In the course of the winter, in earnest the farmers procure fuel for the year; thrash out their grain and dispose of their surplus produce. The fruits of the dairy are also disposed of, and the heavy articles of family consumption procured for the season.

As they used to

say, it was laying in stores for the year. One costly item in this bill of expense is omitted since the glorious era of temperance. The balance after this; and paying off hired help, the bills of merchants, physicians and the salary of the minister, is laid aside for the calls of the unknown future, the purposes of education and improvements on their premises.

They are now prepared for the whistling winds and drifting snows of February. They can enjoy the pleasures of a comfortable fireside, employing their time in select reading and conversation, unconscious of the desolations abroad, ('Iliemo informis.')

As the heart of winter breaks;' and the sunny, last days of February come, the neighbors, in the circuit of three or four miles, begin to make and pay each other the friendly, annual visit. Families, husband, wife and little ones, in sleighs or on sleds, meet several other families at an appointed place, and spend the afternoon and evening in social converse. The flow of friendship and good humor, enlivens the eye and cheers the heart. Freedom of speech is indulged; the recent events if interested are reviewed; and remarks made in frankness without the fear of treachery. The innocent joke goes round, and the brow of care, and the wrinkles of anxiety

are smoothed. Then comes the hospitable repast; the grafted apples; specimens of the beef preserved in spow; the choice uncostly viands; and the evening closing in harmony and sober hilarity.

167

CHAPTER XI.

Changes in the executive department, from 1797 to 1842.-Changes in parties.-Governors.-Their characters.-Incidents under their administrations.-English and French party.-How originated.-Difficulties with France and the general government.— 1816, cold summer.- -A railer at Providence.-Free-masonry becomes a political question.-Excitement.-No choice of governor by the people.-Many trials in the House.—Antimasonry in politics succeeds.-Arrival in Vermont of the Marquis de La Fayette.-Proceedings at Windsor.-Some character of him. From 1842 looking back, and reflections on the list of chief magistrates.-The variety in their characters, pursuits, and religious belief.-The abolition of capital punishment.

In giving the history of Vermont from the period of its being received into the union, to this time, 1842, the object will be to give briefly the changes in the executive and judicial departments; the most important measures adopted by the government; the increase of population; the progress made in towns and villages; and with conveniences and refinements of society. This part of the work will be attempted in a general succinct manner, both that the patience of the reader may be relieved, and because some of the topics have been incidentally illustrated in giving the character of the inhabitants. The military transactions also, it is intended, are to be

arranged in a part by itself; being presented in one point of view.

In 1797, Thomas Chittenden died. He had been the governor of the state from its first organization; and was highly respected and much beloved. While he lived, little was said or known here comparatively of opposing political parties. Their own struggle for a separate, independent existence had kept the inhabitants united. But when this question was decided in their favor, and the rod, as it were, no longer suspended in a menacing attitude over their heads, they began, like the other states to find ground of discord among themselves. They were soon split into two great political parties, called federal and republican; general terms, which leave doubtful the grounds of this division. The origin of these names was the adoption of the United States constitution, by which the separate states became united in one general, or federal government. Those friendly to this union or league, were called federalists; and those opposed to it, democrats, believing that too much power was taken by it out of the people's hands. They afterwards took to themselves the appellation Republican. Subsequently the republicans bestowed on the federalists the title of British partisans, and they in turn were complimented as the French party. The French nation had thrown off the shackles of royalty, and proclaimed liberty and equality; "the republic one and indivisible." They then in this country, who in addition to the obligations which they deservedly cherished towards that nation for their noble interposition in our behalf against

the encroachments of Britain, and regarding the federal compact as leaning too much towards monarchy and aristocracy, might very naturally incur the suspicion of undue bias and influence. The strenuous advocates for the provisions of the constitution might also as easily and naturally fall under the odium of undue admiration of the English form of government. Both were probably misjudged; and misjudged and wronged each other, equally seeking the best good of their country; but differing as to the means of accomplishing it. But these were terms of reproach and created no little acrimony in the country.

It reached Vermont; and on the death of Gov. Chittenden, there was no choice of governor by the people. Isaac Tichener, of Bennington, was subsequently chosen by the general assembly. He was a man of talents; and distinguished personal accomplishments; and set the example of opening the business of the assembly by a formal speech, 1797; and subsequently characterized as "the governor's speech."

In 1798, Tichener was re-elected. This year a collision took place between the national government and that of France. The tone of the French Directory was insolent; requiring this country to take side with them in the war with England. President Adams firmly resisted their demands, and a kind of retaliatory war on the ocean was the consequence. The legislature of Vermont sustained the president in a warm and patriotic address; which was very gratifying to him as appeared from his reply.