SETTLER'S DIFFICULTIES ADJUSTED. 267 many others, their settlement again flourished, and the village was rebuilt. They still refused, says Mr. Trego, to acknowledge the authority of Pennsylvania, or to be governed by her laws; and on the application of that State to Congress, a board of commissioners was appointed to determine the dispute between Pennsylvania and Connecticut concerning the jurisdiction of the territory in question, who, after a deliberation of five weeks, unanimously decided that the state of Connecticut had no right to the land in controversy. But though WYOMING MONUMENT. the Connecticut settlers were now willing to acknowledge the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, they refused to yield up their farms and improvements to the Pennsylvania claimants, and a scene of trouble and contention between the different parties ensued, in which resort was again had to arms, and a number of persons were killed. The civil authorities of Pennsylvania were resisted, and the armed companies sent to sustain them were met and repelled by armed bodies of the Connecticut settlers. At length, after a long and harrassing contention, a compromise was effected; seventeen townships being granted to the Connecticut people, on condition of their relinquishing all claims to any other lands within the purchase of the original Connecticut Susquehanna Company, and compensation being made to the Pennsylvania claimants. Thus, at last, ended the Wyoming controversy; the New England settlers and their descendants became industrious and valuable citizens of their adopted state, and having now become blended with the general family of the commonwealth, they enjoy, in their blooming, beautiful and busy valley, the blessings of peace, plenty and prosperity. They are not, however, forgetful of the perils and sufferings by which their fathers established themselves in that favored spot, and have erected a monument on the battle ground of the "Massacre of Wyoming," over the bones of the unfortunate sufferers in that melancholy tragedy, to commemorate the deeds of that eventful day, and to show to future generations the spot where their forefathers fought, bled, and died in defence of their families and homes. |