daughter born two days after the arrival of the family on the place, which birth occurred Dec. 15, 1784. This daughter, baptized "Agnes,' by Dr. SPARK of Quebec, and since, Mrs. STIMPSON of Bangor, N. Y., was the first person born in town. The first male child born in town was William SOWLES, in 1788, who is now living. These settlers supposed themselves in Canada, and were principally British refugees. Others settled in soon after, from different localities. These settlements were begun on the Lake-shore, around the town. Many of the settlers acknowledged CALDWELL's titles and took leases under him; but afterward denied his title, and recovered in the State courts, on the ground that he had failed to have his title recorded within the limits of the Province in which the lands were located. According to the provisions of the definitive treaty of 1783, which established the boundary in this vicinity on lat. 45°, the line having been settled by Sir H. MOORE, governor of the Province of N. Y., and Brig. Gen. CARLTON, accompanied by other gentlemen from Quebec, from observations previously made by the French, on Wind-Mill Point, about 2 1/2 miles north on lat. 45°, in the year 1766, these lands were found to be within the Province of New York, within the limits of which Caldwell had not recorded his title. Thus terminated the first series of land-suits, which were specially onerous and vexatious to these poor, but independent and high-spirited settlers. It ought, however, to have been stated, that during the pendency of this claim, the settlers petitioned the General Assembly of Vermont, to lay a tax of one cent per acre upon their land, for the purpose of building and repairing roads and bridges; -- which act was passed, and under its provisions the inhabitants suffered all their lands, claimed and unclaimed, to be sold at public vendue by the collector, each bidding upon his own lands only, and that without any interfering bids from any and all others; thus each bidding in his own lands at the amount of tax and costs, which tax was worked out by the inhabitants. But they were foiled in their attempt thus to obtain a title to their lands. Previous to the time of redemption running out, CALDWELL sent his son John up from Quebec, with an amount of specie, and paid the entire claim. Still they had reaped the benefit of obliging their quondam landlord to build their roads and bridges.

     February 23, 1781, the Assembly of Vermont then setting at Windsor, gave to Ira ALLEN and 64 others, a charter of the town, by the name of Alburgh. ALLEN caused the survey commenced by CALDWELL to be completed, by sending on Esq. BEEMAN to run out the side lines of lots, as also the base or concession lines; but was "to molest no man in his possessions." ALLEN and. his associates attempted to enforce their rights, by several suits in the State-courts, but were defeated. These suits, though brought against individuals, were defended by the town. Not so in case of the original Caldwell suite There seemed then little prospect of successfully struggling, in all their poverty and distance from the seat of the courts, with so formidable an opponent, The grandfather of the writer, Capt. Benjamin MARVIN, was made defendant, by CALDWELL, in one of the suits first brought, which harassed and impoverished him for seven weary years. During its pendency, BOWEN, CALDWELL's attorney, endeavored to effect a settlement, by the offer to my grandfather of a large amount. Spurning the offer, he said to him: "Do you think I am a Benedict Arnold to be bought with British gold?"  "I’ll make you smart for that," said Bowen  --  and so he did. It was while defending this suit, in attendance at a session of the court in Burlington, that he witnessed the following incident. Levi ALLEN, who was at that time confined to the limits for debt, came into the boarding-house to dinner somewhat late, the court, bar, and other boarders being seated at table. Stepping up to the table, he remarked that he had conscientious scruples in regard to eating without asking the Divine blessing. Spreading forth his hands, they all arose --"O God!" said he, "forgive us our sins, and may the world forgive us our debts; and then what little we have left will be our own; and may God Almighty d  n the attorneys to h--l: Amen." 

     Previous to the year 1792 these settlers were destitute of all civil government, except such as was voluntary. We find from the deposition of Capt. Benjamin MARVIN, [Vt. State Papers, vol. ii. pp. 79, 81,] that in 1787, Alburgh had no civil government, except such as is derived from rules and regulations adopted by the inhabitants, who banished thieves and other criminals, and enforced compliance with awards of arbitrators in civil disputes; and when persons were banished from the province of Canada, and brought to the lines, and suffered to come within our vicinity, we drove them from us. Some years had elapsed from the settlement of the place, when Mr. CALDWELL came amongst us, and gave militia commissions to captains CONROY and SAVAGE, and to subalterns for two militia companies at Alburgh, promising that British civil government should be put in force amongst us, and that we should be protected as British subjects. Capt. CONROY exercised the office of justice of the peace, north of latitude 45°, but lived south of that line. The inhabitants still kept up their old mode of government, as derived from their own resolves, without regard to Mr. Conroy, until we voluntarily organized and chose town-officers by order of the Governor, (Chittenden) and under the laws of the State of Vermont; and the militia officers aforesaid never acted under their commissions, except in one instance.

     In the month of February, 1791, Capt. CONROY ordered his company to meet together south of the line, arid in consequence of his orders issued for that purpose, they in part convened; when some matters took place which occasioned Capt. CONROY to step into a sleigh, and ride off north of the line, without dismissing his company, or giving them any orders -- at which time some of our people advertised him as a runaway from his company, and offered as a reward for his return, one peck of potatoes.

Oct. 18, 17992. (Signed)  BENJAMIN MARVIN. "REPORT ON COMMITTEE RELATIVE TO DISTURBANCE AT ALBURGH, SEPT. 20, 1792.       "That Alburgh is a narrow tongue of land, connected with the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and lies on the south side of the line of this and the United States. The British had, at the time of the late disturbance, and still have, a post at Point Au Fer,* [*When the French were retreating down Lake Champlain, before Gen. Amherst's forces, in 1759, they buried a quantity of balls and some cannon, on this point, and called it “Point Au Fur," or “Iron point."] some miles south of the line of the United States. The nearest distance from this post to Alburgh is two and one half miles, and the greatest distance is from ten to twelve miles. The British have another post at Dutchman's Point, on North Hero, about one half mile south from Alburgh. The garrison at Point Au Fer have never prevented the civil officers of the State of New York from exercising their offices, or from serving writs, even to the northward of point Au Fer; but have uniformly declared that they had nothing to do with the inhabitants within 300 yards of the garrison. The garrison at Dutchman's Point has never interfered in any way with the inhabitants, or done any thing besides keeping their own sentries The people of Alburgh, from the first settlement of the place until June last, have been without the exercise of any government, civil or military, when they met in Town Meeting and organized themselves and chose town officers under the authority of the State of Vermont, when the inhabitants of the town generally took the Freeman's oath, and the officers took the oath of allegiance, and government has since been regularly administered, except in the instance mentioned in the communications of His Excellency the Governor (Chittenden). On the eighth day of June last, and from that to the twelfth of the same June, the British of the garrison interrupted the officers of the State in the execution of their offices, by imprisoning them, taking from them property which they had taken by virtue of writs issued by the authority of this state, and taking from them their writs. Your Committee find that the charges made in the letter of Thomas Jefferson, in relation to those disturbances, was founded on a misstatement of facts, and that the Governor has not wantonly attempted to disturb the peace of the Union, as leas been alleged in certain quarters, or to interrupt any pending negotiations between the United States and Great Britain.  EBENEZER MARVIN for Committee.

     Fans WOOD, a deputy sheriff; was taken prisoner is Alburg, by British authority, while serving a writ Sept. 20, 1792, and carried to St. Johns, and confined in the guard-house. Benjamin MARVIN was also taken prisoner by the British, Oct. 16, 1792; himself and Samuel MOTT had previously been commissioned as magistrates by Gov. CHITTENDEN. Patrick CONROY came with Capt. DACHAMBO and a file of men, and failing to find MOTT, they arrested MARVIN at his own house, for the alleged crime of executing the laws of the State of Vermont upon British territory. They carried him across the Lake to the British garrison at Point Au Fer, preparatory to taking him to Quebec. After detaining him until next day, the Capt. offered him a parole, which he would not accept. He then proposed a conditional parole, providing that he should be liberated; and if nut called for within 12 days, his parole would expire by limitation. This be accepted; and was escorted home and was never called for.

     Previous to the time of extending the jurisdiction of Vermont over the territory, as has been intimated, the inhabitants protected themselves on the voluntary principle. One incident of this period will interest the reader. -- Mr. BULL, and his son who had come from Charlotte, had settled upon the lot now owned by A. D. STORY, Esq., and had built a cabin and commenced s clearing -- expecting to return in the fall to Charlotte, and bring on the family the next season. Major Jacob MOTT, the next settler south, missed his hog, d good shoat which was running at large. Failing to find it, suspicion finally fell upon BULL; himself and son were arrested and brought before the court of the settlement. BULL plead not guilty to the charge, as did also his son. But his cabin was searched, and in the ashes were found some belies and bristles. Still they sturdily persisted in a denial. They then separated them; and on farther examination, and telling the boy that his father had acknowledged the larceny, they succeeded in obtaining a full, disclosure. The court then, after due deliberation, proceeded to deliver the decision, which was, that they would not have a thief in the settlement. Hence the respondent must leave and be under way by 9 o'clock next morning; and, failing so to do, any man was at liberty to thrash him as thoroughly as he pleased. In good season next morning, Mr. BULL and boy, with their traps packed, hove in sight on the footpath near which my grandfather and father (then a boy of 14,) were clearing. "Good morning, Mr. BULL," said my grandfather, "you are leaving us then." Pausing a moment he replied. "Capt. MARVIN, do you think I'm the only thief in Alburgh?" "I dont know," said my grandfather, "I hope so!" "I swear," said he, “Capt. Marvin, it 's my opinion if all the thieves in Alburgh had to leave, the town would be devilishly thinly settled -- Good bye."

     It must not, however, be concluded, that the standard of morals, in all respects, was what it ought to have been. This could not be reasonably looked for in those early times, and in a new country, and on an exposed frontier. In the absence of statutory restraint, in many cases, "might gave right;" and at the public gatherings it was no uncommon thing for a hand-to-hand set-to, to occur. The moral sense had not as yet branded this as disreputable -- rather to the reverse, and "there were giants in those days," and their record is still storied among the people. The TAYLOR brothers, Reuben, John and Ezekiel, who carne from Schatikoke, N. Y., were noted as strong men: but as is usually the case with such, were not quarrelsome. Reuben was a scientific pugilist, with large frame, as were they all, muscles remarkably developed -- a hand nearly or quite the size of two ordinary ones, and it was said his blow was like that of a beetle. Such men did not need to strike often. Their very presence was sufficient to inspire becoming respect to power. David SOWLES, from Stephentown, N. Y., a short, thick-set, very muscular and fearless man, trained to boxing by Reuben TAYLOR, was noted. He used either hand indiscriminately, and his hug at back-bold was said to be bear-like, and yet altogether unbearable. He fought many hard battles, often with men much larger than himself, but never was whipped. The hardest, probably, that ever was fought in town, was between himself and Colson HOXIE, at Savages' Point, near the Isle La Motte ferry. HOXIE was a larger man than BOWLES, equally fearless, a practiced fighter, and had never been whipped. SOWLES took up a quarrel for a man inferior to HOXIE, and no sooner said than done, -- the battle was joined. They fought about three-quarters of an hour, in which time SOWLES was knocked down seven times, and HOXIE nine times. HOXIE said, as he rose the ninth time, "I wont fight no more!" and thus the contest closed. Each party took up their champion, and carried him to the lake and washed them off and they, both retired for the time being, upon their laurels. They met sometime afterwards at Pettis's tavern, the atone house now the residence of William T. SOWLES. When SOWLES was about to leave for home, HOXIE, desired him to remain, as be would go along pretty soon. By and by just at night, HOXIE got ready to go, and they two walked away. When they reached the cross-road where HOXIE was to turn off, they sat down together, (it being evening) and talked the old matters all over, and there agreed that they would not fight any more. This agreement they kept ever alter. BOWLES lived to a good old age, became pious, and died universally esteemed. He said to the writer, after detailing some of these incidents, "that rum was always at the bottom.”

