He was the more pleased that he had called the men together, when, on the very morning of the gathering, he received a notice from Concord that the king had forbidden the colony to take an active part against New York in the matter of the grants.
In other words it meant that the king would protect New York and oppose all claims of New Hampshire to the lands.
"Men of the mountains," Allen commenced, "we are met to form laws to protect ourselves and our property. We must rely on ourselves alone. I think that the time has come when we should declare ourselves independent of any colony, and apply to the king for a charter."
"Good!"
"That is talk of the right kind."
"Why cannot we have our own laws, our own governor and our own army?"
"You are rather previous, Sunderland."
"Not a bit of it. I say that the king has never done anything for us, and New Hampshire has betrayed us into the hands of the Yorkers."
"We will call ourselves the Green Mountain Colony."
"I think, if you will let me suggest, that if we are going to have a new name it should be a pretty one."