[52] Doc. Hist. N. Y. vol. iv. p. 493.
[53] Thompson's Vermont, part ii. p. 25.
[54] State Papers, p. 42.
[55] State Papers.
[56] Williams's History; Thompson's Vermont.
CHAPTER VI.
THE WESTMINSTER MASSACRE.
While the western portion of the New Hampshire Grants was involved in this turmoil of incipient warfare, most of the settlers to the eastward of the Green Mountains held aloof from the strife, for many of them had surrendered their original charters, taking new ones under New York and submitting quietly to its jurisdiction. Yet they were not lacking in the spirit of patriotism that was now warming all their countrymen into a new life, and presently there came an event which welded them into closer affiliation with their brethren of the western grants, and brought them into active opposition to the imperious government of New York.