     Forbearing to name many others of note, Phillip HONSINGER, of somewhat later day, was indeed a giant, standing 6 feet, 7 inches, and weighing 290 pounds. His bearing was in keeping with his dimensions -- portly and dignified -- and his speech staid and weighty. When PROVOST was encamped at Chazy, on his march to Plattsburgh, some of our townsmen being over, and hearing some of PROVEST's men (who were the flower of Wellington's army, who fought at Waterloo) expressing great desire to see some of the Yankees, of whom they had heard so much, and who had been represented to them as a diminutive race, and whom they so soon expected to encounter, our boys told them they had one with them: and, after the suitable preliminaries, they brought in Philip. Surprised and astonished, they looked up at him in the utmost amazement -- he gazing down upon them in all his gravity and tranquility. Instinctively receding, they were overheard to say: "If the Yankees are all like him, the Lord deliver us from fighting them."

     As previously stated, the title of Henry CALDWELL descended to his son John CALDWELL, and was purchased by the late Heman ALLEN, of Highgate. About the year 1820, he commenced two suits in the circuit court of the United States, in the name of John CALDWELL; one against the late Hon. Lewis SOWLE, and one against Stephen PETTIS. The plaintiff in these two suits was defeated, on the ground that John CALDWELL, being an alien, could not take lands by descent, in Vermont. Subsequently the University of Vermont, claiming one right in the town, under the charter granted to Ira ALLEN and his associates, brought suit against Elisha REYNOLDS, of Alburgh, claiming one-seventieth part of two lots of land, as tenant in common with REYNOLDS. This suit was pending about 10 years in the courts of Vermont; but was finally decided against the plaintiff, on the ground of lapse of time.

     This ended the controversy in relation to the legal titles claimed by original grantees, either under the State of Vermont, or under the French crown. The consequence is, that there is not a single lot of public land in town; and the only right or title that any occupant of land has in Alburgh, is acquired by prescription. The State of Vermont took the land from the State of New York by the squatter title, and the Alburghers, by the same title, took the land from the State of Vermont, and now claim under the State, no right except their name.

     The necessary result of this protracted litigation was to keep the inhabitants poor. It not only drained them constantly of their hard earnings, but their land-titles being unsettled, immigration was not fostered, and real estate remained of comparatively little value. Entire lots of 100 acres, though seldom sold, went for a mere nominal value, and this in barter. A land-payment in money was not to be thought of. Even their attorney in their land-suits had to be paid in cattle -- Glen. HOUSE, their attorney, coming with a sloop, over from St. Albans to the east side of the town after them. On that occasion, which, of course, was a very public one, the moat of the inhabitants being collected at Mr. BRANDIGOE's, who kept public house, Sands HELMS, who was agent for the town to prosecute and defend, and, withal, noted for his facetious turn, proceeded to give to Gen. HOUSE an introduction to some of "our Alburgh dignitaries," as he styled them: "and this," said he, "Gen., is Mr. BRANDIGO, our one-eyed landlord" (BRANDIGO having lost one eye), "This," said he, "is Esq'. HARVEY, our busted justice" -- (Mr. HARVEY unfortunately being troubled with an uncommonly large rupture), -- "and last, but not least, Gen. HOUSE," said he, "allow me to introduce to you our acquaintance, Rev. Mr. _____, our drunken priest." HOUSE often related this anecdote with great gusto.

     As we should readily suppose, for the above named reasons, the resources of this choice little tongue of land were very slowly developed. But the energies of the inhabitants, and their ingenuity did not lie dormant. -- Employment was a stern and abiding necessity. The land being heavily timbered was slowly cleared, and much of the timber was in all the earlier years, logged by hand, for want of teams. We can scarcely realize, now, that the progenitors of some of the wealthiest families in town came into an unbroken wilderness, moved into the rude log-cabin, without floor, door or windows -- with roof of peeled bark or split basswoods -- having often to go out for fear of the falling timber.

     The son and hired man of one of the settlers, in the absence of the father, accidentally fell a tree on the only sow and killed her, she was giving a fine flow of milk at the time, which the large family, especially the little ones, much needed. She was browsing in the tree-tops at the time. Toward evening the almost heart-broken wife saw her husband returning, and hastened, all in tears, to meet him in the clearing. "What 's the matter?" inquired he, in the utmost earnestness; but she could not speak. "Has Rufus fell a tree on our boy and killed him? do tell me." and when, amid sobs and broken accents, she told him they had killed the cow -- "I am glad on 't,"  said he -- such was his sense of relief. But there were no cows to be bought, and nothing to buy with. But necessity pressed. Some grass-seed and flax had been brought along for the necessities of the family in the new location, which were taken to St. Johns, sad a little old French cow bought, and Batteauxed up the river 25 miles, to amend the lose.

     I have said that their ingenuity was also called into exercise. They had to improvise, to a great extent, their own implements. They manufactured their own fabrics. Their distance from mills rendered it necessary that at least every two or three families should have their samp-mortar, which was usually made by burning a hollow, either in a stump or a hard-wood log, with a heated cannonball, and a large pestle attached to a spring-pole, completed the arrangement -- commonly called the "pumping-mill." Nor were they idle institutions -- nor unconducive to health, either in their workings or furnishings. The boys, then, needed no shoulder braces to improve and develop their prematurely rounded shoulders and contracted chests; nor the girls any rouge to color their cheeks; but both grew up full, fair and flourishing -- literally "corn-fed" from the primeval samp-mortar. 

     And the world does not know, and perhaps never would, should the fact not be chronicled here, that at this early period, and in this far-off forest-wild, one of the inventions of world-wide utility was discovered. The planeing-machine (improved and utilized since, and now so indispensable) was invented by Joseph S. MOTT, of Alburgh. After much study and patient application, he brought out his model, and sent it to the Department to obtain a patent; but delay ensued, his model was stolen, and he never obtained a patent. Subsequently, aided by his brother Ephraim and James STORM, he commenced operating a planning-mill in the city of Albany by horse-power; but owing to some imperfection in the machinery, the power was found insufficient, and the enterprise was abandoned. -- The parties were nearly ruined by this failure -- especially STORM and Ephraim MOTT.

     Not far from the year 1800 Ephraim MOTT, aided by some others, built a wind-mill for flouring, on the west shore of the town, about 3 miles south of the Province-line. This was quite a relief to the inhabitants, as the nearest mills were at Swanton, Plattsburgh, Champlain and Lacole, in Canada, from 10 to 25 miles distant, and across the water. This mill was built of stone, in a circular form, with one run of stones, and floured coarse grains principally. It gradually became superannuated, and a few years since fell down altogether.

     The necessities of the settlers found great relief in making salts and potash for the northern market. This was almost the only means of obtaining their goods and groceries, and a little money to meet necessities. The embargo of 1808 involved this trade in difficulty and danger. Still it seemed a necessity to many, while some, no doubt, practiced contraband for profit. Wind-Mill Point being a port of entry, and the custom officers sustained by an armed posse, under Col. Samuel PAGE, it became a matter of importance with the smugglers to avoid this port. For this purpose they often crossed from the bottom of Wind-Mill Bay, to the river below, near the Province line -- thus flanking the port of entry. A great amount of smuggling has, no doubt, been done, first and last, over this retired road. It is said that Daniel MCGREGOR, then a resident of Alburgh, but since deceased --  large, active and determined man of Scotch descent -- had just entered this road with his load of contraband, when, in the darkness, two armed men from the bushes, one on either side, leaped upon his sleigh. Quick as sight, with a twirl of his loaded whip, he lopped off first one and then the other -- his fleet, smuggling roadsters off in a jiffy, leaving, every instant, more distance between him and the muskets of his unknown left-behinds, who, though they fired after him, did him no injury.

    In high water the small craft often found their way through the marsh, from the cove, east of the Point, across north to Kelly Bay, only about three-fourths of a mile, and every tree and stump were said to be known to the smugglers. About this time a large raft of square pine timber, owned by one VANDOOZEN, came down the lake, and lay moored in the bay, east of the north point of Isle-La-Mott, for about a week. In this time they, engaged additional help, and Duncan MCGREGOR, a brother to Daniel above named, and still (in 1869) living in town, at 88 years of age, to pilot them down. Unmooring just at evening, with a prospect of fair wind, morning found them, after a hard night's labor, off south of Wind Mill Point, becalmed. The custom officer, with his armed force, soon came on board and took possession, the owner and hands going about their business; and the raft was worked in shore, and moored at the centre of the bay, about three fourths of a mile east of the Point, where it was guarded by an armed sentry. The first move of the smugglers was, to place a man, concealed in the bushes back of the beach, for some 3 or 4 days, to acquaint themselves thoroughly with the habits of the sentries. At the expiration of about 10 days, a party of about 50 of the most determined and experienced characters from both sides of the line, supplied with fire-arms and axes, secretly rendezvoused at Seth PHILLIPS, the stone house place on the shore, about 1 1/2 miles N. of the line. Late in the afternoon they started, going through the woods towards Wind Mill Bay. At a convenient place each man supplied himself with a good setting-pole and handspike. When they had neared the bay, a halt was made, and four men were detailed to duty in advance. 

     Not a loud word was to be spoken. Proceeding cautiously to the bushes near the beach, the detailed men secreted themselves and watched. About sunset an armed man from the Point came marching along and relieved the sentry, who returned. It was now growing dusk, and just as it was getting too dark for their movements to be discovered from the Point, the sentry came ashore, set up his gun against the balm-gilead-trop to which the raft was tied, and retired into the edge of the bushes. Suddenly as the lion vaults upon his pray was he seized, gagged and carried upon the raft -- every man sprung into position -- handspikes and setting-poles operated as if by magic, and "she moved."  They worked her noiselessly around toward the end of the Point, from which a reef projects to some distance into the lake. It happened to be one of those nights when the wind was going round into the east, preparatory to blowing from the south. The danger now was, that they would despite their efforts, be driven upon the reef. Every muscle was taxed to its utmost, and they succeeded in keeping her off. Just as they swung round into the stream, they were hailed -- then the signal gun from the sentry, which was responded to from the York shore. In a moment more, the flash of firearms and the plugging of bullets into the timbers gave assurance that the melee had begun; promptly the fire was returned -- giving assurance that two could play at that game. They heard the boats start ant from the York shore, but they dared not come within range. They soon passed out of range from the point, and luckily nobody was hurt. Morning found the raft well on its way toward St. Johns. For this service the owners paid them $700, which was equally divided among them. In this, as in all their movements, the smugglers were pledged to each other, as square men, -- there was to be no peaching upon one another.

     The conclusion of another incident will evince their views and practice on this point. Duncan MCGREGOR, previously named, was returning from the north, loaded, and fell into the ice in the night, on Wind-mill bay. With great presence of mind, be succeeded in looseing his team from the sleigh, which had not fallen in, and separated them; when, just at that juncture, one of the horses seeming to got foothold, shot, himself nearly half way out. Swinging with all his might upon the halter, and aided by the struggles of the animal, he brought him out. Slipping a noose around the neck of the other horse, and checking him up, he took a turn round the whippletree, bidding the rescued horse go; and he snaked him out upon the ice. But this had occupied some time, and the horse was unable to rise. And what was more, he now found his clothes so frozen, that he could not mount the standing horse. In this dilemma, quick as thought, throwing himself prostrate and grasping the whippletree, he bade the animal go on, and put himself upon fortune. They had not gone far, when the one left, whinnied and scan came up behind them. On and on they went, after a while making shore at Joseph MOTTs, just as some of them who had been out late, came down to water their team. MCGREGOR was laid before the fire and `thawed out,' and man and beast cared for, and the load all scoured before daylight. This load consisted of one hogshead of rum, 300 wt. of cutlery, and 650 lbs. of double + steel -- total cost $800. This steel was deposited temporarily in the manger of Mc's horse-stable. Daniel BEAGLE, who was in the "ring." while threshing in Mc's barn made the discovery, and proved leaky. It was decided upon consultation, that he should be taught a lesson, and made an example. For this purpose, soma good blue-beech whips were provided, and when needed were drawn through the fire to take out the frost and toughen them. BEAGLE was called out, and the "beech seal" applied so effectually, that this was the end of tale-telling.

