character of the Green Mountain Boys, than the raising of the paltry
force which even the bes' of these propositions involves. And I doubt
not the means of so doing may be soon and abundantly supplied, without
infringing the constitution or distressing the people. And I therefore
move, sir, that this council resolve to raise a full regiment of men,
forthwith appoint their officers, and take such prompt and speedy
measures for their enlistment, that, within one week every glen in
Vermont shall resound with the stir of military preparation."

"Chimerical!" said one, who, in common with the rest of the council,
seemed to hear, with much surprise, a proposition of this magnitude so
confidently offered, when the doubt appeared to be whether even the
comparatively trifling one of Clark would be adopted.

"Impossible, utterly impossible to raise pay for half of them,"
responded several others.

"Don't let us say that till we are compelled to do so," said the
patriotic Carpenter, in an encouraging tone. "This proposition jumps
so well with my wishes, that I would not see it hastily abandoned.
For, although I confess I do not pretend to see where the requisite
means are to come from, yet some new light, in this respect, may break
in upon us by another day. And could we but see our way clear to
sustain this proposition, we should feel like men again."

"Amen to all that," responded Clark. And as the hour for adjournment
has now arrived, I move that our young colleague, who offered this
proposition with so much confidence in the discovery of a way to carry
it into execution, and who is said to be very fertile in expedients,
be appointed a committee to devise the ways and means of paying the