Vrest Orton (1897–1986)

This book is more of an 86-page pamphlet than a full book. Admittedly, this is a bit quirky. Unlike other reviewers I don't find its political views to be overwhelmingly conservative. The subject is a little abstract. Put simply, Vermont is a small state. There are not many interested in its history. That does not make the converse true, that it's history is not interesting or important. I have such an interest, being a history buff and having family living part-time in Vermont. I have done other reading about this period and Vermont's role, including but not limited to Vermont's Ebenezer Allen: Patriot, Commando and Emancipator by Glenn Fey Jr. and George Clinton: Yeoman Politician of the New Republic by John P. Kaminski. The latter has a lengthy section about New York's battle to retain Vermont, which marked much of Governor Clinton's long career as New York governor.

As some may know, Vermont was not one of the Thirteen Colonies, and was not present at the Constitutional Convention. It's land was claimed, separately, by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Britain (by way of Canada and otherwise) and most importantly New York. Many of the people living in what is now Vermont felt differently. When New York, New Hampshire and Massachusetts were royal colonies, Vermont resisted. It resisted New York's incursions more than New Hampshire, which governed with a lighter hand. The Vermonters were particularly turned off by New York's "patroon" system, akin to Russia's tradition of serfdom.

This resistance led, ultimately, to Vermont declaring an independent republic, initially called New Connecticut and later Vermont, in 1777. Vermont had its own Constitution, currency and other attributes of independence. Four year's after writing of the U.S. Constitution, Vermont joined as the 14th state.… (plus d'informations)