     Dry goods, such as silks, muslins, prints, &c., were deposited near the line often, and then packed on men's backs through the woods, by the custom-houses, and secreted until they could be transported by team or boat to the place of destination The Troy and Albany merchants often paid the smugglers large sums for this service. Tea, sugar and tobacco, at different times, paid large profits, as contraband articles. A new pork-barrel would, said one to me, "just hold two chests of tea."  This could be bought in Plattsburgh for one dollar per pound. The port of entry, or rather of probibition, passed, they could go boldly into St. Johns, calling their loading, "Government stores;" and after disposing of it for two dollars per pound, load back with sugar, doubling on that. The very next year, from the failure of the shipping to arrive in Montreal, tea paid just as high a profit to smuggle directly back. Frequent seizures, especially of potash, progressing northward, were made about this time, and some 60 to 70 barrels had been stored in the barn on Wind-Mill Point. A plan was concocted to relieve the customs officers of this, and restore it to its owners. A suitable person was detailed to go to the Point and reconnoitre. Returning, he reported that the officer was absent -- gone to Burlington, and only one man, and the woman who kept house, were about. Teams sufficient for the exigence were forthcoming, and, under cover of night, two suitable persons were sent forward to keep the man company within doors, while the outer force proceeded to business. The barn, though locked, did not refuse to deliver its contents through the readily unboarded aide, the ponderous barrels, as if by magic, rolled up the skid-ways, on to the well appointed sleds -- team after team, sped northward over the ice-bound bosom of the Richelieu; and long before morning all had been deposited across the line in a place of safety. My informant said, that be knew one team, that got round, so as to haul three loads and get in all right before day-light. "Was there ever any stir made about it?" said I. "Not a word; Sir; not a word!" We see by this, something of the state of things at that period.

     While sustained by the aforementioned force, Collector Samuel BUELL boarded a smuggling boat off Wind-Mill Point, he leaping on board, when the smugglers at once pushed off the revenue Cutter, and would not suffer them to fume along side. BUELL soon lost patience, became stormy and ordered his men to fire. This order for some reason was not obeyed. He next ordered them to go ashore, which they did, and the smuggler kept on her course. When she had got across the line, they took soundings, and set the Collector out where the water was just-chin-deep, leaving him coolly to cogitate upon the mutations to which manhood is incident, while they sailed stoically away. But the animal equilibrium was being restored, if we may judge from the nature of the ebullition on getting round to his armed supporters; "I would not," said he, "give a d---n for as many such men as you to fight, as could stand between Wind-Mill Point and h----l."

     A sad occurrence took place on the Lake off the went shore of Alburgh, in the year 1811. A man named Harrington BROOKS, from St. Albans Point, was shot by the revenue officers while endeavoring to escape, and killed; himself and a man named Miner HILLARD, in a row-boat, with 7 bushels of salt and a small bill of dry goods for their family consumption, passed the port of entry at Wind-Mill Point, early on a pleasant Sunday morning in October. They were discovered and pursued by the revenue cutter, on board of which were Collector BUELL and his boatmen, John WALKER, who was brother-in-law to BUELL, and George GRAVES. They overtook the boat three or four miles south, near two small rocky shoals, called "Gull Islands." BROOKS and HILLIARD having the smaller boat of the two, avoided all attempts at boarding them, and some time was spent in unavailing attempts to capture them. Finally BUELL lost all patience, and ordered WALKER to fire. He obeyed, and shot BROOKS in the breast, the gun being loaded with buck shot. He tore open his bosom exclaiming -- "See what they have done?" -- fell over, and immediately expired. This affair produced a very great sensation in the community. A jury of inquest found the parties guilty of murder; but upon further proceedings they were acquitted. It is stated that HILLIARD admitted that BROOKS urged him to come to; but he would not consent, thinking that they would not dare to fire. BUELL promptly fathered the act, and always said it was done by his order. It produced a sad effect upon WALKER. His was a sensitive mental organization, and the lapse of time failed to relieve his mental depression. He seemed desirous to avoid society, and after a time purchased the Point Au Fer farm -- a location almost wholly destitute of social privileges, and resided them for a teerm of years. His friends became much interested for him; and about 1830, much against his inclinations, succeeded in electing him as representative from his county (Clinton), to the State Legislature. He was reelected for a second term, and died while in attendance upon his official duties in Albany, Jan. 16, 1852.

     About the year 1781 one CHEESEMAN, from St. Johns, made a settlement on the lot next north of the one on which the wind-mill, built by Ephraim MOTT, stood. After building a house, and clearing 3 acres of land, he returned to St. Johns the next year, leaving a cow in the hands of John GRIGGS, his brother-in-law, from the avails of which GRIGGS was to settle a debt due to some party on Grand Isle. GRIGGS had settled on, and owned what has long been known as the Samuel MOTT place. Some trouble arising as to the settlement of this claim, a posse of armed men, said to have been sent on by Col. Ebenezer ALLEN of Grand isle, came to GRIGGS. Arriving just at evening, they ascertained that GRIGGS was up shore flshing, accompanied by Joshua MANNING, who boarded with Griggs, and was clearing on the lot on which he afterward settled. As they neared the shore on their return, it being in the evening, they saw armed men, and heard talk about firing. "For God's sake, gentlemen, don't fire," said MANNING, "We're coming ashore fast as we can."  "I'll shoot the man in the bow," said one. "Fire!" said another; and so he did -- the charge of buck-shot entering MANNING's leg under the knee, and cutting off the cords, making him a cripple for life. They failed to arrest GRIGGS --- probably were too drunk. It will be remembered, that this was during the period when they were without law, civil or military. There happened to be in the settlement a Doctor EMERSON, who had come from the east side of the State on the Connecticut river, who took charge of MANNING's case. He was the first practitioner of medicine in town, remaining only a short time, and returning to his former home. In 1799 John ALLEN, a deputy sheriff from St. Albans, aided by others, came on to arrest GRIGGS. He, purposely or otherwise, was at his brother Abram's, on the shore just across the line. In the night-time his room was broken open, he was taken, tied, and put into a sleigh, and driven south on the ice. Going round the Point of the tongue, they fell in, and GRIGGS was drowned. The persons concerned were indicted before the court of Montreal, and the Governor of Canada made a demand of the Governor of Vermont, that they should be given up to be tried for the supposed murder. This serious difficulty was, after considerable correspondence and discussion, finally adjusted, to the mutual credit and satisfaction of both governments.

     The early inhabitants, though in the main of limited education, were, as a general rule, a strong-minded, vigorous and self-reliant class of people. That they prized education is sufficiently evinced by the efforts they put forth for the instruction of their children and youth. -- They succeeded in securing the services, in 1789, of Reuben GARLIC, a Church-of-England deacon and doctor of medicine, of liberal education, who established a school in the west part of the town, and was highly prized as a teacher, and also in his other official capacities. He composed single pieces and dialogues, all of strictly moral tendency, which were committed and pronounced by his scholars at his school exhibitions; and under his influence the minds of many of his pupils were moulded for usefulness in after life. His school continued some three years. Other schools succeeded to this -- houses were built, and all, more or less, on the voluntary principle The year after Dr. GARLICK's school closed, Rev. Thomas MARVIN, father of the writer, and one of the Doctor's pupils, taught on the line, north of Alburgh Springs. His scholars were from both sides of the line -- the expenses on the voluntary basis. Indeed, the salutary enactments of 1787, providing simply for districting the towns and officering the districts, etc., left a wide margin for voluntary effort in this department. Really the "associated wisdom of the State" appears to have been profoundly unaware at that period, of the modern discovery, that the inhabitants of a school-district are not competent to manage their own internal affairs. The provision for en examination into the qualifications of teachers, which has been regarded by many thoughtful and intelligent friends of popular education, as comprising the gist of the modern common-school laws, and yet so difficult to carry thoroughly into effect, was instituted and made efficient here, long years before we had any law on that point A committee -- usually of two of the best qualified persons in the district -- called the examining committee, were elected at the annual meeting, with the understanding that the prudential committee were not to engage any person as teacher until such person should have obtained &,certificate of suitable qualifications from the committee of examination. A district, of course, would not, from any repugnance to laws inveighing against their intelligence, proceed to elect some fair-and-easy sort of a committee, just to comply with the statute provision, and thus the examinations resolve themelves into a mere matter of form. They acted as men usually do, under the responsibility of personal and moral obligation, when not governed too much, and progress in the right direction was the result. The writer recollects hearing the lion. H. H. REYNOLDS state, on a public occasion, that when he came to the town about the year 1822, he found this usage obtaining; and, on making application for employment as a teacher, he was informed that he would have to obtain a certificate from an examining committee ; and to the adherence to this voluntary provision he attributed the then high standing of the school in question. Many of the details in connection with common-school education were then left to voluntary action. Now they are made coercive. Which will work best, may or must ultimately, remain to be seen.

     The habits of the early settlers were eminently social, as in all new localities. Growing naturally out of this was the practice of doing work byf  "bees" If a fallow was to be logged, the invitation was sent round, and a general turn out of men, boys, dogs and oxen, was the result, and the inevitable bottle added inspiration to the occasion. In the medieval times it was no uncommon occurrence for from 5 to 8 acres of heavy timbered land to be logged off at a single bee. Then, as times improved, a supper was appended, and the five-pail kettle pot-pie became an institution. This was especially so at the mowing-bees. Twenty to 25 scythes was a common field force; and all these in full clip, all in stroke, laving their well-mown swaths right round the meadow, with the boys and spectators, whetters and bottle-tender -- altogether made up such an exhibition, as, in these machinery-times, will never more be witnessed. At one of these mowing-bee suppers, at the widow John SOWLE's, the table was set the whole length of the ample kitchen, the pot-pie was steaming on the servers, the weary but genial-hearted mowers seated themselves around the generous board, until every place was filled. Peter MCMILLEN, who had bossed the field, coming in and running his eye along the lines, stepped directly in front of the fire-place, and taking Jim MOTT, a great green, grown-up, sixteen-years old field-spectator by the shoulders, just keeled him backward ever the bench, unceremoniously, on to the unimpressible hearth, and very coolly seated himself in stead -- MUTT meekly making his exit, amid the convulsed roar of laughter of the entire company.

     Nor these alone -- there were bees for plowing -- planting-bees. hoeing-bees -- and then the never-to-be-forgotten husking-bee, with its storytellers and song-singers: the wood and manuro-hauling-bees -- all closing, whenever practicable, with the exciting ball-play or wrestling match.

     And the women had their bees for wool-pick ing, sewing and knitting, &c.; but this dispensation, except in necessitous eases, is now among the departed. Well that it is so, as it is always beanfor those who can, to do their own work, and then they are far less in the way of temptation.

     Horse-racing was one of the sports with a class, and at intervals became quite exciting. The IBY brothers had a strong-built, powerful horse, much noted for his speed; and it was said that he was taken to England, and maintained his reputation there as a turf-horse. An accident occurred about 1820, in a race near Samuel MOTT's. On a fourth of July the company had been treated to some racing during the afternoon, when, near night, four horse-men, two from each end of the race-course, happened to start nearly at the same moment, and came rushing on, urging their animals to their utmost speed. Two of the horses passed each other uharmed; the other two struck square, bead to head. The riders were both. taken up for dead, but gradually came to, and, recovered. Their salvation was owing to the fact of the horses' heads shooting directly upwards, each rider being prevented from being thrown against his fellow, by his horse's neck.  The writer remembers seeing the dead horses lying by the road-side that evening, their necks both broken. Like some of the previously named knock-downs, "rum was at the bottom."

