The Letter which you did me the favour to write on the 5th Ultimo(1) I receiv' d on the 22d. What will be done respectg. Vermont affairs I cannot Say, I Suppose under present Circumstances it would not be possible to have any thing determined in Congress respecting them. I am well informed that one reason given (in private by some Gentlemen from the Southward) why they would not make them a Seperate State is because it would be adding One more to the Votes of the Eastern States, which they Say they will not do untill they can add one to the Southern likewise. I need not Comment on this. I am Sensible while the Vermont business remains undetermined N.H. will be in an Unhappy Situation. I am Informed by the New York Delegates that their State has lately (in Consequence of repeated Applications) granted a Number of Commissions to people in the County of Cumberland which I think Joins on the River. A Member of Congress from New Engld. with whom I am Intimately acquainted, (2) this day Shew me Copy of a letter which he was going to Send to a Gentn. of high rank in the State to which he belonged & in answer to One he had recd. Urging that Vermont might be made a Seperate State, in which he Says, "I am fully Convinced of the Justice & policy of making them a Seperate State, but it is as likely that Great Britain will Cede Scotland to the United States as that the present Congress will make Vermont an Independant State." I wish N. H. may not be again Duped In this affair. I Enclose you a list of officers &c. by which you will See how great a Number of Officers some States have, who have but few privates

   I am with much Esteem your Hum Servt, J T. Gilman

   P.S. As I write you freely, if you find any part of this or any other of my Letters which ought to be kept Secret you will undoubtedly keep it as Such.

   RC (NhD: Bartlett Papers).