VERMONT. The name of one of the new states of the United States of America.
2. It was admitted by virtue of "An act for the admission of the State of Vermont into this Union," approved February 18, 1791, I Story, U. S. Laws, 169, by which it is enacted that the state of Ver mont hexing petitioned the congress to be admitted a member of the United States, on the fourth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety one, the said state, by the name and style of " the state of Vermont," shall be received and admitted into this Union as a new and entire member of the United States of America.
The history of Vermont before its incorporation into the Union is of interest, because the soil uf this state never composed a royal province, and was not governed as a territory of the United States. The territory which composes the present state of Vermont was claimed by both New York and New Hampshire; but, though lands were granted within the limits of the debatable ground by both pro vinces, yet the conflict ofjurisdiction between them left the people of the New Hampshire Giants, New Connectiout, or Vermont (for the tract of country in question was known by these names indifferently), virtually independent of both, and they were self governed from almost the commencement of the settlement of the Grants until the admission of the state into the Union in 1791. On the 15th of Janu ary, 1777, they declared their territory to be " a free independent jurisdiction, or state," and on the 2d of July in the same year a convention of dele gates was assembled to frame a constitution.
3. A constitution was acoordingly drawn up and approved by the convention, but was revised by the same body in the following December, and went immediately into effect. It was amended in 1786, 1793, 1828, 1836, and 1850. The freemen of the state elect, every seven years, by general ticket, a oouncil of censors, consisting of thirteen persons, whose duty it is to inquire whether the constitution has been preserved inviolate during the last sap tenary, to propose such amendments to the con stitution as they may deem necessary, and to call a convention to determine upon the expediency of adopting such amendments as may be proposed by the counoil of censors. No other mode of amend ing the constitution is provided. Const. 43.
4. Every man of the full age of twenty-one years, vat.' has resided in the state for the space of une whole year next before the election of repre sentatives, is of a quiet and peaceable behavior, will take the 'oath of allegiance to the state,. and, Art. Amend. 1, is a natural horn-oitizen of any of tbe United States, or is naturalized, is entitled to all *the privileges of a freeman -of the state. Const. 21.
The writ of habeas oorpus is issuable of right, and cannot he suspended. Art. Amend. 12.
By 1 of the Bill of Rights prefixed to the frame of government, which by 42 of the con stitution is declared to be a part of that instrument, it is provided, among other things, that no male person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law to serve any per non as a servant, slave, or apprentioe, after he ar rives at the age of twenty-one years, nor female, in like manner,,after she arrives at the age of eighteen years, unless they are hound by their own oonsent after they arrive at such age, or bound by law for the payment of debt, damages, fines, costs, or the like. This clause is held by the courts to make females of full age, for all purposes whataiever, at the age of eighteen years.
5. Absolute liberty of oonscience and of worship, and ribs, lute equality of rights, are secured to all persons without distinction of religious baliet Bin of Rights, 3.
6. The etipreme legielative power is exercised by a senate and the house of representatives, styled, collectively, "the General Assembly of the state of Vermont." The senate and the house of repre sentatives have the like powers in all acts of legisla tion, and no "bill, resolution, or other thing" passed by the one can have the effect of a law without the concurrence of the other. Revenue hills must origin. ate in the house, but amendments may be proposed in the senate. Neither house can, without the con sent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that where the two houses are sitting; and in case of disagreement between the two houses respecting adjournment, the governor may adjourn them to such time as he thinks proper. Art. Amend. 3.