     In the autumn of 1821 a lad of seven summers was sent near night after the cows. The summer had been very drouthy, and the flres had burned away the line fences, so that the cattle of the neighborhood ranged in common, having access to the woods, through which, from north to south, runs Mud Creek, a sluggish stream with marshy borders, producing a luxurious growth of wild grass, attracting, of course, the visits of the animals. A thunder-cloud, dark and boding, lay muttering in the west, when boy and dog reluctantly started for the back field, on the uncertain errand, impressed that no time was to be lost. Sooner than had been anticipated the rain began to fall in great, ominous drops, followed speedily by one of those flooding showers which sometimes settle down into a great rain. Night soon set in dismal enough, had all the family been gather ed around the home-hearth -- but one was not there- -- and where was he? The father and older brothers hasten away through the pouring rain and pitchy darkness, rendered only more dreadful by the glaring lightning and awful thundering of that fearful storm, in the direction from which the now lost-one is expected; calling, as they hasten on, while the grandfather and older sisters hurry through the neighborhood to obtain help. Soon a party departs for the woods -- another, and then another -- and booming guns and sounding horns are heard in all directions. The mother, almost frantic, sees her boy wandering through darkness and tempest, lost in the dismal wild woods, on that awful night, struggling through the brush-wood :and tangled wild grass, to the precipitous border of the turbid Stream, when, all unconscious, he takes the last fearful step. and sinks to rise me more. By and by the dog -- yes, the faithful dog -- returns alone, and then a thousand conjectures flash upon the frenzied mind. -- Still another and another party arrive, and take their way to the forest, 'till the hour of midnight is nearly reached, when, last of all, a company from a husking, having heard the exiting news, arrive. Passing rapidly along the path-way, on a ridge in the stump-pasture, before entering the woods, with their lanterns, the storm having abated, they hear a "hallooI" -- obliquely on their left. They pause -- "Who's?" they inquire, and some one rapidly nearing them gives them his name -- that of the lost child.

     In a moment the shout arises: "The dead 's alive! the lost is found!" This is repeated again and again: the signal guns are fired, the sounding horns are gradually hushed to stillness, the lost one is brought in in triumph -- the men are rapidly running in, wet, weary and worn -- and now for the lost boy's story. "I went over" said he, "on to Mr. M's lot, and ran up on one of the coal-pits, (there being two covered already to fire,) and heard the bell, and saw the cows on the next lot north. Just then the rain struck me, and I looked round for a place to shelter me. I saw a large root of a turned up tree, and thought I would get under that; but turning round to the west, there was a flat-roofed cabin for the coalers, and I ran directly into it. There was plenty of straw on which I sat down, and the dog came and lay down by me. By and by I leaned down on my elbow, the pattering of the rain upon the board roof making me sleepy. The last thought I can remember was, that if I should fall asleep, our folks would not know where to find me. The next I knew I waked -- horns were blowing all over the woods, and I jumped up and started for home, and met the men going to the woods to look for me" The dog having been previously shot at and wounded, had been frightened home by the firing of the guns -- two having been fired near the cabin; the boy sleeping too sound to be wakened by them. The weeping, and rejoicing, and gratulations consuming much of the remainder of the night, can easier be imagined than described. That lad, still living, though often occupying places of more prominence, and reclining on downier pillows, still positively avers that he never shared a a sweeter sleep than that of the storm-bound cow-boy, in the comfortable cabin of the coalers.

     About the year 1830, a steam saw-mill was erected in the west part of the town, near the province line, by W'm. L. SOWLES, and Wm. H. LYMAN, aided somewhat by the voluntary subscription of others. Another was built in the same year at the centre of the town, by a company formed for that purpose. After about 4 years, the one built by SOWLES and LYMAN was accidentally burned down. The boilers and engine were afterwards sold and removed to the shore, near the line, and a mill built and run by a company, consisting of MANNING WILLIAMS and GEAR. It afterwards passed into the hands of GOODENOW, REDINGTON and Co., and was removed to Henryville, P. Q. The mill at the Centre, and the first-mentioned one also, proved un profitable. That of the Centre run down, and suspended operations. An effort was afterwards made to repair and run it. This proved a failure; the parties became embarrassed, and in an abandoned condition, it burned down, under insurance. Another effort to provide the town with saw-mill privileges has been made within a few years at the Springs. This seems to succeed indifferently. Lumber is becoming scarce since the introduction of rail-roading, which has proved very destructive to timber. For flouring and manufacturing purposes, the inhabitants have always, with slight exceptions, been under the necessity of going to surrounding towns, This has been a perpeptual draft upon the resources of the town, and but for the productiveness of the soil would have been far more embarrassing.

     Our quiet as a community was seriously disturbed, by our proximity to the border, in the Canadian rebellion of 1837-8. Our people instinctively sympathizing with the oppressed of all nations, and perhaps not waiting to investigate sufficiently, some of them lent their aid to the mal-contents. It was confidently calculated by these, that if the "Tory belt" as it was termed, the narrow strip of Anglo-American inhabitants between the line and the French Catholic districts could be penetrated, the French would flock to their standard, and a permanent stand might be made.

     For this purpose funds were raised, and arms were procured, and men were enlisted, secretly of course, and late in the Fall of 1838, a party crossed the lines, from Alburgh Springs to Beech Ridge in Canada. After remaining about 24 hours, they recrossed the line and passing across the town, crossed the Lake to Rouse's Point, and went to Odletown, Canada, where a skirmish ensued, and they were driven back across the line. Benjamin MOTT, one of our citizens, was taken prisoner, tried, convicted, and sentenced to transportation during the Queen's pleasure, and remained in exile 7 years, and was then pardoned. A quantity of arms, on board a sailing vessel and progressing toward the line, were seized under the provisions of the neutrality act; the. boat going ashore was wrecked. A suit was brought in the Grand Isle County court against the officers, for the recovery of the value of the boat and arms, and was standing in the courts for 17 years, the plaintiff finally suffering a nonsuit.

     During the succeeding winter, a predatory warfare was waged along the frontier, consisting in plundering, and burning buildings, greatly endangering property, and creating perpetual anxiety and alarm. Fires were of very frequent occurrence, and many families lived, or rather stayed, with all that could be spared from daily use, packed up, and houses were sometimes cleared in the greatest haste, in anticipation of the marauding fire-brand. To the female portion of the community, this state of constant and intense anxiety became very distressing. During the winter a party of Patriots headed by James GROGAN, a resident of Beech Ridge, who had been driven across when he refused to take the oath of allegiance, and had become a Colonel in the Patriot service, visited his own neighborhood on a tedious wintry night, and proceeded to apply the torch to the houses of several of his old neighbors, and they, being driven out in their night-dress, were more or less frozen. Next morning, when the Queen's volunteers arrived on the ground, the order was given, and GROGAN's buildings were soon in flames, which was of course just the result which he anticipated. This Occurred I think on Jan. 1, 1839: The excitement which succeeded was intense. Sometime during the winter a family by the name of VOSBURGH, residing in the first house across the line on the main road runing from West Alburgh to Caldwell's Manor, were raided by a company of these miscreauts from the south side of the line. The family consisted of the aged father and mother, a son and his family, and one unmarried sister. The first intimation they had, about 3 o'clock Sunday morning, the doors and windows were burst in, and the house filled with armed men. They pinioned the father and son and demanded their money, and they gave what change they had upon their persons, amounting to five or six dollars: They then proceeded to rob the house of beds, bedding, clothing, and valuables. The father on passing from the dining room into the kitchen. was felled to the floor by a blow from a sabre, intended to take off his head; but it caught his jaw, laying it open from the corner of his mouth below the ear, to the bone. The son, who is a very muscular and determined man, seeing there was no quarter, rushed for the door, and though his arms were pinioned, he, despite their opposing bayonets, forced his way out and ran, they firing after him, but without effect. He afterwards showed the writer six or seven scars, from their bayonets. They then hastily took the best team from the barn, firing it and closing the yard gate, leaving there valuable horses in the barns, and 9 cows in the close-sheded yard, to be roasted alive, and harnessing the team, took blankets and buffalo robes, and loading their plunder and men on board their teams, fired the house, and drove rapidly back with their booty. The neighbors on the south side of the line discovered the movement just in time to save the house. which Messrs. SOWLES and LYMAN effected at the risk of their lives, as they expected the armed patrol every moment, who would mistake them for enemies and deal summarily with them doubtless. It is stated that one of their number was killed by mistake, he passing out at the front door, their sentry running him through, supposing him to be one of the family; and that be was carried to Swanton and there buried. The writer visited the spot that morning -- residing only 2 miles distant, and saw a pool of blood on the front piazza, for which no one could give any satisfactory account at the time.

     The Queen's dragoons, and others, were heard to threaten summary and indiscriminate retaliation upon us on the south side of the line, and it was judged advisable to take some measures for self-protection. Accordingly a volunteer guard was improvised for that night, the writer being one of about a dozen who took post at the junction of the roads 1 1/2 miles south of the line, at the stone school-house, and at about 11 o'clock put out a sentry. In about 15 minutes be came rushing in crying, "fire! fire!" Pressing out, the fire appeared, just looming up, on the street south, and we supposed the Canadians had come through the wind-mill-bay road below us, and had commenced firing as soon as they reached our street. On we rushed toward the fire, our purpose being to leave somebody, if possible, to tell tales, the fire meanwhile rapidly increasing and being reflected from the snow roofed buildings in line between us and it, the whole neighborhood seemed fast kindling in consuming flames. The families as we passed were clearing their houses as fast as possible of their effects, scattering them about the home- lot, much as possible, so that something might be saved. A mile and a quarter of double-quick brought us all perspiring in bold view of a house, the upper part all aflame, while the out-buildings and hay-stacks across the road, were not fired. This looked suspicious, but, were the family asleep, and all unconscious, about to be consumed? Redoubling our exhausted speed, the first who approached, leaped into the yard, and stove in the lower windows, and soon ascertained that the family were not within. Then followed the effort to save all we could of the household effects, which was but little comparatively, the fire having progressed too far, and then, the more critical one, of making ourselves known to the neighbors to the south of us as friends, and. not, as they would conjecture, enemies, who had set the fire. For this purpose we vainly tried to come to a parley; but they fled on our approach. We then sent one of our number, with whose voice they would be most likely to be acquainted, who secreted himself until they came sufficiently near, and calling to them and giving them his name, we thus came to an understanding. Then the Riflemen from the Centre would soon be on, and we must draw off from the fire, or they would be throwing their long-range-messengers among us, so all repaired to the next house south, Mr. Sam'l MOTT's, the writer taking post, in the highway, as sentry, soon three men turned the corner and were promptly hailed. The challenge was as promptly returned, when the sentry gave them his name and they came up-three of the best being 1st lieutenant C. H. CLARK, 2d do. Geo. MOTT, and Tabor DUEL, with mittens off, and rifles cocked, ready for work. This fire occuring under these circumstances, was very exciting. The house belonged to George W. AMES. An effort was made to recover the VOSBURGH property, which was carried off, but without avail. A search-warrant was issued, and placed in the hands of dep. sheriff SHATTUCK, of Franklin County, who supported by an armed- posse of U. S. soldiers under command of lieutenant "Jo" HOOKER, then stationed at Alburgh Springs, accompanied by dep. Col. Danford MOTT, Hon. J. M. SOWLES, and some others, of whom the writer was one, together with Miss VOSBURGH, the unmarried daughter above referred to, spent one day in searching the town of Swanton, but to no effect. They never recovered any thing. Towards spring fires became of so frequent occurence, the effort manifestly being to make them appear retaliatory, that in the former part of the month of April the town was called together to take measures for self-defence. A resolution was adopted to raise a volunteer force of some 40 men, to do guard-duty, and a messenger was dispatched to the Governor for men and munitions for protection. Quite a number were enlisted on the spot, among whom were most of the refugee-patriots. That night a guard was put upon the line, on all the principal roads, and kept up thenceforward. Gov. JENNISON directed that the enlisted men be kept in service, to receive soldier's pay and rations, -- that arms and ammunition would be forwarded. These were sent on soon after, but when they reached Samuel MOTT's, 3 miles south of the line, they were seized by a U. S. guard, stationed there to enforce the provisions of the neutrality act, and detained, but upon suitable representation being made, were released. There was no burning after this volunteer guard was established. The renegades being enlisted and under command of proper officers, seemed to regulate the entire matter. This guard was kept out about a month, and then mustered out of service. The renegade patriots scattered and found employment, and some succeeded in returning home, others never ventured to return. Among these was GROGAN, previously named, who had relatives on this side of the line, and spent part of his time here, and was a share of the time away. Towards autumn he made his appearance one Sunday at a grocery in the north-west corner of the town on the shore and near the line, having crossed over from northern New York, and it became well known on the Canada side that he was in the immediate vicinity. Toward evening he left, going to the house of his brother-in-law, Wm. BROWN, toward the east side of the town. A British dragoon just at night rode rapidly through the street, and after a time returned, none knowing why. Not far from midnight BROWN's house was forcibly entered by a party of armed men, who rushed into GROGAN's room, seized and dragged him out, he resisting to the utmost, so that when they got him on board the wagon he had nothing of clothing left upon his person, save his wristbands and shirt-collar. Throwing him on the bottom of the wagon, they stuck a couple of bayonets crosswise of his neck, and as many as could seating themselves upon him; they drove rapidly as two of their best dragoon horses could carry them, seven miles to Clarenceville. Some one gave him sufficient clothing to cover him, and a friend gave him a dollar. From there he was taken to Philipsburgh, and thence to Montreal, where he arrived in irons on Tuesday, raving like a madman, demanding something to eat, expressing entire indifference as to his fate, only desiring food of which it was said he had had none since he was taken, cursing their monarchical government, and asserting that the tree of Liberty was planted, and whether he lived or died it was bound to live and would flourish, despite all their puerile efforts.

     A very great sensation war awakened among our citizens so soon as the matter was known, the news spreading like wild-fire meetings were called and throngs attended them, expressing but one opinion, which was that of the most determined purpose to stop short of nothing but immediate and ample reparation. The resolutions of the Burlington Meeting, pledging 50,000 Green Mountain Boys to march immediately, only embodied the universal feeling, which was, that our soil must, and should be sacred, and all should be protected from illegal arrest. But the Provincial Governor, by simply doing the right thing at the right time, as we afterward did in the MASON and SLIDELL affair, at once dissipated the gathering storm. In compliance with his direction, issued so soon as the facts came to his cognizance, GROGAN in charge of a suitable escort, was brought back to the Province line, the place being left to his own selection, and there liberated. It was said that this return route was clandestine, the fear being entertained, that the populace might institute summary proceedings in his case, which they in all probability would have done. Thus this storm-cloud passed quietly away. GROGAN emigrated West where he afterward died. It hardly seemed possible then that the embittered feeling which obtained along the border, could abate at least during the then present generation, but time with its soothing influence, and intercourse, with its reciprocal effects, accomplished more within a comparatively short period, than the most sanguine could have anticipated. We came to understand on both sides of the border, that those who made much of the trouble and strife, were not the staid wholesome inhabitants, but the excitable, the idle, and the designing. The grievances of which they complained, were evidently susceptible of redress and removal, without a resort to arms.

     The year 1840 will ever associate with its recollection, all the excesses of the Harrison campaign log cabins, coon skins, hard cider, and song-singing. The Temperance reform had previous to this taken strong hold in the community, but the excessive political excitement of this election, like a sweeping tornado, for the time seemed to carry almost every thing before it. It became apparent soon afterward to the friends of temperance, that something must be done in the line of reform and repairs, and accordingly in the winter of 1841-2 they commenced and continued a series of meetings in the different school districts throughout the town, delivering spirited addresses, and also laying music, as in the political campaign, under contribution, in the shape of suitable selections and some original pieces, awakening much interest. Many united who had hitherto stood aloof; a committee was appointed to visit the liquor-sellers in the town and endeavor to dissuade them from the continuance of the practice, which was productive of much good, and the discipline of the society was thoroughly enforced. The practice of treating on military muster days was regarded as an evil, but how to abate it, wag a question. An independent company of Riflemen had been enlisted from the three northern towns in the county, North Hero, Isle-La-Mott, and Alburgh, and the Floodwood of the towns consolidated into one company -- and such a company! Really our "June trainings," and especially our company (for the writer was one), in the line of ludicrousness, would have been hard to beat. O!. it was a patent holiday, -- eagerly -- almost impatiently anticipated, and then, after the inevitable "waking up" of officers, and the general sort of abandon of the occasion, a little something to moisten up seemed to many about indispensable. This was all looked over -- thought over; and an effort to abate the nuisance was resolved upon. A resolution to dispense therewith was drawn up – well -- by the writer, if you please; and some of the leading temperance men were consulted, all favoring the project, but all regarding its accomplishment as impracticable. The officers were next consulted, who objected that it would be set to the account of penuriousness on their part. This was overruled by the assurance that explanations should be made to the company, and a simple statement of facts regarding its origin, would fully exonerate them. This was satisfactory, and in the afternoon when we were drawn up in a hollow square for the examination of arms and equipments, the captain requested the attention of the company, when a few words of explanation were offered, the resolution dispensing with treats to liquor read, and all those who would favor it were requested to advance three paces in front, when almost the entire company advanced as one man. They all went home that night sober and that was the end of treating.

    The year 1850, brought to. our town the advantages of rail-roading, which the most visionary of a few years previous, could never have anticipated. Two bridges, of not far from one mile in length, each provided with draws to accomodate navigation, now connect us with the main land -- one across Missisquoi bay to the east -- the other from Wind Mill-Point in Alburgh, to Rouse's point in the town of Champlain, N. Y, to the west. To the strategic eye of a practiced rail-road-man, there can be little doubt that this is, and must be, the point of connection so far as the crossing of the Champlain is concerned, between the great West, and the Eastern cities on the sea-board. This connection has brought to us its advantages, and of course its counterbalancing drawbacks. Our means of connection with the surrounding towns was and still is, through the navigating season, by ferries, and in the winter by ice for teams. The ferries have been very much improved since the early time. The early ferries for teams, were on floats made of cedar logs -- a kind of corduroy-bridge, pinned to stringers surmounted by a railing, on the sides, provided with rowlocks, and then with long, rude oars and setting-poles, they managed to cross teams and cattle. Where the channels were not too wide, they frequently swam them over in the warm season, oxen in the yoke, sometimes, and horses frequently, have thus made the crossing from Alburgh to Isle-La-Motte, and horses were thus often passed, between the other Islands. The float, in time, gave place to the scow-boat propelled by oars, which was an improvement -- a very great one -- but, after a time somebody too lazy to row, and too poor to remain idle, studied up the improvement of sail and lee-board, and that proved to be the one thing needful to systematize and perfect scow-ferrying. For years past, in making the summer tour either from the main land to this town, or from the town through the county, all one has to do is to drive his team into a well-rigged boat, and while the weary animals enjoy a few moments of much-needed rest, be is pleasantly passed over to the other "ever green' shore."  The sail-rigged scow-boat with us is institutionalized.

     In 1796, Nov 3, an act was passed by the Vt. Legislature, "granting to Enoch HALL of Isle-La-Motte, the exclusive right of keeping a ferry from Isle-La-Motte to Alburgh." In 1796, Nov. 2, an act was passed, "granting to Reuben E. TAYLOR of Alburgh, the exclusive right of keeping a ferry from the north-west part of said town, across Lake Champlain to the western shore of the State of N. Y." David HARVEY of Alburgh kept the ferry in the early time from Alburgh to North Hero. These were the first and oldest established ferries. A ferry has long been run from East Alburgh to Swanton. It was run by Nathan NILES sen. then by his son John, who built and run a horse-ferry-boat about 1829, which failing to pay, he fell back to the scow-boat-ferry. Since his decease, Azom NILES, his son, has been proprietor. At the last session of the Legislature, an act was passed incorporating a company to ran said ferry. They are just commencing operations.

     Alburgh, then called "Missisco leg," was first represented by that name in the Legislature, by Thomas P. LOID, in 1786. This was while the State was maintaining her independence, before being admitted into the Union.

     The first town clerk was Thomas REYNOLDS, to 1792; the first constable was William SOWLES, in 1793; the first selectmen were Samuel MOTT, Jacob COOK, Richard MOTT and Joshua MANNING, in 1793; the first justice of the peace was Thomas P. LOID, in 1786; Ichabod NILES and Joseph SEWELL were each magistrates for 28 years; William L. SOWLES was justice of the peace for 17 years; the first lawyer was S. Holton, in 1805; after him, Truman A. BARBER, about 1812, of whom old Lewis BRUNSON said, epitaphically:

"Here lies T. A. Barber beneath this stone;
He shaved the people to the bone;
And when lilt body filled this grave, 
His soul went down to h--l to shave. 
All Beelzebub's infernal crew,
He shaved them all but one or two; 
Aghast, these few were heard to say
“For God's sake, Barber, keep away. "

     Dr. EMERSON, previously referred to, was the first physician, in 1787. Joshua MANNING, whose gun-shot wound Dr. EMERSON treated, having been afterward appointed a justice of the peace, on coming home one evening, and entering the ample kitchen, finding Harry, his son, with Polly BABCOCK on his knee, commenced pronouncing the marriage ceremony. Getting along to where it began to spice of unification, he paused, -- "Shall I put it on, Harry?” inquired he. "Yes, father, put it on." "Shall I; Polly?" "Yes" said Polly, and he went straight through. One of the children ran into the other room, exclaiming, "O mother, mother, Har. and Poll. are married I" " Hush your noise," said the mother. But the child repeated the assertion with such assurance, that the mother coming to the door, inquired, "What's this that this child says about Har. and Poll. being married?" "Well, mother," said the squire, " it's so." " Well," said the old lady tartly, "you might a let one known, so that they could a changed off their apron and seen the performance." That marriage was crowned with twenty-four living pledges.

     After Dr. EMERSON, were Drs., WOOD, Jonathan and Jireh S. BERRY, SEARLE, GOODENOW, RANSOM, SAMPSON, BURGESS, EARLE, H. H. REYNOLDS, Butler, L. REYNOLDS, S. S. CLARK, and others.

     Of lawyers since Samuel HOLTON and T. A. BARBER, principal have been B. H. SMALLEY, Henry ADAMS, Chas. PERRIGO, Fred. HAZEN, G. HARRINGTON, H. C. ADAMS, J. M. SOWLES, Jed P. LADD, and others.

     The merchants of the earlier day were, Philyer LOOP, on the Province line at West Alburgh; SCOTT Bro's, on the west shore, and R. & A. RANSOM, at the Centre. A variety of persons have been engaged in merchandising since, and there are, at present, 9 stores in town, beside two located upon the line.

     Property of all kinds has increased wonderfully in value. Improvement has been upon her rapid march. Well cultivated fields with comfortable residences, with shade and fruit trees fringing the highways, with school and church privileges, and intelligent society  -- all, and more than these obtain, where within the recollection of some still living, nought but the solitudes of the unbroken wilderness, held their silent, solemn sway. A high sense of the exalted privileges of American citizenship, pulsates in the extremities of this -- one of the remoter members of the body politic, and we instinctively identify ourselves in feeling and sympathy, with the wide-spread interior of our great and growing country.

A CHAPTER ON THE PATRIOT WAR.
BY HON. GILES HARRINGTON

     The political disturbances in the British Provinces which for many months had been gradually ripening into rebellion, broke out into open revolt in 1837. The vigilance of the Canadian authorities in arresting those against whom suspicion of disloyalty was directed, bad the effect to induce accusations to be preferred against loyal, well disposed persons, as well as against those who were disloyal to the government. The waves of political convulsion had the natural effect to throw upon the surface of Canadian society men more noted for recklessness than for moral virtues, and, by such, unoffending men were often complained of and charged with disloyalty: Such complaints were generally made by dishonest debtors for the purpose of forcing their creditors into prisons or to leave the province, and by that means to evade their debts, and at the same time extend the area of plunder; many business men who thus became the objects of persecution judged it better to leave the province, than to trust themselves in military prisons at the mercy of such witnesses. Thus the loyal efforts of the government was by bad men converted into an engine of terror to the innocent as well as the guilty, and resulted in a very extensive stampede from Canada.

     Any attempt on the part of the historian of Vermont to decide the question of right and wrong between the loyalists and the Patriots of Canada would be quite out of place; it is sufficient to say that a vast number of them, by this combination of circumstances, were driven from their homes and sought refuge on the south side of lines. Alburgh like most other border towns had its share. Whatever of malevolence had previously existed on the part of refugees became increased; those who had escaped for disloyality, and those who had left through fear of false charges became alike sufferers and alike haters of British rule in Canada. Organization and resistance was the first impulse, and though feebly, yet as far as in their power carried into effect; one portion of the refugees was driven to madness and desperation by personal abuse, while the balance was filled with schemes of political revolution, all united in one common hate of the Canadian loyalists, so that personal as well political hatred formed, in this manner, to a great extent, a union of purpose, as well as of suffering, among most of these Canadian Patriots and refugees. The Patriots of the upper province, as early as July of that year, had at Toronto issued forth a declaration of independence, setting out their grievances as well as their hopes and intentions. While clouds of coming evil were thickening around us, in this corner of Now England, startling events abroad were of daily occurrence. Dec. 5, 1837, His Excellency, the Right Honorable Archibald, Earl of Gosford, Baron WorlingHam of Beecles in the county of Suffolk, Captain-general and Governor-in-chief, in and over the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, Vice-Admiral of the same, and one of her Majesty's most honorable Privy council, &c-, &c., issued his proclamation, in which he says:

"Whereas there exists in the district of Montreal a traitorous conspiracy, by a number of persons falsely styling themselves Patriots, for the subversion of the authority of her Majesty and the destruction of the established constitution and Government of said Province; and whereas the said traitorous conspiracy hath broken out into acts of most daring and open rebellion; and whereas the said rebellion hath very considerably extended itself, insomuch that large bodies of armed traitors have openly arrayed themselves, and have made and do still make attacks upon her Majesty's forces, and have committed the most horrid excesses and cruelties; and whereas in the parts of said district in which the said conspiracy hath not as yet broke out into open rebellion, large numbers of such persons, so calling themselves Patriots, for the execution of such their wicked designs have planned measures for open violence, and formed public arrangement for raising and arming an organized and disciplined force, and in furtherance of their purpose have frequently assembled in great and unusual numbers; and whereas the exertions of civil power are ineffectual for the suppression of the aforesaid traitorous and wicked conspiracy and rebellion, and for the protection of the lives and properties of her Majesty's loyal subjects; and whereas the courts of justice in the said district of Montreal have virtually ceased, from the impossibility of executing any legal process or warrants of arrest therein. Now, therefore, I, Archibald Earl of Gosford, Governor-in-chief, and Captain-General in and over the said Province of Lower Canada, by and with the advice and consent of her Majesty's executive council for the Provinces, have issued orders to Lieutenant-General Sir John COLBURN, commanding her Majesty's forces in said Province, and other officers of her Majesty's forces in the same to arrest and punish all persons acting, aiding or in any manner assisting in the said conspiracy and rebellion, which now exists within said district of Montreal, and which have broken out in most daring and violent attacks upon her Majesty's forces according to Martial Law, either by death or otherwise, as to them shall seem right and expedient for the punishment and suppression of all rebels in said district of which all her Majesty's subjects in this Province are hereby required to take notice.       Given under my hand and seal, at arms, at the castle of St- Lewis, in the city of Quebec, the 5th day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, and in the first year of Her Majesty's reign. By his Excellency's command, D. DALY."

     Immediately following this establishment of martial law in Canada, the authorities were all astir, arrests were rapidly made, the prisons were soon filled and new ones were established. Patriots, who had not escaped to the States, arose in arms in several locations. A force had gathered at the Lake of the two Mountains, one at St. Charles, and St. Denis, St. Eustache, St. Benoit, Navy Island and various other places. Although the Patriots bad many men competent to lead; yet they lacked organization as well as arms and munitions of war. The Patriots thus rushed together, in some instances fought with a spirit and determination worthy of a better fate. William Lyon MCKENZIE, the Patriot leader of the Upper Province, with eleven others, about this time issued their proclamation to the people of the Province, setting forth a statement of the grievances of which the Patriots complained, and the objects which they proposed to gain by rebellion.

     It may he said of this insurrection, as of most attempts at revolution, that it met with a sympathy far beyond its real merits; nevertheless the wrongs which a vast many suffered at the hands of political scavengers who by putting themselves into the position of loyal volunteers, in many instances plundered and despoiled the goods and effects of well disposed persons who had been thus compelled to escape into the United States, the insulting propensity of petty military officers, suddenly put into power, had its irritating effect; all which acted with magic effect upon the minds of people in this portion of the State. The Patriots were pitied; arms and munitions of war, such as our frontier inhabitants had, were freely given, and the knowledge of these things tended, in a great degree, to exasperate the loyal party in Canada, until a state of revengeful hostiliy arose, to an alarming degree.

     Dec. 8, 1837, a party of Patriots from L'Acadie arrived at Swanton Falls, where a large number of refugees were then stopping ; and, on the evening of the same day, they mustered about 95 men who resolved on entering Canada, and forcing their way through the belt of loyalists who lined that portion of the border of the province west of Missisquoi bay, and thus reaching their friends in the interior of Canada. This party left Swanton Falls in the afternoon of that day, armed and equiped as well as their circumstances allowed. This band of Patriots, with the view of invading a hostile meeting of the loyal forces, which they supposed were concentrated at Philipsburgh, at the head of Missisco bay, took the road leading east of that place. That portion of this company of invaders, who had come from L'Acadie, had traveled most of the night before, in order to reach Swanton, were nearly exhausted and of course in a very ill condition for the expedition; and, in addition to this, the party had encumbered themselves with two small cannons, and other heavy articles too cumbersome for speed, and not very useful in battle. The knowledge of the Patriots leaving Swanton, was immediately carried to Philipsburgh by mounted spies, and again when the party diverged to the east of Saxe’s mills, instead of taking the direct road to the Bay village, that fact was communicated to the British forces, who upon receipt of the information dispatched all available force to intercept the invaders. A strong force of the loyalists' party was posted about two miles east of the Bay village, on a steep, rocky bill by the road side, near Mr. Hiram MOORE's residence, and another party one mile further north, with the obvious intention of surrounding and capturing the entire Patriot force. While the loyal troops were snugly entrenching themselves behind walls, rocks, trees, and the like, the radical band was proceeding slowly on their way, calling occasionally at houses of their enemies, enforcing levies of horses to bear their burdens and provisions to satisfy their immediate wants. About eight p. m. they arrived at said MOORE's and a number had entered the house when the loyalists opened their fire upon them. The Patriots returned the fire in a desultory manner as well as they could under the circumstances. They could see no enemy and directed their fire at such places as were revealed by flashes of their opponents' guns. The Patriots stood the attack but a few minutes when they fled as best they could. The loyal troops were either too much elated with their victory, or too much frightened at the sound of battle to leave their secure positions to capture prisoners, or to pursue their enemy. The radicals left on the field two killed and two wounded, their cannon, with some small arms and ammunition. Two of the party who were slightly wounded managed to make their escape to the south side of the line; some of the horses belonging to the invaders were killed, which probably occasioned the loss of the small cannon. The British force posted at MOORE's consisted of about 150 men. Thus this ill-advised expedition ended in a disastrous defeat.

     A large meeting, of those who sympathized with the Patriots, was held at Swanton on the morning of the 11th of the same month, and on the evening of the same day another large meeting of our citizens was held at the court-house in St. Albans, in both of which spirited speeches were made as well as resolutions passed in favor of the Patriots, and against the violent and oppressive measures taken, or rather permitted by the Government of Canada.

     Nearly the whole attention of our people was occupied in the affairs of this Canadian Rebellion. Many individuals, and even whole villages were threatened with death and destruction by Canadian volunteers. The aid and protection, given to the refugees by our frontier inhabitants, had raised the spirit of revenge and retaliation in the loyalists of Canada to an alarming degree. On the 13th of the same month, Gov. JENNISON of this State issued his proclamation to the inhabitants of Vermont, stating that disturbances had broken out, blood had been shed and that martial law had been declared in the District of Montreal, and warning our citizens against being influenced through ardent feelings to the commission of acts of unauthorized interference, and thereby disturbing the friendly relations existing between our government and that of Great Britain, and in which he says: "It has been represented to me that in some few instances arms have been furnished, and hostile forces organized within the State." As an illustration of the public mind, it may be proper to refer to a very large public meeting of the citizens of Montpelier held Dec. 15, 1837. The meeting was called to order by the late Hon. William UPHAM. Col. Abel CARTER was chosen president with seven vice-presidents and secretaries. Mr. UPHAM moved the reading of the proclamation of Gov. JENNISON, and a communication froth Mr. Forsyth, Secretary of State of the United States, and they were read. J. A. VAIL moved the reading of the proceedings of the meetings at St. Albans and Swanton on the subject of Canadian affairs, and they were read: after which a lengthy series of resolutions was introduced setting forth the long standing, increasing and unredressed grievances of the Canadian people, in which is the following language:

"And whereas for the justifiable and commendable exercise of discussing their rights, setting forth their wrongs. and commenting on the oppressive conduct of their rulers, their public press has been assailed and destroyed by the act, or at the instigation of the Government, their peaceable associations suppressed and numbers of their citizens for these causes arrested and incarcerated as felons, the sanctity of their dwelling violated, and their blood wantonly shed; and Whereas for the protection of persons, property and rights, the oppressed have been driven to an appeal to arms against oppressors ; Be it therefore, in the exercise of the sympathies of a people, who have onto made the same appeal against the same power, and for causes as we believe no more aggressive," &c., &c."

     The meeting was addressed by several leading citizens, and the resolutions were unanimously adopted. 

     Another meeting, of like character, was held at St. Albans on the 19th of Dec, 1837, at which it was estimated that 2000 freemen were present. The Hon. Austin FULLER, of Enosburgh, presided, with six vice-presidents and five secretaries; resolutions were passed loudly condemning the loyalists of Canada, and the cruelty to and oppression of the so-called Patriots, and in somewhat milder terms censuring Gov. JENNISON for his late proclamation, as well as for his neglect to furnish arms for the defense of the frontier, These meetings and resolutions, serve as an index of the feeling that prevailed it, towns more or less remote from the province line where no invasions were reasonably apprehended, but in Alburgh and other border towns, there was not only the strong feeling of sympathy for the Patriots and their cause, but they had also full proof of the danger they stood in, of hostile incursions from their highly exasperated neighbors on the north side of the line.

     About the 1st of January, 1838, a meeting of the citizens of Alburgh was called, at which the late Hon. F. HAZEN presided. Among the resolutions passed was the following:

"Resolved, That as citizens of this happy Republic, having constitutionally secured to us the inestimable right of speaking, writing, and publishing freely, our views and opinions upon all moral, political and religious subjects, we cannot, under present circumstances, withhold our expression of our sympathy for the Canadian Patriots, and our feelings of detestation and contempt for those who oppress them.      Resolved, That we ardently sympathize with the suffering Patriots of the two Canadas, and will boldly stand forth and openly defend their sacred cause of liberty in the defiance of crowned heads and pointed bayonets.      Resolved, That the authorities of Canada are culpable for placing on our borders certain individuals notoriously inimical to the people of this town, and whose want of principle, and whose vicious characters are but feeble guarantees against outrage, insult and personal violence."

     At this meeting a resolution was passed to call a meeting of the citizens of the county of Grand-Isle and vicinity to meet at North Hero 13th of the same month and appoint a committee of five persons to collect and report to said meeting facts and circumstances in relation to insults and injuries committed by persons professing to act under Canadian authority upon the citizens of this State. The meeting thus called was largely attended. Bradford SCOTT, Esq-, of Swanton, was called to preside. After the meeting was called to order, the report of the committee so appointed was called for; that committee reported, among other things, that, in relation to threats, insults and depredations committed by armed men claiming to act under Canadian authority upon our citizens about the 12th of December, five respectable citizens of Alburgh who crossed the line in the quiet and peaceable pursuit of their ordinary business, were immediately arrested by armed guards; that after being detained several hours they were suffered to depart, that, on the 20th of the same month, nine of the armed guards and a non-commissioned officer of Canada, completely equipped, crossed the line to A. MANNING's store; that during their stay there some of them presented their weapons and challenged any man in Alburgh to come forward and declare himself a radical, and they would slay him; that they seized a Mr. HOVER, a citizen of Alburgh, who happened to be present, threw him down upon the floor, drew him around the room, bruised and injured him severely, shouting the while " God save the Queen ;" that the leader of this band of ruffians was one William W. WILLIAMS. That numerous threats had been made by those styled tories of Canada, upon the persons and property of citizens„ that the life of Giles HARRINGTON, Esq. had been threatened by Canadian tories under arm, and on the south side of the line: that the Mansion House, at Alburgh Springs, the dwellings of Win. H. LYMAN, Philander A. HUXLEY, W. L. SOWLES, Giles HARRINGTON and others, they had threatened to burn; that Philo WEEKS, Esq., who at the time of the Canadian outbreak resided in Canada, a man highly respected and of much business. had debts due him in Canada, and was guilty of no offence, unless it was that of trusting many of that class who preferred soldiering and plunder to the payment of their debts, soon found it for his safety and interest to come south of the Province line, -- not to avoid any truthful charges of disloyalty, but, strange to say, to avoid his debtors; -- in short, he found himself under proscription, and a bounty of $500 offered for his arrest. In the same month of December, Mr. WEEKS was on a visit to the Rev. Joseph L. BAKERS, in Alburgh, where he stayed over night. Canadian spies had watched his movements. About 9 o'clock in the evening, some 10 or 12 of the Canadian armed guards surrounded the house and there retrained nearly the whole night; frequently peeping into the windows, but finding no opportunity to either kill or capture Mr. WEEKS, as they lacked the courage to risk an entry into the house, although they several times resolved to forcibly enter, but as often failed to make the attempt.

     During the summer months of 1837, no important events of the rebellion occurred ; yet a military spirit was aroused and in accordance with that spirit a company of militia riflemen bad been enlisted, fully uniformed and equipped at their own expense. This company consisted of youngish men of the towns of Alburgh, North Hero and Isle-La-Motte, mainly from Alburgh, and, as a body of mn, stood in the first ranks of society. Considering the services of that company during the remainder of the Canadian rebellion, the security not only given to, but felt by the inhabitants residing near the Canadian line while they were in actual service, and even while they were ready, at a moment's notice, to be under arms for their defense, we are obliged to confess that that body of men is entitled to a grateful remembrance in the history of Vermont. Each man owned his rifle, and understood its use, as the scarcity of all wild game abundantly proved. This company was organized in the summer of 1837, under the orders of Gen. John NASON, and consisted of the following persons:

     Giles HARRINGTON, Captain. Geo. W. AYES, 1st Lieutenant, George MOTT, 2d do. Charles H. CLARK, 1st Sergeant, Lewis SOWLES, Jr., 2d do., Hugh SLOAN, 3d do., Elisha REYNOLDS,4th do. Gen. W. GOODRICH, 1st Corporal, Thomas C. DAVIS, 2d do. Marcellus B. PHELPS, Algernon S. PHELPS, Amlis HAZEN, Musicians. William C. MAGOWAN, Sumner MOTT, Tabor I. SEWELL, William S. WING, Ichabod BABCOCK, Hiram BABCOCK, Samuel BORDEN, Thos. BABCOCK, John MCGREGOR, Jr., Henry BRAYTON, Charles B. BEARDSLEY, Wm. H. DARBY, Daniel D. GRIGGS, Alonzo MANNING, James STEEMBARGE, 2d, Hamilton BABCOCK, Samuel WING, John MCLANE, Job BABCOCK, Jr, Philander BROWN, Dwight DARROW, Wm. GREGOR, Ransom P. SEWELL, Duncan H. MCGREGOR, Timothy MOTT, jr., Fessenden G. KINSLEY, Benjamin HOLDRIDGE, Elisha REYNOLDS, Sylvanus LADUE, Thomas D. FLETCHER, Edward I. BORDEN, John N. PARKER, Isaac W. GEER, Philier L. LOOP, Martin DILLINBACK, James O'NEAL, Seneca H. PIKE, Nelson S. HILL, Wm. BREMMER, William ILEY, Ezra D. HYDE, Geo. L. COOK, Chester NILES, Alexander MANNING, Wm. MCGREGOR, Frederick PARKER, Samuel DEAVITT, Walson MANNING, Hiram BELLOR, Chalis KINSLEY, Privates.

     In the winter of 1837-8, the Patriot refugees, the Patriots in Canada and their associates were busy in gathering arms and material aid, preparatory to an invasion of Canada; while the Canadian authorities and vololunteers on the north side were equally active in watching and preparing to crush any attempt at making a hostile stand. It became apparent that whatever demonstration was to be made would be from Alburgh. Depredations and threats by Canadian loyalists increased with the increasing preparations of their enemies; the peaceable inhabitants on both sides of the line became greatly alarmed, not so much from any apprehension of danger by regular soldiers, but from that class before noticed, thrown upon the surface of society by the derangement of governmental power in Canada. The last of February, 1838, a petition was addressed to Gen. John E. WOOL (whose head-quarters were then at Champlain), by people of Alburgh, for a military force to protect their lives and property from the threatening danger. On the night of the 25th of February, the United States arsenal at Essex was broken into and 1000 stands of arms taken therefrom; on the 28th of the same month Captain HARRINGTON's rifle company were called into the service of the United States, every member of said company responded to the call in less than 6 hours ; their head-quarters were established at Alburgh city (so-called), and every night guards were placed near the province line, on all the roads leading into Canada. Such was the watchful vigilance of this company during the time it was in the United States service (at this time of service of about one month, and at a subsequent time when again called upon), that not a single act of violence was committed in Alburgh, nor opposite in Canada, while at the same time the lights of burning dwellings and out-buildings on the borders were to be seen, both east and west, nearly every night. As reckless as border ruffians had become, it is quite evident that the unerring aim and the sharp crack of the rifle had its terrors even for them.

     On the 27th and 28th, when it was ascertained that large parties from various directions were converging toward Alburgh for the purpose of invading Canada, the militia were suddenly called out, on the border of New York as well as Vermont. The invaders collected on the west side of Swanton, and from thence crossed Missisquoi bay on the ice, and entered the Canada shore a short distance north of the line, and, a short distance north of Alburgh springs and of the line, established their head quarters. In point of numbers this party was respectable, but for military purposes they lacked the appearance of organization and efficiency most of those in the radical camp, from the south side of the 45th degree, failed to appear in the rank and file, but stood around, as if they expected to be called upon to take command. This party had scarcely got located when the British troops began to concentrate at Clarenceville for their expulsion. March 1, 1838, Gen. WOOL, at that time in command on our frontier, brought together all the militia under his command in Moors and Champlain, N. Y., the rifle company of Capt. HARRINGTON and two infantry companies from the county of Franklin, at Alburgh Springs and at the line opposite the Patriot camp, so that by 2 P. M. on the first day of March, this Patriot force was confronted by a British force on the north and by Gen. WOOL's troops on the south. In this position the question of a surrender became very appropriate. After hurried war-counsels, and conferring with Gen. WOOL, just before night the Patriot army, with their arms and munitions of war, was surrendered to Gen. WOOL, and thus this expedition ended without the shedding of blood.

     The destruction of the steamer Carolina by a British force under MCNAB; the invasion of Canada by an organized band of armed Patriots near Windsor, with other movements pro and con, operated to increase the spirit of hate and retaliation during the year 1838, and that point bad been reached, when the people in this corner of Vermont, near the line, were kept in constant apprehension. The lights of burning buildings by night and threats by day yielded their full crop of alarm.

     About the 1st of Nov. 1838, there was a gathering of Patriots at L'Acadie and Naperville under Patriot Gens. NELSON and COATE. On the 5th of the same month they moved their forces to Lacole and near the Province line, for the purpose of opening communication with the States. Near Rouse's Point, the next morning early, they were attacked by a strong body of British troops. The Patriots, after short resistance, fled, mostly across the line into the State of New York. The Patriots lost between 25 and 30 killed and wounded, and from 40 to 50 taken prisoners -- the same time that Generals NELSON and COATE, were endeavoring to open communications with the States for disaffected portions of the Province, by way of Rouse's Point as above stated, a body of Patriots, and their sympathizers, entered Canada from Alburgh, north of the springs, under one BRYANT, and a number of other chieftains established a military camp, and remained there several days undisturbed, previous to the battle of Lacole on the 6th, It seems that while they remained there, or seemed to, they gradually wasted away in numbers, so that on the evening of the 5th of Nov. very few were left, when those who remained endeavored to transfer the arms and munitions of war in their camp to the army under NELSON and COATE, and for that purpose, chartered the sloop General McComb, Capt. Stoughton, to freight the same, from Missisquoi Bay to Rouse's Point, and which vessel arrived at Rouse's Point, while the battle of Lacole was raging. The munitions on board said sloop were seized by officers of the United States under the neutrality act of Congress. The seizure of said property, and the loss of said sloop, General McComb, has been for many years the subject of legal investigation in the county and supreme courts and also in U. S. district court in the name of STOUGHTON vs. MOTT, and STOUGHTON vs. DEMICK. Mr. Benjamin MOTT, now of Alburgh (1863) was, on the morning of the battle of Lacole at Rouse's Point. MOTT felt like others, the spirit of patriotism, but differed from hundreds of other patriots inasmuch as he had the courage to carry his patriotism into practice. As he learned that a battle was to be fought, be repaired to the Patriot camp. About that time the British troops made their assault. He assisted in working a small cannon during the battle, in the face of a murderous fire, and when the last of the Patriot force took to his heels, he left MOTT endeavoring to give the enemy one more shot, by touching off the gun with a lighted straw. MOTT was taken prisoner, tried by a court-martial at Montreal and condemned. He was sentenced to be executed, but, after much suffering, sentence was cornmuted for banishment for life and he was sent to Van Dieman's Land. After an absence of 7 years, in penal colonies and on prison ships, he returned to his family and friends in Alburgh, and, what is a little strange, with his constitution and general health much iroproved, and had been around the world, as he went out by the cape of Good Hope, and returned by the way of Cape Horn, and in doing so, during the time, lived one day more than we, the people of Vermont. He is a man of observation and good intellect ; while gone, he managed to see much of the country and describes his trials, his travels and objects of interest in the countries of his voyage in a manner both amusing and instructive.

     Many of the men under Generals NELSON and COATE were from L'Acadie, who suffered not only in killed and wounded, but their property was at once the subject of British destruction. Over half a million worth was burned in L'Acadie alone, and L'Acadie was not the only scene of like character. No right-minded person can justify this mode of punishment for political offences, and especially in a nation claiming a respect for Christian character. When the torch is applied, innocent women and children turned, without shelter or subsistence, into the street, in a bleak Canadian November, by legitimate government orders, it leaves a national stain.

     About this time a general order was issued from Montreal, directing that no person should cross the frontier into the United States without a passport, and persons coming from the U. States should be subject to examination.

     One James W. GROGAN who resided near the line in Canada, north of Alburgh Springs, in 1837, took part with the Patriots and left the Province, leaving his family in his home, but under the proclamation of Lord Durham had returned in the summer of 1838, and was living quietly, neither disturbing nor being disturbed, until the last of December 1838, when a lieutenant, by the name of JOHNSON, with 17 soldiers, came to GROGAN and ordered him to leave the Province, which order they enforced at the point of the bayonet. GROGAN was a man of spirit and determination and possessed a good property. On the Saturday they went to GROGAN's house and ordered his wife to leave the Province or their house would be burned that night. Mrs. GROGAN left at once and joined her hus-band in Alburgh; true to their promise, that night, before midnight, GROGAN'S dwelling-house with all their furniture, two barns filled wtih hay and grain, stables in which were cattle, sheep and other stock, were all in flame ; also the house, barns, and out-build ings belonging to Mr. Harry HUXLEY were burned; HUXLEY was a citizen of the United States, and had taken no part in Canadian politics ; no reason could be assigned for burning his buildings except that he was related to Grogan.

     On the same night, moreover, the property of the near neighbors to GROGAN in Canada (of the loyal party), was burned, -- for a Mr. CLARK, two barns and their contents; for lieutenant JOHNSON, a house, barn, and the contents, and for a Mr MANIE, a barn and the contents. The burning of the property of CLARK, JOHNSON and MANIE, was probably the work of GROGAN; it is evident that GROGAN learned from his wife the threats of Lieut. JOHNSON and his party and watched until those threats were executed and then applied the torch to his enemy's property.* 

     I do not pretend in this sketch of the events connected with the Patriot war in this vicinity to mention all the buildings burned. In sight of those burnings in Alburgh, and near the line, the out-buildings of Philander A. HUXLEY were burned. GROGAN became the object of hate and fear of one party, while he was justified by the other. Some time after this, a party of volunteers from Canada crossed the line, with knowledge of GROGAN's whereabouts, and broke into the dwelling-house of Wm. BROWN, a brother-in-law of GROGAN, forcibly took him and thrust him into a wagon. Four or five got upon him and held him, and in that manner took him into Canada. BROWN lived some 4 miles south of the province line. GROGAN was somewhat hurt and the people somewhat excited.

     The abduction of GROGAN was made the subject of an immediate application to Gov. JENNISON, who caused the evidence of the facts to be taken, and an application to be made to the Gov. of Canada for the return of GROGAN to the United States. The application proved effectual and be was soon after delivered up.

     The VOSBURGH family resided about half a mile north of the province line opposite to what is called West Alburgh. The following is the account of an outrage upon the family as given by the family soon after the occurrence. VOSBURGH states himself to be of Dutch descent, and at that time 62 years of age, and that he had lived with his family 43 years on the farm where he nearly met his death. He appeared an intelligent, industrious man, and such was the character that he had always borne among his neighbors. He had himself taken no part during the troubles in the country, but his son, a married man, who with his wife and three children, lived with his father and mother, had served as a loyal volunteer. The family consisted of the father and mother, the son, his wife and three children, a grown up unmarried daughter, a widowed friend and her child, making, in all, two men, four women and four children. It appeared that the neighborhood had for some time back been in a great state of alarm and fear of night-attacks, in consequence of information received front the Alburgh side, and from Champlain, Swanton, and other villages on the south side of the-line, and seldom ventured to retire to bed, but spent the night in watching.

     Between 2 and 3 o'clock on Sunday morning, this family were thus watching, with their clothes on, when, without warning of any sort, the windows of the house were violently stove in, and the house violently entered by a party of 12 or 14 men, well armed with muskets and bayonets. The VOSBURGHS made no attempt at defence, but merely begged that they would save their lives. The marauders demanded money, and $10, being all the money in the house, was given to them. They then bound the two men with cords, and having placed the women and children in the kitchen, they took the men with them into the other rooms of the house, helping themselves to everything portable, and destroying that which they could not remove. A party of them seized some fire-brands from the hearth and ran towards the barn. They took out one pair of valuable horses, and having tackled them to a sleigh, set fire to the building; 3 horses, 9 cows, and 8 calves perished in the flames; also a large quantity of hay and other property was consumed. They brought the double-sleigh to the house, and having loaded it, and two sleighs they had brought with them, with plunder, they then commenced firing the house, by throwing fire about in all directions; the women and children were, as stated, in the kitchen, while the two men were detained in another part of the house which was now burning in various parts. A party of the ruffians pushed the VOSBURGHS, father and son, still bound with cords, into the room with the women and children and apparently began to butcher them. The only man the family recognized was a Canadian lad, some 17 or 18 years of age, who had formerly been a servant in the family, and who, doubtless, acted as guide in the attack. His face was blacked, but both VOSBURGH and his wife could swear to his identity. This man commenced the attack by thrusting his bayonet into the younger VOSBURGH's side, who, though his hands were tied, continued to seize the bayonet, and struggle with his assailant, and, although thrice wounded, he succeeded in wresting the bayonet from the musket, and rushed through the door. The ruffians fired two shots after him, but without effect; he escaped. Another of the party then thrust his bayonet into the father, who also succeeded in wresting the bayonet from the top of the musket. The leader or officer of the parity then drew his sword and cut the old man down, inflicting a dreadful wound on his bead and face. He stated that the last circumstance he remembered, before becoming insensible, was seeing the first ruffian seize his musket by the barrel and endeavor to knock his brains out with the breech, while he lay on the floor. From the first blow on the head he became insensible. The women were all spectators of this scene and fully corroborated the statements made by old Mr. VOSBURGH.

     The party, supposing they had killed the old gentleman, drove away with their sleighs and plunder. On crossing the line they gave shouts of triumph, which gave the alarm to several families living on the south side of the line, who, seeing the light of the burning barn, hurried to the assistance of the VOSBURGH family, and ultimately succeeded in putting out the flames and saving the house. In the meantime, however, the old gentleman had recovered from his swoon, and, with his family, taken refuge in the house of a neighbor. The object of this attack must have been partly for plunder, as VOSBURGH was reputed to have considerable money, and partly in retaliation for the numerous executions of patriots at that time by the Canadian government, as the loader of this party when he made his attack upon VOSBURGH, swore that he would hang or kill as many tories as the government had hanged of his friends. The account o! this outrage is here given very nearly as by the VOSBURGHs, and the correctness of it is not doubted by those acquainted with them; still, what they say of the scuffle between young Mr. VOSBURGH and the young man who had been a servant in the family, may not have been fully related, as the young man has never been seen since. For nearly a year prior to that time he had resided in Alburgh, and, from his great zeal in the Patriot cause, he passed by the cognomen of PAPINEAU, after the leader of the Patriot party in Canada. From what is above related, and from a vague rumor that be received a fatal wound in the affray, of which he died soon after they left VOSBURGH's, and that his body was sunk in the lake by his own party, on their flight towards Swanton, it is believed, by many, that this deluded young man, in this manner suffered the just punishment of his atrocious guilt. Two of the teams were known to have been driven with great speed through Alburgh and the lake, on the road leading to the village of Swanton, the other team was supposed to have turned to the right and crossed the lake into the State of New York, hut what is a little strange, neither the VOSBURGHs or their friends were ever able to find any portion of the property taken, though of considerable amount and including a valuable span of horses.

     This, and other acts and threats of Vandalism, induced General SCOTT, who at that time was in command upon this frontier, to make a requisition upon this State, to call into the United States service Captain HARRINGTON's rifle company, to keep the peace and prevent infractions of our neutrality laws. This company remained on duty from the 6th to the 18th of February, 1839; each night, guards were placed on every road and pass leading to Canada; though the gruards were once or twice fired upon, by marauders, no plundering, burning, or depredations took place in this vicinity, during the time this company was in service; during this short time our frontier inhabitants enjoyed repose; the company performed an arduous night duty; each night not less than 6 guards were sent out to points near the province line, where any possible danger could be apprehended, to keep up guard, through the long nights, deep snows, and at a distance averaging about 5 miles from the company's quarters.

     The company, at that time, consisted of 60 men, and the only circumstance to mar the recollection of that short service, was the wounding of Edward LA FLOWER, a member of the company, on returning from guard one morning, by the accidental discharge of his own rifle, the ball passing into his head near the ear, and upwards, carrying away and shattering a portion of his skull. LA FLOWER, with the aid of good surgical attention and a naturally strong constitution, partially recovered, contrary to the expectations of his friends. What was peculiar in this case is, that LA FLOWER, prior to that wounding, was never known to sing, nor possess any talent for music; but, after his partial recovery, he was found to possess one of the most melodious voices, and became a great singer; this is a suitable subject for phrenologists to explain.

     As soon as the rifle company were discharged, frontier disturbances were renewed, and on the night of the 30th of March, 1839, the barn and effects therein of Mr. George COVEY, was burned. I give the substance of the statement of Mr. COVEY, made under oath. He says that, previous to the 30th of March. it was told to me by a person friendly to me, that the British volunteers, stationed in Caldwell's manor, had made threats that they would burn my buildings; in consequence of which I watched nights, as much as possible. On the night of the 30th of March, l watched until 11 o'clock in the evening, when myself and family retired to bed. About 20 minutes after, I discovered the light of my barn shining into the room where I slept. I instantly put on part of my clothes, and went out ; the barn was situated some 50 rods east of my dwelling-house. When I got about 10 rods from the house, towards the barn, I looked north towards the province line (the barn then being in a light flame), and 6 or 7 men, armed with muskets, and to all appearance a part of the British volunteers; the light of the burning building was so great at the time, that I could see the men as plainly as I could have done in open daylight; when I stopped and looked at them, they started off north at a fast walk. I hurried to the barn, and got there just before the roof fell in. I found my 3 horses, in the stable, dead; a yearling and 1 English buck were also in the barn, and dead; there were in the barn about 12 tons of hay, some grain, and other articles. I have not the slightest doubt the barn was set on fire by troops belonging to the British service, I have learned from various ways, that the British guards had stated, before the barn was burned, that it should be burned on the very night it was done. I also say that, the night after my barn was burned, a body of British troops 10 or 12 in number, with martial music and fully armed, came over the lines, and paraded the streets about an hour.

     During the Canadian troubles, small bodies of United States troops had, at different times, been stationed in Alburgh, but, owing to the fact that they were wholly unacquainted with the country, or the character and locality of points and persons in danger, they proved to be of very slight protection to the persons and property of the inhabitants of Alburgh.

     Threats were frequently made by evil-disposed persons in Canada, who were improperly put into power in the hurry of revolt, of violence and destruction of persons and property on this side of the lines. When dangers appeared imminent, and no military force was in town, the people would voluntarily come together with their arms and guard those moat exposed to danger. This mode of suffering and danger had arrived to that degree, that it was thought advisable to call a meeting of the inhabitants. A meeting was duly warned and held on the 8th day of April 1839, to devise plans for the safety of the people. After gathering all the facts from the different parts of the town, it was unanimously voted to raise a company of volunteers to guard said town, until some relief could be obtained; also voted, Giles HARRINGTON should take the entire command of said company, and that the town should be responsible for the pay and support of said volunteer company. The town also appointed a committee to collect what arms they could, without delay. The company was raised the same day, numbering 75 men, organized, and with what arms could be obtained, put out guards the same night. The town also engaged Dr. Henry H. REYNOLDS to proceed to Shoreham, and represent our situation to Governor Jennison, with as little delay as possible; to ask the governor for an order to call out a militia force sufficient to insure safety, or to furnish arms for the volunteer company under Capt. HARRINGTON.

     At the time this town meeting was held, the state of the ice, in the lake, was such that there was no crossing; but Dr. R. by dlint of perseverance, soon after succeeded in getting to Shoreham, obtained 80 stands of arms of the governor, with directions to Capt. HARRINGTON to keep his company on duty until he came to Alburgh. The governor did not get to Alburgh as soon as was expected; on the 23d, Capt. HARRINGTON discharged all but fourteen of his volunteers; and on the same day Gov. JENNISON arrived, he approved what had been done, directed Capt. H. to retain the 14 men on duty, so long as the town authority considered their services necessary, All appearing quiet on the 30th, Capt. H. disbanded the remainder of his company.

of Vermont Militia. roll, from the 8th day of April, 1839, to the 30th April, 1839, when mustered out of service by order of Gov. Jennison:

SOLDIERS FOR THE WAR OF 1861
BY William Brayton, TOWN clerk

     There was Baptist preaching in town by Elder Smith and some others, say about 1810, and afterward. Whether a church was organized, I have not been able to ascertain.

     A Congregational Church was organized in town not far from 1825, by Rev. Simeon PARMELEE and Rev. DORMAN. It consisted of few members, had no house of worship, and was ministered to temporarily by the above named, and Rev. C. TAYLOR, and others. For some time past Rev. C. E. CADY has had pastoral charge. They have a house of worship at the Springs. The M. E. Church was organized, as you will see by the sketch I send you, by Lorenzo DOW, to which refer for date, &c.
As to biographies, they are past my reach. I could not obtain five in town. Besides this the town was settled by British refugees in the main, and it would be unpleasant to their good and loyal posterity, to have to perpetuate the fact in history.

     At the February session of the Grand-Isle County Court, held at North Hero, on the last Tuesday of February, 1859, at a meeting of the Bar regularly called, Hon. Giles HARRINGTON, of Alburgh, presented the following:

MR. HARRINGTON'S REMARKS
CONDENSED

    After the resolutions had been read, Mr. Harrington addressed the court:
 

     W.W. WHITE and FL G. EDSON, Esquires, followed in some highly appropriate remarks. GEORGE F. HOUGHTON, ESQ., of St. Albans, then made substantially the following remarks:

RESPONSE OF THE COURT

     His honor the Hon. Asa Owen ALDIS, responded in the following remarks:
 

"The Vermont Historical Gazetteer: 
A Magazine Embracing A History of Each Town, 
Civil, Ecclesiastical, Biographical and Military."
Volume II, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille & Orange Counties.
Including Also The Natural History of Chittenden County.
Edited and Published by Miss Abby, Maria Hemenway. 
Burlington, VT. 1871.
Page 487-517

Transcribed by Karima Allison 2004